EPISODE EIGHT – So True ("True", Spandau Ballet)

Taylor arrived on Lauren’s porch at seven am the next morning. He wasn’t even aware of how early it was. He’d been up all night toiling with the right decision to confront Lauren about what he’d witnessed the previous night. His parents weren’t even up when he’d woken, but since the clock beside his bed hadn’t been working for weeks now, and he hadn’t even been thinking, he’d just gotten up and left the house, deciding he had to tell her about this. Otherwise the guilt about it would haunt him forever more. Now he was standing here and losing his nerve.

What if she doesn’t wanna believe the truth? He wondered, standing leaning back against the rail, taking a few minutes to decide.

"No, you’ve gotta tell her, or she’ll go on thinking this bastard cares for her when he’s only humiliating her behind her back," Taylor said to himself. The sound of his own voice made him feel ten times better and he relaxed slightly, he looked at the front door, and he walked over to it, and he stood there, his hand ready to knock.

But this is gonna make her so mad…maybe even cry…

Taylor sighed, realising this was true. Then again, he realised of course she’d been there for him when he’d taken the breakdown and without her he’d have never gotten through it.

"Well, here goes," he said, and he knocked loudly on her door.

He waited, there was no response at first, and he was about to leave, when he heard the click of the lock, the creak of the hinges, and Lauren’s voice.

"Taylor?" Lauren asked groggily, standing at the door, rubbing her eyes, wearing a pair of jogging pants, an oversized T-shirt and her hair was mussed.

He looked at her, "did I wake you?" he asked.

"Duh, its seven am, what the hell are you doing here at this time in the morning?!" she demanded, her voice dry, "If my parents weren’t away for the weekend, they’d have murdered someone coming to the house this early!" she outburst.

"Sorry," He bit his lip, "I can come back later if you want," He offered, hoping to squirm his way out of this.

"No, its okay," Lauren rolled her eyes, she motioned for him to come in and he did, the house was dark, since the drapes were still pulled. "So what are you doing here?" she questioned.

"Just visiting," he stated, trying to sound calm.

"At seven am?" she asked curiously, "That’s a bad excuse, gimme another."

"I’m here to make you breakfast," he said, and he lead the way to the kitchen.

"What?"

"I thought I’d do something nice for you," he lied, and grabbed a box of pancake mix from the shelve above the refrigerator.

"Well that’s…sweet," she said, her voice full of confusion, she sat at the table and watched as Taylor went about making her breakfast.

"Why are you really here?"

"I’m here to make you breakfast," he smiled and he put a plate of pancakes before her. Lauren, feeling peckish, didn’t resist the sweet delights.

"Thanks. Now what’s wrong?"

"What do you mean ‘what’s wrong’?" he asked.

"You’re here because something’s bothering you and I wanna know what it is," she answered. So what is it?

"Dump Jon," he pleaded suddenly.

"Why?"

"I can’t tell you," he replied, sighing.

"Tell me what?"

"What I wanna tell you, but can’t…" Taylor ran his fingers through his hair, backcombing it from his face. "Just dump him, please."

"Why can’t you tell me?"

"Because I don’t wanna hurt you."

"Tay, I’ve been hurt before, one lousy more hurt won’t make much difference," she shrugged, and took a bite of her pancake.

"But this is the kinda truth you don’t wanna hear," Taylor sighed and he sat down in front of her.

"Just say it, Tay!" Lauren outburst finally.

"Fine," Taylor looked her in the eye, "I was at Brian Henderson’s party last night," he said.

"Jon was there," Lauren nodded.

"Yeah, with two other girls, and I saw him making out with them."

Lauren went silent.

He looked at her. "I—"

"You’re lying," she accused calmly.

"No, I’m not, Zac saw it too."

"You’re lying!" she stood up, slamming her hands on the table, the plate clattered loudly against the surface.

"I’m not!! God, you think I wanted to hurt you like this?!" he demanded, "You’re my best friend!"

She turned away, "Leave me alone," she took a mad dash towards her bedroom, which was the basement. Taylor waited for a few moments, then, followed her down there. Lauren was taking down pictures, anything that reminded her of Jon. Taylor watched.

"I’m sorry," he finally said sincerely.

She crumpled up a photograph of Jon. "I can’t believe this," she muttered, tears forcing to brim her eyes.

Taylor couldn’t really remember ever seeing her cry, even though he’d not known her that long, he felt like he’d known her all their lives, and in that time she’d never cried in front of him.

Taylor entered the room and walked over. "I…had to be honest," he sighed. "I thought if…I could get you to dump him without you ever knowing this wouldn’t hurt as much," He sighed.

Lauren sat on the edge of her bed. "Why does this always happen to me?" she demanded in a sob.

Taylor sat beside her and put his hand on her shoulder, "It’s not you, its them," he sighed.

"No its not, its me, my first boyfriend beat me up, then Ike used me cos I was there, and now Jon cheated on me!" she sobbed loudly.

Taylor gingerly put his arm around her to comfort her, "Its them, its not you, I promise," He hugged her. "If you ask me, you’re too good for anyone," He comforted.

"You mean that?" she asked, raising her teary eyes to his.

He gave a sincere nod.

She sniffed, as if to calm down.

Taylor had to look for some kind of option, "I…why don’t you come stay at my house tonight?"

She looked at him, as if to wonder why, and she knew it was because he didn’t really want her being alone right now, this vulnerable and hurt. But in him, she saw how safe it would be, in that house full of kids and happiness.

"I…can I?" she asked, hopefully.

He nodded, "c’mon, grab your stuff," He ordered. "I’ll go upstairs and wait."
She smiled slightly through tears, "Thanks," she smiled.

"No prob."