This is probably the last chapter that will feature text without dialogue. Review, my little pretties. I do not, nor do I claim to, own the rights to DK's Flight 29 Down. OK? OK.
When Taylor met Jackson, her first opinion of him was that he might be that person she was looking for. The one she was sure was her soulmate, was just like her in every way. But she soon became disgusted with him when she found out that he was so damn truthful. She found it revolting that he'd tell you how he felt if you just asked him. She thought since he was so quiet and reclusive that he was playing her type of game, playing his hand in his own way. Not only was she completely wrong, but Taylor was soon on the verge of being insulted at how easy it was to play him. Sit next to him, confess your soul to reach his deep, insightful layer. Make him laugh to reach his sense-of-humor layer. And, finally, show a little leg to reach his "male" layer. She found herself using Melissa's feelings as an excuse to back off, simply just to get away from the blantant ease of it all.
Needless to say, Taylor was bored easily.
After leaving the island, she had just written it off as a waste when a pecular man caught her eye. She remembered manipulating Eric McGorrill in the past; but what if she could continue?
She pursued him throughout the last year of high school; she didn't date him seriously, or even ask him out, but she learned to slowly, slowly gain his attentions. A little nudge in the hallway, a wink in the back of chem class, random texts to his cell late at night, just to say "hi." She waited until the graduation night after-party to reel him in.
She remembered it as one of her finest hours. It was loud, smoky, and throbbing with teenage ferver. She remembers shocking her crowd of little pink friends by walking up to that strange kid that was always wearing that one hat. She remembers putting a smooth, manicured hand on his shoulder. He turned around and looked at her with little interest for a split second until he realized who it was. She remembers saying something, what was it? About going outside, something about it being too loud in here. She brought him out to the front lawn, and, making herself look that alluring brand of innocent she'd perfected, told him she wasn't sure how to say this, but she'd always kind of liked him, and, maybe, did he want to be her boyfriend? It was all very high school, but she looked so beautiful in her sundress and bangle bracelet, and right now Eric had that "whole world at my fingertips" high, and what the hell, right?
Taylor knew all of these things, and the whole time that she was looking at him looking at her, she couldn't stop thinking I've got him, I've got him. He's mine.
The next few years were a whirlwind of Taylor breezing her way through college, getting started on her career, and dating Eric. To her, it was the worst kind of torture to stand by one guy, but she made herself endure because she knew that was the only way they'd get through this and to the next step of her plan. She concentrated on keeping him by her side with the right combination of devotion and keeping him on his toes. Taylor was certain she had her entire life planned out before her, and that pleased her to no end.
As far as she was concerned, it was a one-way street from here to what she really wanted: marriage.