“Hey, you’re that MMMbop boy aren’t ya?”
Taylor Hanson whirled around from the
stack of CDs he had been flipping through
to see raven black hair, a pale face, and thick
black eyeliner. He gazed at the girl with
multiple piercings for several seconds before
replying. “Yeah, who are you?” She lightly
brushed back a tendril of hair before bowing
her head to him. “Adrienne Wall. My little
sister loves you guys.” Adrienne’s artificial
violet eyes lit up with an idea. “Would
you mind signing this for her? I bought it for her
for her birthday.” She reached into her
shopping bag and produced a Hanson 1998
calendar. “Sure not at all.” He went over
to the cash registered and borrowed a pen.
“So what are you here for?
Marilyn Manson?” Taylor made conversation as he signed all three names.
She gave him a reproachful look. “What makes you think I like that freak?”
Taylor overlooked her once again. Dressed in all black, black cherry colored
lips, black fingernails, and black combat boots. Silver rings decorated
her fingers, a silver nose ring accompanied the one in her eyebrow and
the six or seven going up her ears. He looked at the floor and coughed.
“Oh, I see how it is. We now judge people’s musical tastes based on how
they dress. It just so happens that I was going to buy the Wallflowers
CD.” Taylor was taken aback by the girl’s assertiveness. Needless to say,
he was quite turned on by her defiance. “You know, you’re very pretty when
you’re angry,” he said without thinking. His eyes widened with the realization
of what he just said, and he began stuttering. “I- I’m sorry, I didn’t
mean to...” Regardless, Adrienne smiled. She took the pen from his hand
and carefully wrote her number on his hand. “Call me sometime.” She kissed
his hand, then laughed lightly. “See ya round, MMMbopper.” Taylor was left
standing there in complete astonishment of what just happened.
“So you met a girl at
the mall that didn’t scream when you talked to her?” Taylor
nodded in response to his brother’s question.
“What was that number again?” Both boys
laughed. “You gonna call her?” The blond
shrugged. “Maybe. She was really pretty. In her
own sort of way.” Isaac turned to look
at him. “What does that mean?” He shrugged
once again. “Tay...”
“Okay okay. She was one of those Goth freaks.”
“Oh god, Tay. Stay away from those
people. They’re strange.” Taylor took
offense at his brother’s remark. “You never even
met her! She’s really nice. Why does it
make any difference? Would it be justified if she
was just some prep girl? Sheesh Ike. Learn
to broaden your horizons.” Taylor walked out
of the room in a huff. Isaac was amazed
at this sudden oncome of courage from his little
brother. Since when does Tay talk back?
he wondered.
“Hey sweetie, what’s up?” Taylor gave Adrienne
a welcome kiss on the cheek, and took
her hand as they walked into the mall.
The couple window shopped happily, ignoring the
obvious stares from every teenage girl
in the place. Adrienne sat down on a bench and
Taylor followed suit. She began stroking
his hair with her fingers when something caught
her eye. “Taylor?? What is this?” He grinned
proudly as he showed her his brand-new
earring. “Do ya like it?” he asked. “I
love it, Tayles.” She threw her arms around him.
Taylor picked her up off the ground and
twirled her around for a minute. They gazed into
each others eyes for a minute, then kissed
with a fiery passion as passers-by looked on.
They broke apart. Adrienne gave a little
sigh and laid her head upon Taylor’s breast.
“Adrienne, I can’t tell you how great
these past three weeks have been.” She smiled at him as she replied. “You
just did Taylor. You just did.”
Isaac tossed down his guitar in disgust. “Taylor, come on. Quit singing that song, we have to practice. Big concert tomorrow.” Taylor continued his rendition of “Angel Standing By,” Adrienne’s favorite song, unphased. Zac walked over to his brother, stuck his tongue out at him right in his face, then stomped off. Isaac shook his head and sauntered into the kitchen complaining about Taylor’s ‘attitude.’
A month later,
Taylor emerged from the bathroom, beaming like a laser. He walked
into the kitchen. “Hi Mom,” he said casually.
*crash* The plate Diana had been drying
shattered into a thousand pieces as it
hit the ground. “Jordan Taylor Hanson, what have
you done to your hair?!” He grinned.
“Glad ya like it Mom.” He walked out the front
door.
“Oh my gosh, Taylor! Why'd you do it?”
Adrienne fingered Taylor’s now jet black
locks. “For you, silly.” He leaned in
to kiss her, but she looked away. “What? What is it?”
Adrienne sighed and looked him in the
face. “Taylor, I don't think we should see each other anymore.”
Taylor grumbled as he stood in the shower,
shampooing for the seventh time. The water
was freezing cold by now, and the white
ceramic of the tub had a bluish-black stain all
around it. There came a pounding on the
door. “Taylor, you’re taking too long in there.
Get out now, son,” Walker bellowed. “And
after you’re dried off, you, me, and your
mother are gonna sit down and have nice
little chat about limits.”
