Chapter 2
Unsurprisingly Chad and Troy entered the party moments after the yelling out front had disappeared.
Taylor and Gabriella were jumping up and down after Gabriella revealed what her Mum was telling the other parents, that Gabriella had gotten into Stanford.
Taylor was really proud of her friend who had spent so long not knowing what her future held and now it was ready in front of her.
They were interrupted when Troy and Chad came over pulling them into their respective arms.
"You were great," Taylor smiled.
Chad chuckled, "you've got to quit saying that."
"It's true though," Taylor teased.
"Can we talk?" Chad asked uncertainly.
Taylor looked at him worriedly.
It wasn't like they hadn't known that this day was coming, the day that their futures were being laid out in front of them and they had to choose what they wanted.
Before Taylor could respond though, Zeke and Jason dragged Chad and Troy away.
"Is everything okay?" Gabriella asked as she saw a look of fear cross Taylor's face.
Taylor shrugged uncertainly, "honestly Gabi I have no idea."
Gabriella pulled Taylor into a tight hug, "we'll make it work."
"I hope you're right," Taylor said back as she hugged Gabriella a little tighter.
Chad came back over to them a few minutes later.
"Can I steal this beautiful girl away?" Chad asked as the girls pulled apart and looked at him.
"Of course, I have to go find Troy," Gabriella said as she began walking away.
Chad reached his hand out to take one of Taylor's, she gratefully entwined their fingers.
Neither of them were ready for the conversation that they were about to have, but if they didn't have it now they would only end up hurting more in the long run.
They were able to sneak away from the craziness of the party and made their way over to the swings.
Taylor sat down on one while Chad took the other, their hands only apart for the few seconds that it took for them to sit down.
Chad held both the chains for their swings in his hand as Taylor entwined her fingers with his.
"Next year things are going to change. Whether we like it or not Tay we're going to be in different states," Chad started softly, "we have to figure out how we're going to make this year work knowing that we're not going to be together next year."
Taylor could feel the hurt she felt showing on her face and hated it, if Chad wanted to go to college a single man that was his choice not hers to make.
"Well then we might as well end it now Chad. I can't go through this year being with you knowing that you want to be broken up by the end of the year," Taylor said, the pain dripping through her words.
Chad looked at her in shock for a moment, "Tay that wasn't what I meant."
Chad grabbed Taylor's other hand and pulled her to sit on his lap, "Tay I don't want to be without you. All I meant was we won't be spending as much time together next year because we'll be at different colleges."
Taylor looked at him sadly, "I don't want to be away from you for so long."
"Tay I promise that we'll make it work. I'll finally get a car and drive to see you whenever I can or I'll fly so we can spend more time together. We'll Skype and talk everyday I promise," Chad promised.
"Chad promise me that we'll stay together no matter what, that we'll make it work. I don't want to be in a relationship with anyone else. I only want you Chad. I love you," Taylor said for the first time.
Neither of them had ever said those three magic words to each other before.
Chad's response was to kiss Taylor with as much love as he could without having to say the words.
Taylor smiled at Chad and then went back to her own swing.
They intertwined their fingers as they began to swing back and forth.
For the first time this year they both felt relieved that they were on the same wavelength, they both wanted the same thing, to be together no matter the challenges that were bound to face them.
