Chapter X: A Bitter-Sweet Resolution...ish!

(A.N: It's finale time, everybody! Let's go, go, go!)

Book's P.O.V:

I chatted with Price Tag about pretty much everything. Including the...nightmares I've been having for the past few weeks. "Oh geez. How long has this been going on?" They asked with great alarm in their voice. I thought while scratching the back of my neck awkwardly. Then I shyly replied, "A-About a week, I think." I explained the nightmare and how it was affecting my current life as well, but what I didn't notice was that she's here. She was silently eavesdropping on everything I was saying. Including the quote-unquote 'things' that she said in my dreams. "I would NEVER forgive someone like you!" It hissed in the back of my mind. Wait-is this actually happening?!

"Book..? Are you thinking about it again?" Price Tag asked me with slight caution in their voice. I nodded my head shakily. Oh my word, she isn't eavesdropping. They all feel so real, some actually happened in the past, others were...foreshadowing. One of my dreams I had was Taco appearing while I talked about my nightmares about her and she started to talk to me. But it was an endless loophole where at the end of all my dreams ends with us screaming and her saying these haunting words. "I wish I never met you..." Ugh, I don't even want to think about it. I stood my ground, trying not to break down and alarm my best friend even more.

We stood for a while in some-what awkward silence. The only thing that the silence wasn't exactly...silent was the chatter from everybody else. "So, umm, how long has this...guilt been going on for?" They ask once regaining their voice to speak again. "Umm, heh, t-too long to even keep track of..." I tried to laugh it out, but they shook their head in disappointment. "Normally, as a friend, I would try to help you out, but if it's been going on for a long time...you might suggest talking...t-to..." They trailed off, looking like they were staring into space. I tilted my head in confusion, not knowing what was going on. "Price Tag?"

"Look. Behind. You." They said in an ominous tone. I turned around and about ten feet away was...her. Taco. Leaning back to a tree with her phone in her hand. It looked like she was scrolling or texting something; completely unaware that I noticed her. I gulped in terror and tried to pinch myself. Please be a dream...OUCH! Nope...it's real life. "Y-You wa-want me t-to talk to h-h-her?" I stammered in fear while very softly pointing at her. Price Tag grew a pained expression on their face. They placed their hand on my shoulder and whispered, "Before I noticed her, I was going to suggest a shrink to help with your problems, but I think it's necessary to talk to the ACTUAL person instead." N-No. I can't...I CAN'T! I CAN'T! I CAN'T! I CAN'T! MY WORST NIGHTMARE IS COMING TRUE!!!

"No." I finally spoke. "No. I'm sorry, Price Tag. I can't do it. No." I shook my head while slowly breathing in and out. Trying my hardest not to make a scene. "I would NEVER forgive someone like you!" It hissed back again. Taco is not actually saying it, but my mind played tricks on me and made an illusion that she was mouthing it out. "Book. Book! BOOK, listen to me!" I heard the sound of Price Tag's voice and managed to tranquilize myself back to normal...ish. "This...might be hard for you. I can't imagine the mental pain a-and stress you're going through. But remember, you're not that person...well not anymore. You're a different person, a good one." A small smile started to form on my face. I took a deep breath and approached to Taco. Then someone else was in my path...Gaty.

Oh great. It's the same person who suggested I should talk to new people. Which worked, I'm not gonna lie. She was talking to Taco and giving her a piece of paper. They looked happy and having a good time. Oh my word, I really don't feel ready talking to either of them. Just taking a step closer made me have butterflies in my stomach. I looked around and everybody was busy socializing, eating food, singing on stage for karaoke, or talking to the birthday girl. I felt more terrified than ever, to the point where I feel like I want to faint. I turned around to see Price Tag giving me a thumbs up. She was holding the pose for a few seconds, before noticing my very scared look. "You want me to come with you?" They asked. I nodded rapidly and we both approached the talkative duo together.

"And with the bright lights hanging up in the cellar, we'd raise our profit margins up to 15% in sales alone!" I heard Gaty exclaim to Taco as I–And Price Tag–walked up to them. "Maybe we can also try...t-to..to" Gaty's voice trailed off when she moved her eyes away from the paper and looked at me. "Oh. Book. Hey there!" She paused for a bit before properly greeting me. "Long time to see! How are you?" I tilted my head side to side saying, "Eh, haingin' there. Like how I did on the balance beam a while back." She softly chuckled. I looked at Taco, but she was still on her phone.

Gaty noticed and looked at Taco as well, then looked at me. Her eyes widened and nodded in understanding. "M'kay then. Taco, we can talk about our business plans later, I'm just going to get some snacks." That's when she took her leave. Price Tag backed away a bit. The backed away pretty far away, but vision-wise, it was manageable. I also heard a bush rustling in the distance. I jumped out in fear, but after looking around, there was nobody but Price Tag, who was nowhere near the bushes and Gaty, who was walking away. "Did, umm, you hear that?" I asked nervously. Taco shrugged her shoulders and continued on her business with her phone. She didn't even take her eyes off her phone when I talked. I was starting to sweat in fear and...well just fear. I was also feeling way too nervous. I didn't know how to start the conversation. S-Should I talk about the dreams, say 'I'm sorry' or something?

"S-So, umm, h-how are you feeling?" I pathetically asked. Taco mumbled a 'good' underneath her breath, still not taking her eyes off her phone. The tension between us felt heavy. Well, for me probably. I'm not sure what she's feeling. "Taco? Umm, a-are you listening?" I asked after a few minutes of us not talking. She didn't respond. That's when I accidentally blurted out, "TACO BELLMONT! May I have a SOME-WHAT decent conversation with you?!" She froze in shock for a few moments before putting her phone inside her jean pocket. "Okay, sorry!" She said in a slight disaggregated tone.

I took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scream at you. Especially what I did a few years ago with you, Lollipop, Icey...everyone." She grew a confused look on her face. "Umm, did you forget that I already forgave you?" I shook my head and continued with my proper apology, "No. I know deep down you haven't. What I did when you were stuck inside the jawbreaker was cruel and stupid and when I forced our teammates to ignore you was next level betrayal, and for that I'm truly sorry." Taco looked away from me and stared at the sky, which was covered by the tree we were standing on. "You're...not wrong..." She cleared her throat.

I fixed up my posture when I heard her first response. Then she continued on, "I'm not sure why you're suddenly apologizing to me, but I'm glad you did. I've been seeing some...disturbing hallucinations that relate to our past and what was supposed to be our 'future'. I wanted them to go away and I guess...coming here to find you might be my only chance. I-It's selfish I know, but another reason is that, I don't want to hold this grudge against you anymore. During your time in TPOT, Gaty has been filling me up with stories about what you've done and challenges that you've participated in. Which all in all, made me feel a little better that you've become a better person." My eyes widened and started to water.

That was it? No screaming, arguments, or her wishing that I shouldn't exist anymore? She doesn't hate me?! I softly sobbed a bit and tried to wipe my tears away. "I-I've may or may not have had some dreams...and nightmares about you." I said. Taco reached in to give me a comforting hug. "Well, don't worry about those nightmares anymore. And you dream about me? Please don't tell me that you have a crush on me..." She let go of our hug once she said that last sentence. My tears of sadness converted to tears of laughter. "Oh no, no, no! Don't worry! I've already got my lover." Taco was wiping a sweat and saying 'phew' while I was still laughing.

The both of us heard the same bush I heard russell earlier. "Okay, now I heard that." Taco admitted. Taco and I stared at each other then the bush, which used to be five feet away from us and now, it's two inches. I reached my hand out and heard a familiar voice shout, "I'M HER GIRLFRIEND!" While tackling me down to the ground. "P-PILLOW?! Have you been spying on us?!" I yelled while trying to shimmy my way out of her grasp. "Yeah. :3" I swear she's something else.

She got off me, thank gosh. And introduced herself to Taco, who's now my ex-rival I guess, "Nice to meet you, woman who destroyed my girlfriend's sanity and mental health! I'm Pillow Fabric!" (A.N: I KNOW, I KNOW! Not the best last name, but the best I can come up with.) She shook Taco hand's with pure aggression. "Woa-WOAH! I-I'm Taco Be-BELLMONT!" Taco felt like she was spinning for hours as she tried to stabilize herself. "Hurt her ever again, and you'll get to meet the reaper early!" She threatened with a smile on her face.

Taco gave a thumbs up while sweating in fear. After that, Gaty came back with a bag of chips and some punch. "I'll take it as it went okay?" She asked the three of us. I nodded and thanked Gaty. "Wha-You're welcome? But what for?" Does she really not know? "For your advice! and giving me and Taco some privacy to talk it out. Speaking of which...PRICE TAG!" I called out. Price Tag was still in her normal position and approached to us. "Did you do it?" They ask, not knowing what was going on. "Because of your advice, I wouldn't have made friends with Pricey or gotten along better with Pillow. And I heard that you've been updating my whereabouts to Taco? Once again, thank you so much." Gaty smiled and modestly said, "Oh, no, no, I don't think I should get a lot of attention or anything!" Eh, she deserves it whether she likes it or not.

After the party, all of us made our way back home and ended our day with smiles and laughter. Pillow and I arrived back home and I rushed upstairs and crashed in the covers. "FINALLY! NO MORE STUPID NIGHTMARES!" Pillow giggled at my gesture. She pounced with me and threw me off with another passionate kiss on the lips. And another, and another. "Now if you have another nightmare, I now have an excuse to murder Taco!" She exclaimed while kissing my cheek. I was definitely blushing, but I didn't mind. I rolled my eyes playfully, knowing full well that she wouldn't kill anyone just because. DING! I got a notification from my phone. "Aww, can you check that later please~" Pillow pleaded to me while trying to kiss me again. I stopped her lips and said, "It'll only take a second, dear." Pillow huffed in anger and crossed her arms. 

"Aww, you're adorable 'Lowy!" I exclaimed while softly pinching her cheek. I looked at my notification and it was an email from the company I hired to get the bugs out of my house. It read; 'Book Scrutinize, thank you for using your local pest control! Please review us and share us to your friends. If you have any complaints, please let us know and we will take it responsibly." It was sent yesterday. That meant it was yesterday. But my email is saying that I already read it...so how? Then it hit me..."Pillow?" I asked her. I showed her the email. "My house is finished, but it said I already read it. I never knew my house was ready...care to explain?" Her silence said it all...

.

.

.

"PILLOW!!!"

[The End]

(A.N: Don't leave just yet! There's an epilogue comin' up, so get ready! -Era 💙)