Friendly Reminder

Chapter 1

It's been 2 months since Hayley's divorce and she finally felt free to be the woman she's always wanted to be. Yes, she still thinks about all the nasty shit her ex put her through, but it's a major healing process that she's working on. She couldn't ask for a better support system either. Taylor has been her rock for so long now and Hayley was beyond grateful for him.

Sometimes, though, she felt that she wasn't giving enough of herself to him as he had to her, so her thoughts would turn negative as she imagined him walking out of her life just like everyone else in the past has. Hayley thought back to when Jeremy left because he wasn't getting enough credit that he surely didn't deserve and now she didn't want to face Taylor leaving her because of all her problems. Then she remembered what her therapist had told her: "Why would you believe your negative thoughts when they hold no truth?" Hayley knew her therapist was right, but she couldn't help going there when that's all she knew of.

But Taylor was different. She knew he loved her and she loved him. They were best friends through thick and thin. They had seen every side of each other. Hayley almost considered him to be her soulmate, without the romantic feelings.

She thought of this as she sat on her couch waiting for him to come over. Paramore had just finished tour 2 of the After Laughter album cycle and she was relieved to be back home for a while, but at the same time, missed seeing the fans sing along to their songs.

Her thoughts emptied out of her brain when she heard her doorbell ring. Hayley was excited to see Taylor, even though they had just seen each other 2 days before. She missed seeing him every day.

Hayley opened the door, revealing the tall man she called her best friend and she smiled. "Hey! Long time no see, T. I feel like it's been years since I last saw you."

At this, Taylor scrunched his face and said, "I just saw you 2 days ago. You missed me that bad, huh?" He had a smirk on his face that unknowingly to Hayley meant he was happy to know she missed him too.

"Well, maybe I did just a little." When he started breaking out into a laugh, she retorted, saying, "You know I miss seeing everyone every day. It's hard right after tour to get back in the groove of things."

Although Taylor knew exactly what she meant, he longed to be the only one she missed seeing all the time. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Sometimes Nashville gets too quiet compared to the nights we have on tour. I'm just happy we live so close to each other."

Hayley smiled brightly at his comment. "Me too! I don't know what I would do if you weren't nearby or Zac either. Alf would be my only companion." She pretended to be sad by pouting and it made Taylor laugh.

The 2 best friends decided to watch a movie as they ate a pizza that was delivered to Hayley's house. When the movie was finished, Taylor felt compelled to ask Hayley how she was doing. When she nodded and only said, "pretty good" he knew there was something more to it than that.

"Come on, Hayley. How are you really doing?" he said. He knew her better than anyone else in the world and could always see what was under the mask she tried to put on.

Hayley couldn't help but roll her eyes, but was truthful in her answer. "I mean, I am doing good, don't get me wrong, but I just have this feeling that I'm not doing enough. Like, however hard I try to do something, I feel like I could be doing more."

Taylor sat, confused. "I don't understand. What do you mean by that?"

Hayley wasn't sure if she wanted to have this conversation right now, or ever, really, but here she was having it. "You've been such a great friend to me, Taylor. Seriously, you'll never know how much you saved me, but I just feel like I could be doing more for you or something," Hayley was on the verge of tears as she spoke her feelings. "You deserve that after what I put you through with my mess of a life."

Immediately, Taylor refuted her and shook his head. "Hayley, wait, no. Are you kidding me? You've been through so much and all I did was be there for you because I wanted to," She couldn't help the smile that emerged onto her face when he said that. "Hayles, you're my best friend and I would do absolutely anything for you. I mean, look at you now. I'm so proud of how far you've come. Whether you believe it or not, your own strength got you here."

Hayley looked up at him and said, "I wouldn't say I'm strong. Do you know how short I am?" She giggled at herself and Taylor did too. He was about to speak, but she wasn't done spilling her heart out. If he wanted her to talk serious, he was going to hear it. "Sometimes I just feel like I'm gonna be alone forever and no one will want me"

These words shocked Taylor, who was the one person in the world who wanted her the most, but knew it would screw up their amazing friendship if he ever told her.

He put his hand on her knee and looked her right in the eyes. "H, you're going to find someone who deserves everything you are, trust me. You're so special and I can't believe anyone wouldn't want you. Please don't ever think that.

Internally taken aback, Hayley stared at Taylor, who had now moved his hand from her knee and said, "Thank you, T. That means so much to me. The same to you, too, by the way." She grinned at him with a brand new sparkle in her eye.

They looked at each other for a long 5 seconds, until Taylor announced that he should get going. Both of them stood up and walked to the door.

"Thanks for having me over and I'm glad we got to talk one on one like that, it's been awhile." Taylor said.

Hayley nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, of course! I'm glad, too. Thanks for paying for the pizza! And for all the lovely things you said about me. I'm lucky to have someone like you in my life."

Hayley then pulled Taylor into a hug, hanging onto him for as long as she could before it could get awkward and then let go. She also made a mental note of how great he smelled.

All Taylor knew was that he didn't ever want to let go of her, so when she did, he was disappointed, but realized he let his crazy thoughts get to him again. "You're welcome. You know I'm always going to be here for you."

For the millionth time that night, Hayley smiled and said, "I know, I know. Now drive safe!"

Taylor walked out the door and looked back at her. "The speed limit is only 30 mph from yours to mine, I think I'll be okay."

She didn't appreciate his joke, but knew he was right. "Whatever. You should still be safe rather than sorry."

Taylor opened his car door with a wide grin. "Goodnight, Hayley."

"Night, T."

She watched him drive away and went back inside with Alf. For the first time, Hayley felt a shift in her feelings for Taylor, something she felt herself wanting to avoid, but also wanting to explore. While her thoughts about her best friend wandered endlessly, the new sparkle in her eyes never left.

Author's Note: This is my first story ever, so it probably sucks, but I hope someone out there enjoys it. Let me know if anyone wants another chapter!