18

Being certain about even the smallest things in live proved to be a difficult task to do for both teenagers and adults alike. Luckily for Romee, she has never had that problem. She was a self-confident woman and prided herself in how sure she was of the things she wanted to go, just as she had planned. And for majority of her life, she had been sure the right man for her was Laurens. It was always going to be Laurens. The star athlete was a leader, a wise one at that and he has never put his own ambitions before anyone else's, ever. He was selfless, even to those who did not deserve it. And he was kind, even when he wasn't shown the same goodness of heart.

Romee glances over to Laurens sitting beside herself, hunched over his cellular phone and taping away maniacally like he had been doing for several minutes. A small smile makes its way to her face and she thinks about how after all this time she and Laurens had spent together, all these years, Laurens was able to make her happy still. No matter how silly the situation. And that was because she knew they truly loved each other.

Then Romee straightens her back and eyes a certain brunette to the far end of the room. Quirky, awkward and extremely cute. Taylor raises her pointer finger up to her face and pushes the bridge of her glasses towards her nose as she concentrates on her task at hand, tongue out at the side of her mouth. What a dork, Romee thinks.

Romee couldn't believe how, compared to all her closest friends, little time she'd spent getting to know the younger girl. And in all that time she has grown to love her, a whole lot. It's difficult not to, Taylor and all that she is makes for a lovable person and she was certain the brunette wasn't well-aware of that. The blonde was like Taylor's constant cheerleader, always on her side, cheering her on even on her bad days. And it was wonderful to see just how much Taylor has grown. She was only a shy, insecure and timid girl back then when the two had met. And many times the brunette had refused to make eye contact with her, at first Romee thought it was because she didn't like her much.

Romee snaps out of her thoughts when Taylor catches her eye, the latter tilts her head to the side and furrows her brows in a questioning manner and the blonde bites her lip because it was moments like these that made her feel so unlike herself, so unsure. She hated it so much and loved it at the same time. The blonde got up without a word and walked towards her direction.

"Hey," Romee greets as she makes it to the last step. "What are you working on?" She then walks around the table and leans down on it so she could face the brunette.

"Just some paper I have to work on."

"Isn't that a paired assignment?" Romee points out when she sees a Gonzales next to Taylor's name.

"Well, yeah," the brunette breathes out as she closes the file and smiles sheepishly at Romee. "But he said he was busy, and that's not a problem like at all. So I'm cool with doing it alone."

"But that's unfair." Romee presses, brows furrowed together and Taylor laughs nervously sensing that the older girl was getting angry.

"Look it's fine, I promise. This way I won't have to worry about correction and all that stuff. It's definitely a win-win situation."

"How was prom?" Taylor was quick to change the subject before the blonde could protest any further. The event took place two days ago at the gym and she was sure most of the seniors had the time of their lives, but like Taylor had planned she had begun her advanced studies for finals. She made sure she kept herself preoccupied the entire night so she wouldn't have to think so much about how Romee was doing, with her boyfriend of course.

"Good." Romee replied chirpily as she tapped her newly manicured nails on the table. "You didn't miss out much."

­­­"Well I'm glad to know the seniors had a fantastic time. We all deserve it."

"Oh, well I'm sure you had a marvelous time at home missy." Romee winks. "Speaking of home, your father called me last night."

"What? What is it with my family contacting you?"

"He invited me over for dinner," Romee smiles remembering the conversation she had with Mr. Monroe the other night. "Anniversary? Twenty-one years wow, that's a whole lot of time together huh?"

"He invited you for dinner huh," Taylor clicks her tongue as she proceeds to place her laptop and books back neatly in the bag. "That's interesting."

"I can not go, if you don't want me to. You'll just have to make a pretty good excuse to Peter why I won't be coming around after I wholeheartedly uttered my promises about tonight. And I was going to bring really good and expensive champagne." Romee's grin widens when she sees Taylor burst into fits of giggles. "But like I said, it's totally your call."

"Okay fine, and only because I know Peter would rather have you over that his own daughter."

Romee chuckles and leans against the table, "I'm most certainly glad we're on the same page. See you later Monroe."

---

"So is Romee coming over?"

"Yes dad," Taylor groans as she glares at the ticking clock nervously. "That's the fifth time you've asked."

"Just making sure, I made my specialty and I need people to appreciate it." Taylor's father half jokes as he neatly assembles the tableware. Just then the doorbell rings and the brunette's head snaps towards the direction. Her father gestures over to the door, "Well are you going to open it or is it going to open itself?"

Taylor walks over and takes a deep breath. She was a little nervous about Romee having dinner with her family, on her parents' anniversary. Quite the celebration really. She takes the door knob and opens the front door. As promised, the blonde had very expensive looking champagne with her.

"I thought you were going to keep me out here all night," Romee sighs exaggeratedly and the brunette shakes her head and pulls on the former's free hand.

Just as the pair enters the kitchen, they're greeted by subtle curses followed by audible giggles. "Something smells like it's burning," Taylor's mother says as she emerges from the right side of the room.

"I think I left it in their far way too long," Peter announces dejectedly as he presents the greatly burnt casserole on the dining table.

Romee leans into her friend slowly, "Happy anniversary?"

"Definitely. A very happy anniversary."

"Okay never mind the casserole, I'll have a do-over on Christmas you all just watch," Peter says walking over to his wife and giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Happy anniversary."

"That's disgusting, let's keep it PG parentals." Says Mackinley plopping down on one of the dining chairs. "It's good to see you Romee."

"Ah, it's lovely to finally meet you in person Romee. I only ever hear about you." Mrs. Monroe smiles lightly at the blonde and it isn't even one of her terrifying fake smiles. It was genuine, motherly, and very rare. "Thank you for keeping Taylor out of the house, that's quite the change. A pleasant change if you would."

"I just love when my family talk about me like I'm not around."

Once the festivities were over with, and around fifty embarrassing stories of Taylor after were revealed, the brunette couldn't help but feel the need to get Romee out of there if she wishes she could still have a little dignity left for herself.

"I'm sorry you had to hear all that," Taylor laughs as she lays on the bed, Romee following suit. "And since you insisted to stay, you're going to have to find something to entertain yourself with while I study organic chemistry reactions because I just wholeheartedly love this subject," she continues on sarcastically.

Not even five minutes into the studying, Taylor feels toes poking the side of hip. She ignores it and continues on her reading but the blonde wouldn't just let up. Sighing the brunette turns to face Romee, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I am so bored," Romee groans and kicks the Chemistry book out of Taylor's hand and unto the floor. "You've seriously got to stop studying."

"I can't believe you're trying to wreck my future, but I definitely agree with you." Taylor playfully pulls on Romee's foot and drags her to the front of the bed. She then grabs her laptop and puts on The Godfather. "This is your favorite, isn't it?"

"Hmm...close, Casablanca's actually my favorite but that comes close to the list."

"Uh huh," Taylor hums in surprise and turns to the blonde. "Don't worry, I'll get it right next time."

"I believe you."

Just around the time Michael takes refuge in Sicily, Romee feels her phone buzz against her chest. At first she tried to ignore it and stared intently on the screen but Taylor seemed to notice when they locked eyes although she opted to stay silent. Romee turns to check her messages, they were from Laurens.

10:16 Laurens: I'm home alone, was wondering if you could come over? Didn't get to spend much time this week. Busy with practice and finals.

Romee ponders on the text message at hand. It was true, the couple barely got to go out together that wasn't in school and even then it'd be just for a couple of minutes until the next class started. And it was sweet that Laurens wanted to make up for lost time, but she couldn't understand why she did what she did next.

10:21 Romee: Was actually gonna go to bed. Rain check?

10:23 Laurens: Sure. I love you.

10:25 Romee: Love you too. Gnight. X

The blonde groans internally and places her phone on the nightstand. She just lied to her boyfriend for no absolute reason, and it made her feel like shit. "You okay?" Taylor asks.

"Everything's perfect."

Romee sighs as she lays her head on the brunette's shoulders and closes her eyes. It truly did feel like things were where they were supposed to be. Like she belonged just right there beside Taylor. And maybe she would've really believed it were it not for the guilt that she tried so hard to shove deep inside for the rest of the night.