The Fair

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Neither of them were sure how long they stood there for, holding on to each other tightly. Eventually Joe was ready to walk back to the car, holding Taylor's hand as they walked back. "Want me to drive?" Taylor asked softly.

Joe nodded, getting into the passenger seat. Taylor glanced worriedly at Joe as they drove. He was staring out the window, sadness engulfing his face. "Do you want to stop for any food?" Taylor asked carefully.

"I'm not that hungry," Joe mumbled.

Taylor nodded, continuing to drive. "Do you want to go to your house? Or do you want me to go to my house then you drive yourself back to your house?"

"I don't really care," Joe shrugged, still staring out the window.

"Okay, um, I'll just go over to your house, and when I need to go I'll walk home," Taylor suggested.

Joe didn't respond, staying silent until they reached the house. Getting out of the car, Joe and Taylor walked into the house. Elizabeth, Richard and Patrick were already there, mingling around the kitchen. They gave small waves to Taylor as she walked up the stairs with Joe. Sitting down on his beanbag, Joe sighed.

Taylor sat down on the floor in front of him, "So have you told anybody else?"

"No," Joe said, looking down at his lap.

Taylor nodded slowly, not sure what to say. There was a small beep from her phone, and a text from her dad appeared on her phone, 'Mom says that she needs your help cooking dinner, could you come home?'

Joe peered over, and saw Taylor's reluctance to leave. "It's okay, I'll see you at school on Monday."

Taylor gave him a small hug, "Okay, I'll see you later."

Taylor walked down the stairs, saying a quick goodbye to his parents before walking home. Once she got home, she walked towards the kitchen where her mom was. "Hey mom, what's up?"

"Sorry honey, I just need help with this recipe. I can't get the dough to rise properly," Andrea explained.

Taylor nodded, "Okay, here let me help."

It took Taylor about ten minutes to figure out exactly what Andrea was doing wrong, but during that time Andrea noticed the lack of energy in Taylor. Usually she was ecstatic about doing anything cooking related, but now she just seemed drained.

"Are you okay Tay?" Andrea asked as Taylor washed her hands.

"Sorta," Taylor shrugged, drying her hands.

Andrea furrowed her eyebrows, "What's up?"

"I just... I don't know what to do to help Joe. I try to talk to him and let him grieve but he's just being so distant," Taylor sighed.

Andrea frowned, "When someones going through such a big loss, you just have to give them space. I know you want to talk to him, but honestly sometimes people just need time to register everything on their own."

Taylor looked down at the floor, "Really? I don't want him to be alone then start blaming himself with no one to set him on the right path. I already saw it happening at the funeral."

"I know you're worried about him, but he also has his family, Taylor. If you really want to help him, give him time by himself. Trust me." Andrea put a reassuring hand on Taylor's shoulder.

Taylor bit her lip, "Okay."

Not being able to help being a little nosy , Andrea continued, "I'm just curious... do you have feelings for him? Joe?"

"Feelings? For Joe?" Taylor said, slightly taken aback by the question.

"Yeah," Andrea said, smirking slightly.

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