Time passed fast. After that night, the groups separated again, each one exploring different routes to return to the starting point, and the routine of being stuck just with the people of your own team returned.
Kanye was fuming and insupportable since the night of their well required revenge. They tried to accuse them, as it was expected, but the lack of proofs that they were, in fact, the ones that pranked them, was a perfect excuse to dismay the matter. Lily gave them a speech of fellowship nevertheless, and Taylor had a hard time trying to not roll her eyes or smirk in victory at the boy's hysteric accusations. From that encounter, she learned her friends were excellent liars, god, they could all be rocking Hollywood stars if they wanted, there wasn't a flinch of hesitance in their alibis. And, to be honest, everybody knew Lily had favorites, and Cara, Jourdan, Karlie and Taylor were definitely one of them, so they escaped free from their revengeful activities. The funny part was that the notice note went to the boys for soaking them in the first place, an action that everybody saw, so everything's coming up Milhouse, as Cara said.
As uneventful days passed by, Taylor got used to the continuous sore muscles and the weight of her backpack, she got used at the humid and sultry air, which grew hotter everyday, not even softened by the dome of leaves above their heads; she got used to ignore the chafing caused by her boots, she got used to the dull food and the warm water, but mostly, she got used to having Karlie presence always besides her. The girl was the only thing keeping Taylor sane, her tease when she was about to give up, when she offered to carry part of the load on her back to make the walks more enjoyable, when she put ointment on the insect bites Taylor couldn't reach or when she let Taylor finish her sandwich, because she knew the edge of the bread was her favorite part of it. God, she is wonderful.
It seemed Karlie had as a personal goal keep Taylor safe, and even if her pride kept her from saying thanks directly, Taylor appreciated every single gesture the brunette had with her. And Taylor couldn't still comprehend why, why was Karlie bothering? Taylor wanted to read through her actions, understand the change in her behavior, because, even if Karlie always had shown a hint of concern towards her, now Karlie was always concerned. It was sweet as well as irritating. Amusing and infuriating at the same time.
"I've told you I'm okay, Karlie"
"You're a fucking klutz, look at this mess" Karlie was kneeling in front of her, green eyes examining with apprehension the swollen cut in her calf, while she was sitting in the sturdy root of a tree that came to the surface. They were on their lunch break, and the rest of the group was nearby, but not with them.
Taylor may or may not have used a steep slope as a natural slide to avoid having to walk, and the outcome had obviously not been what she had expected. Slipping and not having to walk? yes, eat all the bushes and dig all the stones hidden under the grass? that too.
"Geez, I'm oka-"
"Don't you dare" Karlie cut with a pointed glare "How did that even happen? How do you slip over there?" The brunette kept rambling as she searched hydrogen peroxide and bandages in her backpack, and Taylor let her with a sigh, knowing better than stop her and gain another quarrel. How was she supposed to tell her it hadn't be exactly an accident? Karlie would go nuts.
Apparently, she took her silence as a sign of guilt, and Taylor could practically see how Karlie made the connections in her head as she narrowed her eyes at her. It was a shame the brunette had gotten so good at reading her "TAYLOR!" Her green orbs were wide, and looked at her with clear accusation "Please, please, tell me that you didn't do it on purpose"
"..."
"IsweartogodI'mgonnakillyou"
"Uh, yeah, didn't really catch that"
