***Taylor's POV***
The next two days go by relatively quickly. Matty and I get ourselves into a routine with uni. I continue sitting with Ross and Jay, in psychology. It seems everybody is sticking to the seats they've already chosen. I don't want to make a big deal out of everything either.
Ross continues to walk me to dance every day. But at least he's not turning up at practice. I think he just wants to be around me alone. He's testing the boundaries trying to see if I will tell him to leave me alone. I won't, I can't seem to. And I tell myself it's just walking around campus, it's not like Im promising him anything.
I refuse to ask about Jen. And nobody brings her up either. I briefly see her in the canteen but I focus on speaking to Stiffy about music. Matty always has his arms wrapped around me. Especially when we are around the others.
Ryan has been going on about freshers for the past 20 minutes or so. We're all sitting in the canteen on the sofas we always end up at.
"There's a show before hand by the way" he winks at Jay. I've realised they're actually really good mates, just like Ross and Matty are. Except Ryan is thoroughly decent and Jay is well, Jay.
"What kinda show" Rach asks interested.
I flush bright red, I'm involved in said show. Kim is a third year at another university and they are hosting a Victoria's Secret type show. With hopefully a few more clothes, although that's not promised. Kraig is playing in his band and another rock band is playing, also from her uni. And I'm walking, as in actually modelling. I'm totally nervous. But Matty and Kim have given me lots of reassurance.
"It's a fashion one, like a Victoria secret style" Ryan says. Jay and Brad celebrate. Much to Jen and Pippa's distaste.
"It's my sisters fashion show, Tay's walking in it" Matty pipes up.
That shuts them all up. Matty laughs a little.
"Hey erm Rach if you're interested I could ask Kim if she needs more models?" I ask her. I like Rach, she's always so nice and encouraging of me. I think she needs a confidence boost too.
"You get a full makeup look and hair. And obviously clothes or lack of" I laugh.
Matty scoffs. He's not that happy about the costumes. Kim told him to shut up and grow up. That's what you get when you have a model for a girlfriend she told him.
"Thanks Tay I'd love too it's just I dunno whether I would have the confidence..." she begins
"Don't be silly, I could ask then see what she says and then you can decide from there? If I'm honest I'm nervous but having someone I know do it with me might help" I tell her.
"Okay sure" she genuinely smiles at me.
"Great I'll let you know" I tell her.
I'm sure it will be fine.
"What's your costume, Tay" Pippa asks genuinely interested.
"Ugh I dunno, I've told her to surprise me. Otherwise I will overthink and not do it" I say honestly.
"I've seen it" Matty says grinning.
"Not sure Im going to let you wear it in front of anybody other than me" he adds.
"So yeah it's not up to you thankfully" I tease him.
"Yeah let the girl walk around in whatever she wants...please" Jay says.
Matty laughs, he's playing it cool with the whole Jay and Ross thing. He doesn't ever let them know they are getting to him. And he hasn't even mentioned the love bomb to Ross.
"So we're all going then" Ryan asks.
"I hear there's a band playing, Tay?" Stiffy asks me.
"Two actually one of them is Kim's boyfriends band" I inform him.
"Me and Brad are in" Jen says. Or should I say nameless bitch in the corner says.
I glance over at her, she looks awful although I am biased. She has no extensions in today. She's dyed her hair pink, and perhaps she hasn't gotten around to finding the correct extensions yet.
"Yeah we're in and hopefully Rach will also be modelling" Pippa says smiling at me. I shoot Rach an encouraging smile.
"Yeah I'm in" Ross says noncommittally, we're together in psychology next period.
"Fuck it I'll come and see you Tay" Jay says and I sigh. He laughs.
"Yeah fuck it I might come and see you too" Matty laughs tickling me.
He then pulls me in and kisses me.
On the way to our next lecture Ross shares his cigarette with me. Jay is following behind us with Ryan and Rach. Matty has gone off to the archives to research for his media project.
"So you're gonna be a model too huh?" He asks me briefly smiling at me.
"A dancer, singer, model and a psychologist" he laughs.
"Oh shh. I am not going to be any of those at this rate I've got to pass yet. And I'm only doing the show because Kim begged me" I tell him.
"You'll be great" he says looking at me. I look away.
"How are you Ross?" I ask him staring straight ahead. I have to admit I do value our little chats. It's like any chance he can grab me he takes up all of my attention.
"I'm excited to see you walking a runway. Highlight of my week." He laughs.
"No seriously" I ask.
"Alright yeah I'm okay Tay. How's you" he asks as we're approaching the lecture theatre.
I just smile back at him. He looks at me, as if he's going to say something and then he stops himself and carries on walking.
"What's up?" I ask him
He looks at me and into my eyes.
"I ugh cut off Jen" he says.
"Ah right are you okay?" I ask him. This is not awkward he is my friend, and I will just comfort him.
"Yeah I'm actually great, like I said it wasn't a thing, so it's not even a breakup but I just thought why the hell am I doing this?" He says.
I smile at him.
We head into the lecture and sit in our normal seats. Jay comes along and pushes past us the annoying prick that he is. He finds the whole thing funny, saying well you knew I would be coming why did you sit down and get comfortable.
He collapses in the chair next to me. Pre-rolls a cigarette for when we leave and then scrambles out his notes and a pen. He's got rushed handwriting, like he scribbles everything down. He pushes his hair back rolls his sleeves back and then glances at me.
I realise I've been staring at him and although I'm embarrassed I laugh.
"What?" He laughs.
"You were the one watching me for once, so don't even go there. I'm not having Matty pin me down again" he scoffs.
I sigh.
"Can you even read your notes?" I ask him.
"Yes can you not?" He says.
He passes me his book.
"Hell no. You're a mess" I tell him.
I pass it back.
"Cheeky bitch" he laughs.
The lecture begins and Ross instinctively looks down at me and smiles. It's as if he's checking I haven't run off. I smile at him reassuringly. Even though I played it down I'm completely over the moon that he is not with Jen anymore in any capacity. I'm guessing that's why she was all over Brad.
I shrug off my jacket.
"Why do you always do that like 10 minutes in" Jay whispers.
"So bloody annoying. Just take it off before you sit down like a normal person" he adds
"Why does it bother you?" I whisper back.
"Because I get distracted. I forget what Carter is going on about and then I end up sitting here thinking about whether you're wearing a bra or not" he whispers back.
"You're so lucky you said that here and not in a place where I can slap you" I tell him.
"Don't worry you can slap me all you want later babe" he chuckles.
I ignore him. And refocus on the lecture.
Ross hasn't noticed us or is pretending he didn't hear.