"Taylor, are you okay?" I asked concerned
"Vanderbilt?" he said confused as he stood up
"Where am I?" I asked
"School," Carlos said
"How did I end up at school....and why does my face hurt?" he said
"You're saying you don't remember what happened here?" The principal asked
"The last thing I remember was falling asleep in my lab trying to finish up the project," he said
"A very likely story Mister Taylor but you still have to come to my office," she said
"Okay," he said confused as they both walked off with Carlos and Carl following
I sighed and started heading for the door
"Where are you going?" Liberty asked
"To get some air," I said as I walked out.
I went to the school garden and sat down on the lawn and took out my phone and texted Nick
(We need to talk) but he didn't answer
(Please)
He still didn't answer.
I sighed as I put away my phone
I stayed out there for nearly an hour before my stomach growled.
"That doesn't sound good," Taylor said making his way over to me
"What do you want?" I asked upset
"I wanted to check if you're okay but I guess you're fine," he said as he started walking away
"Why?" I asked
"What?" He asked turning back to me
"Why would you tell Nick I went over to your house last night?" I asked
"I don't remember but Carlos said he came up in my face and started shouting about something. Then I said something like what kind of boyfriend can't even drive his own girlfriend to school and he got angry and at some point, he said not my fault Sophie came to me and then I responded with so why was she at my house" he said
"So some childish man competition," I said rolling my eyes
"At least that's what Carlos said. To be honest, I don't remember even getting up this morning" he said taking a seat beside me
"Okay so why exactly did you try to blame me?" I asked angrily
"Because I know it's your fault," he said
"How is your egos my fault?!" I yelled
"Not that. Your accident. Last night, I ran some test before I went to sleep and I found out the chemical you release was mixed with an untested serum I was working on so the mist was able to mess with my mind and change my personality for a short term" he explained
"Oh," I said
"That's what you meant" I continued
"Yep"
"So why didn't it affect me?" I asked
"I don't know. I have a theory, it is because I had prolonged exposure from going back down there" he shrugged and I sighed
"Listen Vanderbilt," he said putting my hand in his and resting it on my lap
"It took me three years to get over you last time; I'm not letting one night, one dinner and one kiss get me back to that," he said with a smile
"One amazing kiss" I whispered to myself as the wind blew through our hairs. It was not something had wished to say out loud
"One really amazing kiss" he agreed as the leaves fell from the trees
"One really really amazing kiss," we both said as our lips touched and we kissed for another five minutes before the bell rang and we separated
"Um I got to go," he said sitting up after a moment of silence
"Yeah," I said trying to hide the blush on my face
"See you tomorrow," he said as he went back towards the door.
Just as he went inside my phone buzzed so I took it out and saw that Nick sent a message
(Nick- Meet me in the parking lot)
(On my way) I sent as I got up and went towards the parking lot and I saw him leaning on his car
"Nick I'm so sorry I didn't tell you I went over to Taylor's house. It was only for a chem project" I started ranting
"It's okay Sophie," he said
"What?" I asked
"It's okay, I've actually been here talking with a friend and thinking about some stuff" he said looking up into the sky
"Like?" I asked fearing what he'd say
"I know we've been getting into a lot of fights recently and I know most of it is my fault," he said
"Nick, where are you going with this?" I asked
"I haven't been the best boyfriend but I'm willing to change. I'm willing to start over. I want to forget the last two months and two days. We both made mistakes so what do you say we start over" he said
"Yes," I said tears in my eyes
"But I have to know," he said
"Know what?" I asked
"Did you do something with Taylor last night?" He asked.
I was taken back by this considering what happened just a while ago and I didn't answer
"Should I take that as a yes?" he said clenching his fist
"No, I swear all I did was make dinner and we ate" I lied through my teeth
"Was that all?" He asked
"Yes" I lied as he let out a sigh of relief
"Good. Sorry for being so direct I just wanted to start over our relationship with no lies" he said
"Don't worry about it" I said. A feeling of guilt filled my heart but I knew that nothing good would come from telling him about the kisses so why bother
"Well I'll see you tomorrow," he said about to enter his car
"Wait you're leaving?" I asked
"Yeah I was actually in the middle of something important," he said
"Nick," I said
"What is it?"
"If you're going to start over you're going to need to do something. You need to start coming to school. I won't ask why you stopped because I already know you won't tell me but I really think you should come to school. I know your father owns a big company and all but-"
"Stop," he said. Without even thinking about it I had pressed his sore spot again
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to"
"It's fine" he sighed
"But I really think you should come back to school," I said
"I'll think about it okay" he promised
"That's all I ask" I smiled
"See you after school," he said kissing me. I was a bit taken back by the sudden kiss so I didn't kiss back
"Something wrong?" he asked
"No, I was just caught off guard" I said
"Okay. I'll see you" he said getting into his car before he drove away.
I watched as his car drove out of the school and I just smiled blissfully
"That turned out better than expected," I said as I started heading back inside the school. Not long after I spotted Liberty leaning on a locker
"Hey Libbs, you won't believe what Nick just said outside," I said before the bell rang again
"I'll tell you about it later we have class," I said happily walking past her
"I saw you," she said leaning off the wall
"What?" I asked still smiling and walking
"I saw you kissing James," she said as my gleeful smile turned into a timid expression
"What are you talking about?" I asked shakily as I turned around to see her face. She had a serious look on her face and her hands were folded
"Don't play dumb with me girl. I walked out to check on you when you kissed James" she said seriously. The tone of her voice reminded me of a mother that had caught her child doing something bad and like that child, my head was down refusing to look her in the eye
"It's not what it looks like," I said trying to think of something to say
"Then what is it?"
"It was just a friendly platonic kiss" I lied
"Damn I must need to get my eyes checked because that didn't look very platonic to me" she sarcastically quipped
"Um...I...I..." I stuttered
"Girl just stop. I literally saw you" she said
"Please don't tell Nick" I sighed
"Of course I won't. But listen girl you need to figure stuff out" she said
"I did. I'm starting over with Nick" I said raising my head and finally looking her in her eyes
"Are you sure?" She asked
"Yeah, Taylor and I just started talking again and I don't want to mess that up" I said smiling weakly
"Okay but let me offer you some advice. James is the smartest, as well as one of the hottest, guys in the school. He won't be single forever" Liberty said
"I know," I said
"I hope you do. Let's head to class" she said.