"We can't be leaving so soon!" wailed Zac, to his friends Eric and Nick. "We just got here!"
"Well, it has been a whole three weeks since the Albertane Tour," Nick said.
"Yeah, it's probably been your longest break since you first went to California in 1997," Eric added.
"And here it is, 1999, a whole three years after you first recorded Middle of Nowhere, and you still haven't put out a new cd!" Nick said.
"I know! The fans must be getting impatient. I remember when I liked the Spice Girls and they got their second cd out like 2 months after the first one came out."
"Oh yes," Nick replied. "That was fantastic. Now if only Hanson would do the same thing. Here it is, October 99, almost the year 2000!"
"Okay guys, shut up," said Zac. "That's why we're going to California, to record the new album."
"Really?" exclaimed Eric.
"You don't say!" Nick said.
"Shut up." The three boys were in Zac, Ike and Tay's room, helping Zac pack up his precious belongings. Well, it was more like throwing a bunch of crap into suitcases and trash bags.
"I can't believe you have to drive all the way out there," said Nick. "I would go crazy!"
"Well, I did it all this summer on the tour, so it shouldn't be too bad," Zac said.
"Yeah, but you were in a big bus. This time you'll be in the family mini-van," Nick said.
"Well, I'm sure it will be fine," Zac said nervously. "We all get along."
"Yeah, but driving for two straight days in a confined space can cause people to turn on each other. I personally am scared for you, Zac, since you're the one that gets on everybody's nerves," Eric told him.
"Thanks," said Zac as he threw a pile of shirts and vinal pants into a suitcase. "You know, maybe I'm getting more mature. I think I've really been growing up lately and acting more adult..."
Mackenzie walked into the boy's room. "Zac, the Telletubbies are on now."
"Alright!" yelled Zac. "I'll see you guys later," he said as he ran downstairs to the living room.
"Come on Taylor!" Tamara yelled as she glided by him on her rollerblades. "I'm open!"
Taylor, Tamara, Phoebe, Scott and a bunch of the neighborhood kids were playing street hockey in the road. The puck was shot past Tamara and she scrambled to get it first. She got it and skated towards the goal, guarded by Scott. She swung her stick back and slapped the puck into the net.
"Goal!" her team cheered. They all slapped hands and were ready to start again when Mrs. Rice came outside and called Scott inside for dinner.
"K, Mom!" Scott turned to Taylor. "I'll see you tommorrow morning, then?"
Taylor nodded. They were leaving tommorrow. "See ya," he said. Most of the other kids turned to go home and Taylor and Tamara were left to clean up the nets and sticks.
"I can't believe this is our last night together," Tamara said.
"Yeah," Taylor said quietly. "But you can come visit during Thanksgiving Break, right?"
"Yeah, but that's a month away," she said. "How come you always have to be leaving?" They put the remaining hockey stuff in the garage and sat on the front porch. "I know it sucks," Tay said. "But it's what I do, you know? And I love it. I wouldn't change anything, except maybe being able to be with you more often."
"Things are going to go back to the old way again," she sighed.
"What does that mean?" asked Tay.
"You being away, promoting the new album, recording, going on tour, being home for two days every five months..." she gulped.
"Tamara, you know it won't be like that. Maybe you can come with us for part of the time, you know, babysit or something. I can fly you to the shows. You be there a lot."
"Yeah, but it just won't be the same," she said. "I feel like everytime you go away, I lose you. With Haley, Sierra, the fans, even your brothers..."
"Listen, you're the most important person to me, okay? Nothing will ever come between us, not the music, the fans, the...other girls, nothing. You just have to believe in us," he said, putting his arm around her. "You're the only one for me. I love you."
She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I love you too."
"Well, it's getting late. I better go eat dinner. It's our last one in Tulsa for a while," he sighed. "I'll see you tommorrow, okay?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "See ya."
Taylor went inside his house, where boxes of clothes and other items were stacked by the front door. "This is depressing," he moaned.
"It's not like we're moving for good," Zac said, not looking up from the TV. "We'll be back. We always come ba- UCK!" His head shot up to Taylor's face, who was looking bewildered.
"What was that?!" Taylor asked, laughing. "Your voice cracked!"
"Oh no!" yelled Zac. "Puberty has struck me!" Taylor began laughing. "It's not FU-nny!"
"Great time to start changing, Zac! Right before we record the new album!"
"Oh no, this can't be happening! M-OUM!" Zac ran into the kitchen.
The next morning reminded Taylor of the day they left for the Albertane Tour. A bunch of friends and families had come to say good bye and wish them good luck this second time around. There was a moving van outside the house, along with the mini-van. Walker and Diana were double-checking to make sure they had everything. Ike came out of the house with one of his guitars and put it in the mini-van.
"We can write songs in the car," he grinned.
Zac was being unusually quiet. He sat on the sidewalk with Eric and Nick and didn't say a word.
"What's up with you?" asked Nick.
"Nothing," he said quickly. "I'm just TI-red!" he covered his mouth with his hand.
Nick and Eric didn't seem to notice. "Man, you are gonna miss everything this winter. They're starting a basketball league at the YMCA and we can finally join."
"But you have to go and be a superstar," said Eric.
"Sorry," mumbled Zac.
Taylor and Tamara were standing off to the side, watching Walker and Diana put everything in the car. "This is sad," said Tamara.
"I know," Tay said. "We'll be back."
"I'll call and write and email you," she said.
"You'll visit me," he said.
"Okay," she agreed. They turned back to the vans and saw Walker waving at them.
"Come on Tay!" Walker shouted. Taylor turned to face Tamara.
"Well, just remember, it's not forever," he said as he gave her a kiss.
"Bye," she said sadly.
"See ya," he said. "I'll call you when we get there, okay?"
"Okay. Remember the time change! I don't want you calling me at 3 in the morning," she said, laughing a little.
"Okay, cool," he said, grinning. He turned and ran to the car, tripping over the edge of the sidewalk and falling flat on his face. He quick jumped up to see if anyone had seen and they all stood laughing at him. "Well, this is off to a good start," he said to himself. He waved at all the people and then got inside the van, where Ike and Zac were already in the back. Soon after he got in, Jessica, Avery, Mackie and Zoe all got inside and Walker started the van. As they drove down the street, the people waved goodbye and soon were out of site. They turned onto the turnpike and began the long drive to California.
"Ohhhhhh, I've been working on the railroad! All of my live long days!" sang Zac.
"I farted," Mackenzie said.
Diana rolled down a window and stuck her feet outside.
"That's my Pokemon card!" yelled Jessica as she pulled Avery's hair.
"Owww!" Avery shrieked.
Ike strummed his guitar. "In this life long, love song, you can buy a dog...no that doesn't work. How about buy a cat? Hmmm...."
Taylor slumped in his seat and stared out the window. It was going to be a long trip.