Playing For Keeps, Not Cheats. (Taylor's story)

[lauren.]

Reed;
I finished bagging everything and pulled out of the parking lot. I yawned as I drove down the road. I saw some person walking on the sidewalk, yet the hoodie looked extremely familiar. I breathed in as I realized it was Taylor. Why the hell did she have that bag? I rolled down my window as I slowed down to drive along side her,"Taylor?"

[haileyjordan]

Taylor,
I looked over at him as my stomach tightened. He could see my black eye that was forming and I knew he'd question it. I kept walking though as I looked at him. "Hey Reed," I said softly as I bit my tongue. I was beat up and my breath smelled of cigarettes, what a perfect combination.

[lauren.]

Reed;
My breathe caught slightly as I looked at Taylor,"What the hell happened to you?"I asked as I gripped the steering wheel.

[haileyjordan]

Taylor,
"It doesn't matter Reed," I said, my voice hitched. I looked down at the ground then back over at him. "Nothing fucking matters anymore." My lower lip trembled as I wiped my un-injured eye.

[lauren.]

Reed;
I felt my body erupt in chills and not the good kind. "Get in the Jeep,"I told her sternly. I don't know what she was doing but she needed to be somewhere safe.

[haileyjordan]

Taylor,
I shook my head, "Thanks but I can't. I really just need to get away from here. I'm failing, I'm a mess, nothing will really change unless I leave," I told him as more tears ran down my cheeks.

[lauren.]

Reed;
I frowned, deeply,"Taylor, you have nowhere to go,"I told her softly. "Please just get in the jeep. We'll go somewhere besides your house, just let me be with you just in case something happens,"I said running a hand through my hair.

[haileyjordan]

Taylor,
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second before I turned on my heel and got into his car, flinching as my back touched the back of the seat. When Ryan shoved me back there were broken glass bottles behind me and they scraped me pretty deep. "I might get blood on the seat," I said quietly.

[lauren.]

Reed;
"Jesus Christ,"I murmured quietly,"I don't care if you get blood on my seats. What the hell did he do to you?"I asked, my heart hammering. "Never mind. Tell me when we get to where we're going,"I said putting the car in drive. "Where are we going?"I asked, glancing at her. It was hard to look at her, you could tell she was empty inside and I was breaking.

[haileyjordan]

Taylor,
I shrugged, "I dunno," I mumbled, "Just away." I looked over at him and knew how much he cared about me, I just wish my heart would realize how much I cared about him. I needed him. I shut my eyes, taking in a sharp breath and the pain went through me.

[lauren.]

Reed;
Looks like my parents ice cream is going to melt and have to wait. I had other and more important issues on my hands. She wanted to get away and the lake was about thirty minutes out of town. It's always nice to relax there around night time. I stayed quiet as I drove.

[haileyjordan]

Taylor,
I leaned my head on the window and looked out ahead of us. No one had even been more persistent with me than Reed. I relaxed a bit as we drove, knowing that he was taking me away. I didn't necessarily want to go so far away that I couldn't communicate. I just needed a clear head.

[lauren.]

Reed;
I pulled along side of the lake after thirty minutes. The small waves were nice and the moon was shining bright enough to see. I got out of the Jeep and helped Taylor out. I then went to the back and got some bottles of water and a towel to help clean off the blood on her back and her eyes.

[haileyjordan]

Taylor,
I looked out at the shining lake and instantly felt calmer. Nothing could hurt me out here. I could just relax. I hugged myself and looked over at Reed. I chewed on my lip as I walked over to him.

[lauren.]

Reed;
I breathed in as I gathered the stuff and some drinks,"Well go sit on those rocks so I can clean your back,"I said shutting the back door and looking at her.