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CHAPTER NINETEEN
"How long do you think Lara and Ike will go out?"
Shannon blinked, and rolled onto her side, propping up the pillow.
"Huh? Tay why are you asking that?"
"Oh, just thinking..." He said softly, and paused as thunder drowned him out, "I was thinking, it’s gonna be pretty hard for them when this album comes out and we start promo touring, isn’t it?"
Shannon shrugged.
"Yeah, it is. But if they love each other as much as I think they do, then nothing will change that. Not time, not distance…nothing. It won’t matter."
Taylor looked thoughtful.
"Hmm."
"What about me? Will you miss me after you leave?" Shannon teased, grinning.
Taylor screwed up his nose.
"You? Um, I think not!"
Shannon slapped him with mock disgust and rolled around to face the other way. Taylor laughed.
"Come on Shan, you know it’s really hard for us to have to leave our friends. It’s always been that way for us. What I want to know is will you miss us!?"
Shannon rolled her eyes incredulously, turning back to him.
"Taaay…I’m not even gonna answer that."
Taylor smiled and Shannon continued.
"But still…it’ll be so cool sitting at home watching your new album topping the charts all over the world…"
"Hmm, that’d be nice." Taylor said dreamily. "It’s gonna be interesting to see what happens. And I mean, it’ll be fine with us, we’ll keep in touch…"
"Yeah."
The rain increased its intensity, and they lay listening for a moment.
"See, this is one of those times we need that tin roof." Taylor whispered, glancing at her.
"Oh yeah." She whispered.
"There really is something special about rain on a tin roof." He murmured dreamily.
"There’s something special about rain no matter where you are." She breathed.
She glanced at him. Taylor blinked slowly as he listened.
"You’re right." He murmured.
Shannon found herself gazing at his faraway expression. He was so stunning.
He turned his eyes to her, and a smile played at his mouth.
"Let’s sleep over here." He announced with a glint in his eyes, "We can hear the rain better down here. And I’m sure Zac won’t miss you."
Thunder clapped, and lightening lit up his divine face.
Shannon felt her heart begin to race a little. She usually slept on Zac’s floor when she stayed the night.
"Ok, yeah." She breathed, and smiled. "That way I can make sure you don’t get too scared of the storm."
Taylor laughed.
"Me?! I think not!"
Shannon smiled at him.
Of course she’d spend the night with Taylor.
She’d spend every night with him…if he’d only ask.
_ _ _
" and so…Shan? Shan are you listening?"
"Hmm?" Groaned a muffled voice.
"You’re really tired aren’t you?" He giggled.
She moaned in reply.
Doesn’t the boy ever sleep?
They’d been talking for hours. It was deep into the night, and the storm had passed right over them and was now fading in the other direction. Taylor had taken over the conversation since Shannon began mumbling incoherently with drowsiness, and Taylor told her to stop with a laugh.
Now he realised that she was too tired to listen either.
Taylor reached out and stroked her cheek.
"Goodnight Shan." He whispered.
Shannon smiled.
"Goodnight Tay."
With a deep breath, she slipped into a peaceful sleep.
_ _ _
Shannon stirred and returned to consciousness, unaware of what had awoken her. The rain was pattering softly outside.
Suddenly she detected ever so slight movement.
She turned to Taylor’s back, and knocked him gently. He jumped a little, and turned to her.
"Tay, are you shivering?"
He wrapped his bare arms around his body.
"It’s freezing!" He exclaimed, his bottom lip trembling as he grinned sheepishly.
Shannon rolled her eyes. It was cold. But she’d had the sense to wear a jumper…not a T-shirt. At least he’d decided against one of those wifebeater singlets he’d become so fond of recently…
"Taylor! Oh man…you retard. Just go and get a blanket or something."
"But I’ll wake everyone up."
"So? You already woke me up."
"Sorry." He said, biting his lip.
"That’s ok."
Shannon reached out and touched his chilly arm. "Oh Tay, you’re freezing!" She exclaimed.
He grabbed her hand.
"You’re so warm! Come here…"
Before Shannon could take another breath she found herself in his arms. His unexpected action took her breath away.
Did he always smell this good, or was it just his cologne?
Maybe it was just his natural Taylor smell.
They could make millions selling bottles of the stuff…
Shannon shook her head sharply.
"I’m too tired for this." She murmured under her breath.
Shannon turned so her back was against his chest and Taylor wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close to him.
They lay for a moment in contented silence, both gazing out the same window pensively, their heads resting on the same pillow.
Shannon took a deep breath and sighed.
Ok, this was pretty perfect…
Taylor stroked her stomach a little with his hand, his gentle fingers outlining her injury carefully.
He wasn’t cold anymore.
Without really thinking or knowing what they were doing or why, they surrendered themselves to their winding emotions, and just lay in each other’s arms letting the peaceful fringes of sleep play at their consciousness. Taylor’s breathing became deep and steady, pacifying her with its rhythm. Shannon closed her eyes in disbelief. She felt safe and at home in his enveloping arms, and didn’t want to ever let him go. And by the looks of things, neither did he.
"I love you." She whispered.
Taylor stirred.
"Hmm? Did you say something?"
Shannon shook her head a little, and murmured almost inaudibly.
"No."
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