CHAPTER 20

After the encounter at the diner and after Dylan had gone back home and retreated to her bedroom,she laid on her bed thoughtfully for a long while.She hadn't expected the encounter with Carly to affect her the way it had and now it had awoken buried feelings from the past.She rose up from her bed and retrieved an old photo they had taken during the first moments of their relationship.Carly was smiling deepy,her tiny dimple so clear while she was grinning at her.It was so perfect looking into each others eyes.She stared at it for a while contemplating whether she wanted to put her mother's advice into practice.It was true she never got to know why Carly had really broken up with her and the fact was,she still missed her.The unavoidable encounter had only confirmed that she still loved her regardless of what had happened.

 The next day was a Saturday and she never went to work during the weekend.As usual,Taylor got to her home a little after ten as she always did,ever since the senior year started.They had gotten closer and had become really good frriends.Dylan had gotten to know why Taylor had decided to be Emily's friend and she had slowly insighted her to stand up for herself and do something she liked and not what someone else was making her do.When Carly said they had finally culled themselves from the toxic friendship,she hadn't been surprised that Taylor had,she was more surprised by Carly who for a moment she had thought had been lost in Emily's grip forever.

She in turn had told Taylor about the relationship with Carly.Taylor had been so cool about it and that's how she had gotten a new female friend,who happened to like Carly's brother so they had something in common.

  She was still half asleep when a knock sounded at her door.She woke up slowly and met Taylor when she opened the door.

 "What's up sleepy head?" Taylor asked her with a grin. "Oh my God ,you look terrible.Didn't you sleep during the night?"

Dylan shook her head and retreated back to her bed. "I did but it was a  long restless night."

 "What happened?" Taylor asked as she sat down next to her.

 "Carly happened," Dylan sighed. "She came by the diner with her brother which was surprising because I hadn't seen them there before.I wasn't prepared for what happened next because I realized I have been lying to myself.I never got over her."

 "How could you? She never even gave you a reason for breaking up with you and that only makes it harder to move on."

 "My mom thinks I should get closure."

 "She's right.I think Carly really did have a reason."

 "Why is that?You haven't been close friends and the only thing you have in common is cheer leading."

 "Was,it's a thing of the past now," Taylor corrected. "And you will be surprised  how much I know about her.From what I know,Carly is really cautious about other people's feelings.She may act all tough and independent but she hides so much truth inside her and so there must have been something that really hurt her and triggered your breakup."

 "What makes you think she is going to talk to me.She made it all clear that she wasn't interested in anything concerning me.Maybe she only talked to me yesterday because she was with her brother."

 "And what did you notice during the talk?"

 "Something is changed.She seemed softer to me than I remember."

 "Then go get some answers.We are about to go to college and who knows where the universe will throw us.Don't agree to go without at least getting some answers.You might never be able to move on."

  So  on Monday evening of the following week when she saw her standing with Taylor,Dylan had approached them confidently.

 "I didn't know you two were friends," Carly said after she had acknowledged them.

 "We have been friends for several months now,"Taylor replied. Dylan watched as Carly nodded slowly then looked away.

 "Anyway,I'm throwing a pool party on Saturday and everyone is coming."

 "A pool party,huh?"

 "It's my last birthday in high school.I want to do something different,have fun with everyone before we all part." Taylor seemed to understand the situation quickly because she looked at Carly then looked at her and nodded with a smile.

 "Great idea!I'll definitely be there."

 "Cool," Dyan smiled back and then looked at Carly who had gone silent,"You should come too," she said a little hesitant and afraid that she would decline.

 "I don't know..."

 "Oh come on Carly,don't tell me you have anything better to do than having fun with your classmates," Taylor intervened. "Even I know that these are the moments we will always remember long after high school," she added then winked at Dylan.

 "Okay,I will be there," she gave in.

 "Great," she said with a smile."I'm going to the pitch to watch the guys play now."

 "I'll come with,"Taylor said."Carly,do you want to come along?"

 Part of Dylan wanted her to say yes but another part of her knew she wouldn't.She had seen her reaction the previous weekend when her brother had invited her to join them at the diner.She also knew that it would be awkward being around each other after everything that had happened so she was just as content when Carly shook her head.

 "Not today but thanks for the invite."

 "Okay,see you tomorrow."

   *****

  The week went by smoothly for both of them.Even though they didn't communicate,they exchanged much softer glances compared to the last few months.The weekend finally arrived and there was no pushing it further.

Dylan walked into the kitchen where her mother was making breakfast.She grabbed a cup and poured herself freshly made coffee then sat on a chair.

 "Morning birthday girl!" her mother greeted.

 "I can't believe I'm throwing aparty with you around."

 "Come on sweetie,it's not like I had planned on not going to work."

Dylan squinted her eyes,"Did you really get a day off officially or did you request a day off?"

 "Why are you so agaisnt me being around?" her mother posed her own question.

 "Because it's a party with a whole bunch of teenagers and you might see some crazy things you shouldn't." Her mother turned to her abrupty. "I mean,I can't manage to control everyone."

 "You are not gonna let them have sex in my house,are you?"

 "Oh God,mom that's gross! No,I won't,I wouldn't," she replied then heard a tiny voice inside her head.'But you did have sex with Carly in here,multiple times.' She shook her head to shake the thought away.

 "Then you have nothing to worry about.You won't even notice I'm around.I'll just retreat to my office and keep myself busy.Or I should go shopping or to see a friend,"she added thoughtfully.

 "Yes,that will work too," Dylan agreed.

 "Nope,I think you need a grown up around in case of an emergency," she replied then went back to her cooking.They were quiet for a while until her mother turned around as if she had just remembered something. "Oh,and in case you are trying to push me away so I don't see the girl who broke your heart,it's too late.I already know her,I saw her sneaking around all those months ago.Multiple  times actually,"she said then added," I might even talk to her.I think I should."

Dylan's mouth hang open.She thought they had always managed to hide from everyone especially her mother but she had been wrong. "Please don't talk to her."

 "Why,I want to know why she broke my daughter's heart."

 "Oh God,this is not good," she said then added,"She might not actually come."

 "Relax,I won't.The answers are for you to find so I'll keep my distance."

 "Thanks mom."

   *****

"You seem a little tense.Actually you have been distracted all week and now it only seems to have intensified,what's up?" Carl asked as soon as he switched off the car engine in Dylan's driveway.

 "I'm not distracted,"she lied.

 "You can't lie to me you know."

The only thing that annoyed her about getting back in good terms with her brother was the fact that he always saw through her.But she couldn't tell him the truth.At that moment,Taylor appeared at Dylan'sl door way and she smiled having gotten something to steer the conversation away from her.She motioned with her lips.

 "Oh,your girlfriend is already here."

Carl followed her gaze and shoved her aside," She is not my girlfriend."

 "So you keep saying." She then opened her door and got out.Carl followed and joined her at the door.

 "I'm glad you came,Dylan will be too," Taylor said almost in a whisper then let her in.She turned to see the reaction on her brother's face as he stood  face to face with Taylor.She smiled as she realized she wasn't the only one going through love trouble.The only difference was that her brother's was blossoming while hers had withered.

  The next several hours went on smoothly.She watched at a distance as her classmates splashed water at each other laughing.Not that she wasn't tempted to join in but she wasn't sure if she wanted that especially with Dylan in the water.It reminded her of everything they used to do especially during their river escapades and everything that went down after.She however didn't stop her eyes from straying and she found herself staring at her bikini covered body.Dylan was never a fan of bikinis but she looked pretty good in one.Her body seemed to have grown a little more than she remembered.Her breasts now weren't as tiny.Her thoughts immediately strayed and she found herself smiling at the memories that came crashing back in her head.She missed her more than she cared to admit and it only annoyed her because she was still mad at her.When she lifted her eyes,they locked with Dylan's and she realized she had been caught staring.Her heart jumped and she looked away quickly.

   She didn't know where Taylor had appeared from.It took her by surprise and she only realized what had just happened when she hit the water.The cold water sent a shiver through her body.She appeared from underwater amidst gasps and found Taylor laughing at her.She turned and found Dylan laughing in amusement too and she had to smile too.

 "Payback is a bitch Taylor," she shouted.

 "Bring it on Carly," Taylor shouted back then dived into the pool and headed in the opposite direction;towards her brother.

 "Hey," Dylan greeted.

 "Hi," she replied then added with a smile," Happy birthday." At leaout ofshe didn't want to deny her that.

 "Thank you and I'm glad you came."

 "Me too."

It wasn't until later that they talked again.Carly got out the pool after several minutes of lapping.She had tried to have fun like the others but she was mostly distracted so she gave up and went looking for somewhere to hide.'Try doing that in someone else's house.' She thought silently as she saw Dylan approach her.

 "I can sneak you some wine if you are tired of the punch," she said teasingly as she stopped next to her.

 "Your mom would kill you if she knew," she replied. 

 "You know me and my sneaking,she wouldn't even notice."

Carly laughed as she recalled a time they had sneaked some wine to Dylan's bedroom.She didn't want to show her that she tolerated her now but she thought it wouldn't be a bad idea.She missed all that fun.

 "I'd love some," she found herself saying.

 Dylan smiled and led the way to their kitchen.She poured two drinks in glasses,handed her one and leaned on the counter.They took one big swallow together and emptied their glasses to avoid being caught.

Carly looked up and met Dylan's smiley face and she couldn't help herself but smile with her.

      "Your mom always has a great taste."

     "I know," Dylan replied without leaving her eyes.

Carly was once again captured in their deepness and she lost control. She lifted her hand and ran her fingers along Dylan's face slowly. Dylan closed her eyes clearly enjoying the moment and Carly couldn't resist the urge to taste her lips,just to remind herself what they felt like. She leaned forward and kissed her softly.