#//they're so damn cute | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

taylincolnhq · 7 months ago

Text

thread title: shake it out

thread location: mckinley high, outside bleachers

thread date & time: friday september 12th, after school

tagging: marley rose @marlcyhq

triggers: none

summary: marley falls for taylor (literally and figuratively) at the soccer field. adorableness ensues. another new beginning

marley rose marley had been spending more time outside as the weather had warmed up around campus. her mother was finding a routine at the cafeteria and didn’t need her daughter’s help as often which had been leaving the high schooler with a bit more free time, especially on the days she didn’t have glee. a change of scenery helped her focus and the noise of folks practicing on the field below her provided an almost white noise if she sat far enough away. after typing up the last sentence of an essay due early next week, the small dark haired woman packed up her things and carefully maneuvered her way down the bleachers, her phone and a book in hand. marley was so focused on making sure she was stepping down correctly that she hardly noticed the other in her path, stumbling forward. “oh! I’m so sorry.” the shorter woman muttered almost as quickly as she caught herself.

taylor lincoln there was nothing more that taylor loved than running around on the field and the freedom it brought her. it had been a pretty intense practice, their first few games slowly creeping up on them, but she didn't really mind. as the coach said to hit the showers, something taylor was very grateful for, she headed over to where she had left her water bottle on the bleachers. taking a swig, she turned back to watch her team leaving not paying any attention to behind her. as she felt someone bump into her she whipped around. normal there would be something snarky or sarcastic on the tip of her tongue, but she soon realised it was her fault the other had stumbled. instinctively a hand came up to touch the arm of the other, steadying them. "I'm sorry." taylor said, dropping her bottle to the floor and raising the other hand in case there was a fall. "are you okay?"

marley rose a soft yelp escaped her lips as she felt herself start to fall. She flailed her arms, desperate to regain her balance, and just as she was about to hit the ground, taylor’s strong hands caught her on her forearms, steadying her.

“sorry!” marley’s cheeks flushed bright red as she looked up at taylor, her heart pounding in embarrassment. “I-I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

she straightened up, still feeling the warmth of taylor’s hands on her arms. marley’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I’m okay, really. thanks for catching me. I hope I didn’t distract you from practice. ”

marley tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes darting to the ground. “I guess I need to be more careful.” She attempted a small, shy smile, hoping taylor didn’t think she was a complete klutz. “oh gosh did I keep you from your practice. I, I was just leaving.”

taylor lincoln taylor praised herself for her quick reflexes as she held onto marley. "woah seriously are you okay?"

she gripped marley's arms a little tighter, but not enough to hurt. "you don't have to be sorry, it was my fault. I was blocking the way."

taylor shakes her head as she smiles softly. "nah we were all done. I'm just an idiot who left my water over here." she knocks the bottle slightly with her foot and looks back up at marley.

"hey, hey, breathe okay?" she takes a deep breath herself, hoping marley would copy her. "you didn't keep me from anything. I was just heading for a shower that's all." she couldn't help but smile at her though. "one last time - are you okay?"

marley rose marley felt her heart race even more as taylor’s grip tightened slightly. she nodded, finding her voice. “yeah, i’m okay. just a little embarrassed, i guess.”

her cheeks still felt hot, but taylor’s calm demeanor helped. marley took a deep breath, mimicking taylor. “thanks. and really, it’s not your fault. i should’ve been paying attention.”

she glanced at the water bottle taylor had knocked with her foot, then back up at her. taylor’s smile was so genuine, it made marley feel more at ease. “i’m glad i didn’t interrupt anything important.”

marley managed a small smile of her own. “yeah, i’m okay. promise. thanks for catching me, taylor.” she hesitated for a moment, then her eyes lit up with curiosity. “so, um, how do you think practice went today? those new drills were kinda fun.”

taylor lincoln taylor's brows furrowed slightly. "you have no reason to be embarrassed, all the best people have fallen down bleachers I'm sure." she shrugs. "have you ever seen princess diaries? anne hathaway takes a hell of a tumble."

once she feels marley relax, taylor slowly moves her hands away. "let's agree to disagree, we're both a little clumsy and distracted right now I guess."

she leans down to pick her bottle up and takes a long drink, finishing it off. "you're welcome." then taylor grins. "just try not to fall for everyone you meet." she laughs.

taylor turns her head back to the field where all of her team and left now and shrugged. "it was good. we need to maybe step it up another gear before our first game, but we'll be fine." she turns back to marley and raises and eyebrow. "you know the drills are new? have you been watching us marley rose?" she smirks and nudges marley gently with her shoulder

marley rose marley’s blush deepened at taylor’s words. “yeah, i’ve seen princess diaries. but i am no anne hathaway that’s for sure,” she said with a shy smile.

as taylor moved her hands away, marley felt a mix of relief for her stability and a new longing for the touch to return strange she thought . “let’s agree to disagree,” she echoed softly, her eyes flicking to taylor’s face and then back down.

when taylor laughed and mentioned not falling for everyone, marley couldn’t help but giggle, her blush intensifying. “i’ll try my best.”

taylor’s question caught her off guard, and she bit her lip nervously. “um, yeah, i’ve been watching your practices. you guys are really good,” she admitted, feeling her cheeks warm even more. “i just… like seeing how the team works together. you’re all so impressive out there.”

marley hesitated, then looked up at taylor with a small, hopeful smile. “do you think maybe i could watch you-and uh, the team from the front of the bleachers? even just to watch more closely? i am so not an athlete and i like to spend the time outside.”

taylor lincoln taylor wasn't really sure what to do with her hands now that she'd let go of marley and finished her drink. she awkwardly folded them across her chest. "i don't know, if they ever did a reboot, I'd put your name forward."

as taylor watched marley mainly stared at the floor and she tilted her head to the side as she observed her. maybe she should turn her teasing down a bit. she took a step to the side just in case the girl wanted to bolt at any time.

but then she watched marley blushing and giggling and she couldn't help but smile softly at her, it seemed like marley was coming out of her shell more. and she was kind of cute.

"oh…" taylor paused as she took in marley's compliment. "thanks." she replied sheepishly. brushing some hair behind her ear she looked back over at the field. "i just hope we can go all the way this year." she muttered

then her head whipped back suddenly to marley. "uh, yeah. of course you can." she smiled and waved her arms about. "you can sit wherever you want. well apart from when the weather starts to get worse, i wouldn't recommend it then."

marley rose marley looked up, making more eye contact with taylor, her cheeks still warm. “thanks, taylor,” she said softly, feeling a mix of shyness and excitement. “i love watching soccer, especially watching you practice. you’re really amazing out there.”

she bit her lip, her eyes flicking back to the field and then to taylor’s face. “it’s inspiring to see how hard you all work. you do this and glee? that’s wild. i usually just go to rehearsal and help my mom out. what do you do when you’re not at practice?” she asked curiously.

marley’s heart continued to thump loudly in her ears as she stayed put as she spoke, but she couldn’t help but smile and maintain her eye contact with the other. “i’ll definitely take your advice about the weather, though. don’t want to catch a cold.” , feeling a bit more at ease. “i’m really looking forward to seeing you, and the team play more. i usually am just doing homework out here and now i am learning so much. ”

taylor lincoln as marley keep compliment the team, and mainly her, taylor could feel her cheeks flushing. "thank you." she cleared her throat and shuffled her feet a little awkwardly.

she gave a shrug. "its not a big deal." she smiled softly. "this is my life." she gestured to the field. "glee is just a hobby." taylor hummed to herself as she thought about everything she did. "well i skate, love skateboarding. i work part time at the movie theater. i help my mom out by babysitting my sister. oh i go running a lot, usually with sam. play video games." she stopped abruptly. that was actually a lot of stuff. and she was talking about herself too much. "what about you? surely you do stuff for fun?"

taylor shakes her head. "I'd hate if you got a cold and I was the one responsible." she unconsciously steps forward towards marley and lifted a hand, nearly placing it on her arm, but she stopped herself at the last second. her cheeks burned red and she moved her hand quickly down. what was she /doing?/ she wanted to touch her. nodding quickly and looked away, desperate to change the subject. "yeah anytime, drop by. we're a cool bunch, super friendly." there was a slight awkward pause, but she couldn't help but look back over at marley and smiled softly. "if you ever want any pointers or tips about soccer, just ask, I'm more than happy to explain."

marley rose marley nodded almost too enthusiastically. she felt the now constant blush creep up her cheeks. “thank you, taylor. i’d love to learn more from you,” she said, her voice soft and sincere.

she hesitated for a moment, then decided to open up a bit more. “after school, i usually help my mom in the cafeteria. we have a small garden out by our apartment so i support her with cleaning all the veggies and keeping the house in order if she’s stuck at school. after my dad died, we came back here to lima so, so yeah. she works in the cafeteria. she’s the lunch lady.” marley confessed, surprisingly prideful and not awkward as she usually was, when she was afraid of the judgement and ridicule about her mom’s profession at her old school. “and i love working in it. it’s really calming, you know?” she smiled, feeling a bit more confident. “and i assist at the kids section of the library on the weekends . the kids are adorable, and it’s so rewarding to help them learn and grow. books were my first friend.” she rambled vulnerably even as the words came out.

marley noticed taylor’s hand nearly touching her arm, and her heart skipped a beat, she moved her arm up, allowing the others hand to touch it, a welcome invitation, another rush of energy as she blushed deeper . “i think it’s amazing how much you do, taylor. you’re really inspiring,” she said, looking up and making more eye contact. “and don’t worry, i’ll be careful with the weather. i wouldn’t want to miss any of your, or the team’s practices.”

she felt a warm connection between them and couldn’t help but smile back. “i’ll definitely take you up on those pointers. your team is incredible, and you’re a big part of that. I can’t promise you I’ll be running around on the field. I’m hopelessly uncoordinated.” marley’s eyes shone with genuine admiration.

taylor lincoln taylor grinned. "awesome. but just never ask to watch a game with me, i can get a little intense and passionate about my team." she laughs. "they're pretty important to me."

her hand gently grazed marley's arm her fingers trailed slowly down and taylor swallows hard. but then she frowns when she hears the other talk about her dad. her jaw clenches at the mention of a father, but this wasn't about her, and her heart was breaking for marley. "i'm sorry." she says genuinely. and this time she is braver and wraps a hand around marley's arm and squeezes softly. "if you ever want to talk. i'm here." she takes another step forward. "your mom sounds amazing. and if she's the same lovely lunch lady that served me today, i think i can see a resemblance." she grins. "well, you've got lots of friends now right? including me." and taylor winks at marley.

at the inspiring comment, taylor scoffs. "it's really really not a big deal." her cheeks flushed more. "i just hope it's worth it in the end." there's a bit of a weak smile, but she quickly changes focus back to marley. "i'm sure you're not that bad. but i wouldn't put any pressure on you to join in if you didn't want to."

marley rose marley felt her heart nearly leap out of her chest as taylor’s hand gently grazed her arm, sending a warm shiver down her spine. she couldn’t help but blush deeper, trying to remain cool as she felt the softness of taylor’s touch. what was going on with her? “thank you, taylor,” she said softly, her voice full of genuine appreciation. “i really mean it. it means a lot to me. i also don’t talk about it a lot with anyone so thank you for making the space for me, well, outside aha.”

she took a small breath, feeling a mix of bravery and shyness. “i’d actually love to watch a game with you sometime,” she said, her eyes shining with excitement. “even if you get intense and passionate, i think it’d be fun. i think it’s really important to be passionate about the things you care about. .”

marley’s heart swelled with warmth at taylor’s words about her mom. “yeah, that’s her, she’s mentioned you before. you’re always so sweet to her which some people aren’t., she’s amazing. and yep, that’s her,” she giggled softly. “she’s the best.”

feeling bold, marley stepped a little closer to meet the other where she was standing , her eyes meeting hers with a hopeful look. “It’s definitely worth it, taylor. and i’d really like to be there to cheer you on, both at practice and during games. can’t promise ill be as coordinated, graceful and put together as the cheerios are but ill be there. i write my essays outside best anyway and maybe you could come hang at the library sometime?” she smiled, her cheeks still flushed. “so, what do you say? maybe we could hang out and watch sport tv event or show of your choosing together sometime?”

taylor lincoln taylor nods slowly. "any time. i mean it." she hesitates for a second, but then ducks her head before she replies. "i get it. family stuff that you don't always want talk about." she leaves it at that, that's all marley needs to hear. there's a little shrug and then she squeezes marley's arm one more time before pulling away again. "you would?" taylor was confused. no one ever wanted to watch soccer with her, not even her sister. she's speechless for a moment before nodding dumbly. "i'd love that." and she means it. "and yeah you're right. i do think that's important." her eyes shine and she grins brightly.

"oh she has?" she smiles shyly. "well i'd love to get chance to talk to her now i know she's your mom." she frowns. "yeah i've heard some of the comments and stuff… i'm sorry i try everything i can to make them stop." she kicks the empty bottle on the floor. "there's some real fucking jerks in this school."

marley steps closer and taylor's breath hitches a little. "i'll let you know our schedule." she manages to say. nodding frantically she smiles. "i'd love to hang out in the library. i need to read more… and probably study more honestly." she knows her cheeks are red. "yeah next time my team plays i'll let you know."

marley rose marley bit her lip nervously, then decided to take a small leap. “i’d really love that, taylor., yes really.” she said softly, her voice filled with warmth.

reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her phone and handed it to taylor with a little smile. “maybe you could text me the schedule? that way i won’t miss a single game.” her fingers brushed against taylor’s as she passed the phone, sending a small thrill through her.

she took a small step closer, her eyes meeting taylor’s with a hopeful look. “and yeah, hanging out in the library sounds perfect. we can study together once i'm done shelving , and maybe you can tell me more about the team.” her cheeks flushed a bit more, but she felt a growing excitement.

“you know,” marley continued, her voice softening, “i'm sure my mom will be really excited to meet you. she talks about how sweet you are whenever you come through the lunch line. she’s always telling me how you’re one of the few polite students she sees every day.” marley’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, feeling a mix of pride and joy.

“i am excited to learn more about the game on tv.” marley added, her voice full of genuine admiration. “it'll help supporting the team. would it be okay for me to bring my mom sometime? if that’s okay. she’ll be a big fan when she knows you’re on the team.” the team, sure, the team

taylor lincoln taylor's brows raised as marley handed her the phone. a girl, wanted her number, what? honestly she'd been waiting for this moment for a long while. struggling to find words she just took the phone, a shiver up her spine as their fingers brushed. she tapped it in and passed the phone back, still speechless.

finally managing to open her mouth again, she replied to marley. "as long as i don't annoy you with all the talk about the team, that would be cool." as marley started talking about her mom again taylor grinned. "yeah you'll have to introduce us properly. it'll be good to actually talk to her about stuff other than tater tots."

"watching it on tv will help you understand better because at least i'll be there telling you stuff. and can answer your questions better than when i'm on the field." smiling brightly, taylor nods. "yeah of course, i'd love for her to come along. we need more fans."

#taylor: all #marley: all #marley: thread #//they're so damn cute

1 note · View note