Stuck In Reverse

[Sam Prince]

His uncle's house seemed a whole lot bigger now that Sam was the only person living in it, although his unpacked luggage piled at the door suggested otherwise. His uncle's will stated the house belonged to himself and his cousin Ava and as it was almost three years since his uncle's death, he felt a lot more comfortable with the idea of moving in, besides, it's not like he had anywhere else to go. Moving to London with Indi had to be the worst idea he ever had and for what? So he'd be closer to work? The one thing that ultimately destroyed his relationship with his girlfriend. He had to get out of London as quickly as he could, there wasn't a place that didn't remind him of her in the city. Now back in New Zealand, Sam tugged the sleeves of his sweater over his hands in attempt to keep himself warm in the icy winter, holding the soft fabric in place with the tips of his fingers. It was the first time he felt anything in months, six months, two weeks and three days to be exact. The day she moved out. Sam shook his head, hoping these thoughts would just fall right out. But they didn't, they clung to his brain like a sticky cobweb. He knew it wasn't entirely his fault, they both had been struggling to keep up with such an adult intense relationship, but his irregular, long and tiring hours with the Wimbourne Wasps just pushed her over the edge and into another mans arms.

Sam slowly paced up and down the dusty tiled floor of the kitchen as he waited for his pizza to arrive. His darkened blue eyes impatiently glancing at the clock as he did so, only to realise after what seemed like a half hour, that the stupid thing was broken and was stuck at the six forty-three mark. Was it right to have choosen his career over his girlfriend? His girlfriend who could have potentially been the love of his life? And the very same career that caused his best friend to end up buried in the ground? Sam found his face buried in his hands at the thought of Scorpius, his elbows resting on the dust ridden counter-top now, he still couldn't believe what had happened. No matter how many times he visited his grave. Scorp was his best friend, a brother practically. Someone who was there for him through the good and bad times and even the silly times. He was his go-to guy whenever trouble needed to be made and also his wingman for those last minute dates to the Yule Ball and all because of a bludger to his head, this same man was tragically snatched right out of his life. Sam let his hands drop onto the marble counter and as his fingers absent-mindedly traced circles in the dust, he realised what an absolute mess he was. Over the past year, his life had completely spiraled out of control and dragging him with it, down into a dark, dark place. He needed a friend, he needed Scorpius. He needed Indianna. And with that, the doorbell rang. But Sam also needed pizza, and that was the one thing that was waiting for him at the other side of that door.

 

[Taylor Mercer]

Taylor pushed her hands further into her pockets as she walked down the street that she knew to be where Sam was living at the moment. It was clear that it was well into Winter now, the air was cold as it hit Taylor's face. It had been a long time since Taylor had seen her friend. She knew it was a little rude to show up unannounced, but in some ways, Taylor had been scared to contact Sam before hand, in fear he would reject her visit. After graduating, Taylor had cut herself off from everyone. She had reached an all time low point of loneliness and once you get that lonely, suddenly you start to think that people don't want you in their life. It was irrational, yes, but that was the way her brain worked. She remembered a time when it was her, Scorpius, Sam, Toni and Jenna and they all had thought that would be friends forever. Then things broke apart so quickly and it's hard to repair those wounds.

Taylor had finally pulled herself together enough to realise she was being stupid and she missed Sam like crazy. He'd always been there when she'd needed him. Her family life was hectic. Her younger brother Gabriel was getting bigger so quickly. He was seven now and Taylor couldn't believe how he had turned out. He was a silent nightmare, him and Taylor's younger sister Jessica were constantly plotting ways to get each other in trouble. Gabriel usually more successful regardless of being much younger. He was a strange boy, he hardly ever spoke and didn't have the usual cheer seven year olds are meant to have. Taylor just wanted to escape it sometimes, regardless of the large home she lived in. It would be nice to move out, but living alone wasn't something Taylor could do in the state she was in. She wanted a friend now more than ever, which is why she was walking towards the front door of Sam's home.

Reaching the house, Taylor pulled her wand out of her pocket and checked the time. Letting out a breath, she tried to push away any thoughts that were thinking Sam might be angry with her and walked up to the front door. Pushing the doorbell, she faintly heard the sound inside. She turned and looked behind her, wondering if Sam was even home and wondering if she shouldl turn back.

 

[Sam Prince]

At the sound of the doorbell, Sam's pudgy cat Yoda appeared from the sitting room, slinking around the corner and made his way towards the door. The white cat wasn't what it used to be, now eleven years old, it was slow, fat and had trouble getting onto the sofa. Sam scuffled his shoes to get the curious cat out of his way, but he refused stubbornly. "C'mon Yoda it's only the pizza guy," he muttered impatiently, the cat stepped aside as the tip of Sam's shoe tipped it's stomach. It was only when he had his hand on the door handle that he realised he didn't have his wallet, he tapped both of his jean pockets to double check, but both were empty. As Sam pulled the door open his head turned back to scan the kitchen for his wallet, "Sorry I just need to get my wal-" He had turned around now to see, not a pizza guy, or even a pizza girl, he saw an old friend.

Taylor Mercer. "Taylor Mercer," Sam said in shock before a smile spread across his lips, it felt quite strange for Sam to actually want to smile. Over the past year, there had been times where he physically couldn't smile and then times where he smiled just to please others. But seeing his old friend was something worth smiling about. Sam stepped out of the door frame and enveloped her in a tight hug. No other words needed to be said between the two. Taylor was one of the first friends Sam made at Hogwarts and had been there with him through thick and thin. Their friendship never became anything more and so it was never ruined or tainted by the aftermath of a romance unlike so many of his other female friends; Toni, Riley, Indi and Jenna. He held her in his arms tightly, the comfort of having someone that he loved so close to him was both strange and refreshing. "Merlin, where have you been?" He asked as he slowly pulled away from their embrace unable to wipe the look off his face. He had to admit, he had been worried about Taylor, after school she completely went off the map and although she had crossed his mind many times over the past few years he never managed to get in contact with her. Now that he thought about it, he didn't even see her at Scorpius' funeral, although he wasn't surprised, the image of Scorpius' coffin being lowered into the damp ground still gave him nightmares and he knew that wasn't something that she would want to see. "Come in, come in", he insisted and stepped inside the dusty house, waiting for her to follow.

 

[Taylor Mercer]

The seconds passed in what felt like hours and Taylor got more nervous as the door wasn't answered. She'd taken a tiny step backwards, when she heard footsteps on the other side of the door. She was suddenly filled with an enormous amount of emotion at the thought of seeing her best friend again. He answered the door, saying he needed to get something. A smile crept up on Taylor's face. Sam had changed so much, but at the same time, not at all. She resisted a laugh as Sam finally turned to face her. "Sam Prince," she replied in a playfully mocking voice. All her nerves washed away as she suddenly remembered why her and Sam were as close as they were. Time could pass between them and nothing would ever change. Taylor squeezed Sam in their hug, feeling her eyes sting with oncoming tears from the overload of emotions, but she blinked them back. It would be pathetic to burst into tears at the first sight of her friend. She just didn't realise how much she actually missed him until she saw him.

Taylor stepped back from the hug, utterly relieved that Sam understood. She now felt silly for even worrying, because Sam had always understood. Taylor had really needed that time, just to get herself in order, but now she was just wanted her best friend back in her life. "Oh, here and there," she replied casually, before laughing and rubbing a hand over her face, because they both knew how long it had been. She had pretty much disappeared completely and she wanted to apologise to Sam for that, but not just yet. She followed Sam into the house and glanced around, the place looked as though it hadn't really been lived in that long. She turned back around to Sam, not quite being able to wipe the grin off her face, "How have you been?" After she said it, Taylor realised it was a ridiculous thing to say, considering how much the friends had to catch up on, but she had to start somewhere. "It's been way too long hasn't it," she said in more of a statement than a question.

 

[Sam Prince]

Sam ushered Taylor in and closed the door behind him causing a wave of frosty air washed over the room, and he instinctively rubbed his hands together. "How have you been?" It was only as she spoke these words that Sam realised just how much catching up he had to do with Taylor and he wasn't quite sure that he could open that door to anyone just yet. The thought of talking about his break-up with Indi and the death of Scorpius and how he was coping - or not coping - with any of it made him want to find another dusty house in another country and live there. Sam brushed past that question and instead nodded in agreement with her statement, "It really, really has," he replied slowly his mind still tangled up in all that had happened. Sam's eyes found Taylor once again, she looked good, older, but good. He smiled at her again, a smaller smile than before but it was equally as genuine.

"So, what can I get you, ehh.." He began as his gaze trailed over to the rather empty kitchen, "Milk? Water?" He rolled his eyes out of pure amusement at what a useless house keeper he was. "I've pizza on the way though, so you came at a good time!" He added a little too hurriedly. "I am sorry that the place is so..." He paused and looked around as he tried to find the suitable word for the dusty tiles, the dank smell, the take-away boxes and the unpacked bags. "...y'know." Sam then shrugged his shoulders and delved his hands deep into his pockets. He didn't know how long he had to do this dance with Taylor, although he didn't particularly want to address certain issues that went on over the past few years, he knew it was the hippogriff in the room. But he also could assume that just as much happened in Taylor's life as it did in his own and he could also assume she mightn't feel as comfortable talking about just yet. So instead, Sam just stayed silent, and watched as his cat walked around his legs, a habit Sam rarely questioned anymore.

 

[Taylor Mercer]

Taylor nodded at Sam's answer. There was a slight awkwardness to this reunion. Not necessary and uncomfortable one, but it was what Taylor had been expecting. How do you begin to explain what you've been doing with your life. Sam could have been up to any thing nowadays. She knew he played Quidditch, because she kept up with the league with her Dad, but was his with anybody? Had anything major happened? Taylor had been going through a pretty uneventful time in her life, so it could be likely Sam was too. Though, knowing her friend, Taylor knew Sam wouldn't have been doing nothing like her. She had just shied away from people, is all.

"Oh, no I'm fine, thanks." Taylor said, returning Sam's small smile. As he mentioned pizza, Taylor let out a small laugh, that was laced with a twinge of guilt. She felt bad that Sam even had to try and impress her as a guest and as he apologised for the state of the place Taylor shook her head and playfully punched Sam in the arm. "No! Don't apologise, I'm sorry I turned up uninvited the way I did," she confessed. Although as a silence crept up on them Taylor looked at Sam seriously for the first time. "I'd just spent so long away from everyone, I had to see you," she admitted. She thought back to times at Hogwarts, when she'd cried about her stupid teenage problems to Sam and he had always been understanding. Even the time at the lake front when she had punched Jenna, something she wasn't exactly proud of now that she thought back on it. Taylor had never wanted to have those kind of issues with people. Sam had still always been there for her. Everything had just all happened at once, with her Dad and his evil girlfriend, her break up with Scorpius happening within an hour of the previous situation. Then her Dad having another child. It had all seemed like so much, too much, to handle. When she thought back now that she standing with Sam, she felt a bit pathetic. They were silly teenage problems, it was time to grow up now. Taylor didn't know if she could explain all this to Sam without feeling stupid, so instead she grinned to lighten the mood slightly. "I've missed you," she said truthfully.