𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐈 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐨 (𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭

...🏀...

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟒

Nathan's bare chest was warm beneath my cheek as I lay nestled against him, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Each beat was a soothing lullaby, calming the storm of thoughts in my mind. Nathan's fingers played gently with the curls in my hair, a tender gesture that made me feel cherished. I watched the first light of dawn creep through the open balcony doors, painting the room in soft hues of pink and gold.

I knew I needed to get up soon, but the moment was too perfect to let go of.

Nathan's voice, low and reluctant, broke the silence. "I should probably go."

I tilted my head up, meeting his gaze. His eyes held mine with a longing that I knew was reflected in mine.

With a sigh, I nodded. "Okay."

Reluctantly, I pushed myself up, feeling the cool air replace the warmth of his embrace. My brown curls tumbled down my back as I climbed out of bed, padding softly across the room to Leila's crib. Her tiny chest rose and fell with each peaceful breath, and I knew she would be up in a few hours, full of energy and curiosity.

Nathan rose from the bed and crossed the room to me, his presence a comforting shadow. He reached out, taking my hand and turning me gently to face him. His lips found mine in a slow, lingering kiss, and I closed my eyes, losing myself in the moment. His tender yet firm touch grounded me in the here and now.

When he pulled back, deep and sincere eyes locked onto mine.

A throat cleared behind us before I could say anything, breaking the spell. I looked over my shoulder to find my mom standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a pointed look on her face.

"Nathan, you should probably go before Mylah's dad comes upstairs to check on her," she said, her tone firm but not unkind.

Nathan nodded, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. "I'll see you later," he whispered, grabbing his shirt and shoes. He moved swiftly to the balcony, swinging his legs over the railing and climbing down with practiced ease.

My mom sighed as she watched him go. "You know your father won't like this."

I turned to her, a mixture of defiance and understanding in my eyes. "I know, Mom. But I like him, and I won't apologize for that."

A small smile tugged at her lips, softening her stern expression. "Good," she said, nodding approvingly before leaving the room. "Just be careful."

I watched her go, a wave of gratitude washing over me. She understood, even if she didn't fully agree.

As the door closed behind her, I turned back to the balcony, watching the sun rise higher in the sky. It was a new day, full of possibilities and challenges, but I felt ready to face it all. Nathan's presence, though fleeting, had given me the strength and reassurance I needed.

With a deep breath, I walked over to Leila's crib, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Good morning, my love," I whispered, feeling a renewed sense of hope and determination. I knew I could handle whatever came next, one step at a time.

...🏀...

I heard my phone ringing and quickly grabbed it from the nightstand. "Brooke?" I answered, a hint of worry creeping into my voice.

"I'm pregnant," Brooke blurted out, her voice trembling.

I went still, my mind racing. "Are you sure?"

"Well, I took a test," she said, her words tumbling out quickly. "It came back positive. I told Lucas."

My eyes widened in shock. "He's the father?"

"Yes." Brooke's voice broke into a sob.

I knew she was freaking out, and I needed to calm her down. "Brooke, take a deep breath." I waited, listening to her shaky exhale on the other end of the line. "Call the doctor and set up an appointment. It could be a false positive."

"Okay," she said, her sniffles punctuating the silence.

I sat on my bed, feeling the weight of her news. "Do you need me to come over?"

"No," Brooke replied, her voice small. "I just need to be alone."

I sighed, wishing I could do more to help her. "You are still my best friend, and I will love you either way."

"I know," she said, her voice breaking again. "Lucas told me he doesn't believe it could be his."

A surge of anger welled up inside me. "The hell he did."

"I know," Brooke sighed. "I can't be pregnant. I wouldn't be a good mom."

I shook my head vehemently, knowing she was wrong. "Brooke, you wouldn't be a horrible mom." I had seen how she was with Leila, the way she cared for her with such tenderness. "Trust me, okay?"

"Okay," she said, her voice steadier now. "I'll call you after my appointment."

I took the phone from my ear and closed my eyes, the conversation replaying in my mind. I hoped everything would work out for Brooke. She had been through so much recently—from the drama with Peyton and Lucas to possibly being pregnant. It was more than anyone should have to handle.

It was more than I could handle if I were in her shoes.

The weight of her situation settled heavily on my chest as I stared at the ceiling. My mind wandered to the first time I had seen Brooke hold Leila. She had been so gentle, so natural. I knew she had it in her to be a great mom, but convincing her of that was another story.

I glanced at the clock, noting how early it still was. The sun barely rose, casting a soft, golden light across my room. The world outside was waking up, but Brooke's news consumed my thoughts.

A soft cry from the crib pulled me back to the present. I walked over to Leila, who was beginning to stir. Her tiny fists waved in the air as she let out another cry. I scooped her up, cradling her against my chest. Her warmth and innocence brought a sense of calm to my racing thoughts.

"It's going to be okay, sweetheart," I whispered, more to myself than to her.

As I rocked her gently, I couldn't help but think about Brooke and the journey she might be about to embark on.

Leila's cries subsided, and she nestled into me, her tiny breaths warm against my skin. I felt a surge of protectiveness, not just for her but also for Brooke. She had always been there for me; now, it was my turn to be there for her.

The phone buzzed again, breaking the silence. I glanced at the screen, half-expecting it to be Brooke.

Instead, it was a message from Nathan, asking if everything was okay.

I smiled, feeling a little lighter. Nathan had a way of knowing when I needed support, even without being told. I quickly responded, assuring him I was fine and that we would talk later.

As I set the phone down, I felt a renewed sense of determination. Brooke was strong, stronger than she realized. And with friends like me—and even Nathan—by her side, she would get through this.

We all would.

...🏀...

I smiled as my fingers glided over the piano keys, the melody I'd been working on ever since I kissed Nathan flowing effortlessly. Each note carried a piece of the joy, uncertainty, and hope that had filled me since that day. The room was filled with the gentle piano sound, a sanctuary of music I had missed dearly.

A voice cleared behind me, breaking my thoughts. I paused, my fingers hovering over the keys, and looked up to see my dance teacher, River, smiling warmly.

"Nice to have you back," River said, stepping closer.

I shook my head slightly, my smile fading a little. "I'm not back...not yet."

River sat beside me on the piano bench, her presence a familiar comfort. "So, are you giving up on dance?" she asked gently.

I sighed, the weight of my fears pressing down on me. The thought of dancing again brought a flood of beautiful and painful memories. Andrew's shadow loomed large over my passion, tainting it with fear and uncertainty. "Every time I think about dancing again, all I see is him," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

River sighed, her expression filled with empathy. "He's already taken enough from you, Mylah. Don't let him take your passion for dancing too."

Her words struck a chord deep within me. I looked down at the piano keys, the familiar comfort of the music contrasting sharply with the turmoil inside me. River stood up from the bench, heading for the door. She paused, looking back at me with a soft, understanding gaze.

"I might be your dance teacher, but I'm also the person who taught you how to play piano because I knew you loved music just as much as dance," River said. "They're both a part of you; no matter what he did, that will never change."

I watched as River walked out, her words lingering in the air. The silence in the room felt heavy, but there was a truth in her words that I couldn't ignore. Music and dance had always been intertwined in my soul, two halves of the same whole.

I returned my fingers to the keys, closed my eyes, and didn't let the melody flow again. The music reminded me of who I was and the passions that defined me long before fear had taken hold. Each note was a step toward reclaiming the parts of myself that I had lost.

As the melody swelled, I felt a glimmer of hope.

Maybe I wasn't ready to dance, but music was still mine. It was a bridge that wasn't the past and the future, a path toward healing.

I played on the sound of the piano filling the room, a promise to myself that I wouldn't let fear dictate my life any longer.

...🏀...

My eyes widened as I looked around my parents' house, now filled with teenagers, some familiar from school and others not. The once-quiet home was now a chaotic mess of laughter, loud music, and the unmistakable smell of spilled drinks.

My heart raced with a mix of irritation and panic.

I spotted Haley across the room and rushed over, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the side.

"Haley, what's going on?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady over the noise.

Haley looked guilty. "Your brother threw a party. I thought you knew."

I rubbed my forehead, a sigh of relief escaping me as I remembered my mom had taken Leila with her and Dad for the weekend to spend more time with her. At least I didn't have to worry about my daughter being caught up in this madness.

Suddenly, yelling erupted from the kitchen. I frowned and exchanged a worried glance with Haley before we hurried toward the commotion. We arrived just in time to see Peyton squaring off with a raven-haired older girl.

"Yeah, well, hopefully, it's not some slutty boyfriend thief," the girl sneered.

Brooke said, standing nearby with a drink, "I'll drink to that."

Peyton glared at the girl. "Look, why don't you do what you're really good at and disappear?"

The girl stepped closer, her eyes blazing. "You have a problem!"

Brooke put a hand on the girl's arm. "Wow, Nikki, she's not worth it."

Nikki shook her off. "Get off me." She moved toward Peyton, her voice dripping with menace. "I asked you if you had a problem."

Peyton didn't back down. "Yeah, I do. It's called you, bitch."

Nikki shoved Peyton into the fridge, and before I could react, they were tangled in a fierce fight, crashing onto the kitchen counter and rolling onto the floor. My instinct kicked in, and I lunged to pull Peyton off her, but Nikki's next insult made my blood boil.

"You slutty whore, mind your own business!" Nikki spat at me.

I saw red.

Without thinking, I swung my fist, landing a punch squarely on Nikki's face. She gasped and retaliated with a slap, her hand grabbing a fistful of my hair. We tumbled to the ground, and I ignored the pain in my scalp as I struggled to get the upper hand. I managed to land another punch on her eye and used my free hand to yank her grip from my curls.

The kitchen seemed to close in around us as a crowd gathered, their shouts and cheers a chaotic backdrop to the fight. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me off Nikki.

I thrashed against the hold until a familiar voice whispered in my ear, and I melted into the hard chest.

"Mylah," Nathan's voice calmed me instantly.

Nikki scrambled to her feet, grabbing a stool and hurling it in our direction. Nathan yanked me out of the way, and the stool crashed through the window, shattering glass everywhere.

Brooke turned on Nikki. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Isn't this what you wanted?" Nikki sneered, struggling against Tim's grip as he tried to hold her back.

"Stop!" Tim pleaded.

Lucas stepped forward, his voice firm. "You need to go!"

Nikki smirked, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Well, isn't this sweet? Lucas Scott coming to the defense of his women. Oh, but wait. Shouldn't that include someone else?"

Her words hung in the air as Haley, Peyton, Brooke, and I turned to look at Lucas. Nikki's parting words stung, but she finally walked away, leaving a tense silence in her wake.

I ran my fingers through my tangled hair to calm my racing heart. Haley approached me, concern etched on her face, but I cut her off.

"It's okay, Haley," I said, offering her a reassuring smile.

She sighed. "You're my best friend, Mylah."

I returned her smile, more genuine this time. "Same, Hales."

As Haley walked away to check the shattered window, I turned and found Nathan's eyes locked onto mine. His blue gaze was filled with concern and something deeper, an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. A small, involuntary smile tugged at my lips, and he reached out, his hand warm and reassuring as it enveloped mine.

Without a word, he led me through the crowds of people, navigating the chaos of the party with determined strides. We climbed the stairs, each step a welcome retreat from the noise and confusion below. When we reached my room, Nathan closed the door behind us, the sound from the party muffled into a distant hum.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked softly, his hand cupping my cheek with a tenderness that sent a shiver down my spine.

I nodded, leaning into his touch, feeling its warmth and comfort.

"Yeah," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He pulled me closer, his forehead resting gently against mine. I could feel his breath's steady rise and fall, a calming rhythm that anchored me in the moment. I clung to his shirt, my fingers gripping the fabric as if it could keep the outside world at bay.

I pulled him down, our lips meeting in a slow and deliberate kiss, a desperate attempt to block out the chaos downstairs.

Our kiss deepened, and Nathan's hands, gentle but firm, held me as if he never wanted to let go. Each movement, each touch, was filled with a need to lose ourselves in the safety we found in each other. The world outside the room seemed to disappear, leaving us in a bubble of warmth and connection.

When we finally pulled apart, our breaths mingling, Nathan whispered against my lips, "I missed you."

I grinned, the feeling of his words sending a flutter through my heart. "Me too."

The blissful silence was abruptly shattered by a loud crash from downstairs, followed by my dad's booming voice. "Get the hell out of my house!"

I pulled back, worry etching into my features as I looked at Nathan. The tension in the room shifted, the brief moment of peace replaced by a growing anxiety.

There was a long pause, a heavy silence that hung in the air before my dad's voice rang out again, louder and angrier. "What the hell happened to my window?"

The weight of the situation settled over me, a reminder of the reality we couldn't escape. I glanced back at Nathan, his expression mirroring my own concern.

I'm so fucked.

...🏀...

𝐀/𝐍: ANOTHER UPDATE!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 116K READS.

I decided to leave you guys with this before I left for vacation tomorrow.

There are more of Nathan and Mylah's stolen moments in this chapter, along with their kissing. Obviously, Mylah's mom approves a little of Nathan.

ONE MORE CHAPTER TILL ACT TWO!!!

THANK YOU TO 935 FOLLOWERS.

Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter.

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: What did you like about this chapter? How do we feel about Mylah's mom? How about Mylah fighting with Nikki?

-𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑎𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘