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  Mike smiled. This was a day full of surprises. He got out his phone and sent a text.

  “Let the games begin!” Mike said with much enthusiasm and got back to reading his book.

  May was on the elevator when her phone buzzed. Mike had sent her “ABORT!!!” She stared at the screen of her phone for a while before locking it and putting it back in her bag as she got out of the elevator on the fourth floor. There was no going back now.

  SEVEN

  It was 3:30 p.m. and Taylor was now seated in lecture theatre 412. It had taken a lot of convincing to get Nurse Betty to forget about the defibrillator and to also check him out of the clinic. Taylor had a strong dislike for clinics because they made him feel helpless: lying there on the bed, breathing through an oxygen mask and needing an IV drip. To make matters worse, he had been given crutches after a long argument as to whether he should be given a wheelchair or crutches. It looked like he was not going to leave without one of them so he went with the crutches and he hated having to use them because he felt like an invalid. He had asked Bob to assist him with getting to the class so he would not have to use the crutches. Now, sitting in the room, he wished he had stayed in bed because he was aching all over but he still had a trial and tons of undone assignments so he got to doing them.

  Taylor sighed. “Are you going to keep standing there or will you come in?”

  May was standing at the door, a smile on her face. “I could never figure out how you keep catching me.”

  Taylor did not look up from his book. “I do not know for sure but I think it just might be that lovely perfume you alone use.”

  “I see.” May walked in and sat opposite Taylor. “So…. Are you going to keep looking at your books or are you going to talk to me like a normal person?”

  “Fine.” Taylor shut his book and set his hand on the table. “I am all yours.” He smiled.

  “Thank you.” May held his hands. “I am sorry about what Mike did. He went too far but if it’s any consolation, you still look handsome with those stitches.”

  “Thanks. Nothing can take my being handsome away.” Taylor chuckled. “And it was not your fault, so you do not have to apologize. Honestly, I expected nothing less from Mike and it just proved to me that he is taking this seriously.”

  “Ah. Always about the competition, isn’t it? I tend to forget how competitive you are.” May sighed and squeezed his hands. “I miss you, us, you know?”

  “Maya.” Taylor took his hand out of hers and stood.

  “Don’t know why you still call me that.”

  “Because it is your name, not May.”

  “You are very stubborn.”

  Taylor shrugged. “One of the many reasons you loved me.”

  “Loved!” May scoffed and stood. “I seriously hate how you say that in the past tense.”

  “How else am I supposed to say it? I mean you did break up with me.”

  “You know why I did.”

  Taylor shrugged again. “I honestly do not know. You gave reasons that I still cannot, for the life of me, understand.” He sat on one of the tables. “So why not clear it up?”

  May walked to the other side of the room. “You know what, I am tired of you always playing victim.”

  Taylor chuckled. “So now I am playing victim?”

  “Yes you are.” May snapped. “Just one word Tay, Emily. You never had time for me. It was always Emily!”

  “Like it was not the same thing with you and Mike.”

  “Oh no it wasn’t.”

  “Yeah right.” Taylor scoffed.

  “Can you just accept that you were wrong for once in your life? You always push blame and try to “lawyer” your way out of everything.” May walked up to where Taylor was sitting. “You never had time for me Tay. I would call to ask if we could get lunch and you’d already be eating with Emily. I would ask to go to the movies but you would have already seen it and can you guess with whom? Ding ding ding, that’s right for a million pounds. Emily! It was always her.”

  “She is my best friend and…”

  “AND I WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND. Stop giving that dumb excuse for everything.” May sat back down in the chair. “Gosh. I was a fool to think you would ever see the truth.”

  “What truth?”

  “You’re both in love with each other goddamn it.”

  Taylor shook his head. “And now you are just making things up.”

  May sighed. “Look Tay, I am tired of trying to explain things to you. You never listen.” She sat in front of him and put a hand on his knee. “I love you. I always have since I saw you on the first day of college, and I doubt I would stop loving you anytime soon, but if we are no longer together, it’s your fault.”

  Taylor laughed. “And you are here trying to stall for your best friend.”

  “When did you notice?”

  “The moment you said “I miss you, us, you know?”.”

  May sagged. “You’ve been playing along.”

  Taylor nodded. “Well, I wanted to hear the truth and even though you were trying to stall, you were being honest.” He put a hand on hers. “Look, I hear you Maya, and I understand that I was wrong, but you also have some fault in our relationship not working.

  “A one-night stand between best friends does not usually happen, and I would guess you both have feelings for each other. You might not see it yet, but it is there, somewhere deep inside you. Besides, we were better as friends, and being couples was not for us. My advice is you should stop thinking I am the bad guy in the story and accept that things did not just work out.” Taylor stood and got his bag. “Plus, I wanted to walk in last minute and rain on Mike’s parade. Proverbial kill two birds with one stone situation.”

  “You don’t have to do this Tay.” May said.

  “Oh yes I do. I know you gave Mike the idea to start this war.” Taylor laughed at May’s reaction. “Do not look so surprised. Mike would never go into a bout with me on a case like the one he used, especially when it is clear that I am innocent. It was obvious you put him up to it from the start, so you have no right to tell me to stop now.”

  “Fine. May the best team win.” May stood and walked out.

  Taylor did not move for a while. He just sat there going over the conversation he just had with May. “You both have feelings for each other…” Her words rang in his head. Could it be? He shook his head and decided to forget about it. He finally stood to pack his stuff. He stared at the crutches when he was done and grabbed them. Oh Mike. I am going to get you back for this. He laughed as he walked out.

  ***

  Back in lecture theatre 404, the courtroom was getting tired of waiting. It was 4 p.m. and Taylor had not shown up. Mike was not all too bothered. He just stood there and smiled.

  “Your honour, I don’t think Mr. Rhodes is interested in trying this case any longer and if he is, he shouldn’t be allowed to for making the court wait.” Mike said giddily.

  “He has five minutes left. If he doesn’t show up before the time is up, I will not try the case anymore.” Professor Wishbourne was obviously irritated. He hated being made to wait.

  The door opened and Taylor limped in.

  “That will not be necessary your honour. I am here, and I am ready to kick some ass.”

  “Language, Mr. Rhodes, or I’ll have to hold you in contempt.” Professor Wishbourne warned.

  “I am sorry your honour.” Taylor smiled and walked over to where Mike stood. “Nice try, but you made one mistake.”

  “And what might that be?” Mike asked dryly.

  “You sent Maya to do your dirty work. Wrong move sending your queen after my king instead of a pawn. Now your king is defenceless.” Taylor walked back over to his side. “Checkmate bitch.”

  “Last warning, Mr. Rhodes.” Professor Wishbourne’s voice boomed.

  “Yes your honour.”

  “Now Mr. Rhodes, what happened to you?” Professor Wishbourne asked.

  “Something crashed into me. It is nothi
ng serious.”

  “Well, it looks like it is serious because the clinic sent a letter that says you shouldn’t be stressing yourself. I have no choice but to move the trial date.”

  “No your honour. I am completely fine. We can start now.” Taylor argued.

  “I’m sorry but I can’t possibly go against your doctor’s orders. This case will resume on the fifteenth of November.” Professor Wishbourne sounded his gavel. “Till then, I will be trying the case filed by Miss. Reese against Mr. Marlon but that will be on Monday, thirteenth of November. You all have a lovely weekend.”

  “All rise!!!” Maris called as Professor Wishbourne walked out.

  Mike walked over to where Taylor was. “Well, I guess attacking you worked for me.”

  “Do not give yourself credit for this.” Taylor walked past him.

  “Who should I be thanking?” Mike asked.

  “God.” Taylor said sarcastically and walked up to where Emily was seated. “Why the hell did you do that E?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Emily shrugged.

  “Cut the shit. That letter from the clinic has your name written all over it. I do not know if you made it yourself or you went to convince someone in the clinic to do it but I know you are behind it.”

  Emily looked at Taylor. “I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “And I said cut the shit.” Taylor sat. “You should not have done that.”

  “I already told you that I don’t know what you are talking about, but I actually wish I was the one who thought of doing it.” Emily sighed. “Look, Mike put you in the clinic which led to your nightmare that in turn led to me almost killing you, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting him get away with this, so whoever did this has my thanks.”

  “But Mike is good. He wants to be a lawyer and you really do not want to get in a fight with him in court.”

  “Are you saying I can’t win?”

  Taylor nodded. “Frankly, yes.”

  Emily stood. “I am seriously mad at you for not lying to me to make me feel better, but you are better than Mike, so you’re going to tell me what to do.”

  “Just great. I have to tutor you.” Taylor complained and got a punch from Emily.

  “Shut up.” Emily laughed. “So, are we still up for our regular Saturday dates?”

  “You bet.”

  “Pick you up at 12 p.m.?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Alright.” Emily started leaving.

  “I believe you are forgetting something E.”

  Emily stopped and smiled. She walked back and gave Taylor a kiss on his forehead. “I’m still mad at you.”

  “Yeah I know.”

  Emily left the theatre.

  Taylor sighed. “She never listens to me.” He smiled. “You can come down now. I know you are there, Bob.”

  “You’re good at this, aren’t you?” Bob said.

  Taylor nodded. “I guess you could say that.”

  Bob walked down the aisle to where Taylor was sitting. “You didn’t press her enough. Why?”

  “Like I said. She never listens.”

  “I’m not totally convinced.”

  “I never knew I had to convince you.” Taylor scoffed. “But you are right. I need her to learn from this. She needs to be able to think clearly and analyse the situation. There is no way she is winning against Mike and she knows it but she is hard headed and does not want to listen to the voice of reason.”

  “So you’re not going to help her?”

  “Do I have a choice?” Taylor sank into the chair. “I have to help her because if I do not, she will know I am trying to sabotage the whole thing.”

  “The both of you confuse me to be honest.” Bob smiled. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. Just try not to lose to Mike.”

  “No need to worry. I have this one in the bag.”

  “Good. I’ve got to get going.” Bob stood. “See you on Monday.”

  They shook hands and Bob left.

  “What a day.” Taylor muttered. He took off his glasses and set it on the table. He did not like that he was benched for this part of the fight but he appreciated it. This way, he would be able to rest and gather his strength because the fight with Mike had just started and it promised to last a long while.

  ***

  Maya was sitting in a stall in the comfort room. She had not been able to get herself to go for the trial. There was so much going on in her mind and her heart still ached. She would have rather she did not have that discussion with Taylor. She knew he was just trying to get her to talk for longer as part of his tactics, but he had gotten her to say all the things that had been weighing down on her heart for a long time, and they hurt more now that she had gotten to say them.

  What did he mean by being couples was not meant for them? She was a Taurus and he was a Scorpio; they were the perfect fit, and that alone should have been enough to get them through. Maya smiled as she cried because she realized that was a stupid thing to base the success of a relationship on. She just really wished everything had worked out fine between the both of them.

  Someone walked into the toilet and into the stall beside hers. May tried her best to stop her sobbing because she did not want anyone seeing her like that. The person seemed to take forever in there, but then there was the sound of flushing, then running water from the tap, and then finally the door opening and closing. May happily went back to sobbing when there was a knock on her door.

  “Really May? You’re crying in the toilet. That is so high school.”

  “Shut up Emily.” May rolled her eyes. “How did you even know it was me?”

  “Your perfume, you dimwit. You’re the only one who uses it remember?”

  “I guess I have to change it now.” May sighed.

  Emily opened the door and crossed her arms as she eyed May.

  “What?” Maya said as she broke into tears again.

  “You’re a mess.” Emily walked in and got the toilet paper from May. She started laying them piece by piece on the floor.

  “What are you doing?” May tried wiping her tears but they kept flowing so she stopped trying.

  “Well, I’m not going to sit on the bare toilet floor now, am I?” Emily finished getting the floor covered and sat. “Now, you’re going to tell me why you’re crying, and what happened between you and Mike.”

  “First one I can do, but the second one, I have to say no to.”

  “Sounds like a good compromise. Let’s hear it.”

  “I spoke to Taylor earlier.”

  “Did that fool say anything to hurt you?”

  “No Emily. He would never.” May sighed. “It’s just that I said some things and for some reason I regret saying them.”

  Emily smiled. “He gave you sound advice, didn’t he?”

  “Wouldn’t be Taylor if he didn’t.” May laughed and wiped her tears. “He is freakishly good at it.”

  “I have a feeling you’re not going to tell me what the both of you talked about.”

  “I won’t. It’s nothing to worry about though.” May said.

  “Alright then.” Emily stood. “I guess my job here is done.”

  May nodded. “Thanks Emily.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. You won’t like what I’m about to tell you.”

  “You filed a lawsuit against Mike for assault.”

  “You know?”

  “Yup.” May sniffed. “And you have my full support on this one.”

  “Thanks. You know I’d hug you, but I don’t want tears on my dress.” Emily shuddered.

  “I understand.” May giggled.

  “I’ll see you on Monday.” Emily said. “Now fix yourself up and get out of here. It’s depressing.”

  They both laughed and Emily left the comfort room while May got out of the stall. She wiped her tears and washed her face in the sink. She applied a little make up to try to mask the fact that she had been crying after drying her face. She
practiced different smiles, trying to find one that did not look forced and also looked genuine. She chose one and walked out of the comfort room. It was time to deal with Mike after avoiding him all day. The weekend promised to be hell for her, and she had no choice but to endure it.

  EIGHT

  Saturdays usually made Taylor happy, but today had started out bad; the sound of the gentle pattering of rain on the roof was the only consolation he had as he stayed awake the whole night. Taylor was seated in front of the TV in the parlour, a cup of tea in hand and he was trying to watch an episode of Suits he had recorded. It was his favourite TV show because it focused on law, and he found the character of Harvey Specter really cool. He never admitted it, but he was always trying his best to act like Harvey.

  He was still in his pyjamas, and he looked like he still needed to be in bed, but he could not sleep. He kept seeing the burning car every time he tried closing his eyes to sleep. He seriously wished his sister was here right now. She had her own place, but always came visiting on Saturdays when he and Emily did not have one of their “dates”. She was at a sleepover with friends from her school, so he was home alone till next week.

  Taylor set the cup on the table, stood and walked over to the mirror in the hallway. He stood there, looking at himself for a while, and then slowly unbuttoned his pyjama shirt. He paused when he got to the final button and winced. He finally undid the button and took off the shirt. There was a scar running down his tummy area from the middle of his ribcage that he used his fingers to trace for a while and then turned to see his back. The scar had continued, and it came to a stop at the base of his spine. He had woken up in the clinic a day after the accident with the scar. He still did not know how he had gotten it and if the version of the accident he kept seeing in his dreams was the actual replay of the accident, he should not have had the scar. The doorbell rang and interrupted his thoughts.

  He quickly put on his shirt and buttoned it up as he went to open the door.

  “You look like a really handsome homeless guy.” Emily said and took off her sunglasses.

  “Good morning to you too E.” Taylor said sarcastically. “How am I feeling today? Oh my! You are so sweet, thanks for asking. I am doing quite alright.”