FaceTime
Taylor
August...?
[August jumped in surprise and looked at her phone with her eyes wide. Taylor chuckled softly]
August
What?
Taylor
I asked you something... twice
August
Oh... I'm sorry, I kinda zoned out for a minute.
Taylor
Longer than that, actually. What's up?
August
Nothing, I'm just folding my laundry.
Taylor
Yeah, I can see that. I meant, what's going on? Is everything okay?
August
[August shrugged her shoulders but didn't answer]
Taylor
[Taylor visibly frowned and turned to focus completely on August]
What's on your mind, babe?
August
Nothing, your guitar playing is just boring me to death!
[August smirked playfully at Taylor who rolled her eyes though the worried look in her expression never left. She knew August was just joking to deflect the question ]
Taylor
Auggie...
August
[August narrowed her eyes at Taylor at the nickname] Okay, I'll admit, I wasn't even listening so it could have been actually goodâ
Taylor
[Taylor sighed softly and set her instrument aside]
You don't need to talk about it, but if I can help in any way, please tell me?
August
But, that's the thing, isn't it?
Taylor
What is?
August
I feel... powerless.
Taylor
[Taylor finally seemed to understand. Her eyes softened and she grabbed her phone, leaning back on her couch.]
You are doing everything in your power to help. That's better than doing nothing.
August
Yeah, but it's not enough. It doesn't feel right to just... I don't know, make an instagram post, and go to a protest. It justâ it fucking sucks.
Taylor
I know, I get thatâ
August
No, you don't.
[Taylor was stunned a little at August's abrupt interruption but August's eyes quickly widened and she sighed in frustration.]
August
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you...
Taylor
No, it's okay. You're right. I don't get it. I don't know what it's like.
August
Still, I... I'm sorry. It's just, it hurts. Like, fuck, I'm really scared for my dad, and my nephew who's not even eight, and yet...
Taylor
You don't have to apologise, August. I can't even begin to fathom how hard it is.
August
Yeah... it's fucked up. But, thank you, anyway. Thanks for being there for me.
Taylor
[Taylor smiled softly]
Yeah, I'm always here if you need me.
August
[August smiled back but stayed quiet for a few moments, watching Taylor as she moved to grab her guitar once again and continued playing the soft and mellow tune she was playing moments earlier.]
August
Can I ask you something?
Taylor
Anything.
August
[August hesitated a little]
Why did you, I mean... How come you just, you know, started talking to me? And then you just kept talking to me?
[She chuckled softly as Phoebe jumped up on her bed and curled up behind August's head]
Taylor
[Taylor looked up, her eyebrows slightly furrowed]
I... don't know. I guess, you seemed like a pretty interesting person to me. And I just had to get to know you, you know? It was like there was an invisible string tying me to you and I had to pull at the end of it to find what it was attached to.
August
[August raised her eyebrows in surprise before letting out a soft laugh]
That did not make any sense though it did sound pretty poetic. Ever considered becoming a poet?
Taylor
Once or twice. Maybe three times.
August
So? Did you like what you found at the end of the string?
Taylor
I really did.
August
Good, I thought this was going to be awkward.
[they both laughed quietly]
Taylor
August James, you really are a remarkable person. Don't you ever doubt that.
August
Thank you. And so are you, by the way. It's been great being your friend.
Taylor
I really think we were always meant to meet. Two ends of a thread that like, tie in the middle.
August
What's with all the string analogies? Are you into knitting now?
Taylor
I've always been into knitting!
August
You're kidding! Can you make me a sweater?
Taylor
Yeah, I can make you a sweater!
August
OH! Can you make me a white cardigan and then have Appa from Avatar: The Last Airbender stitched into the back?
Taylor
Probably! Let me check how much yarn I have...
August
You're not actually going to check your secret yarn collection are you...? Oh my god, Taylor! I was kidding!
Taylor
It's not a secret collection by the way, I keep it on full display in the living room.
August
I've never once seen a single ball of yarn in your living room.
Taylor
That's 'cause you never pay enough attention to me!
August
Uh, okay, diva
[Their gazes met for a moment, both of them smiling playfully at each other]
Taylor
Yeah, I've got enough white yarn!
August
I'm surprised you know what colour Appa is
Taylor
Hey! I might be obsessed with stupid shows like Grey's Anatomy, but I did watch my fair share of Nickelodeon!
August
Fair enough. And I really was kidding! You're not allowed to knit me a whole ass sweater.
Taylor
Butâ but I want to...
[Taylor literally made this face âð¥º]
August
Iâ shut up. I can't say no to you when you look this cute.
[Taylor gasped softly]
Taylor
Did you just call me cute?
August
No. Literally, you're so obsessed with yourself! God!
[Taylor smirked]
Taylor
Uhu, sure. So, anywayâ
August
Do you wanna go to the protest with me tomorrow? I understand if you think you shouldn't, I know they're crowdedâ
Taylor
I'll be there, August! Do you wanna meet me here and we'll go together?
August
Sure! That sounds great. I was going to meet a few of my friends too.
Taylor
Alright, great. See you tomorrow, then.
August
Cool!
Taylor
And hey, August, you know you can always talk to me if there's anything bothering you, right? Even if I can't really help or say anything meaningful, I'm here to listen.
August
Thank you, Taylor. It really means a lot.
âââ
sooo anyway!! thank u guys so soooo much for 6k reads already?? and almost 600 votes!! omgg im literally crying this story has only been up for like 2 weeks
yall are the fucking best!!