CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

That was the last time Taylor attempted to get in contact with her. The intensity with which he was hurt and upset the first time was enough to shy him away from another attempt. But despite the rejection, he couldn’t move on. His aching yearning worsened to a constant screaming in the back of his mind. He felt defenceless, insecure…and alone.

And there was nothing he could do about it.

_ _ _

Then, one day, Shannon received a letter that changed everything. She rang Zac on his mobile immediately to deliver the news.

"What?" Zac exclaimed in disbelief, the shock in his voice displaying his sorrow.

"It’s only for six months."

"Only six months? ONLY?"

"Ok, I guess that is quite a while."

"When are you leaving?"

"In one week."

"One week? You’re going on an overseas exchange for six months in one week, and you tell me this now?" Zac cried.

Shannon felt any excitement she had slowly draining away at her friend’s unhappiness.

"Yeah I know, it’s late notice. I just…I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure. And the confirmation came late cos our postman’s been really sick, and our post is all messed up."

"Oh man. I…um…congratulations, I guess."

Shannon could hear how flat and insincere his words were.

"Zac, please don’t depress me ok?! Cos I’m gonna get so badly homesick if you do…"

"Oh, I’m sorry." He sighed, "It IS gonna be a great experience for you and stuff, you know. It’s just…I mean, Germany is so far away. It’s Europe…EUROPE."

Shannon sighed.

"I know."

"It’s gonna kill Taylor, I hope you realise that." Zac stated softly.

Shannon was silent for a moment.

"But it’ll be no different for him Zac. It’s not like anything’s gonna change, whether I’m here or not."

"Except that he won’t be able to live in hope." Zac said coldly.

"It’ll probably be good for him Zac. He needs to move on and depend on some other friends and stuff…not just me all the time."

"Yeah…or not." Zac breathed, knowing that she still didn’t fully understand.

Shannon sighed.

"Anyway Zac, we have to all get together some day before I leave."

Zac brightened.

"Well, we’re having a family lunch thing in a park the day before you leave. Lara’s coming…you should too!! It’d be just like old times!!!" The excitement in his voice was heart breaking.

"Yeah…or not." Shannon whispered sadly.

Zac sighed.

"Shan I think you owe it to Tay…and to yourself…to see him one last time before you go. Just come to the lunch ok? Please? You can’t just leave him without saying goodbye."

Shannon sighed, knowing that Zac’s argument was justified.

"Ok." She groaned. "I’ll be there, alright?"

"Excellent."

Zac hurried their conversation on, and after its completion he threw down the phone and hurried off in search of Taylor. He found him in the band room, writing.

"Tay," Zac grinned, leaning against the door frame in satisfaction, "Man, are you going to LOOOVE me!"

_ _ _

As exciting as Zac’s news was, Taylor found himself focussing on the negative. She was leaving for half a year. Half an entire year. By the time she came back, she would have completely extinguished her feelings for him, and it would really truly be over. Shannon’s exchange signified the end of hope for Taylor…and therefore the lunch in the park was his last chance. He felt nauseous with anxiety already.

You’re supposed to look into my eyes

Forever and all time

You stopped loving me that way

And I never thought that I

I would ever have to cry out

That you and I, we belong together again

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