The Great War

Chapter 7

Taylor POV

Joel and I would have to perform our song for our school today. Our English teacher picked ours, it was pretty creative, so to speak. I was pretty nervous. Should I warn Luke that someone wants to kill him? Even though I feel he's changing, I don't know if I should risk talking to him.

Joel and I were about to go on stage, when I felt rather anxious. I glanced around the audience. I saw Luke standing in the back. I noticed something in his ear, and it didn't look like an earbud either. Is Luke wearing an earpiece?

It was definitely an earpiece. I saw Luke press down on it and talk. "Joel, I don't think I can do this." I whispered.

"You've performed in bigger crowds than this. It's to prepare you for regionals."

"I know, but Luke's scaring me." Joel glanced to the back of the auditorium, and he saw Luke talking in his earpiece.

"He's fine. He's not gonna touch you." I nodded at Joel and we both made our way onto the stage. Once the principal announced who we were and why we were doing this, Joel started to sing the first verse and everybody was amazed. Joel did have a pretty good voice.

As Joel approached the chorus, I tried to remember the words to my verse. But nothing. I looked at Luke. He didn't have his earpiece in anymore, so maybe it was just an earbud and he was singing along to his music.

Luke could see that I didn't remember my words. He mouthed my first line, 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑦when Joel was about done with the chorus. I smiled at him.

"I can see you staring, honey, like he's just your understudy," I sang. Luke helped me remember the words as he mouthed them alone with me. Luke helped me get through the end of my verse, and Joel helped me with the rest, without realizing it.

After we finished, everybody started clapping. Luke was smiling, proud. Suddenly his face turned sad, as he stared at Joel. Was Luke proud of me and not Joel? Joel was the one that helped me write most of the song anyways. Joel and I walked offstage.

"We did it, Taylor! Regionals in two weeks!" Joel exclaimed. I've never seen him happier. It made me pretty happy. But I thought about Luke's sadness. But I didn't show it. I didn't want to ruin Joel's happiness. Truly, it would stay fine if Joel didn't know that I was somewhat okay with Luke.

"It's awesome! I can't wait to go!" I added. "We get to skip school too." I joked. Joel smiled at me, and he put his arm around as we walked out of the building. Joel promised to drive me home today. Luke was staring at us as I got into his car. He's so mysterious, it's beautiful.

Luke's POV

I was standing in the back of the room. Clapping for 𝑇𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑜𝑟. She deserved to go to regionals. Her poetic abilities were so beautiful. I watched Taylor glance at me after she performed. It's too late, I don't know if I could save her. The only thing I could do is take the bullet for her. But she would still be defenseless.

I heard something come from my earpiece. I put it to hear but then realized it was irrelevant, so I took it out. I watched Taylor come out from the back. Her dress was astonishing: long, flowy, and green. There looked to be a leaf pattern on it. As she walked the flowy dress would get caught under her, having Taylor to hold it while she walked.

She walked in front of me, and smiled. Joel pushed me away from them and surrounded Taylor. I saw them get into Joel's car, and sighed. I guess it's all up to Taylor to be smart if she wants to live. She is a good girl, so I could see it.

I got to my neighborhood, long after Taylor, and sat on a random bench. I stared into the distance, wondering what it would be if I hadn't signed up for this world. I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Taylor. "Okay, I swear if I get in trouble."

"Yes, I know. But you looked pretty lonely."

"Neither my mum nor your mum is okay with this." I pointed out. It felt like ever since I was banned talking to her, she's been the one to talk to me. "You're still in your dress."

"Well, yes. I like it too much. I don't wanna take it off." She replied. Girls can be so weird. If she likes it too much, wouldn't she take it off so it doesn't get ruined? Girls will be something I never understand.

"But it might get ruined?" I shrugged. And left it alone. "Are you gonna sit down?" I asked. Taylor sat down next to me, staring into my eyes.

We talked for what felt like hours. And suddenly we stopped. I suppose neither of us had something to say. I looked at Taylor. I put my hand on her face, and we were about to kiss. Quickly I pushed her away. What was I doing? "You're not supposed to be here."

I looked away from her, and received a text from Joel, "Where are you?"

"Not coming," I texted him back.

"Who are ya, texting?" I looked at Taylor pretty confused. Because for one it's not her business. We aren't really that close for her to know my contacts. And two, it's nobody special, so it doesn't matter. After I put my phone on 'do not disturb' so Joel wouldn't interrupt my conversation with Taylor.

"Nobody relevant." I responded. The urge to see the stupid things that Joel was texting was starting to overwhelm me. I didn't want Joel to be interrupting, but at the same time, I might be dead by tomorrow, who knows?

"Well if it's nobody relevant, then can't you tell me." I shook my head. "Oh come on."

"We aren't close enough for me to be spilling my contacts!" I snapped. I rolled my eyes and got up from the bench. It was the perfect excuse. I started walking home, which was about a few minutes from where the bench was. Taylor followed behind me.

"You're just gonna leave like that!" She explained, angrily. I turned around to see her. I put my hands on Taylor's face and my head touched hers.

"Yes." I let go of Taylor and turned around. Standing in my face, it was ℎ𝑒𝑟.