It was later that afternoon. Gabby and I were sitting on the couch downstairs, cooing over a cute little puppy. Upstairs, Celine was practicing her singing, and from where we sat, we could hear her. Ike, Taylor and Zac were in the kitchen.
We had apologized to Mom, Diana and Celine about that morning's misunderstanding. We still got a stern talking-to, but no punishment had been given. Zac had been complaining about the cast still encasing his broken arm earlier. I hoped he was okay.
"Aw, he's so cute!" Gabby said, looking at the small, active puppy on my lap.
The puppy nudged my face and chewed my hair. All of a sudden, Gabby started laughing really hard.
"What?" I asked.
"Oh…" Gabby screamed, laughing. She fell off the piano bench she'd been perched on. Ike, Taylor and Zac ran into the room.
"What's going on?" Zac asked, seeing Gabby screaming with laughter on the floor.
"I dunno…" Something was wet, I realized. "Oh, no…!"
Zac burst out laughing. "The puppy peed on Ellie!" he burst out. My cheeks burned.
"Shoot!" I screamed, jumping to my feet. Taylor took the puppy from me. "Gabby! Why didn't you say anything?"
Gabby laughed even harder. Zac and Ike gave me some towels, hiding their laughter. I ran to the bathroom to escape the humiliation.
The clock read 8:45 that night. I glanced at Ike. He was pacing in our room. I knew he was trying to figure out how to get out of the house to confront Jeremy.
"Ike! Taylor!" someone screamed from downstairs. Ike and I rushed downstairs, where Rene was bolting the door.
"What's up?" I asked.
"No one is going out tonight," Rene said.
Ike's face fell. "Why?"
"Celine's pregnancy is all over the newspapers. Everyone knows. There are thousands of screaming fans outside," Rene explained.
"Geez…I thought Hanson was bad," Zac murmured.
"Hey, has anyone seen Gabby?" Ellie spoke up.
We all looked at each other. "No," I said.
"Oh, God…she's gone to…" Ellie's voice trailed off as we all realized she'd gone to confront Jeremy herself!
"She's what?" Ike pressed.
I looked at Ellie. I didn't think he would be too happy…
I strolled down the street from Celine's house. I had escaped through the wild throng gathered outside Celine's house. I had no idea what I was going to say to Jeremy. I had to confront him once and for all.
I stepped into the bakery. Jeremy whirled around to see me. "Hello, Jeremy," I said sweetly.
My heart pounded out of fear, both for Gabby and Ike. Gabby had gone to confront Jeremy herself instead of Ike going for her. Ike, of course, was speechless.
"Ike…Gabby heard you talking on the phone," Zac said. "She's gone to confront Jeremy herself."
"What? She can't do that!" Ike said.
"She already has," I jumped in. Ike put his hands on his head.
"What a mess," he murmured.
"Long time no see, Gabby," Jeremy said.
"Don't call me Gabby," I warned.
Jeremy laughed and came over to me. "What happened to Hanson, huh? Didn't have the courage to come himself?"
"No. I came because I want you out of my life. You've already ruined it enough."
"You don't mean that."
"Yeah, I do. Leave me alone." I turned to walk away when Jeremy pulled me back. As much as I fought him, he still managed to kiss me forcefully…
"She could be in trouble," Ellie said.
"She's a big girl. She doesn't need us," I said.
Ellie looked at me. "How can you say things like that when you love her?"
My face burned. Was it still obvious?
"Don't, Ellie," Zac warned quietly.
"No, I wanna know!" Ellie turned to face me, her long arms draped across her chest. "Tell me, Isaac Hanson…how can you be so heartless when the girl you love has gone to confront the man she used to love for you?"
I didn't answer. Too many things were whirling inside of me.
"I see," Ellie said. "Your face gives it away."
"Ellie, please," Zac said, taking her hands.
Ellie looked at me. "Sorry, Ike."
"It's okay." But it wasn't. Ellie had spoken the truth. I had messed things up badly between Gabby and me…and it was too late to change it.
I yanked myself out of Jeremy's grasp. "Don't you EVER do that to me again," I said angrily. "Leave me alone."
"Why? Don't you love me?" Jeremy taunted.
"I don't love you! You just want to play with me for a while and then toss me along the roadside again. I won't play these foolish games with you anymore. Leave me and my friends alone from now on, or I swear to God you will pay."
Jeremy opened his mouth to say something, but I raised my hand and slapped him hard, causing him to topple backwards into the Coke machine. I turned, satisfied.
"You love him, don't you?" Jeremy shouted.
I stopped at the doorway. "Even reverse psychology won't work this time, Jeremy Kramer. Stay away."
I walked out of the building. I almost collapsed, my body was shaking so hard. I had confronted him. Somehow, I knew he would never bother me again.
I sat on the couch with Ellie, stroking her hands. She turned and looked at me. She was really worried for Gabby. Taylor was looking out the window. Ike had disappeared upstairs.
"There's someone out there!" Taylor exclaimed. Ellie and I jumped off the couch and hurried to see where Taylor was pointing.
"Oh, no," Ellie whispered. "That's her. She came back and met a horde of screaming fans."
"We've gotta do something," Taylor said, worried.
"Yeah," I agreed. "People will recognize her." Right then, Gabby's head disappeared.
"Where'd she go?" I asked frantically.
"She's been surrounded," Ellie shouted. "Come on, we need to help her!"
"No, Ellie." I reached out and held her back. "If they recognized Gabby, they'd be sure to know who you are, especially after the kidnapping thing."
Ellie nodded. "But, Zac, I have to do something." Just then, Celine and Rene entered.
"What's going on?" Celine asked.
"Gabby…mobbed…can't see her anymore…" Ellie stuttered, suddenly turning much paler. Celine raced to the door.
"Oh no, you don't," Rene said. "You know exactly what would happen if you went out there."
"Oh, God," Celine sighed. "This is when I hate being a celebrity!" I reached over to hold Ellie's hand. We all knew that if any of us left the house, things would get even worse. The police were already out there. All we could do was hope.
