"Waiting for someone Rach?" Taylor asked, coming out.
"Umm, uhh, hi Tay."
"Is something wrong?"
"Umm, no, yes, no… I just… I need to talk to someone."
Taylor looked concerned.
"Yeah, ok. Then talk to me."
Rachel smiled.
"Umm, in private?"
"Sure thing."
"Thanks."
Taylor took her into his room. They sat down on the bed.
"So, what's wrong?"
"Umm, well, ok, see…" Rachel suddenly looked like she was going to burst into tears. "I, I, I'm so depressed Tay. Everything's gone wrong and… and…"
And then she did burst into tears. Taylor was shocked for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her and drew her close to him.
"Hey, hey, whatever the problem is, I'm here for you ok? I'll always be here for you."
Rachel sniffed, her tears soaking his shirt.
"Th-thank you Tay." She whimpered.
Taylor rubbed her back, wondering how long she had felt like this.
Zac sat next to the door listening. He knew he shouldn't, but he was. He had been planning on getting something, and instead he overheard their conversation.
Slowly, so they wouldn't realise he was there he walked away, thinking hard.
"Oh," he said to himself. "this is about the time, uhh, last time line that Rach came over after we finished practicing that day. But she didn't come over the first time, cause Taylor wasn't here…"
Zac turned and stared up at the bedroom door.
"That's what it is…that's why Rach's wrists were slit in Amarita's time line, but not in the second one. I bet any money they won't be slit this time either."
He shook his head in amazement.
"Wow." He breathed. "Taylor's saving Rachel's life and he doesn't even know it."