Chapter 6: Shatter Me

Zack's P.O.V.

Today is Wednesday January 2nd and time to head back to school after the two week break we had. I stayed at the ski and snowboarding resort on Mt. Nibel with the guys and my Dad for a few days and it was alot of fun just to be there with them skiing and snowboarding for hours and then warm up by the fire while drinking hot chocolate. During the trip I've noticed that Cloud was alot happier ever since he and Taylor got together and it makes me happy too as he found someone who truly cares about him and loves him for who he is.

I drove to school after the winter tires were put on my truck before vacation ended and I sat in the parking lot. "Man where is everyone?" I said to myself. I looked to my left and saw Cloud and Taylor on his bike and they parked next to me. "Hey lovebirds." I said after I got out of the truck. "Hi Zack!" said Taylor happily as she gave me a hug. "The two week break went by really fast huh?" I asked them. "Yeah it did go really fast." said Cloud as he put his arm around Taylor's waist keeping her close to him. "Little protective now Strife?" I asked him. "Was I mad when she hugged you?" he asked me. "No?" I said. "It's because I trust you Zack." said Cloud. I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Come on let's get inside before we freeze to death." said Taylor.

The three of us walked into school and I saw alot of girls looking at Taylor and Cloud seeing them hand in hand and I saw that few of them were jealous. We walked to the cafeteria and saw Aerith, Yuffie, Cissnei, and Cid waiting for us. "Hey guys." I said. "Hey Zack." said Cid. "How's everybody doing?" I asked them. "Cid and I are doing good." said Cissnei happily. "I'm doing good too." said Yuffie. "Same here." said Aerith. "That's good to hear." I said happily. "Hey where's Reno and Selina?" said Cloud. We all turned around and saw them walk in all mad at each other. "Uh what's up with them?" I asked Aerith. "They're in a huge fight and they've been arguing since yesterday." she said. "What was it about?" I asked. "Selina wouldn't tell me and Taylor about it." she said. "I'm thinking that they thought one of them was cheating." I said. "You maybe right, but we still don't really know what's going on." said Aerith.

Reno and Selina sat down with us and they didn't look at each other at all. The rest of us looked at each other in an awkward silence and then looked back at Reno and Selina. "Uh… hi you two?" I said. "Hey." said Reno. "Hi." said Selina. "You guys alright? 'Cause if you're not, you know you can talk to us about it." I said. They looked at each other for a couple seconds and then they looked away still angry at each other. I looked at Aerith and Taylor seeing them roll their eyes showing that they're not amused about this new problem. We heard the bell ring and we went to class.

Cloud's P.O.V.

We walked into Mr. Carter's room quietly and sat down in our seats. As we walked in, Mr. Carter saw Taylor and I holding hands and I saw Taylor look at him and she smiled. "What was that for hun?" I asked her. "Now he knows we're together and he just told me that we look really cute together." she said. I made her sit on my lap and wrapped my arms around her resting my chin on her shoulder. We looked at Zack and Aerith as they sat next to us and the four of us smiled at each other. "Hey Taylor, can I talk to you in the hallway alone?" Selina asked her. "Uh… yeah, sure." said Taylor. As she stood up, Reno grabbed her right arm and pulled her towards him. "Don't believe any word that she'll say to you." said Reno. Taylor looked at him all shocked. Selina then grabbed her left arm pulling Taylor towards her. "Don't listen to that lying cheater over there." said Selina. "Hey, hey, hey. Take it easy on Taylor ok. She's not a toy you know." said Zack. Selina and Taylor walked out of the room.

Aerith, Zack, and I looked at Reno as he looked at us. "Reno, why did Selina call you a lying cheater?" Zack asked him. "She thinks I hooked up with her cousin Melody at her family's Christmas Eve Party." said Reno. "Well… did you?" Aerith asked him. "No I didn't. All that happened was that Melody gave me a kiss on the cheek. I noticed that she was a little drunk too. The next morning, Selina starts yelling at me accusing me of cheating because her sister told her that. Man, her little sister is one of the biggest liars I have ever met in my entire life!" said Reno angrily. "So why isn't she going after her cousin?" I asked him. "I said that to her too, but she wouldn't listen to me!" said Reno. "But she'll listen to Taylor?" said Aerith. The four of us looked at each other in an awkward silence. "She better not believe her." said Reno. "Hey leave Taylor alone!" I said. Reno looked at me surprised. We turned to the door and saw Selina and Taylor walk back into the room.

"Hey pumpkin." I said to Taylor. "Hey babe." she said as she sat back down on my lap. "Everything alright?" I whispered. She shook her head no. I kissed her cheek and let her put her head on my shoulder. Aerith put her hand on Taylor's shoulder and Zack ruffled Taylor's hair a little bit. "She told you her side of the story?" I asked her. "Yeah she did, but I also need to hear Reno's side of the story so I can figure out exactly what's going on." Taylor whispered. "Well, he told us his side of the story." I whispered. "What did he say?" she whispered. "I'll tell you at lunch." I whispered. We looked at Zack and Aerith and they hugged her as we knew something was wrong. The bell rang and I walked Taylor to her next class. I gave her a little kiss and I went to my next class. "This day isn't going to be good." I said in my thoughts.

Two hours had passed and I sat down at history class with Zack, Cid, and Reno. Zack and I looked next door and saw Aerith and Selina were there. "Where's your girlfriend?" Zack asked me. We looked at the girls and they saw us. We walked into their classroom and sat with them. "Where did Taylor go?" I asked them. "She's in the guidance office talking with her counselor." said Aerith. "She's been there for an hour now." said Selina. I took out my phone and started texting her. "You ok babe? I'm worried about you." I texted her. "Yeah I'm ok, just not in a good mood. I'm sorry that I got you worried sweetheart. Ever since hearing about their problem it's gotten me a little mad and upset." she texted me back. "I understand pumpkin; it's gotten me a little mad too. But right now I want to make sure that you're alright. When you come back, come see me ok?" I texted her back. "I will. Love you Cloudy." she texted me back. "Love you too honey." I texted her back. "Is she ok?" Selina asked me worriedly. "Yeah she's ok. She's just not in a good mood right now." I said. Zack and I walked back into our class and finished our classwork.

About five minutes before the bell rang, Taylor walked into my classroom. I got up and held her tight in my arms, swaying her slowly, and rubbed her back. Reno looked at us and he knew that Taylor was upset. He looked next door seeing the girls not looking at us and he looked back at me. "Tay?" said Reno worriedly. She looked up at him and he hugged her for a minute. "Don't talk about it at lunch ok guys? I already told Taylor my side of the story." said Reno. "Well, Selina told us her side of the story too." I said. "So, who do you guys believe? Me or her?" Reno asked us. "I believe you man." said Cid. "Me too." said Zack. "Me three." I said. Reno put his hand on Taylor's shoulder looking at her all worried. "Taylor? Whose story do you believe?" he asked her. "I don't know. All I'm trying to do is find out who started this whole fight. I can't choose between my best friends. So please, don't make me pick a side. Just let me help the both of you sort this whole thing out." said Taylor in a sad tone. "Ok. We won't make you pick a side." said Reno worriedly. After all that, the bell rang and we went to lunch.

Zack's P.O.V.

We walked to the cafeteria and Cloud, Taylor, and I sat down at our table. Cloud and I kept patting Taylor's back to show her that we're here for her. I looked behind me and saw Aerith and Selina walk in and they saw Taylor all upset. "Taylor come here." said Aerith. She hugged Taylor and Selina hugged her too. "You know they're going to ask her to be on Selina's side." I whispered to Cloud. "Hopefully they won't. You saw Taylor nearly have a mental breakdown right in our class. Let's hope they don't say anything." Cloud whispered to me. Aerith and Selina let Taylor go and she sat back down next to Cloud and I. We looked and saw Cid, Cissnei, Yuffie, and Reno walk in and sit down with us. We started eating in silence hoping that someone can say something different instead of the drama we're facing right now. I looked at Taylor seeing that she wasn't eating at all and she stayed really quiet. "Taylor?" I said. She looked at me not saying a word. "You ok buddy?" I asked her. She shook her head no. "Hey I know what'll cheer you up." I said.

I opened my bag and took out a little bag of gumballs and showed it to her. "Come on Tay. You know you like them." I said. For the first time in my life, she refused to take the candy from me. Cloud looked at her and kissed her hand as he held it. "Babe?" Cloud said to Taylor. I looked at Reno and Selina as they looked at her knowing what they're fight has done to her. "What's wrong Tay?" Yuffie asked her. "I'm just not in a good mood right now." said Taylor. "Why? What happened?" Yuffie asked her again. Taylor looked up at her and Yuffie saw in Taylor's eyes that something was bugging her. "Is it the fight that these two are having?" said Yuffie. Taylor sadly nodded her head yes. "Speaking about it, whose side are you on Tay?" Selina asked her. Cloud and I looked at each other all scared of what's going to happen. "What will happen if she doesn't choose your side Selina?" Cid asked her nervously. "Then I guess she won't be my friend anymore." said Selina.

After she just said that, Taylor got up, grabbed her bag, and walked out. "Selina!" said Cissnei. "What?" said Selina. "That was harsh." said Aerith. I looked at Reno, Cid, and Cloud knowing that Selina had just crossed the line with Taylor. "See what you're stupid fight has done you two? It made your best friend walk out all upset!" I said to Selina and Reno. They looked at me and saw how mad I was. "I can't believe you Selina. You care about this dumb fight more than your best friend?! The one who was always there for you, your father, and your little sister for years especially when your mother passed away after leaving your father?!" I said to her. "Shut up Zack!" said Selina. "You know that Taylor acted like a mother to you. She always helped you with your problems and now you're going to throw it all away because she doesn't believe your side of the story?" I said. Selina looked at me all shocked and surprised. "If I were you, I'd go after her and apologize to her right now in front of her face." I said. "Wait a minute guys, you two said this whole thing started when her little sister said all of the cheating stuff to Selina right?" Aerith asked them. "Yeah?" said Reno and Selina together. "So… who do you think Taylor's going after?" said Aerith. We all looked at each other shocked.

Taylor's P.O.V.

After walking out of school, I started walking to Selina's house and I knew exactly why. After hearing both sides of the same story, I knew that Selina's little sister Emma was behind all of this. I walked upto Selina's house, knocked on the door, and saw Selina's Dad open up the door seeing me. "Hi Taylor!" said Selina's Dad happily. "Hi David! May I come in?" I asked happily. "Sure come on in! You know you're always welcome here." said David. "Thank you David." I said happily. I walked inside the house and saw a picture of Selina and Emma together all happy. "Is there something wrong Taylor?" David asked me. "I know who started the cheating rumor that Selina was talking about." I said. "Oh really? Who was it if I may ask?" said David. "It was Emma." I said. David sighed and then looked at me again. "I knew it. I knew it was her." he said. "Really? How come?" I asked curiously. "Ever since Selina has started dating Reno, Emma has gotten pretty jealous of her." said David.

"Is it because she has a crush on him?" I asked. "No that's not it." said David. Before he said anything else, Emma walked into the living room seeing me in the house. "Emma, Taylor would like to talk to you." said David. "About what Daddy?" said Emma. "It's about Selina." he said. Emma is eight years younger than Selina. She has long straight brown hair like her sister and has brown eyes from her mother. I knelt down in front of her and I saw her eyes trying to look away from me. "Emma, can we talk about it in your room?" I asked her nicely. "S-sure." said Emma nervously.

We walked into her room seeing that it was a tiny mess inside, but it didn't bother me since I like to keep my room a little messy too. We sat down on her bed, our backs up against a wall and we looked at each other. "So Emma, do you know why I came here?" I asked her. "To ask me if I started the rumor of Selina's boyfriend cheating on her?" said Emma. I nodded my head yes to her question. She looked away from me and I saw tears form in her eyes and then she sat on my lap crying, putting her head on my right shoulder. "So… you were the one who did this?" I asked her calmly. "Y-yes. I-it was me Taylor. I'm so sorry." she said while crying. I looked at her all surprised and then held her tight in my arms. "Why did you do that?" I asked her. "Because I was jealous of her." she said. "Jealous of her spending time with him instead of you?" I asked.

She looked up at me and nodded her head yes. "Emma, you know that Selina would never want to upset you like this. I know that she always has time for you." I said. "Then why is she always with him when I need her the most!" she yelled. My eyes widened in shock. "She's becoming my Mom! Always caring about herself instead of her family. She's being a jerk Taylor. I hate her!" she said. I was completely speechless to hear all of that from an eight year old. My heart sunk into my stomach. "Sometimes I wish that you were my big sister. You always put your friends and family before yourself. You are always nice and friendly to people when they need help. You're my sister's only friend that is always here for me. You go to my events, games, everything! Why can't you be my big sister?!" Emma cried.

I looked at her door and saw David walk and I already knew that he just everything that his daughter just said to me. "Emma, you know that not's true. Your sister is not like your Mom and you know that. Selina has always been here for you. She goes to all of your stuff and has always supported you every step of the way. But you have to understand that she is going to start seeing guys her age and she wants to find the one that will only love her for who she truly is. And she wants to see that one guy that will love you too and help her take care of you. And I think she has found the right guy that she has wanted for her entire life as he has always loved you too. Sure she can be a jerk sometimes, but she really isn't. Right now she might be looking for me after I just walked out of school after saying if I didn't join her side, I wasn't going to be her friend anymore." I said.

"Selina said that to you?" David asked me. I nodded my head yes. "Why did she say that to you Taylor? You're her best friend. You're like a sister to her." said Emma after she calmed down. "And she still is Emma." said a voice. We looked out the door and saw Selina and Reno by the door. I looked at Emma seeing her stand in front of me all mad at Selina. Selina and Reno walked into the room and sat down next to us holding hands again. "You two heard everything didn't you?" I asked them. "Every single word." said Reno. "I'm very sorry Selina. I was all mad that you weren't spending time with me as you used too before you started seeing him. I just want my big sister back." said Emma. Selina hugged Emma tight in her arms accepting her apology. "Hey babe, don't you have to apologize to your best friend now?" Reno said to Selina. Selina and I looked at each other. "Taylor, I am so sorry for what I said to you back in the cafeteria. It was wrong of me to say something stupid like that in front of you. The whole fight was completely frickin ridiculous and I let it go over my head. Can you forgive me?" said Selina. "Yeah I forgive you." I said happily. Selina smiled at me and we hugged each other. Reno hugged the both us and we laughed happily knowing now the fight is over.

I walked out of her house and I saw Cloud on his bike waiting for me and he saw a smile on my face. "Hey sweetheart." I said happily. "Hey babe." he said happily. He got off his bike and pulled me in for a warm, gentle kiss. "You two made up?" Cloud asked me. "Yep. Everything is ok now. Problems solved and over with." I said as I got onto the back of his bike. "That's good to hear." he said. He got onto the bike and we heard the engine roar. "Ready to head home pumpkin?" Cloud asked me. I nodded my head yes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Cloud smiled and we drove home together.

Thank you for reading Chapter 6 of the series! Man, what an emotional roller coaster for Taylor. She hates it when her best friends fight each other and make the others choose sides. Now the group knows if a fight like this happens again, don't make Taylor choose a side.

Now, the part when Zack tried to give Taylor a little bag of gumballs. When they were little kids, Zack always brought them to school and he and Taylor always shared them together all the time. To me, that's a part of how their friendship had grown throughout the years.

About Selina's mother, she used to be a very nice lady but after Emma was born; her life began to fall through the cracks. She ended up sleeping with one of her ex boyfriends and once David found out about it, she left him and their daughters. After Selina's mother left her family, she died in a car accident leaving David and his two daughters devastated.

Next time, Chapter 7: In Remembrance. It is January 9th and that day was supposed to be Adam's birthday. Taylor wants to do something in his honor but what if he came to see her for one last time?