Chapter Text
Taylor POV:
It was around 2AM at this point, 2 hours after the phantom dimension. I was laying on the bottom of me and Tyler's bunk bed, completely still. I usually stayed awake this late but today, it felt worse. I was just laying in the bed, completely still under the covers, listening to Tyler's soft snores. 'He's always snored so quietly, like he didn't want anyone to hear him.'
It was ironic how quietly he snored because that's how quietly he would voice his feelings. When he and Tyler were smaller, we would braid each other's hair when we got sad f about our mother. It seemed stupid, but our mother loved doing our hair. I would always braid the tiny strands that stuck out beside Tyler's ears whilst he just played around with mine, not knowing how to braid yet.
Tyler did try he group's hair now when he wanted to, reliving our mother's joy secretly. I'd been secretly learning how to do hair while Tyler was still out at baseball practice, maybe I could try on Ashlyn sometime, she had really long hair and it was absolutely gorgeous, just like her. I don't think I could deny it so this point, I liked Ashlyn. Ashlyn Banner, that was who I couldn't stop thinking about and who had stole my heart without knowing it.
SIGH
I relaxed further into my mattress and covered my face with the palms of my hands, groaning quietly into them. I posted my fingers a bit too look through the gaps in them, staring at the clock mounted on the wall, right above the doorway. The time read 02:45. "Great." I murmured into my hands, at this point, I probably wouldn't be able to sleep.
I slowly crept out of my bed, taking the path I've walked so many times, just to avoid the creaks the floor makes in specific spots. I made it to the bathroom and I closed the door behind be, flipping the switch to be met with the bright light. "Argh." I used the back of my hand to block my vision. 'I was not ready for the lights in here.'
after about a minute I brought my hand away and dragged my feet along the floor, over toward the sink. I gazed into my reflection, locking eyes with it. I turned the sink on quietly, only turning it a bit to the right. I put my hands under the running water, letting them soak in it and brought my hands up to my face, washing it so I'd be awake enough to use my phone at least.
I turned off the tap and dried my face with a towel, slowly creeping out if the bathroom. I slid my feet over to the desk in me and Tyler's room grabbing my phone off of it. I slipped under the covers of my bed, propping my pillow up against the headrest of the bed frame. I switched my phone on, pressing on the little rectangle button in the right hand side of the phone. The screen erupted in light as I typed in my password. I opened the messages app, and opened the group chat. I opened the group chat to Aiden having one of his 'Shower Thoughts' as he called them, I always argued with him for them.
Clown: <Bro, why is an orange called an orange.>
Best Twin: < Aiden, it's quite literally orange.>
Clown: <Yah, but why did we call orange, orange?>
'Huh, he has a good point.' I thought as I took my eyes off the screen for a moment to consider it.
Best Twin: <That's...a good point.>
Clown: <HAH, I KNEW IT!>
Clown: <Quick question, how do you make your cereal?>
Best Twin: <Milk first, DUH!>
Clown: <NUH UH!>
Best Twin: <YUH HUH.>
Clown: <You obviously put the cereal in first!>
Best Twin: <NUH UH! The cereal is too soggy after!>
Leprechaun: <Why are you two arguing over cereal at 3AM?>
'Oh, Ashlyn was awake.' Ashlyn was sometimes awake at these times, she usually didn't text though.
Clown: <BECUZ WE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT'S MORE SIGMA ASH!>
Leprechaun: <You two need to go to sleep.>
Best Twin: <Why aren't you asleep then, Ashlyn?>
I used her name when I wanted to get a bit of a rise of her, even better was when I used a nickname.
Clown: <CLOCKED!>
Mute Man: <Aiden, I'm going to your room and forcing you to sleep, it's 3AM.>
Clown: <WHattt!! Y?????>
'Oop-, looks like Aiden got dragged away.' It seemed Aiden was able to escape for a minute, since he texted me.
Crazy guy - Aiden
Crazy guy: <Ask Ashlyn if she wants to hang out with the group tomorrow so my house.>
Me: <Alright, psycho.>
I went over to Ashlyn's contact and opened the chat.
Ballerina - Ashlyn
Mechanic: <HIII Ashlyn!>
Ballerina:<Hi. Why are you texting me at 3AM?>
Ashlyn was always a more straightforward texter, side people thought she was being rude but it's just how she is.
Me: <Why are you replying at 3AM?>
Ballerina: <Fair enough, but still.>
Me: < I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today or tomorrow with the group, I've got Aiden, Ben and Tyler on board!>
Ballerina: <Do you want me to ask Logan?>
Me: <That would be so helpful, please do 💕>
I added a heart emoji, which was normal for me but I used this one specific emoji just for Ashlyn, it was how I showed her she was special to me in a small way.
Ballerina: <I'll go then. What are we doing and where?>
Me: <We're all hanging out at Aiden's house!>
Ballerina: <Alright. I'm gonna try and sleep, you should try to get some sleep too.>
Me: <Goodnight Ash 💞>
Ballerina: <Goodnight.>
My insides felt all warm and fuzzy now, she didn't usually wish people goodnight, it was a rare occasion. I put my phone down looking up at the bottom of Tyler's mattress letting my thoughts wander.