Taylex fanfiction Poprocks & Coke
Chapter 4: "I'm Gonna Break Down These Walls"
The next day, Alex Gaskarth entered the classroom with the look of someone who wasn't going to take "I won't show you" for an answer. Taylor Jardine pulled her knees up to her chest in a would-be defensive gesture and sighed.
"Taylor Jardine, show me your Goddamn arms." Alex slipped into the seat beside Tay. He was wearing a striped top under a denim waistcoat, with the usual skinny jeans. His hair was perfectly and precisely styled, and it was obvious he had made an effort.
"Alex, hi! Fancy seeing you here. How are you today?" Sarcasm, again, but she was still unready to tell her life story to someone she only met yesterday. Even someone she liked as much as Alex.
"Talk to me, Tay." He pleaded, smiling slightly. "Let me help you." Tay had no doubt that if she didn't talk to him, he'd never give up with the puppy dog eyes. With another sigh and a gulp, she shrugged her jacket off, closed her eyes and held her arms out for inspection. Alex peered at the fresh cuts closely and un-judgementally.
"Oh, my God, Taylor. Your arm… these are new. They obviously weren't there yesterday, were they? Did you cut last night?"
"Uhm…" Tay's mind filled with regrets. "Would you believe me if I lied?" But she knew she wouldn't, couldn't. Not to that face, with the way he was looking at her now. He took hold of her arms and stretched them so he could see. Tay involuntarily flinched.
"No." Alex shook his head, still looking at her arms. "I'm sorry, does it hurt?" Tay also shook her head, although it did, the pain becoming constant from the way he was holding her arms. But she wasn't going to tell him. "Tay, seriously, Tay." He bit his lip, just staring at her arms for a long while. When the bell rang, he seemed reluctant to let go of her. "Never do that again. Please. Promise me."
"No, I can't." She said, and Alex froze. "I mean, no, I can't promise you. 'Cause I don't want you to hold it against me, you know? Like, if I do it again, you'll be like, 'oh, but you promised me… you've really let me down, Taylor…'" She knew this wasn't what he wanted, so she added more. "I'll try, Alex, but no promises."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly wanting to say more, but having no time. "Don't, Tay." Alex smiled slightly, and walked away.
Tay didn't mention to him the promise she made to him in her empty bedroom the night before. He turned at the door, waved, and then he was gone. She couldn't help but watch him leave.
