Frank's P.O.V
This was hell. My heart was in my throat and my brain was being swirled around in my skull. My ears had popped from the pressure in my head and all I could do was stand there with my mouth ajar like a melon.
SLAM.
I was suddenly dragged back into reality by some kind of force to see only Gee stood by the kitchen doorframe with his hands by his side and an emotionless expression across his face. It hurt me to see him and Lynz fight like this and to see him after the fight was a painful aftermath. He didn't say a single word but simply strolled into my front room and silently perched on the end of my couch.
Uugghh, for fuck sake.
Comforting people was not my strong point and I really wasn't up to it right now, I mean c'mon, half an hour ago I was texting Hayley and now I have a depressed angry man on my couch.
Y'know what? If Gee's wants to act like this then fine but he can't expect that it's going to go by unnoticed.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and followed him into the abyss.
Jeremy's P.O.V
"Taylor, don't move. I'll be right back." I pushed myself off of his couch and slipped around the corner to the bathroom. Taking my cell out of my pocket and resting against the side of the bathtub, I dialled Hayley's number and waited for her to pick up.
"Jerm? Wadup, Man"
"How soon can you make it over to Taylor's house?"
"Errr... about ten minutes? Why?"
"Just get over here okay... don't panic! Listen, I just need you here and I'm pretty sure Taylor does too so, ten minutes?"
"Yeah... See you in ten."
I hung up the phone and gave myself a minute to gather my thoughts before returning back to Taylor. When I got back to the front room he was stretched out fast asleep on the couch, one arm had become a pillow and the other dangled over the edge lightly brushing the shag carpet. I knew that he really needed this so I decided to let him sleep there whilst I waited for Hayley to arrive. I slumped into the kitchen and poured myself another cup of coffee whilst I mulled over what I was going to say to Hayley and Taylor once she turned up.
So Taylor's real bummed out about something, I don't know what, but he says something about life being hard? No no, Look Hayley, Taylor's sorta down or angry or... Maybe we should take him out someplace nice? UUGGHH! This is so hard! Okay okay! ... Hayley I thi-
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
I was distracted from my train of thought by Hayley knocking on the front door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
She seemed pretty anxious and eager to find out what was going on, I must have sounded quite worried on the phone. I silently placed my mug on the counter and slipped towards the door making as little noise as possible because Taylor was still asleep on the couch, though he appeared to be stirring due to Hayley's knocking.
"Jeremy! What's happened!" Hayley shouted as soon as I opened the door.
"SHHHHH! Taylor's sleeping!" I yelled back as I pushed past Hayley giving me time to close the door so we didn't disturb Taylor.
"Well?"
"Alright, calm down... So Taylor's acting real weird, like I mean really not him at all. I think you should talk to him because I don't know him as well as you do, so y'know... you might be able to get through to him? Maybe, I don't know." Hayley's face dropped ever so subtly as those words sunk in. I could see the pure concern in her eyes.
She grasped the door handle, sliding my hand off it as she did. "I'll do my best." She took a deep sigh and strolled into Taylor's house with slight fear and little confidence. I didn't feel entirely comfortable with listening in to their conversation but I knew that I needed to hear this, and if it was going to help Taylor out then so be it. I leaned against the doorframe and watched Hayley as she knelt down next to Taylor's head and softly woke him up. "Hey, Tay. You got a second?" He began to stir and slowly open his eyes.
"Huh?" By the time his eyes were fully open he and Hayley were practically rubbing noses. "WHOA! That's a little close there, Hayley!" He shuffled backwards but kept on his side as I imagine he was too tired to sit up straight just after he had woken up. "...hang on... I'm sure you weren't here when I fell asleep."
Hayley giggled with her eyes tightly shut and a wide smile across her face. "I just popped by." She put her hand on his shoulder "something told me you needed to chat with me." Taylor closed his eyes once more and looked away from her face, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"I'm just scared, s'all." Hayley took her hand off of his shoulder and moved back as if his words were flying out of his mouth and she was trying to get a better look at them.
"Scared? What are you scared of?"
"You... you're getting into that phase again when you find a guy you like and spend just so much time with him that you can't concentrate on us anymore. It's just... it's like I can feel you fading away from us... Don't look at me like that! You know it's not the first time! It happened with Josh and now it's going to happen with Frank too."
Ouch.
As I watched Hayley take a sudden thump in the heart from that comment about Josh I felt like sliding away from the door and back into the bathroom. I knew Taylor didn't mean that in a harsh way but I couldn't help but think how painful that must have been for Hayley. We promised ourselves that we wouldn't bring up anything about Josh and Hayley being a couple anymore, that it was all behind us and had no relevance to our life now.
"Err, Hayles?" She looked up at me like a dear in headlights. "You wanna help me make a cup of coffee? I can't find the kettle." She didn't even look at Taylor but simply got up and walked straight into the kitchen without a word. Hopefully I had given her a chance to cool down.