Chapter 20

With only four days left of summer, only four days left to spend with my best friend and well I'm not sure what to call Taylor, but reality is smacking me in the face hard and I plan to make the most of these last few moments we have to spend together.

Taylor has asked me on a date. I'm not sure where exactly, of course with him it has to be a surprise.

He told me to dress nicely and, well my definition of nice is a pair of shorts, a tank, and combats boots. I'm not sure that's exactly what Taylor has in mind.

I grabbed my phone and pulled up my iMessage and I began writing a group chat between Haley, Mahogany, and Leah explaining to them my fashion issue and they immediately responded with 'be right over'.

I ran a quick shower and cleaned and shave everything properly so the girls would have a clean model to work with, not that I look even remotely like a model, but that's besides the point.

After I was finished washing I dried off and threw on my favorite pair of grey sweats and a plain white tank.

Moments later a loud knock came to the door.

"Coming." I yelled and ran to allow the girls entrance to the room.

"Okay so where is he taking you?"

"Formal? or simple?"

"Curly or straight?"

They immediately started throwing questions at me.

"I don't know where we're going, he just told me to look nice." I answered.

"Okay we've got this." mahogany stated.

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Almost two whole hours later they were finally finished plucking, pulling, tucking, and painting my face with makeup.

I stood in front of the mirror taking in all of their work.

My hair was curled and there was a braid going around one side of my head making all of the curls fall to one side and hang over my shoulder down the front all the way to my waist. I wore a simple, red, strapless dress that flowed at the bottom and stopped just below my butt. My make up was simple yet intriguing, my freckles were cover by the foundation which I was grateful for; I hated my freckles. I had a natural brown eye shadow on, mascara, and red lipstick.

I must admit I looked pretty, I felt confident with the attire they've put together.

"You look hot" Haley said.

"Taylor's gonna droll as soon as he sees you." Mahogany added.

"I'm jealous of how pretty you are to be honest" Leah smiled.

"Thanks" was all I managed to say before they were dragging me out the door.

It was already 6 pm and I was suppose to meet Taylor in the lobby.

The girls were escorting me. I'm thankful for that because if I didn't have Haley and Mahogany holding me up I probably would've already fell in these heels.

The elevator bell dinged and the doors slide open. I was hidden behind the three girls in front of me, I couldn't see anything in front of me except for Mahogany's red hair.

"Where's Parker?" I heard a voice ask. A voice that I knew all too well. Taylor.

The girls stepped aside and I was now face to face with the boy who stole my heart. My sunshine. My weakness. My drug. My sanity. My love.

He stood there eyeing me up and down. His jaw dropped, his mouth slightly open as he licked his round, plush, lips.

I must admit he looked dashing himself in his black dress pants, white v neck shirt and black blazer topping it off.

"U-Uh You L-Look Beautiful." He stuttered, it was so adorable. I love that I have this effect on him.

"Thanks." I blushed and wrapped my arm around his.

"You ready?" he asked and I nodded.

He lead me in the direction back towards the elevator and confusion fell over me.

"uh Taylor? where are we going?"

"Don't worry you'll see."

I followed his lead and just went with the flow.

Damn I hate surprises.

He pressed the button for the top floor and we leaned back against black wall I reached up on my tip toes and placed a single kiss on his cheek.

"What was that for?"

"For this. For asking me on a date with you." I answered.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For saying yes." He blushed.

Oh my god!

'Stop it Parker. You can't fall for him. Snap out of it' my brain taunted me.

The elevator opened and he lead me to the stairs that went to the roof. Now my curiosity was booming. What in the world is he taking me to the roof for?

We walked up the small flight of stairs and I'm already regretting my choice in shoes, well Mahogany's choice of shoes.

He opened the door to the roof and my mouth dropped open in awe.

It was beautiful. When did he do this? how?

There were strings of lights hanging all around, a single table set up with two chairs. The table was decorated with red rose petals and candles.

There were two stools set off to the side. Shawn was sitting in one strumming his guitar and Jacob sat in the other his guitar sitting beside him I assume waiting for his time to play.

"Taylor this is beautiful." I looked around still stunned at all of the effort he put into this. "How did you do all of this?"

"I'm not gonna lie. I had help from all of the boys." He blushed, scratching the back of his neck. "Mostly Cam, he's the romantic one."

"It's perfect! I love it." A wide smile appeared on his face causing me to go all warm and fuzzy. It's not often you see him smile like that and when he does it's like a swarm of butterflies explode in my stomach.

He slide one of the chairs out and gestured for me to sit, I quickly obliged. He slide me up to the table before going to the other side and claiming his seat.

He picked up a bell that was placed on the table. He rang it and moments later Dillion came out the door dressed in a waiters attire, he cared a large tray of food over in our direction. I couldn't help but giggle at the sight before me.

"Hello Mr. Caniff, Ms. Faye" he nodded to each of us. "I will be your waiter this evening. I have put together a few of your favorites." He placed a plate in front of me and one in front of Taylor before sitting our drinks down on the table. "If you need anything. I'm just a ding away. Enjoy your dinner." He said before heading back through the doorway.

"We're gonna have to leave him a generous tip." I giggled.

"Don't you worry. He's being paid well for the night. I promised him he could drive the corvette when we get back to Indiana."

We shared a moment of laughter before it fell silent and I looked around at beauty surrounding me.

"This is honestly so amazing. I'm in shock right now." I rambled on. This is just so perfect. I could've asked for a better date. It's beautiful out here.

"I'm really glad you like it."

"Are you kidding me? how could I not? it's beautiful. It must've took you hours. You clearly put a lot of thought into it and that in itself tells me a lot. Thank you for this." I almost started to tear at the thought of him caring so much to do all this just for me.

"I only want the best for you, sweetheart. you deserve nothing less."

My cheeks began to burn as they turned from different shades of pink and red.

"I do want to ask you something though?" he said, but it came out more as a question. I nodded telling him to continue. "I was doing a lot of thinking and the question is. Will you officially be my girlfrie-"

"Taylor" I started cutting him off mid sentence.

"No. Let me finish." I nodded and let him continue.

"Will you be my girlfriend? We already act like a couple. We look like a couple. People already think we're a couple, so why not make it official. I think we're ready to take that step. Look I've never felt this way about anyone before. No girl has ever had the effect on me that you do. The thought of us just going our separate ways kills me inside. I've grown so accustomed to waking up to your face every morning and I don't want that to change. I want to make you mine. If you say no that you're not ready I'll completely understand, but if you say yes.... if you say yes you will make me the happiest and luckiest guy in the world."

I was at a lost for words. His eyes were locked on mine as if he was searching for some kind of reaction, but I was frozen. Thoughts running through my brain as I weighed out every possible option.

"Taylor, I want to say yes... More than anything but"

"There a but.... That's never good."

"But.... I can't."

He nodded. "I understand." His face fell and he looks as if I just completely broke his heart. "Can you just at least tell me why?"

"I can't because we have four days.... four days until the end of summer... four days until everyone leaves.. the truth is it don't even know what I'm doing after this or were I'm gonna go. And I can't put you through all the bullshit. I have too much baggage. I've put you through enough already, Taylor."

"Your baggage isn't anything I can't handle. And what do you mean you don't know where you're going after this? you're coming with me of course. That is if you want too."

"Taylor I can't ask that of you its too much it wouldn't be fair of me."

"I want you to come with me. Please. I'm not going to be able to stand a moment apart from you. The thought of me just leaving and never seeing you again. It kills me and I won't accept it. Parker I'm not going any where. I promise I will never leave you. I'm here to stay."

I could feel my face becoming wet from the tears that had began falling from my eyes.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked once again after wiping away my tears. "Will you come back to Indiana with me?"

I nodded. "Yes. I will."

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