23

Taylor pulls up in an unfamiliar driveway and she stares at her phone again to make sure she's in the right address and that Google Maps hadn't just had her waste gas after miles and miles of driving. But this must be it because there were also multiple cars parked alongside hers.

Taylor steps out breathes the fresh air filling her nostrils, the area was secluded and covered with high superlative trees. She felt tiny as she made her way to the steps, and mentally curses Jasmine as she eyes terraces leading up to her destination. She wishes she hadn't worn heels.

Truthfully Taylor had been a bad friend. After graduation night six years ago, she had completely ghosted everyone. She took the first plane out to Stanford to begin her early program in the university. It was a last minute decision but her parents were more than happy to send her away. Well, they were really just happy she was eager to get to college as soon as possible at least that's the reason they thought it was.

Jasmine miraculously found her one night a year ago in a quaint coffee shop outside of town, Taylor was buried in medical books on her fourth brew of the night. Even with her ridiculous nerdy glasses, Jas had noticed her. Jas had yelled excitedly, acting like she had finally found one of her long lost treasures, earning disapproving glares from the other people planning an all nighter in the 24 hour shop. Obviously she didn't care about spiteful words thrown her way. She was just happy to see Taylor, it had been six years.

After Jas had toned down her excitement and grabbed the free seat across from Taylor she didn't spare her any of the cursing and badmouthing about how horrible she is to cut her out like that. The very next day it was as if those six years were long gone, they went back to how they used to be. That meaning Jas forcing her to go out late at night while Taylor would refuse every opportunity she could.

And now here she was on Jasmine's engagement party. She had warned Taylor she was going to be inviting a few people they used to go to school with, and Taylor had already known what she meant. But she wasn't going to blow Jas off on her engagement party over things that happened many years ago.

The venue was beautiful, it was a modern garden space and whoever designed it had surely outdone themselves. There were lush patches of greenery and grid-like walkways to cross over the waterfront property. Taylor smoothens out her form-fitting white lace dress that fell a couple of inches above her knees and clutches her handbag nervously. Okay so maybe she wasn't ready to see everyone.

It was too late to go back now, Jas had spotted her.

"You look like you're about to run out any moment now," Jas states as a matter-of-factly. "Do I have to handcuff you to one of the chairs?"

"Nope, I'll be good." Taylor promises and embraces Jas tightly. "I can't believe you're engaged. How does anyone want to marry you?" She jokes and Jas elbows her in the rib.

"Ow! Where's your fiancé?" Taylor asks as she looks around for Matthew. Yes, Jas had ended up not marrying Oliver. It hadn't worked out.

Taylor's eyes roam around in search of the man in question but her eyes narrow in on a table near the champagne where she sees two people she had thought she would never see again. She freezes and feels a soft lurch in her chest. Romee is beautiful as ever in her two piece strapless white dress. She is an angel in the garden but she is enough to make Taylor's heart stop – she is also a killer. Laurens is smiling right beside her, his arms wrapped around her tiny waist as they pose for a picture. Another girl is in the frame, she's one of Jasmine's friends too. She's seen her in some pictures. But other than that, wow.

"Wow, they're still together." Taylor is quick to cover up the bitterness in her voice but Jas notices it. "That's great!"

"Babe! Come say hi, and Taylor glad you could make it."

Taylor winces. It's Matthew. He was the one taking the trios photo. Jasmine looks at her friend apologetically and takes her arm as they walk towards the table. She can feel her heart beat erratically against her chest as they move closer and closer, but Taylor only trains her eyes on Matthew.

"Congratulations, you're stuck with her forever." Taylor laughs as she gives Matt a kiss on the cheek. "You can still change your mind." They laugh. They all laugh, but Romee's laugh is like a breath of fresh air. She hadn't realized how much she had missed it until today.

Jas and Matthew excuse themselves, she says they have to greet a few more people but really Jas just wants to save herself from the awkwardness of it all. Taylor was close to asking if she could come with but she knows that would be kind of weird.

"Hi, I don't think we've met before. I'm Martha," She pulls her hand out and gave it a firm shake. "It's so nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you."

"All good things I hope?"

"You bet. I'm going to get some drinks, Romee?" The two girls walk off but Romee's eyes linger on hers for a few moments before she turns back.

She looked happy, Laurens too. They looked very happy. They had always been a happy couple back then, Taylor believed she was just one of the many trials and tribulations thrown their way. A tornado sent to test the strength of their relationship. And together they stood tall.

"Taylor, it's so nice to see you." Laurens says genuinely and he smiles his crooked smile, the way he used to when he would make fun of her jokingly. "How long has it been?"

"Too long." Taylor smiles and side steps to give him a warm hug. "It's very nice to see you too. You grew a beard!"

Laurens looked more attractive with the short stubble as if that was more possible, he'd always been good looking. He puffs his chest out and raises his head for emphasis. "I know, I hated it at first but Romee says it looks good. What do you think?"

"And I absolutely agree with Romee. You look fantastic." Romee's name on Taylor's mouth was almost foreign and strange. It used to be the one thing that covered her like a blanket. She's arrested by a memory and it hits her like a bullet, it stops time and freezes everything. In a split second she recalls all the times she had said her name, with yearning, hope, and love. Laurens says something and Taylor is slammed back to present.

"I'm sorry." Laurens repeats apologetically and Taylor furrows her brows in confusion.

"What are you apologizing for?"

"That you found each other so late."

"What?" Taylor asks again even more confused now. She turns to the side slightly when she hears footsteps approach. It's Martha and she has two glasses in her hand. She hands one to Laurens before kissing him...on the lips.

"Thanks babe." Lauren says and takes her hand in his. Taylor eyes their intertwined fingers and studies his fourth adorned in a wedding ring.

Laurens sees the light bulb go off in her head and smiles. "I'll leave you two ladies alone. My wife and I have some mingling to do." Martha waves and the pair head off.

Taylor is very well aware of the close proximity of a figure standing behind her. Suddenly it feels very hot and warm sensations fill her stomach. She felt like a teenager again.

"Hi," She could feel Romee's breath against the side of her neck and she turns to face her and like all those times before, the wind is knocked off her lungs.

"Did you hear?" Taylor asks softly and the blonde nods sheepishly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." She was sorry they hadn't worked out.

Romee takes a seat but faces her and Taylor follows. "It's okay, it was a long time ago." She smiles lightly and hands her a glass of champagne.

Romee takes a sip of the drink and bubbles tingled down her throat as she swallowed, sweet and fruity. The entire time, her eyes were kept trained on the brunette.

"How long?" Taylor asks, and she's embarrassed when she hears Romee chuckle. Definitely none of her business but she couldn't help it.

"Uhm," Romee purses her lips as if in deep thought. "A long time ago would be six years ago. The day after graduation."

Holy shit, the day after graduation. Taylor feels like crying and screaming but she nods her head instead and curses the world and herself.

"Am I too late?" Taylor asks barely above a whisper.

"No," Romee smiles heart heartwarming smile. "I've been waiting for someone."

Her words tug at Taylor's longings. She remembered how when she felt sad and lonely, she would whisper Romee's name. She would hold her breath, waiting for an echo, certain that it would come back to her someday. Seeing Romee right in front of her right now, it is as though all the years that divided them are rapidly folding over one another again and again, time accordioning itself down to nothing but the warmth of love to sit beside Taylor, to hold her hand, and say her name. She felt something clicking into place. Something ripped apart long ago being sealed again.

And love? Love's not easy. Sometimes you find love, lose it, and if you're lucky enough it comes back to you – stronger and brighter. Taylor and Romee were one of the lucky ones. They had loved each other maybe quite too soon, but now was definitely the best time.

"Good," Taylor says cheekily. "Because I'm not gonna let you slip through my fingers that easy this time around."

"Okay, fair enough." Romee raises her hand out in defeat and stares at her lovingly. Her hands reach out to Taylor's face and she brushes out the strands of hair that's made its way unto her face. Then she caresses her cheeks lovingly, Romee herself hadn't known at the time – but she had loved Taylor enough then, and she will continue to love her today and all the tomorrows to come their way.

Romee chuckles and Taylor furrows her brows questioningly, the blonde shrugs and sighs happily. "I like your glasses."

THE END.