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Taylor's POV
Past tense
February
"I am glad that I was somewhat forthright and I bought you this dress" Ross whispers in my ear, his hands on either side of my hips as he holds me from behind. I smile looking out at the gardens, cherry blossoms and petunias blossoming below, lit up by the moon as I gaze down from my bedroom window.
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"It's a very nice little black dress" I say turning to face him, the off the shoulder neck line and my red lips are giving me a femme fatale look and he eyes me sighing as I wrap my arms briefly around his shoulders.
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"It's a very nice little black dress on you" he smiles as I do up his silk tie. His eyes watch me entranced and I smile patting his chest.
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"Ross you look handsome" I smirk and he giggles slightly, almost blushing.
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"There is just one more thing" he says fumbling through his blazer jacket. I watch him confused, trying to read his body language for clues.
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"That I wanted to give you" he smiles pulling out a black velvet box. I stare at him and he watches me before handing me the box.
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"It's genuine" he says as I open it up and gasp.
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"It's a blue sapphire, I just thought that it would look great hanging around your neck" he whispers holding me close.
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Commanding me to turn around, he sweeps my long hair up as I hold the gold chain around my bare neck for him. I feel his fingers delicately fasten it behind me. Glancing down at the midnight blue teardrop I smile at how it rests on my décolletage, feeling his lips kiss me a few times.
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"It suits you" he whispers as I turn to face him.
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"Thank you" I smile.
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"You look truly beautiful Taylor" he smiles back before taking my hand in his own and guiding me down the wooden stairs in my heels. Like a date would for prom, he holds onto my forearm and guides me out to the taxi waiting for us.
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"Unfortunately Nate lives on campus" he looks over to me, after he has settled me into the seat and we're on the road.
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"I'm overdressed for campus" I laugh and he strokes my arm.
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"Everybody will be dressed as you are, but you will outshine all of them" he smiles.
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"I will not" I laugh and he chuckles.
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"Mhmmm you will" he smiles. Ross has courted me, never expecting anything from me in return. We haven't engaged in our sexual relationship since the other night although physically he is closer to me. And emotionally I know that he has a connection to me. I have cuddled up to him however on the sofa, and slept soundly in his king sized bed.
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Yesterday morning he made me breakfast, setting it up on his terrace outside in the sunshine. So that when I came down he could see me smile looking down at the pancakes he had made and the fresh orange juice he had poured.
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The taxi pulls into dorms, a part of campus that I have not visited before. Rows of houses line the lanes, oddly they look like any other suburban road. White wooden porches and lit up houses, the one we pull up beside has all of the lights on and very loud music blaring out from the open door. Students lounging on the porch and the lawn drinking out of red plastic cups.
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Ross tips the driver before coming to retrieve my door. Holding my hand as we cross the small path towards the house, I catch other girls looking at him and sneering at me. I smile to myself wondering just how many woman would love to have him buy them fancy sapphire necklaces.
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He steps through the door first, holding onto my arm making it clear that I am his date. The long hall reminds me of almost any American house, it leads to an open plan shared kitchen. It's currently littered with students and red plastic cups of alcohol, girls in stilettos and guys in suits. I hear a roar of laughter in the kitchen most likely from a drinking game or a dare.
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As a pair we head into the shared living space, I clock our friends instantly as he holds onto me. Jay watches me intently standing with Rachel and Rhea. I notice his suit and how it is tailored to fit him perfectly, his blonde hair pulled back out of his face revealing his chiselled jaw.
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I realise the second I clap eyes on Matthew James Henderson in a suit speaking with Rhea, that there was a reason I had been hiding from him. Not wanting to see him and face the music. He turns to regard me, mouth dropping slightly as he takes in my gown, a small smile on his lips as he looks into my eyes.
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"Hi guys" I say nervously as Ross holds my hip. Rachel eyes his hand, in her fusia pink gown, before recovering her expression and embracing me.
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"You look drop dead gorgeous" she whispers in my ear and I compliment her dress which is cut closely to her frame.
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"This look is fierce" I tell her eyeing the gown as she smiles.
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Rhea adorned in a silver shift dress pulls me into her. We kiss briefly and she smiles down at me.
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"I spy that the goods are out which can only mean one thing" she smirks and I swat her.
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"Me having the goods out is for me and not any college guy" I laugh and she nods smirking.
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"Yes Taylor I believe you" she smirks as Ross begins chatting to Matthew. Decidedly finished with the somewhat awkward hello's I go to retrieve a drink for myself and Ross in the shared kitchen. The hall is packed with students that I push past, everybody is drunk and the music is loud. Entering the kitchen I take in the white stone worktops, eyeing the kitchen island that is full of bottles.
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I settle on a brandy for Ross and a glass of Prosecco for myself. Pouring them delicately I feel hands on my hips, clasping at the sheer black gown. I consider that looking down at the hands that are touching you for clues as to which one of your admirers it might be is a problem in itself. Could it be Ross, Jay or my ex Matthew? Who knows.
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These hands though I recognise, and I know for sure that when I turn to face him Jay will have a small smile on his lips.
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"You look incredible" he whispers in my ear as I pour him a brandy.
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"You look good too Jay" I whisper still facing the other way. I turn, seeing the smile that I had anticipated and handing him the glass of brandy. No red cups, it's terribly uncouth to drink out of plastic cups.
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"Thank you" he smiles as I sip my wine his body close to mine.
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"Being single at a college party and looking like yourself is a massive predicament" he smirks looking over my shoulder.
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"There are many males looking at you" he whispers and I roll my eyes.
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"Oh I have a date" I tell him teasing him and he laughs.
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"The blonde bear !?" He smirks holding onto me as I lean against the kitchen island.
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"Ross, yes" I inform him and he sighs.
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"You're worth more than Ross and you know it" he says softly looking into my eyes. I sip my wine and stare at him, feeling my skin heat up under his touch.
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"Well at least he stepped in to be my date huh?" I tell him and he rolls his eyes, entertained by our little argument.
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"I literally gave you the queue to ask me the other day" I tell him and he searches my eyes.
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"Right" he says softly almost as if he’s cursing himself under his breath, he sighs before speaking again.
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"I'm sorry that I didn't ask to accompany you here" he explains and I'm caught off guard by his apology.
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"In that case" he explains looking down at the sapphire around my neck.
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"Taylor, please would you allow me to take you on a date" he says earnestly.
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"Of course Jay" I say sweetly and his eyes light up.
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"Tomorrow night ?" He asks and I smirk.
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"Tomorrow night" I agree as his hands brush up my waist. Rachel clears her throat and I glance over at her as she smiles.
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"Mitts off of her, I need to dance with my bestie and catch up" she announces as he brushes his hair back.
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"Plus truth or dare" she explains winking at me. I grasp the glasses and walk towards the hall, Jay follows behind us and I briefly wonder what a date with Gilbert Scott will entail.
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