Page 41 of Take Care, Taylor

I slipped into my room before I could say anything else.

TRACK 16. MIDNIGHT RAIN (3:10)

AUDREY

My shoulder throbbed under the ice pack, and my eyes blurred under the bright lighting in my room. My brain was fried and begging me for a break, and I reluctantly obliged.

So far this week, I’d completed twenty essay outlines, five metaphoric critiques, and eight “hot seat” reviews, but I still had so much more to go. And as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I could see why people dropped out and simply took the “Postscript Scholar” title with them.

This place was like having a constant Hell Week—for nerds.

I fell back against my mattress and noticed my phone flashing with new text messages.

Cece

You can’t be serious about asking me for feedback on your essays…

Please take time to do one fun thing for yourself this week.

PLEASE.

I changed clothes and grabbed a shawl.

In the hallway, I glanced at the events board and saw “Beach Fire” listed for the day.

“Are you going?” A girl in all yellow poked her head out the door. I recognized her from one of my workshops but couldn’t quite remember her name.

“Thinking about it.”

“Come on.” She stepped out, her keys jangling. “I’m picking up my boyfriend, and I can drop you off.”

“I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

“You can afford to take a night off, Miss Audrey ‘We All Know You’re Going to Be in the Top Three at the End of This’ Parker.” She smiled. “Let’s go.”

Empty beer bottles littered the sand, and several people from my cohort were grinding against each other as if no one else was watching.

Taylor sat shirtless by the bonfire, his abs and chest tattoos catching the firelight as he laughed with our classmates—too easy, too familiar, like none of this program ever got under his skin.

I focused on the flames instead, watching how they danced under the night sky.

“We’re going to pick up some late-night food from Gayle’s!” someone shouted, which suddenly made everyone erupt into cheers and rush away from the bonfire.

Torn between following them and staying here, I remained frozen.

“So, you still have a problem knowing how to have a good time?” Taylor’s voice made me realize he was staying put.

“I know exactly how to have a good time.” I picked up a beer from the cooler. “You can ignore me until everyone comes back.”

“Or you can run and catch up to them.” He smirked. “I’m not holding you hostage here.”

I plopped down on a towel, knowing I wasn’t running anywhere.

I didn’t have the energy.

“Feel like being cordial with me for a moment?” Taylor asked.

“Not really.” I hated how the fire illuminated his perfect face. “Call Stacey and talk to her.”