Was she too underdressed? What if they thought she hadn't made an effort? Would they think she had underestimated the nature of Jenji's party? Would Jenji be disappointed? What if the cast didn't even really like her? Taylor shook her head. She was being silly, of course she was. She was nervous about seeing the cast again, and she was scared they wouldn't like what she was wearing.
No scrap that, she was nervous that Laura wouldn't like what she was wearing.
Why did she even care so much? It wasn't like this woman was actually interested in her, was she? As far as Taylor knew, neither of them was even gay. Sighing, she settled on what she was wearing and reassured herself that everyone would like her outfit. She had on a pair of black skinny jeans, a white, 3/4 sleeved cropped top that showed off a tiny bit of her mid riff, a leather jacket and a pair of tan flat suede ankle boots. Her hair was wavy and hung loosely and she settled on natural makeup.
Checking the clock one last time before she left, she knew she would make it to the party on time, providing traffic wasn't too bad. She had called a taxi to take her to Jenji's as she didn't want to drive once she had been drinking.
The whole ride there, Taylor's heart was in her mouth. This was the most nervous that she'd ever been in a long time, but she was confused as to why she was this nervous over a woman. Handing over two $20 bills, she stepped out of the car at the end of Jenji's driveway. From the gate, she could hear the music coming from the house, and it was hard to talk over the intercom as all she could hear was a cracking noise on the other side. Thankfully, whoever had answered the intercom had been able to hear what Taylor had said, and so the gates opened and she walked up the long driveway towards the house.
Laura was stood kitchen counter in the middle of Jenji's well oversized kitchen, talking to Natasha. She was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, a dark grey band t-shirt and a pair of combat boots. Everyone was dressed in smart casual clothing, and she was glad that she hadn't come too underdressed. That was the thing with Laura, she wasn't really one to be seen wearing dresses unless it was a special occasion or a press event/awards ceremony. No, she was quite happy in a pair of tight jeans and a t-shirt.
"I wonder where Blondie's got to. She looks like the type of person who hasn't showed up late to anything." Natasha leaned on the counter next to Laura, holding a glass of rum and coke in her hand.
"You know, just because you call her Blondie on the show it doesn't mean you have to call her that all the time. And besides, you hardly know her, how can you make assumptions like that? She's not even late."
Natasha held up her hands in defense. "Fuck, don't call the cops on me! Why you so defensive? Anyone would think you had a crush on her."
"Fuck you Tash, I'm just being nice."
Laura heard a voice behind her, and her heart began beating quickly. She put her drink on the counter and spun round quickly as her brain registered Taylor's voice.
"Hey, I'm not late am I?"
"Right on time!" Natasha interrupted before Laura had the chance to talk. "I'm gonna go and talk to Yael, have fun." Laura elbowed her bicep forcefully and gave her a stern look.
"You look…lovely." Laura half stuttered, mentally kicking herself as she realised how obvious her nerves were.
Taylor smiled, lowing her gaze towards the floor. "You look beautiful too." She replied, her voice shaking a little.
They stayed in front of each other for a moment or two, neither one saying a word. In truth, they were both completely in awe of the other.
"You want a drink?" Laura asked.
"Y…yeah, please."
Laura disappeared, leaving Taylor alone to mingle with the rest of the cast and crew. She spotted Jenji in the corner with a few friends, and made her way over to introduce herself. It was clear the Jenji was already a little intoxicated as were her friends, but they made conversation none the less and Taylor began to feel at ease knowing that everyone was comfortable around her.
"This house is amazing." Taylor spoke, astounded.
"Earned from lots of hard work, my husband and I always wanted a big house. And the kids love it because all their friends are jealous." Jenji laughed.
Taylor felt a hand on her lower back and the scent of Laura permeated the air.
"Here." Laura smiled, handing the glass over to Taylor. As the glass traded hands, their fingers brushed lightly, sending a shock through both of them. They looked at each other, as if they both knew of the electricity that'd just passed through both of them.
Looking back at Jenji she had a smirk on her face, and Taylor realised that she had been watching the whole time.
"I was just saying how nice the house is." Taylor stammered, clearing her throat in embarrassment.
"I'll leave you guys to it, seems like you got a lot to…take about." Jenji winked and disappeared, leaving the two of them alone.
Neither of them knew what to say, a wave of nervousness washed over Taylor and suddenly she felt as though she was back in the 1st year of middle school, scared of anything and anyone. Laura seemed to pick up on this though, and began making general conversation in hope of making the blonde woman feel a bit more at ease.
"So how did you enjoy the first day on set?"
"It was great, different to the projects I've been a part of previously, but change is good. How about you?" Taylor asked, taking a sip of her drink as her hand shook.
"Amazing. It's great to see everyone getting on so well, I feel like I have my own little family again. The last time I was this close to my co-workers was on That 70's Show."
"Do you miss it?"
"The show?"
Taylor nodded.
"I think about it all the time. It was rare that we spent more than a day apart. We filmed for 8 years, so to go from seeing them all the time to hardly seeing them at all, it was a bit of a shock you know? We were all very close, they were my TV family."
"That must be hard. Do you guys still speak?"
"We talk a lot over the phone, but it's rare we ever get the chance to meet up. Schedules always get in the way. Myself and Danny meet up a lot though, after the show finished I started dating his brother, Christopher, so I spent a lot of time hanging out with those guys."
Taylor felt her heart sink a little as she heard Laura talk of the guy she had dated previously. She never said anything about them breaking up though. Wait, what if they were still together? Oh god, she was surely going to make a fool of herself tonight. What if Laura had already sussed out that Taylor was attracted to her? No, stop it. She was making a fool of herself.
"Tay? Are you okay?" Laura asked, watching as Taylor seemed to stare off into space.
"Y…yeah. Sorry."
Laura smirked and this made Taylor annoyed. Why was this woman having such an effect on her? She needed to pull herself together, and fast.
"You wanna go dance?" Laura asked, changing the subject completely.
"I don't know…I'm not really into.."
"Too late." Laura laughed, cutting off Taylor's sentence and grabbing hold of her hand, pulling her into the living room where Natasha, Samira and some of the other cast were already dancing.
Laura wrapped her arm around Taylor's waist and pulled her in closer to her body. She knew the blonde was nervous, and so she was careful that she didn't freak her out too much. They moved with the music but they'd caught the song too late and soon, it was over. They stood together and the pair laughed a little, disappointed that the song was already over.
Feeling a little flustered, Taylor started to walk away from the area everyone was dancing in. She began to walk away from Laura, their fingers slipping from each other's grip. The sound of a familiar song began to play through the speakers and she tightened her grip on Taylors hand, hoping that she'd turn round.
Reluctantly, she stayed and let Laura's arms snake around her waist, this time holding a little tighter than before. As the song began, the two of them and everyone else around started to move with their partners.
Oh, thinking about all our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now nothing can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me coming back for more
The two of them locked eyes and it suddenly felt as though everything and everyone else around them had disappeared.
And baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to say
We're in heaven
Laura had her forehead rested on Taylors, and she was mouthing small parts of the lyrics as their bodies moved together. This felt wrong, but oh, so so right. Everything else in the room seemed like a blur, like tunnel vision. All she could see was Laura. All she wanted to see was Laura. Their bodies were touching, but she wanted to be closer. She didn't doubt that others around were probably watching, but she honestly didn't care.
Oh once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feeling down
Now nothing can change what you mean to me
Oh there's lots that I could say
But just hold me now
Cause our love will light the way
And baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
Taylor could feel her jacket clinging to her skin. She was hot, nervous at how close the raven haired woman was to her. She'd never danced like this with someone and felt a connection; no one had ever treated her like this before.
I've been waiting for so long
For something to arrive
For love to come along
Now or dreams are coming true
Through the good times and the bad
I'll be standing there by you
And baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to say
We're in heaven
You're all that I want
You're all that I need
Laura whispered the last two lines into Taylor's ear, her breath hot on the blondes neck. Taylor's heart rate was increasing. Her breathing was rapid, she was suffocating. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She had to get out. Away from this woman. She had to go.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled, breaking the contact and fleeing as quickly as she could.
"TAYLOR!" Laura shouted, hoping she would come back.
"What the fuck was that about?" Nicky questioned, watching as the blonde disappeared through the door.
"I don't fucking know. But I gotta go after her." She grumbled, speeding off in the direction Taylor had fled.
She'd presumably left through the sliding doors and onto the deck at the back of the house so Laura went that way, the cold night air hitting her like a punch in the face. Jenji's back yard was fucking huge, typical.
"Hey did you see Taylor?" Laura asked Piper who was stood leaning against the hand rail.
"Yeah, she went round the corner. She looked like she was in a hurry. Is she okay?"
"Feeling a little ill, that's all. Thanks."
Laura hurried across the decking and around the corner, where she found Taylor sat on the bench, doubled over with her head in her hands. She made her way over and stood in front of her.
"Tay?"
She lifted her head slowly and was instantly pulled back into the dark haired woman's gaze, unable to look away no matter how hard she tried. Her eyes were red, an obvious sign that she had been crying. Laura sat down close to her.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Taylor rubbed her forehead in frustration; angered at the fact Laura had no clue as to why she had disappeared so quickly.
"No, no I'm not. First, you come onto the set with your cocky attitude and make me feel about this big." She yelled, holding out her thumb and index finger as an indication. "And then you compliment me and make me nervous as hell, which is weird as fuck because you're only a colleague and I shouldn't be nervous at a poxy compliment, right? But it doesn't stop there, you draw me in with those green eyes of yours and you stare at me like you're trying to make two new holes in the side of my head, and I can't help but look at you because I find you so fucking attractive and I don't even know why because I'm not gay. I'm not. And then you just slow dance with me and serenade me and all I could think of was how much I wanted to kiss you in there, but I couldn't. I couldn't because I'm confused. I've never had these feelings for a woman before, do you know how much that's messed with my head? You intimidate me and make me feel things I've never felt before, and I've only known you for a day. A single fucking day."
By this point, Taylor was stood up, pacing back and forth frantically as the rant spewed from her mouth. Laura sat on the bench, her mouth slightly agape as she watched the blonde erupt in front of her.
"Taylor." She spoke, in hope of calming her down.
"TAYLOR!" She shouted, standing up and grabbing the blonde's wrist forcefully. Taylor snapped out of her rant and became quiet.
"Will you just shut the fuck up for one second?" Laura pleaded.
Taylor nodded her head sheepishly, taken back at the angered tone in Laura's voice. She watched as the dark haired woman stared at her, like she was trying to memorize everything about her. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could formulate the words, she felt a pair of lips crash against hers and an arm wrap around her waist.
"Don't speak." Laura whispered.
A/N: So you guys either love me or hate me right now for leaving it at such a cliffhanger! I felt like this story needed some fluff (hence the extremely cheesy slow dance scene) which I apologise for in advance as it may make you feel a little queasy with all the fluff. In case you were wondering, the song is 'Heaven' by Bryan Adams and I just felt as though it would be a nice addition to the chapter.
Be sure to leave your reviews as I love hearing from you all!