I sat back down on the edge of my bed, refused its offer of privacy and took a deep, calming breath.
Taylor walked in a few minutes later wearing similar white jogging bottoms but his came without a shirt. Back home I'd noticed that his chest had grown a lot broader and his arms had filled out with muscles. Without a shirt to cover him, it was suddenly obvious that our slots in the Health and Wellbeing building's gym had changed him much more than they had me.
Taylor shook his wet hair, sending a spray of cold water in my direction. I squealed and dove for the safety of my pillow. He laughed and sank down on the bed next to me, giving me a playful shove which I responded to with a smack from my pillow.
We sat in silence for a while as we stopped giggling and the gravity of our situation sank in on us again.
"I don't want to sleep in a tank on my own tonight," I said quietly, looking up at him.
"I could stay." His eyes flicked to mine and back away. "In here, with you. If you like?" He shrugged like he wasn't sure if he should offer.
I glanced at the single bed and it crossed my mind that curling up in it with him might be a bit strange. But I really didn't want to be alone.
"I would like that," I said finally. I pulled at the cord on my sweat pants to give my hands something to do.
Taylor looked at me again and pushed my wet hair over my shoulder before placing his arm around me gently. I leant my head against his chest and let out a shaky breath.
"There's no need to be afraid, they're just making an example of us. We aren't in any real danger," he said, squeezing me tightly.
"I know, but it's not like we can be sure nothing will happen. Just being around these people... You know that big bloke they had in chains? Grey is his name." I lowered my voice despite Evander being hidden behind his security wall at the opposite end of the dorm.
"I thought I recognised him from the news," Taylor said with a nod.
"Laurie seemed scared about what he might do. To me. He gave me this look." I shuddered at the memory. "We need to stay away from him."
"We will. C'mon let's try to get some sleep."
He pulled me down onto the bed. It wasn't nearly big enough but Taylor let his leg dangle off of the end. I curled up next to him and tucked myself into his side with my head on his chest.
It felt weird. I wished he was wearing a shirt.
"Would you like some privacy?" the smooth voice asked again.
"Yes," I replied. The wall rose up and closed us inside.
"This is a safe zone, it cannot be opened from the outside except by a Warden. Please rest peacefully with full knowledge of your safety," the voice repeated.
Taylor gently ran his fingers through my hair. I stiffened at the contact. He didn't say anything but he let his hand drop back to the bed.
"Do you really think we'll be alright?" I asked after a while.
"You'll always be alright with me around." He gave me a little shake and I knew he was dodging the question. I let it drop and shuffled closer to him. I placed my hand
on his chest and felt the steady beat of his heart. I closed my eyes and let it lull me to sleep.
Chapter Nine
I woke up with puffy eyes and wet cheeks. I didn't remember crying but the evidence was there.
Taylor was still out. His arm was wrapped tightly around me so I had to wriggle free. I stretched, enjoying the feeling of freedom in my joints after a night spent squashed in a corner. I looked down at Taylor, tucked my legs underneath me and considered what he had said when we were exploring the house outside The Wall.
Maybe he was right, we weren't the same as we used to be. The boy I'd grown up with was gone and there was a man slowly taking his place.
His hair was darker than it had been when we were younger and his face was all straight lines though it hadn't lost any of its appeal, just the boyish roundness that used to be so familiar.
Looking at Taylor was like looking at myself. He was constant and steady and he made me feel like I was home no matter where we were. I suppose he would be considered handsome and I had noticed girls taking an interest in him, but to me he was just Taylor. He stirred in his sleep and I gave him a shove.
"Wake up. I'd rather be ready before the Wardens come looking for us," I said, ducking aside as he threw the pillow my way. He sat up straight and looked at me with a frown. Waking Taylor was always risky.