Some People Change (Currently Editing)

Chapter Forty-One

In just two days I was back home, but in that short amount of time, so much had happened. Newspaper articles were published about my fight with Tom, hailing Zaltana and me as heroes. But I figured that the most important thing was that not only did I reconcile with my mother, she had forgiven my father. 

Jackson had been in the market for a new house and, by some chance, he snagged one right across the street from Amy’s. I felt as if a newly discovered light shined down on me from the sky, and I was so thankful for it.

The night that I returned from the hospital, everybody came over for dinner. Jason, trying to be courteous to me, made a meal that we could eat on the couch, and that I could eat lying down. It still hurt too much to sit up. 

Jackson set a pillow in his lap and I lay my head down on it. My feet situated themselves in Emma’s lap.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re excused,” I replied.

“I’m trying to eat here.”

“Well, I think you should stop trying and just do it.”

“Glad to see you’re feeling better.”

I didn’t have much of an appetite that night. Jason cooked up some hotdogs, macaroni and cheese, and green beans. I had, like, one green bean, and a miniscule bowl of macaroni and cheese.

I hated that Jackson had to leave early. 

“I gots to pack if I wants to move,” he told me firmly.

“Fine.”

He kissed my forehead before he headed out the door. Ed had to leave shortly after Jackson.

“After you’re all healed, I was thinking that maybe we could try some jumping with Zaltana,” Ed said. 

“Sure.”

“We don’t have to, but it’s just a thought.”

“It sounds good, Ed.”

“Feel better soon, darling.”

I watched him depart, and then Jason announced that my bedtime had arrived. Taylor, Emma, Amy, and I were spending the night at Jason’s.

Jason carried me up the stairs, and into one of his guest rooms. Emma opened up the door and flung some pajamas at my face a few minutes later. I quickly dressed into them and then lay down.

Of course, sleep didn’t come immediately. I pondered the happenings of the last couple of days, trying not to spend all of my energy on Tom. My thoughts were interrupted after a half an hour by the door opening. Taylor stepped in.

“Taylor?”

He shrieked and then jumped back.

“You scared me. What are you still doing up?”

“Can’t sleep. What are you doing?”

“Jason, well…I wanted to check on you. Do you mind if I…uh…”

Without another word, Taylor climbed into the bed beside me.

“Okay…”

“I’m sorry,” Taylor said as he sat up.

“Wait,” I answered as I pulled him back down. “Stay.”

He kissed my lips sweetly.

“I love you, Kayla. I’m so glad that you’re okay. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had lost you.”

“I love you, too, Taylor.”

I pushed him on his back and then rested my head on his chest. Taylor stroked my hair and rubbed my back.

“Are you awake enough to talk?”

“Sure.”

“Are you positive? I don’t want to keep you up too late. You need your rest.”

“I’m fine, Taylor. Why do you sound so guilty?”

“I can’t get over what happened to you. It’s just…we left you alone.”

“Even if you hadn’t, Tom still would’ve come for me. I’m glad that you weren’t there because if you had gotten caught in the crossfire, so to speak, I could never forgive myself.”

“Kayla, if I died to protect you it would be worth it.”

“No-”

“Yes, baby. It would be. I’d risk my life for you in a heartbeat. I swear I would.”

We stared deep into each other’s eyes, and I knew that he spoke the truth.

“As would I for you,” I murmured. 

Taylor turned on his side to face me and we lay our heads on the pillows. He moved closer to me and pressed his forehead to mine as we wrapped our arms securely around each other.

“You look tired,” Taylor commented.

“I am. Stay with me?”

He kissed me so passionately and I took that as a “yes”.