It was one of those days. Those days when you just want to get home. Those days when the stairs to the door are just a little too steep, a little to rickety, and there are just a little too many. Those days when the key just wont turn fast enough. As Taylor finally dragged her feet through the threshold of her apartment, it had been one of those days and more. She dropped her gym bag at the door, not able to bring herself to move the ten feet it took to put it in the closet. Too much was involved in that. She would have to move her dead, shaky legs and twist that handle with her sore, achy wrist. The though was enough to make her want to collapse. It had been a rough day at practice, she felt her knees crack and her joints pop with every step she took up those stairs; and if she never took another step again, she would be ok. She needed to shower, she was coated in sweat and chalk and smelt like dirty gym mats. She took a deep breath before turning her head and looking towards the bathroom, it was steaming. She could see a hot bath already ready and she felt her eyes fill up with tears. Stupid hormones, stupid period. She usually wasn't this emotional. But she did have the ultimate best friend. She looked slowly around the rest of the room, an electronic foot massager was already set up with a small stack of movies and a tall glass of water. That was it, the tears started to pour. She wiped them quickly away just as Gabriella glided into the room.

"Oh! Hey Tay, I didn't hear you come in! There is already a--"

"Ya I know, I saw it all, you're the best." Even her speech seemed strained and forced.

"Just thought that when it was late it must have been a rough one. I'll be waiting, I've got some seriously good musicals laid out."

Taylor could have danced to the bath she was so excited about it. That is, if dancing wouldn't have totally tipped her over the edge and killed her. She undressed quickly and laid her sore body in the steaming water. She was a gymnast. Had been a damn good one back in the day. It had got her a full ride to Stanford, so the coaches must have all seen something in her, but lately she just wasn't hitting her jumps right, wasn't sticking the landing, something was missing. So naturally, she strove for perfection, which meant extra practice, extra runs, extra everything. She tried to use the loufa to massage out every sore muscle, but it just wasn't doing the trick, she slid down and let herself just lay there.

She had met Gabriella in her freshman bio class. They had been partners and instantly cliqued. They moved into this ghetto apartment the next semester and nothing had come between them since. Gabriella was doing pre med and Taylor was studying to become a psychologist. They shared everything. Gabriella knew the ins and outs of the team drama, and Taylor knew everything about Gabriella's relationship with Troy, her newest fling. Although, Taylor had a feeling this one was going to become pretty serious real fast for Gabs. He was a junior at San Jose state, their starting point guard, and from the way Gabriella described him, he was good. Although, Gabriella was not the best at describing athletics.

She sat in that tub until the water became almost tepid and cool, she knew Gabby was waiting for her, so she tentatively stepped out onto the slippery tile and wrapped a towel around herself. Drying her long dark hair off in a towel before hanging it back up. She thought he heard someone knocking at the door. She waited again, thinking Gabriella would get it. When she didn't, she went out to explore. Maybe Gabs had locked herself out…again. Thinking that, she walked faster over to their door, the place they lived in was sketch enough, especially for a girl like Gabby. The last thing she needed was to read in the paper the next day how an innocent girl was attacked and raped and killed tall because her roomate didn't open the door on time. This all had her striding as quickly as her legs would let her (which was not that fast). She threw the door open, and didn't see Gabriella, but the pizza guy.

He was tall, dark, and handsome. Around six foot, wearing his silly pizza hut outfit, and a hat. Under his hat you could tell he had seriously big curly hair, but it was tied back. Taylor's first impression was that she thought he was cute, but found it weird that he was just staring at her with an open mouthed, dumbfounded expression. Gosh, hadn't he ever seen a girl before. A girl…in a towel. She gasped and looked down at herself. She was in a towel. In front of the pizza guy. A very attractive pizza guy. There were those fucking tears again. She bit her lip to keep them from coming. Could this night get any worse. Her face burned with embarrasment. She wanted to shut the door and run into her bed room but she knew that would just be worse. She realized he hadn't said anything, so she decided she might as well get on with her public humiliation. Her words came out jumbled.

"Excuse me, I was umm…not expecting umm…"

Once he could clearly see how embarrassing and not on purpose this was for Taylor, he seemed to recover quickly and give her a crooked, apologetic smile. "It's cool, seriously." He was trying to make it less awkward, and Taylor noted that he was trying so, so, so hard not to stare at her chest. An effort that deserved a standing ovation, considering they were practically winking at him.

Taylor took a deep steadying breathe and met the guys dark, mysterious eyes. "How much do I owe you?"

"Sixteen fifty."

Taylor glanced around awkwardly, was the money on the counter? Psh, no. This was embarrassment hell. She was supposed to suffer until she was blushing so bad her face melted off. At this rate, it wouldn't take long. She was cursing Gabriella for being deaf and not hearing the door and this conversation. She was also cursing Gabriella for not putting the money out.

"Hey Gabs! Pizza!" She looked back awkwardly at the pizza boy. He was just standing there politely, trying not to stare. His eyes had now been averted to the ground. If it was even possible, she blushed more. It would be so much easier to get through this if the guy was a jerk but he was being a gentleman! She felt like she had to say something, however, she didn't really think through her words so they came out In a babble. "I'm so sorry, I usually don't answer the door in my towel, this is really embarrassing, I thought you were my roommate…but you obviously aren't…and she is taking a really long time with the money…GABRIELLA!"

He laughed, a deep throaty laugh that was very attractive. Genuine, content, with an underlining of confidence, edging on arrogance, but not quite. Kind of like that was his old self that he had long grown out of. She guessed he had been the cocky popular guy in high school. She wondered how he would feel about them knowing he was a pizza delivery boy. She wondered how far out of high school he was anyway. He looked about her age, so maybe it wouldn't be a big deal. She then wondered if all of this was right, her sociology professor would be proud. She then noted grimly that they just didn't make them like that at Stanford. "It's fine, seriously don't worry about it. You can have the pizza, it's on me."

Ugh, great, it was basically like he was paying for the show she was giving him. Sure, sure, let me prounce around in my towel, that'll be two pizza's. "Don't be ridiculous, I'll get the money." She held the door open and let him in before turning, clutching her towel so it stayed up, and marching across the room to her gym bag to get her wallet. She then realized she had just left the door open and turned her back on the pizza guy, a complete stranger while she was basically naked…what was she on tonight? She quickly took out the money and handed him some bills that she didn't quite look at. "Here, keep the change."

He counted it quickly, thanked her, gave her a gorgeous smile, and turned to leave just as Ms. Perfect Timing, Gabriella, walked into the room. She caught site of the guy just before he closed the door behind him, then her gaze fell on Taylor.

"Did you…answer the door…naked?" Her voice took on a horrified tone. Gabriella was about as virgin as they came. She had made out with a few boys, gone to third base once only to tell Taylor the horror stories of the situation later, but never let a boy do it to her, as she so readily described. However, Gabriella, being the nerd, had an underlining of evil. She was sneaky and devilish, though on the surface you wouldn't know it. Also, from being around all the inexperienced Academic Decathlon guys in high school, her mind had been surgically removed and placed in a gutter.

Taylor, on the other hand, was most definitely not a virgin. She had sex with a few guys. She knew the ins and outs of the bedroom. She kind of had to have sex, because Taylor always fell for the bad boy. The guy that she inevitably knew would break her heart. She was regularly used and abused, the default tortured soul. The girl could solve any problem you through at her, but she couldn't figure out what she was doing wrong with the guys. Gabriella tried to tell her He doesn't seem like boyfriend material, or, I think he is only after one thing, Taylor. Every time she didn't listen, every time Gabriella was right.

"Yes Gabriella, I showed him my boobs and got a discount too."

Gabriella giggled, "Well then I hope you know we got jipped. Those girls are

Easily worth two large pizza's. I hope you didn't tip."

And with that they fell into their usual banter, discussing the nights events and developments. Talking all through the night and forgetting about their movies as usual.


"So what's the plan for tonight?' Cody, Taylor's latest boyfriend, pulled Taylor into his lap and kissed her neck. He was a on the football team, they gymnastics team had hung out with them a few weeks back and, well, that night, and the next morning, Taylor and him "hit it" off. He was cocky, rude, and good in bed. The usual for Taylor. She suppressed a giggle, "I don't know, Cody, I'm tired, and really sore from practice this morning, let's just hang out today ok?" His hands made their way down her slim back and onto her ass, "I have something else that would make you sore, if you want to try that." She fought the urge to roll her eyes, "Ugh, not tonight," she pulled away from him and stood up, he was being extra pushy tonight. She noted something was off about him, "Let's just order some take out a watch a movie, please." He was getting ready to enter pout mode, something she really wanted to avoid, "What ever kind of food you want," she offered.

"Pizza," he said shortly.

It seemed like that was all she ate in college. She had heard the rumors that ramen would become her daily diet, although she rejected that one, she couldn't avoid pizza at least twice a week.

"You know, I had a hard practice this morning too, if you even care." He said condescendingly.

"I care, Cody, you know that." she searched around the kitchen for the phone, "I was just telling you I'm not in the mood."

"Well it always seems like you just talk about yourself, your stupid problems you are having at practice. I mean you flip around on a fucking mat. I have to worry about getting smashed by the three hundred pound USC defensive lineman. I think I win."

"You're right, sorry." She said flatly, finally locating the blue cordless phone and typing in the number on the fridge. She could hear him sigh heavily on the couch as she tried to order what he wanted. She hung up and set the phone on the counter a little too hard.

She came back to the couch and slid in, keeping a cushion distance away, hoping he would get the point. "They said it should be a half hour, forty five minutes." She watched as he reached out his hand and took her wrist, practically dragging her towards him. She gave in, sliding her body near his. Nope, he was a guy, he definitely hadn't gotten the point.

"But I'm hungry" he said, pulling her close to him. She willingly moved till he had her in his lap once again. He was already back to kissing her neck, his fingers quickly working on the buttons on her shirt. She pushed his hands away, she tried to distract him, "W-we have other food."

"I'm not hungry for food just yet Taylor."

She resisted the urge to throw up. That was so stupid. She felt disgusted as he sloppily unbuttoned her shirt. She drew in a breathe, and smelt a sharp, distinct, scent.

"Cody have you been drinking?"

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, mother, I had a few drinks with the guys before I came over."

"How many is a few?"

"Fuck I don't know, Tay. A few."

"Ugh," she said, starting to pull away, but he held onto her tighter.

"Come on T, stop being stupid, it was just a couple drinks." He started kissing under her jaw, and now half her shirt was unbuttoned.

She didn't want to deal with this so she started feeding him feeble excuses. "What if Gabriella comes home?"

"You said she had class, she wont be home for a couple hours." His hands went back, working on the next button so the bottom part of her bra was starting to show.

She pushed him away again, not as convincing this time, " I'm tired, Cody, come on."

He stopped and looked up at her, clearly annoyed, "Fuck, come on, Taylor, seriously? You sound like an old lady."

She paused, then sighed again. He took that as his go ahead and was not slow to pick up exactly where he left off. The rest of the buttons were stripped off, not as quickly as he usually would have. She suspected he couldn't see them straight. He was rougher than usual with her, pinching her skin as he missed her bra strap. But it didn't slow him down and soon she found herself totally undressed on his lap. It took all her effort to undress him as his hands roamed where they pleased.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked, hoping he would care about how she was feeling just stop, or slow down, or at least not be so rough. But he ignored her and flipped her over onto the couch, crushing her small body under his as he spread apart her thighs and started moving inside of her. She somehow brought herself to make the appropriate gasps and moans. But he hardly noticed she was just going through the motions. He gripped her waist too tight and went too hard. She was so sore from practice already. She groaned and asked him to slow down, and he did, for a few moments before getting too caught up in what he was doing. Then he just went even harder than before. From then on all the gasps and moans were not of pleasure, but of pain and disgust as she lay under him.

After what seemed like an agonizingly long time, she found herself slowly dressing as Cody was in the bathroom. She slipped on her panties and jeans slowly, then her bra, and then fished out a tank top from her room and slipped that on. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked terrible, almost as bad as she felt. She was so annoyed with Cody, he always did stuff like that. Sometimes she felt like that was all it was about for him. She promised herself that when he was sober she would talk to him about it. Even though she knew she wouldn't. She heard the door bell ring after a few more minutes. She threw her thick, dark hair into a pony tail. It still brushed the middle of her back, even though it was high on her head. She trudged over towards the couch and grabbed Cody's wallet that had fallen out of his jeans and then walked over to the door and opened it slowly. Without looking up asked, "How much do I owe you?"

She recognized the voice before she looked up, although she didn't know from where. The tone had a warming sensation on her whole body, in a cozy, welcome home kind of way.

"Eight flat," he said, and you could hear the smile playing on his lips. Taylor glanced up to see the pizza guy from a few days ago. Her eyes got wide with surprise, and for some reason, joy. She noted that as odd. He looked exactly the same, and she noted in relief that she didn't. She couldn't help but laugh," What are the chances?"

He smiled at her fully now, showing a perfect row of teeth, "Pretty good actually, I usually get sent out to this area. If I had known I would keep getting sent to pretty girls like you, I would have requested it long ago."

Taylor smiled and looked down, playing with the bills, "Well now that I know I'm going to start having to order pizza more." She glanced up at him, he really was attractive. He held out his hand, "I'm Chad."

Taylor grinned, "Nice to meet you Chad--"

"I don't think it's customary to exchange names when you deliver pizza."

Taylor looked over her shoulder to see Cody, staring at her and then the pizza guy. She noted that thankfully, he had put the jeans on so now she was only embarrassed instead of mortified. Cody, however, took the liberty of embarrassing himself. He puffed out his bare chest to show that he was, in fact, bigger than him. Testosterone was basically bleeding out his pores. She had also noted that he was not as built as her boyfriend. However, she took it as a positive. Chad was slim, but in shape. He was well built, but not overly muscular like Cody. His whole persona gave off an I-don't-care-what-you-think vibe. She watched as he cracked another crooked smile at Cody, "Sorry man, just saying hi, don't turn green or anything, Hulk."

Taylor suppressed a giggle, she covered her mouth quickly, hoping that he hadn't heard her. They both did though, and she found Cody to be glaring menacingly at her and Chad trying to hide his own grin.

"Just give us the pizza and stay away from my girlfriend, Twat." Taylor rolled her eyes and mouthed "I'm sorry," to him. She was about to hand him the money when Cody took it forcefully from her hands, handed him the exact amount, making sure not to leave a tip. He then grabbed the pizza and Taylor roughly from around the waist, steering her away from the door, "Come on T," and shut the door in Chad's face.

Chad backed away to avoid breaking his nose. He sighed and squinted up at the glowing sun as he began walking down the stairs towards the parking lot. What had just happened? Well, she was clothed this time, that was a plus…or a minus, however way you choose to look at it. He grinned at his last memory of her coming to the door, the way her face looked when she realized he was not who she thought. He wondered for a second if she had thought he was her boyfriend. That made him depressed for some reason. But then he remembered she had mentioned something about her roommate, who from what he heard was named Gabriella. That made him feel better. He had told her his name, and she had commented on ordering more now that he would come to the door. He knew her name started with a T…and that she had a crazy boyfriend who came off as a total tool. He shook his head, typical a hot girl like that would have a tool of a boyfriend. Well at least he hadn't come to the door in a towel, that would have just been too depressing. Although he was shirtless…ok, he needed to stop. He got into his car and started it, and on his way home, all he could think about was the beautiful girl named T.