Hayley's POV;
"Happy birthday Hayles" I hear him whisper in my ear. I feel Taylors soft lips press firmly against my cheek. My eyes open and are greeted by his warm and loving gaze. We had been getting even closer in these past few days, I didn't even know that was possible.
Everything had felt like a surreal blur since Josh released his statement online and I blamed myself for everything. I felt responsible. I even thought I would lose Taylor because of the way I had been behaving. He snapped me out of it. He wasn't going anywhere, he made that clear. And he wasn't going to let me go either. I wasn't to continuously bring Josh or Chad into situations and conversations in the way I was doing before. It hurt Taylor to hear about them all the time and it hurt me to know I was causing him pain. I felt ashamed that he had to tell me not to do it, I should have already known. We're still at the beginning of everything, of our relationship and dealing with the Farros leaving us. The consequences of those had lead me to a near breakdown. I didn't even realise that until Taylor and I talked.
When I was looking into his eyes and he was telling me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, nothing else mattered.
I had been focusing too much on what Josh had done to us and not focusing on moving forward. Taylor made me realise that too. He says he wants to look ahead but I know he's still holding onto something as well. As much as I want to forget everything, Josh and Zac will always be a part of us.
But it was my birthday and I was going to enjoy it.
"Happy birthday to me." I smile at him and slowly sit up, pulling the blankets up around me. "Where are my presents?" I joke, looking around the room for wrapped gifts. I wasn't expecting any presents. I was surprised that Kat gave me one. I hadn't been in contact with many people in the last month so I'm assuming they haven't bothered with my birthday, and no one asked about it either. Taylor and Jeremy certainly haven't, and I hadn't given them any ideas as to what I wanted.
"I thought I was your present!" he says, astonished but he half-smiles shyly. He really is all I needed. He grins as if he heard that thought. "I do have a present for you but it's not here, it's at my place. I didn't really plan ahead very well, should've somehow brought it here when we came from mine. I didn't wanna leave to get it in case you woke up and I wasn't here." he says apologetically. "Tay," I grab his face between my hands stroke his bruised nose with my thumbs "it doesn't matter. I didn't want you getting me anything. We can go pick it up later if you want."
I had been answering calls all morning. It seems people haven't forgotten my birthday. Everyone was wishing me a happy birthday and apologising about not being able to come and see me. I found it odd, but was quite relieved that I could just spend the day with Taylor and Jeremy, but I couldn't hide away forever. I put the phone down after having a 45 minute conversation with my mother and turn to Taylor. "Lets get outta here, I don't think I could answer one more call. When's Jerm coming around?" I think he's the one person I haven't heard from today. "I dunno, I'll text him. Didya wanna go get your present now?" he asks, typing away on his cell.
We get to my car when Taylor gets a reply from Jeremy. "He says that he was up all night talking to Kat and he slept in. He will let one of us know when he's gunna come around." I'm a little annoyed, but we've still got most of the day left. "Alright," I sigh. There's no point getting angry. "Let's go."
"Okay, cover your eyes. Or don't. I dunno!" he squeals from the next room. He'd been in there for a while. "Common Tay, I ain't getting any younger! I'm covering my eyes okay!" I giggle and put my hands over my face. I hear footsteps coming towards me. "Alright, um, you can look now." I take a deep breath and drop my hands. He has something hidden under a blanket. It's a big square shape. Like a picture frame or something. He lifts off the blanket and throws it on the couch. I was right; it was a big framed picture. There are 3 people in the picture, 3 people I recognise. In the middle is a small, dark red-haired girl. On her left, a young curly-haired boy and to her right is a boy with a short, scruffy beard. I have my arms around Jeremy and Taylor. We're smiling sweetly at the camera except for Jeremy who has his tongue out. I can't quite remember this moment, but I know when it was taken. It was from one of our first ever band practices. I couldn't have been much older than 14. We were so happy and carefree and excited to go wherever and play music, because that's what we loved most. The only issues were what we would have for lunch, and whose basement we would practice in. No pointing fingers and no blaming.
I feel something warm trickle down my cheek. I didn't even know I started crying. Taylor rests the picture against the wall behind him. "You okay?" he asks quietly as he walks over to me, putting his arms around my waist. "I hoped it wouldn't bring back bad memories. Only good ones." I quickly wipe away the lone tear. "No no, it's perfect Tay." I smile. He smiles back immediately. "This is to remind you that we've been together from the beginning, and that we will always be here. Annnd it will remind me to never grow my hair long again." He smirks. I chuckle and shake my head. "Your curls were cute." I confess. His expression becomes serious and he takes a deep breath, slowly leans in and presses his lips against mine. My body immediately relaxes but my heart starts beating faster and louder. I find the strength to get on my tip-toes so I can wrap my arms around his neck, and his arms tighten around my waist, pulling my body against his. Our kisses become deeper and slower, and I begin to crave the taste of his tongue on mine. My hands reach for his hair, grabbing fistfuls of it. I'm glad he's not wearing a beanie this time.
Taylor's phone suddenly beeps and makes me jump and my heart beats impossibly faster. Taylor moans against my lips and mumbles "Perfect timing, Jerm." He lifts his head from mine and reaches for his phone in his pocket. I release his hair and unravel my arms from around his neck. "Just pretend you lost your phone." I suggest. It was a good idea, but Jeremy would know we'd be here if we weren't at mine. "Hah, that would never work. And he's just arrived at your place. I guess we'd better go." He sighs. "Or we could not." I say as he grabs my present and we head for the door.
Taylor leaves the big picture of us in my car and walks around to me, reaching out his hand. "What about the picture, d'you want me to get it?" I didn't want that beautiful specimen sitting all alone in the back of my car. "I'll get it later, lets get inside." He says hurriedly and grabs my hand. I notice there are a few more cars parked on the street than usual. There's probably some band playing at a house nearby. We walk quickly to the front door and I hear voices coming from inside. Jeremy rarely talks to himself. He does talk in his sleep sometimes. He's probably fallen asleep on the couch. Taylor squeezes my hand and reaches out his free one to turn the doorknob. He gently pushes the door open. We step inside and see that Jeremy is just standing randomly in the middle of the room. "NOW!" he yells.