Talk of the Town (Kaylor) || COMPLETED

ix. run away

late August

"I just want to sleep," I whispered feebly, my eyes screwed shut underneath my pillow. I was expecting Josh's voice to tell me to get up or to eat something as it had been for the past few days. He kept coming to check on me since he picked me up from the airport. He was worried, I could tell. And I didn't blame him, I was a mess. I hadn't left my bed in however long it had been such that horrible night in Nashville. I hadn't heard from Taylor at all. Greg texted me back eventually with a short but sweet message saying he'd miss me and he was sorry. I hadn't bothered leaving my bed, I knew Josh was doing his best to cover for me at Klossy's with the girls. I was perfectly content in my little oasis of bed sheets and pillows and Joe. I knew it had been raining all week, my windows were as streaked with rivers of water as my cheeks were. I'd never cried so much in my life. 

"Karlie, it's us." It was a surprise when it was  Stella who spoke instead of Josh. I pried open one of my swollen eyes to look. Stella was kneeling beside the bed, petting Joe in her arms.

"Girl, get the fuck up. Right now! This is just pathetic! You are a catch and anyone who can't see that deserves to have their ass left behind in the mud, no second thoughts or regrets." Jourdan's confidence was always something I loved about her but right now, I hated her words, hated her telling me to move on. Didn't she get that Taylor was the love of my life? Without her, what was the point? I didn't want to live in a world without her in my life. I just wanted my mom, and to eat cupcakes all day, and sleep until 2pm.  

"Kar," Stella soothed, softer, "it's been almost a week. We're worried about you, we miss you. Klossy's isn't the same without you..." I didn't move, I just stared at her hollowly. Stella sighed, "I know it sucks and it hurts but you have to get on with your life. Look! Look what came for you!" Stella tried to tempt me out of my cocoon but I didn't budge. I was grateful that they had both stepped up at the bakery, keeping it running whilst I hid away under my duvet dreaming of better days. 

"Oh, for the love of God, Karlie!" Jourdan yanked back the covers forcing bright light to flood in. My eyes started to adjust to them sitting on the side of the bed, a rectangular white box in Stella's hands as she smiled. "Sit up, open your eyes and fucking look!" Jourdan forced the box from Stella's hands, putting it in my lap. 

I did as I was told, begrudgingly. I recognized the insignia on the top immediately. Le Cordon Bleu Paris. I'd applied before I reconnected with Taylor in December on a whim. It was my dream to live in Paris and learn how to really cook. I had almost completely forgotten that I had applied. Stella looked at me and I nodded slowly. Jourdan retrieved the box, sliding off the lid to reveal a folded letter and tissue paper. She unfolded the papers and cleared her throat. 

"Dear Mademoiselle Kloss, thank you for your application to join Le Cordon Bleu's prestigious and highly-competitive Patisserie course starting this coming academic year," Jourdan read aloud and Stella read it over her shoulder simultaneously, "We are delighted to accept you into our highly lauded, year-long Grand Diplôme in Pastry And Cuisine starting this Fall at our Paris school! We look forward to welcoming you soon! Enclosed is the necessary paperwork and your personalized chef's hat for the course. With very best wishes, Le Cordon Bleu Admission Board."  

Both of them started squealing almost immediately. I couldn't form any words or thoughts except, this is meant to be my dream come true... 

"You have to go, Karlie. You have to go and kick ass in Paris and follow your dream." Jourdan squeezed my hand in support, "It's a fresh start, it's a chance of a lifetime and it's yours... maybe this is the perfect end to this part of your life. You'll be gone for a year and then you can come back and things will be like they were before, maybe even better." Jourdan looked teary-eyed as she shook my shoulders, trying to firmly plant every word she said inside my head.