FicWad

Taylor’s POV

I waited for the guys to come out and closed the door behind me, I thought it was better if I kept the conversation in the hall instead of inside the room. At least I had somewhere to run off to.
I watched them get into the elevator before turning my attention back to William and cross my arms on my chest.

“So?”

“Um… Tay… we… we need to talk.” He stuttered. For some reason it wasn’t as adorable as it was 2 weeks ago. “Well, I was talking to Mike… or he was talking to me... and he t-thought I should... try and talk to you again…” He said, looking at the floor and fidgeting his feet.

“Do we even have something to talk about?”

“I just… hate that things ended badly. I care about you a-a lot…”

“No. Just… don’t do this.” I said shaking my head. “We don’t have time either.” I took a glance to my clock, we had to leave in ten minutes.

“But why? Why can’t we talk now? I miss having you around, Taylor.”

“Cause unless whatever you have to say takes you less than 10 minutes, the van will leave us here.”

“Okay, okay, meet me in my room tonight, and we can talk then.” He pouted. “Please?”

“I don’t think--”

“Please, please, Taylor.” He repeated, taking my hand in his. I snatched my hand back.

“Fine.” I mumbled, fighting internally with myself.

“Really?” He smiled a little. It almost made me smile too, but I didn’t. I nodded. “Great.”

“Yeah, I’ll… I’ll see you later then.” I didn’t wait for him to say anything, I didn’t even turn to see if he was following, I just made my own way down by the fire escape stairs. I certainly didn’t wanna share an elevator with him, I might have fainted!

The ride to the venue was short, silent and awkward. I avoided all kind of questioning looks from Nat and tried to act like nothing was wrong. But at least 3 people in that van knew there was something wrong and they weren’t hiding it. Brendon looking at me confused, Nat looking worried and Ryan looking… disappointed? Hell, I’d be too, after all it was Ryan who kept me cheered up and working, or I would’ve stayed locked up in my room till the tour was over.

“Snap! Taylor! Are you okay?” Nat said clapping in front of my face. I looked at her, glancing at the boys’ snack table and then back at me. “Is there a reason you’re zoning out here?”

I sighed. “What do you think?” I rubbed my face and went back to folding shirts. Nat groaned and sat on the counter.

“Seriously. Just talk to him and get it over with. No more stress.”

“Yeah, I know.” I sighed again. “We’re… talking tonight. I don’t even…” I stopped and huffed, thinking way too hard over it. “It’s not like we’re fixing anything though. I’m leaving by the end of the week anyways.” Even when I turned to pick another merch box, I could feel Nat shaking her head.

“So because William is an ass you’re just going to leave everyone else hanging?”

“I’m not. I already gave my two weeks notice to Tony.” I said lifting the box on the table and hiding my freaking head in it. “Besides, I already told you I can’t stay here.”

Nat sighed and picked on another box. “I can’t change your mind, but I really hope you reconsider. Maybe after your talk. And I’m going out tonight, and I don’t know what time I’ll be back in.”

And all of the sudden my stomach didn’t hurt. Instead, I raised an eyebrow. “And what about Carden?” I asked with a smirk. Nat rolled her eyes.

“What about him?”

“What about him?” I laughed. “You’re not going out with him, but with Brendon. Isn’t that going to get you in trouble?”

“He bored me enough for one day. And I want to have some fun. Besides, Brendon and I are just get along. We’re friends. If douch-face can’t respect that, then I guess I’m leaving too.” She said matter of fact-ly.

“Do him already and get over it.” I chuckled.

“Yeah, well, you make up with Bill.”

“Mmm, how bout… NO.”

Whatever she was gonna use as a comeback, she didn’t. Tony came by telling her the guys were waiting for her, so she silently left. I took my time then folding each shirt into separated piles, the stereo under the counter playing Santi on repeat. I felt like smashing it, but this still was TAI…’s merch post, as tired as I was of listening to William’s voice, especially after being there when those songs were written. But that didn’t matter anymore, it was all in the past, it was good while it lasted and too bad it ended the way it did, but there’s no way I’m coming back to that.

Or so I tried to convince myself of.

I knew I couldn’t trust myself with William, which made me think about our little ‘meeting’ over and over again. Still, part of me wanted to go, wanted to listen to whatever he had to say and was fool enough to have some hopes. The part of me that still loved him.

.~

Natalie’s POV

After we took down the merch table, Taylor and I left the rest to the crew and got all of our stuff ready to leave. I went to climb aboard the shuttle bus, but a slender arm reached out, grabbing me.

“You won’t forget about me tonight, right?” A voice whispered into my ear. I shook my head. “Good. I’ll see you after I’ve had time to change. We can meet at the bar in the lobby. Call me when you’re dressed,” He paused. “And wear something you can dance in.”

I chuckled and turned around, biting into my lip as Brendon winked and hopped up the bus steps.

Back at the hotel, I took time to find a nice outfit, which happened to be my only dress, but it wasn’t like I was trying to seduce him or anything, jeez. We were only going dancing.

Meanwhile in other news, Taylor was still sulking. I guess I just don’t understand the depth of she and William’s dealings. I’m glad I pretty much hate everything about Mike.

“Don’t you have someplace to go?” I teased, pulling out my lipgloss.

“I guess,” She said.

“Nothing left to do but get it over with. We’ve had this talk.” I chuckled.

“I know. Just go and have a nice time,” She replied, smiling faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning or whatever.”

I just raised an eyebrow. “Don’t let him upset you too much. And unless you plan on staying out, I’ll definitely see you later on. Stop trying to make Brendon happen!” I giggled, trying to make her laugh.

Taylor raised an eyebrow. “I know it will eventually happen. I don’t even have to try.” She sighed and started sorting through her clothes. “Poor Ryan, we’ll have to find another room.”

This time I raised my eyebrow. “Ryan? We as in the two of you?” I laughed. “Okay.”

“Not meeting Ryan tonight, remember?” She grumbled.

“No, I haven’t forgotten.” I popped my lips in the mirror and turned around. “How do I look?”

“Awesome.” She replied, not even glancing my way.

I rolled my eyes. “Gee, thanks. I’ve gotta go. We’ll talk later.” I said, making my way to the door. This was obviously something she needed to deal with alone. I’d already put my two cents in anyway.

She sighed again and waved me off as the door closed and I headed downstairs.


Once downstairs, there was no sign of Brendon, so I sat at the bar and ordered a drink.

Twenty minutes and two more long island iced teas later I was still alone. I was tapping my fingers on the bar and sipping my last drink slowly until I heard Gabe’s voice getting closer to the bar. Not really wanting to run into him just in case one, Mike was with him, or two, he’d talk me to sleep, I hopped off the bar stool and left the bartender his money for my drinks. I went out the opposite side of the bar, heading towards the back elevators.

“Nat?” I sighed and turned around to find Brendon looking at me uncertainly. “What are you doing ditching me?” He smiled.

“You’re late.” I replied, face remaining stoic.

“I’m sorry. Ryan needed to talk. You look upset. Are you upset? I’m sorry.”

I immediately felt bad and shook my head. “It’s okay, I’m sorry for being impatient.” He edged closer to me and gave me a brief hug. “Is he okay?” I asked.

Brendon nodded. “He’s fine. I guess he and Taylor, they really hit it off. She had to break their little, whatever tonight and he’s concerned. He’s with Gabe and Sisky and everyone though. He’s fine.”

“That’s exactly who I was trying to avoid...” I muttered.

“Well in that case, my room’s free?” He grinned goofily and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What happened to dancing?” I asked.

He shrugged. “We can get drunk instead. That way I won’t make such a fool out of myself.”

I giggled and we entered the elevator, headed to the room he shared with Ryan.

.~

Close to an hour after we’d gone up, I was falling to my knees on the floor overcome with giggles. Brendon was standing barefoot on one of the beds with his acoustic, singing ‘Isis’ by Bob Dylan at the top of his lungs.

“Oh, oh my god, you’re d-drunk!” I laughed, more than a little intoxicated now myself.

“Yeah, I think.” He said with a chuckle. “Get up here and dance with me.” He threw the guitar down and grabbed my hands, pulling me up. I climbed onto the bed and we both stood up, staggering from the liquor and the soft mattress under our feet. We danced to our own beat, or the beat of the song in his head rather, one of his arms held steady around my waist. He continued singing, twirling and spinning me around and around.

“She said ‘Where ya been?’ I said...”

“Nowhere especial.” I continued for him, giggling still.

“She said ‘You look different’. I said, ‘Well I guess’. She said ‘You been gone’. I said ‘That’s only natural’” We sang together, dancing closer now.

“She said, ‘You gonna stay?’” Brendon sang quietly, smile faded, his forehead pressed against mine.

“If you want me to, yeah.” I answered breathily before our lips met and we fell down in unison on the bed, bodies entwined, lips locked.