Chapter Four

Sadie's POV

It was the day of my Nineteenth birthday and I was woken up by the screeches of my roommates.

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS SADIE BELL!’ Grace yelled through the covers that I was buried deep under. I slid out with a tired look on my face and smiled them a thank you. I didn’t expect them to make me pancakes or get me anything. They both put together and got me an expensive bottle of champagne and a handmade photo frame with a picture of us in it. I was so glad to have such nice friends here. It was a Friday and I skipped lessons to go to a spa day that my mum had organised for me and my roommates to go to. As we soaked up in the hot tub I imagined what the night ahead of us was going to be like. The girls said that they had arranged for us to eat in The Olive Garden with all my close friends from campus. So meaning, Taylor, Jeff, Chris, Alana, Chuck and Grace.

You couldn’t have gotten a limo? You know… with champagne?” Alana questioned from her squished position between Taylor and Jeff in the backseat of the taxi van.
“Yeah, aren’t you guys famous or something?” I asked. I couldn’t help but constantly eye the stack of presents that were sitting on the empty seat next to Chuck.
“We should’ve put Sadie farther away from those,” Taylor said to Jeff, nodding his head in the direction of the gifts, “You know how she gets.”
“Well Taylor, if your gift from last year is any indication, I should be up here anticipating what… Play Dough? Legoes?”
“You love that Nerf gun,” Taylor muttered.
“Love shooting you with it,” I said under my breath, though not quiet enough for it to be lost on the others riding in the van. Chris just reached out his hand to accept a low-five from me. When we reached the restaurant, Taylor paid the driver and he and Alana finagled the stack of presents into the restaurant. Once we were seated with a pitcher of margaritas and some guacamole and chips on the table, I was finally allowed to open her presents.
“Open mine first,” Chris said, sliding a small box across the table to her. I grinned like a little kid on Christmas and tore open the paper, shoving it unnoticed to the floor before opening the box. Inside was a necklace with a cursive S pendant. “I saw it in the store and thought it was very Sadie.”
“I love it! It’s perfect! Thank you so much, Chris!” I exclaimed, taking it carefully from the box and holding it in Taylor’s direction, who I’d gotten stuck sitting next to, “Will you put it on for me?”
“Are your fingers broken?” he countered, mouth half full of chips.
“Are you a heinous asshat?” I spat, turning and handing it to Chuck, who did the job without complaining.
“Me next!” Jeff said, setting a stack of three presents held together with ribbon in front of me. I opened the top present and found a tiara inside. “You already act like a princess, I just thought that we should make it official.”
“Birthday crown! Score!” I did a little dance in my seat as Jeff placed it on my head. I opened the second to find the pair of red Steve Madden pointed toe heels I had drooled over every time we walked past a small boutique that had them in a window display. The final present in the stack was very thin and I actually opened it carefully after being scolded by Jeff to do so. Inside was a 12-month calendar, each month with a picture of us from throughout the two years they had known each other in college.
“It took me forever to narrow it down to twelve pictures, but I think it turned out really great,” he shrugged, being his ever humble self.
“I want to see it!” Alana said, snatching it unceremoniously from my hands and flipping through it with Chris.
“Thank you so much, Jeffy,” I smiled, giving his hand a quick squeeze before cleaning up the paper and setting it on the floor next to her chair.
“I guess that leaves me,” Taylor said once everyone had calmed down again. He set his present in front of me. I took a deep breath before unwrapping it. The year before I had gotten a Nerf gun from Taylor and the year before that it had been a year long membership to the Mushroom of the Month club even though I had hated mushrooms. I honestly had no idea what to expect, so when I opened the lid to the box and saw its contents, I gasped out loud.
“How awful is it?” Chuck asked, pouring himself another margarita. I ignored the question and continued to stare into the box.
“Is this for real?” I asked, turning to face Taylor.
“Read the card,” he replied simply. I picked up the note card sized piece of paper that was tucked into the frame and read it aloud.
“Original production drawing from ‘Cheerios’- Road Runner,” I said, still unable to process what was sitting in the box in front of her. I had always loved the character and had any Looney Tunes VHS tapes and DVDs that had Road Runner cartoons on them, and here was an original drawing of him and it was mine!
“Wow…” Grace said, “Can I see it?” I clutched the box to my chest protectively and they all laughed at me.
“Thank you so much, Taylor,” I said sincerely, still slightly in shock. It was not only the most thoughtful gift I’d ever received, but the fact that it was from Taylor of all people was all the more unseemly. We finished dinner, sharing our entrees in addition to several pitchers of margaritas. The original plan was to go out to the bars, but we had all drank plenty and were more in the mood to sit around and talk than go out to the loud clubs and dance.
“And she still has the crown on,” Jeff laughed as I danced on the stairs to our building as Taylor struggled with the lock.
You could help us carry these, your highness,” Grace laughed, carrying one of my presents. I just ignored her and kept dancing my way down the hallway to the music apparently only I could hear. Once we were inside, we opened a bottle of wine and got comfortable in the boys dorm.
“So, did you have a good birthday?” Jeff asked me as I flung myself down in an arm chair, almost spilling my Merlot all over the purple and black dress I had purchased just for my birthday.
“I did. Good presents, good food, good company. I can’t complain,” I shrugged, relishing in the warm feeling the wine was spreading through my chest.
“I just can’t believe you didn’t want to go out to the bars and pick up someone,” Alana laughed, “You know, have a really happy birthday.” I thought about it for a second.
“That does sound awfully tempting…”
“Oh here we go,” Taylor rolled his eyes, “Keep it clean, Sadez, you’re in mixed company.” I rolled my eyes right back at him and settled into the chair, sipping my wine and watching my best friends joke around with each other. I loved life at that moment.
“Really? You’re just going to put your feet up on the table with your shoes on?” Grace asked Jeff.
“Don’t bother, Alana. They’re animals.” I scoffed
“Like you’re perfect,” Jeff said, reaching over to lightly kick my leg with his foot.
“Of course I’m not perfect. But I’m also not a dirty, smelly boy.”
“None of us smell,” Taylor said.
“You just think you don’t smell because you’re used to your own stink,” I said matter-of-factly. Taylor, who was already getting up to head to the kitchen for more wine, looked incredibly irritated. He came over and bent down, putting his neck in my face.
“Do I smell?” he asked. Knowing I couldn’t get him away from me without complying with his request, I leaned forward and inhaled, finding myself surprised to catch a faint whiff of cologne laying there.
“Surprisingly… no,” I said. He made a face at me before heading for the kitchen. Everyone after that retired to their rooms leaving Taylor and me to pick up after everyone.
 “I can’t believe you’re not throwing a fit having to pick up on your birthday,” Taylor said to me as we both shuffled to the kitchen with handfuls of wine glasses and bottles. I just shrugged and set them on the counter.
“I’ll bring them in here but I’m not doing anything with them. That can wait until the morning,” I said resolutely before turning off the light behind us.
“That is some dress,” Taylor said, surveying my outfit as I was just about to leave the room.
“I know and I can’t believe I wasted it on you dorks,” I said.
“Yeah, you usually save your slutty clothes for when we go out to the bars,” Taylor smiled, ducking from my reach before I could even muster up the energy to hit him.
“It’s not slutty!”
 “If that’s what you want to tell yourself, then that’s fine.” I aggressively sighed at his comment..
‘You know what Taylor, don’t tell me I look nice when you clearly don’t think I do’ I said walking down to my dorm and him following me holding me up from my drunken state.
 “I never said you didn’t look nice,” Taylor said before repeating the sentiment, “I never said that.” Then, he took the liberty of closing my door, letting the latch catch softly instead of the big bang I’d been hoping for.
I forced myself to take a deep breath before changing out of my dress and putting on some shorts and a plain gray tank. Once my dress was hung up safely in my closet ready to be taken to the dry cleaners, I went to shut off her light. I was halted, however, by the presents on my dresser. First, I replaced the Ben Barnes calendar on my wall with the one Jeff  had given to me. Then, I took off the necklace Chris had given to me and put it safely in my jewelry box. I put the shoes that Jeff had given to me neatly on the floor of my closet and set her tiara on top of my TV. Once all of that was done, all that remained was the box containing Taylor’s present. The mere sight of it made my stomach tingle with excitement.
It was still completely unseemly that an original drawing of Road Runner was mine, which I could hang it on my wall and look at it every day. Taylor had obviously put some serious money into the present as well as a lot of thought, both of which were completely uncharacteristic for him and his history of gift giving. He even usually bought joke gifts for his family, buying them things they would get a kick out of rather than things they truly wanted or needed. The amazing thing about this gift was that it was something I would never have thought to ask for or seek out on my own. It was the perfect gift for me and somehow, Taylor of all people had come up with it.
I laid down in bed and tried to go to sleep but the drawing, now on my bedside table, kept calling to me, drawing my eyes open to look at it just one more time. I wasn’t sure if it was only because I was in disbelief that I owned it or if it was confusion as to why Taylor’s record with gift buying had changed so drastically with this gift. Regardless, I needed to know the answer to the last question.
After giving the drawing one more fleeting glance, I opened and closed my bedroom door before going up to Taylor’s dorm knocking lightly on his door. He called out for the knocker to enter and I did so to find Taylor sitting at his desk surfing the net.
“What’s up?” he asked as I shut the door behind me.
“Why did you get me the drawing?” I decided that getting right to the point was really the best route to take in the situation. I was tired and beating around the bush didn’t sound appealing in the slightest.
“Um, it’s your birthday. See, in many cultures such as ours, people give gifts to others on the day of their birth.”
“Taylor, come on, I’m being serious!”
“Fine. Do you like the present?”
“Of course I do,” I hesitated, “It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”
“Then just enjoy it and let it go,” he said uncomfortably, standing and heading for his dresser where he started fussing with the things on top of it to avoid making eye contact with me.
“Taylor, you gave me a Nerf gun last year. One year you gave me a giant inflatable penis. Do you see where I’m going with this?”
“Obviously not,” he said, still not looking at me.
“Why is this year different? Why did you give me the perfect present?” He looked at me exasperatedly and almost pleadingly, as if he was begging me to stop, but I would have none of it. “Taylor, just tell me.” He sighed a long, drawn out sigh before turning to lean himself against his dresser.
“I was thinking about what to get you, and as soon as I thought of it, I couldn’t stop until I found what I was looking for. I knew it would make you happy,” he shrugged.
“But you’ve never cared about whether or not your gifts would make me happy before,” I pointed out.
“And I might not ever care again, so just enjoy it, okay?”
“I am. I’m just a little confused, that’s all,” I confessed, going to stand right in front of him.
“Well don’t be,” he said, “Enjoy the last few minutes of your birthday.”
“I think my birthday was over a few hours ago,” I admitted.
“Nope. It’s your birthday until you go to sleep.”
“Well, thank you again, Taylor. And I meant it when I said it was the best present I’d ever gotten,” I said. I looked at him for a second, at last taking in the blue scrub pants slung low on his hips and the wifebeater tank fitting snugly against his torso. To make up for what could have been a very awkward move on my part, I reached out to hug him, thankful that it was appropriate in the situation since I’d just thanked him again for the wonderful present. While I normally would have pulled back quickly from a hug with Taylor to avoid a potential bout of teasing, I relished the rare kind moment between us and sunk against him as he hugged me back, tightly. I found my nose next to his neck and again took the time to note how much I liked his subtle cologne.”I like your cologne.”
“I told you I didn’t smell,” he laughed lightly, but still didn’t let me go. Instead, he tilted his head to lightly sniff the sensitive spot right below my ear. I couldn’t help but shiver at the light contact of his nose against that place. “You don’t smell so bad yourself.”
“Thank you,” I said, running my hands down his back before reluctantly pulling from his embrace and attempting to take a half step back, but Taylor held me by the elbows, close to his body. “What are you doing?”
“I don’t know,” he said softly and honestly before pulling my body flush against his and pressing his lips to mine.
For a fleeting moment, I considered pulling away from Taylor’s insistent kisses, but it felt so good in my intoxicated birthday-giddy state, that stopping the wonderful flood of sensations quickly moved to a very low spot on my list of priorities. One second, the words “What are you doing?!” would pass through my brain, and the next second I was allowing him to slide his hands under the back of my shirt. I had no idea how it had started, but I certainly didn’t want to stop to ask as his mouth moved to my neck, kissing the skin there exactly the way I liked it. It was then that all questioning and rationale flew out the window.
I grabbed the bottom of his tank top and pulled it over his head, breaking the almost desperate contact of our lips for a mere second before dropping it beside us. His tongue moved sinuously against mine as my fingertips danced over his taut stomach, loving the chance to find out what it felt like after a weeks of speculation. Taylor worked to remove my own top, almost growling when he revealed that I wasn’t wearing a bra underneath. One of his hands moved to explore her newly exposed flesh while the other went back to my hip, pulling my lower body closer to his and putting me in direct contact with the hardening bulge in his pants.
“Oh god,” I groaned, completely overwhelmed with the sensations.
“Do you want to stop?” he asked breathlessly in my ear. Instead of responding, I untied his pants and shoved them to the floor along with his boxers. Before I got the chance to take in the entirely new visual experience of naked Taylor, he spun us around and pushed my shorts to the ground before lifting me and setting me down on the edge of his dresser. Parts of my brain wanted me to slow down and to process what was happening, but in this situation, my body was winning over my brain and all I could do was hook my legs around him and pull him closer until he was fully inside of me. Almost half a minute passed before I realized neither of us had moved at all.
“Are you okay?” I asked, smoothing my hands down his arms, the ones I had watched flex while he played the piano a thousand times before, but had never fully appreciated until right then.
He nodded and mumbled an apology into my neck before starting a steady rhythm with his hips. The feelings Taylor was eliciting in me were so unlike anything I’d experienced before that all I could do was hold on and try to match his movements with my own body. If someone had asked me how long we’d gone at it before I lost control, my fingernails digging half moons into the smooth skin of Taylor’s back and bringing him right after me, I wouldn’t have been able to come up with even a close estimate. Once he was able to do so, Taylor took an almost staggering step back to sit on the edge of his bed.
“What did we just do?” he asked, acting like he’d just woken up from a dream.
“Do you really need me to explain it to you?” I retorted nervously, lowering myself gingerly to the ground and quickly pulling my clothes back on. I could feel Taylor’s eyes on me as he bent over to grab his pants and slid them on before forcing himself to stand.
“Sorry, I just… I mean….” he stammered before smiling, “Wow.”
“Pretty much,” I said, desperately wanting him to stop looking at me with that half smile on his face. It was definitely not a look I was used to getting from Taylor. “I should, uh, go to bed.”
“Yeah,” Taylor said, ruffling the back of his hair and watching as I walked towards the door. “Sadie!”
“Yeah?” I asked, pausing with my hand on the doorknob.
“Happy birthday.”

Chapter Three

Sadie’s POV.

I looked at myself in my full length mirror and sighed as the top I had on didn’t go with my skirt. I rummaged through my belongings and found a simple white tank top that was short enough to show my lower waist and hip bones. ‘Perfect’ I thought to myself. I relayed the call in my head from Taylor begging me to go to Trevor’s stupid frap party. Of course I didn’t say no and I was getting ready within minutes of realizing I was going on a night out with Taylor. Alana and Grace had already left 30 minutes beforehand as I said I’ll wait for Taylor to come get me. I saw the looks on their faces and I knew what they were thinking. It’s hard not to think that there is something going on between me and Taylor from a third party perspective with no interest in the matter. I didn’t care, I was ready to get wasted. I had gotten drunk many times with Taylor before, and anyone can instantly see we are nicer to each other after a couple of shots and beers. It’s definitely more ‘touchy-feely’ around him. I would sit on his lap while he would wrap his arms around my waist. I would listen as he would whisper that he loves me dearly and wouldn’t know what he’d do without me. Of course he doesn’t remember any of this information in the morning and I chose to never bring it up. I just know he would say that he was only drunk and joking around with me. I don’t like hearing things I don’t have to hear. So all his drunken sweet nothing comments are a beautiful memory that I keep hidden in the back of my mind. Well hidden.

After a loud knock on the door I run to open in to find Taylor leaning against the doorframe with his arm. He looked amazing in his leather jacket and red flannel shirt. His hair was brushed..for once, and the air around him smelt strongly of CK.

‘Ooof, I can smell you a mile off!’ I said waving my hand in front of my face and then grabbing my purse filled with only my phone, keys and a water bottle full of vodka. Taylor had a thing for old fashioned things and as he smirked at my comment he revealed a flask from his pocket and offered it to me.

‘This will tickle your taste buds, and maybe stop you from talking, but wishes don’t always come true’ He said handing it too me. I snatched it from his hand and took a good long swig of the liquid. I felt the burning sensation down my throat and gagged at the taste.

‘Pusssaayy’ Taylor sang as we walked across campus to Trevor’s dorm. After I recovered I noticed Taylor looking at me up and down and I immediately felt self conscious.

‘You look nice’ He said with a small smile still staring at me. I thought my heart stopped beating for a second.

‘Who are you and what have you done with my Taylor.’ I said brushing off his comment.

‘Just take the compliment, jheeze’ He said sounding slightly hurt.

‘But...you never compliment me. In fact this is the first ever one’ I said trying to catch up to his quick pace. My heeled boots were already starting to hurt.

‘Yeah and it might be the last one. If I knew complimenting you was such a big deal...’ He didn’t finish and I didn’t know what to do or say. So I just linked his arm and let him drag me the rest of the way to the party, with a permanent grin on my face.

It wasn’t until Taylor dropped another shocking bombshell when I decided to let his arm free,

‘Hey, Sades I never asked..your not a virgin are you?’My mouth gawped as I processed his forward question and I remained silent not knowing what to say.

‘I’m guessing by the shocked look on your face..it means you are?’ Taylor asked stopping in front of the dorms door to where the party was happening. A muffled sound of laughter and music came from behind the doors and I so badly wanted to go in and start drinking. I looked down at my feet and shrugged.

‘I lost my virginity when I was fifteen to a complete arse hole. Since then there have been a few random one night stands but nothing...’ I stopped to look up and analyse his face. I realised the conversation was getting to serious for my liking so I decided to do what I do best, shoot Taylor down. ‘Aww Tay, don’t worry! You’ll loose your virginity some day’ I said giggling and making my way into the party. Taylor didn’t follow me at first and as I turned around to hold the door for him I saw him grinning a little bit. It was defiantly one of the most awkward walks across campus that I ever shared with Taylor. Why was he being so nice and asking inappropriate questions?

Of course everyone was drunk when me and Taylor entered the party. There were shirtless jocks jugging down vodka and beer and playing stupid drinking games. Girls were dancing against horny guys or gossiping with their groups of minions. It was almost not normal to stand and have a conversation with a guy without being cooed by so many others. I didn’t care though, I stood with Taylor and spoke to him like a normal person, I was not going to be dragged down to their level and ignore men.

‘Yoooo, British girl. How’s it going man! Hey Tay!’ Said Chuck, a friend of Taylors. I simply smiled at him knowing he didn’t really give a shit about how im doing and I took a sip of my drink instead. I looked up to find Chuck was not alone. He was with Hunter, the most gorgeous boy on campus..besides from Taylor.

‘Hey, Hunter!’ I said genuinely surprised to see him. He came toward me for a hug and I gladly let myself be wrapped in his big arms. He was very Tall and lean with brown moppish hair and a killer smile. His deep green eyes always captivated me in my lessons with him and it’s always hard to tear away my gaze. I felt sandwiched between both Hunter and Taylor as they were both trying to get my attention. Taylor began to flick my bra strap on my back, he was such a baby at times. I turned to him with an angry glare for interrupting my flowing conversation with Hunter.

‘Want me to get you another drink?’ Taylor said with a drunken smile.

‘No don’t worry i’ll get it for her, come on Sadie.’ He said taking my hand in his. I thought i could just go to heaven then and there. I looked back at Taylor with an apologetic look on my face. He was glaring at Hunter but it soon subsided as Chuck regained his conversation with him.

‘Don’t they look great together?? Man I think he’s gonna get her tonight’ Chuck said with a grin on his face onlooking at me and Hunter by the table with all the drinks. I was laughing at Hunter for putting way to much vodka into my cup and flirtatiously touching his arm for support.

‘Yeah...they do...’ Taylor said as he witnessed the scene happening in front of him. I felt bad leaving him alone but he’s a big boy. He can look after himself, that’s for sure.

A couple of hours past and I had lost everyone I had known in the crowds at the party. After I went to the toilet I came back to find Hunter nowhere to be seen. As I shrugged and made my way upstairs to find Taylor, nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. The door to one of the rooms was slightly cracked open and as I peered inside I found Taylor shirtless with his jeans not far from falling off. He had a girl pinned to the wall with her legs straddled round him, kissing him feverishly. It wasn’t until her hair moved out from her face until I recognised her. I gasped as I saw Taylor kissing Brooklyn. BROOKLYN?! There is a dark past about me and Lady Brookez, but i’ll save that for later.  I felt like I had swallowed a really dry pill and my stomach was going to fall out of my behind. My butterflies turned into screeching bats in my lower stomach and I could feel the alcohol get the better of me. I was seriously asthmatic and when I heard my breath begin to wheeze I knew something was wrong. I held onto the banister for support but my breathing became more intense. Knowing that I didn’t have my pump on me I began to panic. I never brought it out because Taylor always use to make fun of me and say stuff like ‘All you need is acne and head gear and you’ll be a top class geek.’ I hadn’t had an episode in over a year so I thought maybe the asthma was getting better. I couldn’t breathe and soon everything went black and I was on the floor still gasping for air. I could see the door to where Taylor and Brooklyn were grossly making out open and Taylor running up to me. He had his trousers done up and his shirt half on so when I turned too look at him I immediately remembered why I was having this asthma attack, and it only got worse. I could hear in Taylor’s voice that he was panicking.

‘Jesus Brooklyn! Don’t just stand there GET HELP!’ At this point Taylor had me in a position that would help my lungs get more air and he was holding me close to him rubbing my back.    

I watched as Brooklyn SLOWLY made her way down the steps calling someone who studied medicine to come help me out. When she was gone my breathing was getting better and Taylor’s cheek against my forehead made me calmer then I had ever felt before. A guy ran up with an inhaler in his hand. It wasn’t the brand that I used, no where near strong enough but after about six massive pumps my breathing regulated and i rested my head against the wall closing my eyes with relief.

‘God Sadie! What the fuck brought that attack on!?’ Taylor said rubbing my hair from my face and our faces really close together. ‘You gave me one hell of a scare’ He said with sincerity. I thought back to why I had an attack and I remembered the sexual scene I saw with Taylor and Brooklyn. I looked at him with hurt eyes and replied

‘Like you give a shit about me’

‘What are you talking about! I do!’ Taylor said getting defensive.

‘Oh yeah? Then why were you secretly having your way with Brooklyn Meyre when you KNOW how much I hate her’ Taylor’s face dropped and he hung his head down.

‘You saw that? Is that the reason for all this?’ Taylor asked sadly.

‘That and i’ve had a cigarette’ I said with a slight sniffle in my voice.

‘I don’t know why you hate Brooklyn so much! She is an alright girl and I’m sure if you got to know her...’

‘I know her well enough thanks..’ I replied with a harsh tone.

‘What does that mean?’ Taylor said with confusion in his voice.

‘Never mind’ I wanted to stand up and get away from him, but I couldn’t get up without help. He extended his hand to me and I reluctantly took hold of it. I felt as his hand slipped into mine and slightly rub the palm of my hand. He held onto me for a couple of seconds longer then he needed to. I rubbed my eyes which were probably filled with mascara stains. I hated looking like crap. Especially around Taylor. I pushed past him and ran as best I could out of the Dorm party. I didn’t think he’d follow me but he did. As I walked briskly down the campus buildings Taylor was a few steps behind me. Like a stalker in the dark. If I didn’t know who he was I’d be pretty freaked out. I didn’t say a word to him as I struggled to quicken my pace. Then he spoke.

‘Sadieeee, slow down and let’s talk this out.’ He said jogging up to me.

‘No. It’s fine really Taylor. I know my feelings mean nothing to you. Any girl...any other girl in this whole college you could have had. But you had to pick the skank of them all!’ I said throwing my hands in the air dramatising the situation more.

‘Stop being a jealous bitch Sadez!’ Taylor shouted to me. I had my back to him and I stopped at the thought of him thinking that I was jealous! I stormed of in my drunken state and I heard Taylor curse under his breath. It wasn’t until I slammed my bedroom door in his face that he said sorry and that he didn’t mean it. I left him to grovel as I changed into my pyjamas and got into bed. He soon gave up and went to his room with a heavy heart. I felt bad for not accepting his apology but he really did hurt me that night. More then he ever knew.

I did eventually start talking to Taylor after a couple of days of ignoring him. I one day just got up from my bed and ran up to his dorm and entered his room. He was standing by the window looking really upset with himself. Hopefully about me. I ran up to him and flung my arms around his hugging him really tightly. No words needed to be said and sooner than expected we were watching films in his room throwing pop corn at each other. There was really no point in being pissed of at him, and I was a glutton for punishment.

Chapter Four

Chapter Two

 Taylor’s POV

‘Hey Tay, how’s it going man?’A voice said whilst I was tucking into my long awaited lunch. I looked up to find Chuck, a friend of mine from Theatre studies standing there resting his hands on a canteen seat.
‘Hey dude, not bad. Take a seat’ He did so and stole a chip from my plate in the process.

‘So you heard about Trevor’s party this Friday?’ Chuck said with excitement. The one great thing about college is the amazing parties that are thrown in peoples dorms every weekend. We’re not legal to go into clubs and bars so we make do with our own homes. Trevor always has one or two gatherings a month and it’s always the talk on campus, if your lucky enough to be invited.

‘Chuck, I told you about it you retard. But anyway, im defiantly looking forward to it. With midterms finally fucking over I need to let loose man.’ I said stretching back rubbing the back of my neck. My stress was finally lifted after two grueling weeks of exams and deadlines.

‘You going to ask anyone to go with you?’ Chuck said flicking a stray pea of the table. I sighed knowing he knew my answer.

‘No. I don’t bring girls to parties. I just go home with one’ I said confidently. ‘Why, are you?’

‘Yeah Alana Jacobson’ Chuck said with a proud smile on his face.

‘Sadie’s roommate? Nice one, she’s hot’ I said tucking back into my feast.

‘Yeah?’ he said with an inquisitive look on his face. He knew that all the girls I thought were hot I always called dibs on first.

‘Don’t worry, I’m under strict instructions by Sadie to stay away from her roommates and friends’ I said shrugging carelessly.

‘Actually, I was meaning to ask you about something. It’s about Sadie’ At that moment my head snapped up with interest. ‘My friend Hunter thinks she’s hot and was thinking of making a move on her at Trevor’s.’ Chuck said quickly and without breathing. It took a while for me to process what he said and when I pieced it all together I nodded slowly.

‘And why are you telling me this?’          

‘Well, I just thought there was something going on between you two. Well I didn’t, Hunter did.’ Chuck explained.

‘Erm, we’re just friends. Does Sadie even know who this Hunter guy is? Trust me she doesn’t take kindly to guys who throw themselves at her’ I said like I was an expert in Sadie’s love life. Truth be told we never discussed any of that stuff with eachother. It just never came up.

‘Yeah they have Music theory together I think. Hunter wanted me to ask you if it was okay, but seeing as nothings going on between you two he’s free to make his move’ Chuck said smiling with content. For some reason at that point I felt like throwing my plate across the room and turning the table over and screaming ‘NO’ but I didn’t. I just sat there nodding foolishly imagining Sadie hooking up with this random guy I’ve never seen or heard of. It’s not like I care who she dates. She could hump the whole American army and I wouldn’t lift my head up in concern. It was the fact that, if she got a boyfriend I would be pushed aside and be second best to her. A voice snapped me out of my deep thoughts.

‘Hey Taylor, hope to see you this Friday at Trevor’s?’ Said a voice that was subtle and seductive. I lifted my head to see Brooklyn Meyres walking past me and looking back to see if I heard her. She is every guys dream girl to find in College. Typical pin up babe. Of course not all there upstairs but having a Daddy that’s richer than Bill Gates always has its charms. I nodded back at her and replied a simple ‘You bet’ before she walked out of ear shot. I looked back at Chuck  who had a sly grin on his face and I watched as he nodded slowly. I grinned back and high fived him knowing that Friday was defiantly going to be and interesting night

Chapter Three

Chapter One

Sadie’s POV

Sitting in my dorm room I was really trying to finish a Music theory paper I had to hand in later on that week. I’m defiantly one for procrastinating so a quick check on twitter and facebook was sorely needed. Sighing at how boring the world was I went back to writing. It wasn’t until an all too familiar sound bleeped from my laptop screen.

IM:

Taydawg87: Oi skank, get up here now.

SadieBELL: No

Taydawg87: But i need help! This paper isn’t going to write itself you know.

SadieBELL: Whatever, i’m not coming up. I’ve got my own homework to do.

Taydawg87: Then why are you posting stuff on my fb if you ‘doing homework’

SadieBELL: Remind me why I’m friends with you

Taydawg87: Because you want me

SadieBELL: Yeah, you wish.

Taydawg87: I really don’t. Anyways come up or I will drag you here.

SadieBELL: Your obnoxious.

Taydawg87: And your sexy.

SadieBELL: Taylorrr....

Taydawg87 Sadez we both know your going to come up so quit bitching. See you in a minute.

I just rolled my eyes and pushed my laptop closed. He was right. The second he IMed me I knew that I would go up there eventually. He had that sick power over me. I started to gather up my books and laptop. Mine and Taylor’s relationship was odd. I have never met a guy so rude and pretentious as him. But for some reason, I couldn’t get enough of his cheap shots or bad jokes. His whitty comments would send me into hysterics at times and likewise with him. Our arguments should be recorded and put on some sitcom because they are pretty funny to watch. We play fight, we wrestle and we draw on each other when we fall asleep watching films together. It’s the most perfect..unperfected friendship if you get me. Walking through campus with Taylor is always a laugh. People watch us as we trip one another up or smack each others books or folders to the ground. Bullying was all we knew to do with eachother and nothing else. Taylor was a horny bastard all the time. He knows hes hot and uses it against every girl who gives him a second look. I would laugh at how he would try to pick up girls on our way to lesson. He would casually lean against the wall with the girl in awe of him and gently brush her arm and slip his number into her hand. I would be standing there like a lemon with an unsatisfied look on my face. I was constantly mistaken for Taylor’s girlfriend. Which i found unbelievably disgusting. And yet, I never liked it when another girl would muscle her way in front of me to link arms with Taylor. Of course Taylor never gave into these fake wannabe’s and eventually would grab my hand and drag me the rest of the way to lesson. I wouldn’t say we were inseparable but he was always there. Morning, noon and night. And I didn’t mind, not one bit.
Entering Taylor’s room I found him sitting at his desk beside the window in only a pair of pajama pants, his hand dangling out the open window holding a cigarette.
“Are you seriously so lazy you can’t even go downstairs to smoke?” I asked as I dropped my belongings onto their futon and made my way over to sit on Taylor’s desk beside his computer.
“Yeah, I seriously am,” he said with a smirk, leaning his head towards the window to take a drag, “You want some?” He knew I did, damn him. I’d quit smoking a few months prior and he made sure to rub it in my face as often as possible that he was still able to enjoy it and I wasn’t.
“Fuck you,” I said, pulling out one of his drawers to set my feet on.
“And to what do I owe the honor of your foul mood?”
‘I just can’t get this paper right! I think I’ve started over about 5 times now. Will you take a look at it Tay?’ He looked at me with a frown. I hated asking favors from him because it always meant I owed him. He reluctantly took the paper out of my hands and began to read. I sat there looking at his facial expression as he would cross out words and replace them with probably better ones. I lowered my eyes from his face to his torso which was leaning against his window. I saw that he had that ‘V’ shape just around his waist were his pyjama bottoms clung loosely too. I didn’t know why i was only noticing his body now because I had seen him topless countless of time before. But for some reason he glowed with beauty from where he was standing. I shook my head in confusion and turned to sit on his faded couch.
‘It’s good Sadie..just I improved it cause i’m brilliant’ Taylor said handing back the paper to me. I scoffed at his comment and shook my head at his lack of modesty.
‘Yeah and the years of being in a band had no help with your brilliant mind on music?’ I said sarcastically.
‘Lowest form of whit Sadez, Lowest form’ Taylor said turning back to his computer not looking at me.
“Where are Chris and Jeff?” I asked not taking my eyes off of the conjugated verbs in front of me.
“Probably having sex with each other, I don’t know.”
“If any of the three of you was gay, it’d be you. At least they’ve noticed that I’m a girl.”
“Just because they want to have sex with you doesn’t mean they think you’re a girl. It goes along with my whole gay theory.”
“Yeah, you would have a gay theory. You shouldn’t hide it from me, Tay. You know I have several gay guy friends. They’d love to be set up with you, I’m sure. Several have already expressed the interest. In quite graphic detail.”
“Okay, that’s enough. You win, but only this once,” he stated, picking up the notebook from the floor on his way back to his desk. He plopped down over-dramatically and started to do his music homework. With that we were silent.
Chris and Jeff came home about thirty minutes later bringing a lot of noise and two large pizzas with them.
“Hey guys,” Chris said, unceremoniously dropping the pizza boxes onto the floor before climbing beside me on the futon.
“Hey,” Taylor and I said in unison, neither of us taking our eyes off of our homework.
“You know, Sadie, if you weren’t friends with Taylor, I don’t think he’d ever get any homework done,” Jeff said, turning on the TV and sitting to my other side.
“You’re probably right. He is pretty worthless,” I said, deciding that I had studied enough and closing my textbook. Taylor did the same and came over to sit on the floor right next to the pizzas. He immediately opened the top one and grabbed a slice.
“Who said you could have any?” Jeff asked him.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure there’s a dress code in here,” Chris replied, not-so-sneakily putting his arm on the back of the futon and also around my shoulders.
“Whatever, it’s hot in here,” Taylor whined with a full mouth. I just ignored him and accepted a piece of pepperoni from Jackson. Taylor looked so adorable sitting there on the floor watching TV and eating. He looked like a little kid; eyes wide open, laughing with the bad sitcom Jeff had settled on. It was then, during my little staring session, that Taylor caught me.
“What are you looking at?” he asked, immediately wiping at his face to remove any food that could potentially be there.
“You look like an idiot. Seriously. Go put a shirt on,” I stated, allowing the lie to pass so easily through my lips. He sighed and went to grab a shirt out of his drawer, eliciting cheers from his roommates.
I hated how easy it had become to lie to him, to everyone. I hated it, but it was so much a part of my persona, I couldn’t let it up now. When all Taylor and I had ever done was give each other a hard time, then how could I all of a sudden stop? I wasn’t used to actually falling for guys, especially not ones who were so incredibly oblivious

Chapter Two

PROLOGUE

Taylor POV. (point of view)

Never did I think I would fall in love with Sadie Bell. You know they say everyone out there has their special someone or ‘Soul Mate’..? I’m pretty sure mines still out there. The thing about Sadie is she is the most irritating and most stubborn person I have ever met. We have nothing in common, apart for our love of music and performing arts. But that’s it! I’m Taylor. Taylor Hanson. You probably have heard my music once or twice on the radio. I’m in a band called Hanson with my older brother Isaac and my younger brother Zac. After becoming world famous and extremely rich we decided to take a break from each other. Ike is out in Japan managing a record company and trying to find the next Beatles breakthrough group. Zac is taking a year to ‘find himself’ by travelling the world with his two best friends. Imagining Zac living out of a back pack always brings a devilish smile to my face. My brother is the biggest nancy boy ever and i’m pretty sure he wont last a month away from home. Me, however, I decided to come to the University of California to study Music as my major and performing arts as my minor. I found myself thinking, I want to do something with my life and not just be in a band. I’d like to be a Music professor or a Theatre director, just to have something to do in-between Band hiatus. So here  I am, in sunny California. I won’t lie to you, it’s brilliant living here. I have a sun-kissed tan and my hair is blonder than ever. Being in a studio always made me look pale and dull, but here I can breath and look my best at all times. Being noticed by fans is surprisingly not as annoying as I thought it would be. I get the odd screaming girl now and then by most people shake my hand and introduce themselves, like I’m a normal human being. The day I moved into Carter Halls was the day I met my roommates, Chris and Jeff. They didn’t recognise me straight away but it soon sunk into them that I was Taylor Hanson. They’re pretty safe guys and enjoy a good time drinking and bringing girls round and stuff for mini drink ups. I couldn’t complain. One thing I will say about them though, they are beginning to get me into the habit of not clearing up after myself. My Mom made me into a neat freak all the years I spent living at home, but now, she isn’t here to tell me to put my clothes away or wash my dishes. Oh well. That’s college living for you. I won’t bore you about myself anymore because I’m here to talk about Sadez. Her full name is Charlotte Sadie Bell which I think is quiet pretty, but she insists everyone to call her Sadie. An interesting face about her is that she is not from America. She is a full blooded British girl. She moved from London at the age of 16 with her Mom who got a transfer job to work as an Attorney of Law. Sadie went to St Gregory's highschool until she was free to go to any College she wanted. And she chose California to also study Music and performing arts. It is safe to say that Sadie does not fit in to the category of every typical American girl that walks around the campus. She has an individual style that she brought over from London and refused to become a cheerleading wannabe red neck. She has dark brown Raven hair that she normally wears wavey. Her hair sits perfectly over her chest and it glows when the sun hits it. The first thing you notice about Sadie is her blue eyes and how she cakes herself in mascara and eyeliner, which only makes them stand out even more. She never has smudges under her eyes though. It remains perfect always. She has a small mouth but when she smiles she shows of her perfectly straight white pearl teeth and her dumpling baby face cheeks create small signature dimples on each side of her oval face. Like I said it’s hard to describe her but she isn’t an eye sore. Her shining diamond nose stud perfectly complements her face and completes her whole ‘british indie’ look. Her personality is a different story however. They say opposites attract but mine and Sadie’s situation is ridiculous sometimes. We banter in almost every conversation we have and always try to get the upper hand in every discussion. I guess when two strong characters meet it’s hard for them to agree on EVERYTHING. But yeah me and Sadie Bell were good friends.  We had 4 classes a week with one another...and she lived in the dorm right under mine.

Sadie’s POV

There’s not much you need to know about me apart from the fact that I have a strong British accent and I can’t go anywhere without someone asking me ‘Say scones for me’ or ‘How’s the Queen doing?’ Americans piss me off. It wasn’t my decision to move out here but where mummy goes, I go. I guess it’s not all bad living in the USA but by god, do these people know how to eat. On every corner there is a Diner or Wendy’s that calls to the 50% obese Americans out there. I eat like a bird so it was a lot of getting use to the massive portions restaurants would give me. I moved away from my Manhattan home which my mum and I rented out and moved to Sunny California to study Music and performing arts. Some may think of it as a waste of a subject but if I’m ever going to be in charge of my own drama school or record company I need the qualifications. The music business offers a lot of opportunities and although it might be a long shot, I haven’t got a bad set of pipes.  I love the University of California. It is your typical Cliche American college and the campus is simply beautiful. Frap boys playing soccer whilst girls sit under large oak trees, sipping on their Starbucks low fat coffee. I felt almost like I belonged in that sort of scene for some reason. It’s every British girls dream to have a prom and not a stupid NRA day where there are no boys allowed. So i couldn’t really complain. I lived in a great spacious dorm with two roommates called Alana and Grace. They were typical cheerleaders with perfect bodies and tanned skin. They welcomed me like I was one of their own and I thanked Allah that I wasn’t stuck with a couple of bitches, which is everyone’s nightmare about going to college. The guy pool isn’t too bad either here. A lot of jocks and prep guys which I wouldn’t usually go for but it’s nice to have some eye candy around. Speaking of eye candy, a perfect example would be Taylor Hanson. He wasn’t your everyday clean cut American boy. He was something else that’s for sure. I remember the first time I ever saw him. It was in the college Library, a week before classes started, so I thought I should take out some books on the subjects I was doing. As I scanned through the music section my hand accidently brushed with someone else’s as I try to take a book of the shelf.

‘Oh sorry, you take it’ Said the guys voice to which the hand belonged to. I quickly scanned the shelf to see if there was any more of the same book, but there wasn’t. I turned to the guy and analysed his face. He had blonde mid-length hair which flopped over his forehead perfectly. His eyes were an Aqua marine colour with a slight hint of gold around the pupil, not that I was gazing into his eyes or anything. His frame was small but his shoulders were broad and his tight white tshirt clung to him generously. He was good looking, but not the best looking guy on campus.

‘No no, you take it. I’ll take it out next week’ I said out of common curtsey expecting him to refuse to take it back.

‘Okay’ He said taking the book out of my hands and walking away. I scoffed at his rudeness and hurried up to him.

‘You know, a little curtsey would do you the world of good’ I said as I brushed past him.

‘SHHH’ I heard the Librarian say as she heard my hush tones turn into idle chatter.

‘But you said I could have it’ the guy asked confused and with a slight chuckle in his voice.

‘Forget it’   I said with a sheepish fake grin and I walked out of the Library in a huff. It’s not that I’m sensitive or anything. I can be as tough as a Rhino’s toenail if i wanted too, it’s just obnoxious guys really got to me and Taylor’s arrogant nature always had a way to put me in a bad mood. And I had no idea why. It wasn’t until a couple of days later that my roommates informed me that upstairs there was a little gathering going on and we were invited that I saw him again. Across from the room he was sitting on a worn out futon with a load of his friends surrounding him. Our eyes met as he stood to get another drink and he approached me with a small grin on his face.

‘Hows it going? I’m Taylor’ He said as he extended his hand in order to shake mine.

‘Sadie’ I simply replied.

Chapter One