Three years later, I was just about grown up. I had my driver’s liscense, and I was almost out of high school. Tay had missed the better part of my life. He and his brothers had become one of the most popular bands in the world. The Hansons’ had moved to Los Angeles, California a month after Tay and I had stood outside TulsaLand kissing in the rain. From the beginning, I knew that one day he wouldn’t be there for me. Now when I looked out my window and into the Hansons’ old house I saw a young couple and their daughter quietly eating their dinner in the kitchen. Sometimes I wondered if Tay ever wondered what had happened to me.
The FlyGirls were no longer together. Vanessa, Christen, and Claire had moved away. Dominique, Morgan, and I were the only ones that still lived in the same neighborhood. I wished that when I opened my front door that I would see Mackenzie and Zac building lego castles in the Hansons’ front yard. On hot summer days, I wished that I would hear the faint sound of MMMBop coming from the Hanson’s basement. But these were only dreams and memories of mine now. No longer were they a reality.
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I crawled out from under my Sailor Moon comforter the next morning. I ate my strawberry-filled pop tart as I had ever since I was 5. Then, I quickly sprayed Tommy Girl perfume on my wrists and grabbed my lavender backpack. I jumped in my pink mustang and drove away. As I pulled into the school parking lot I heard Dominique yelling my name. I spit my gum on the ground and ran to meet up with her. She was with Morgan and Mark. Mark was Morgan’s boyfriend. He was so hot. He had his arms around her and I turned away, jealous of my friend’s happiness. Dominique was a ball full of energy as normal. We walked to Spanish together. After class we walked to the bathroom to do our make-up. I spread a thick layer of chocolate, MAC lipstick on my full lips. I pulled my now blonde hair up in a messy ponytail and waited for Dominique to finish fixing her face. Then, the 3 dorkiest, most obnoxious girls walked in and glared at us. We couldn’t help but ease drop on their loud conversation:
“Oh my god Wanda! Did you see Tay’s pecks in that issue of BeBop????” asked Barbara. Her hair was matted and greasy and it was hard for me look at her ugly face.
“Oh shut up Barbara, is that all you guys ever think about?”chirped Yolanda. Ignoring Yolanda’s comment, Barbara confidently stated,”When I’m 23 i’m going to be Mrs. Tay Hanson .”
“Shut up, Barbara, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!”yelled Yolanda. Then Yolanda added,”Ike is the hottest guy on earth!!!!” As Barbara proceeded to stick her slobbery nasty tongue out of her crusty mouth, I turned away disgusted at the sight of Tay’s pathetic fans.
We walked to the lunch area to find Morgan and Mark. They were holding hands this time. I kept thinking of how Barbara had referred to Taylor as Tay. I had thought that I was the only girl who called him Tay. I closed my eyes remember the soft touch of Tay’s fingers pressing against my lips. Then, I tuned back into what Dominique, Morgan, and Mark were talking about.
“You guys are soooooooooooo cuuuute together,”Dominique crooned as if she were talking to a small dog. Morgan smiled. Then I chimed in, “Guys, I’m gonna go down to the ice cream store, wanna come?”
“Sure,”Dominique said. It was quite obvious Morgan and Mark were quite comfy, so we left without them. We hopped in my pink car and drove away. I noticed that there was a guy who looked pretty cute in the ice cream store so I checked my hair quickly in the mirror.
“Hey Gwen, check out the arms on that hot ass guy,”Dominique said as she checked her hair in her compact. I nodded and we walked confidently into the store. Not being able to stop thinking of Tay, I ordered a strawberry ice cream cone.
“What?”Dominique asked, as I looked at her crazily after she ordered a double chocolate fudge sundae with whipped cream and nuts.
We sat down at a booth near the hot guy. We could see now that he had bright, sky blue eyes. And golden blonde hair. Suddenly I noticed Dominique go very pale.
“What’s the matter?”I asked.
“Gwwweeennn.......Taaaaaa.......,”she stuttered.
“Damn it! Spit it out girl!”I yelled at her.
“Tay!”she finished. My eyes got blurry and I passed out.
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When I opened my eyes I saw the hot guy staring into my eyes. Dominique was kneeling beside him. I realized who it was now, it was Tay. He pulled me up. I couldn’t decide if I should smack him, or if I should hug him. I ended up smacking him, and then throwing my arms around his neck almost knocking him over. Then, I heard a familiar voice.
“Gwen, Gwen......is that you....Tay is that Gwen????”asked the familiar voice.
“Ike,”I screamed as I gave him a big hug. Out from behind Ike came Zac who was now almost as tall as me. His hair was in dreads and he was as adorable as ever.
“I LOVE U MAN!”he joked as I gave him a kiss on the cheek. Dominique and I joined Tay, Ike and Zac in their booth. Tay put my hand in his. Dominique glared at me, obviously jealous.
“Now I’m all alone.”Dominique cried,”you’ve got Taylor and Morgan’s got Mark.” Ignoring her, Tay and I got up and left. Zac followed singing,”Taylor & Gwen sittin’ in a tree......”
After Tay and I finished catching up he kissed my check and walked me to my door. I didn’t want him to go back to his hotel, but he had too. This time, I knew I would see him the next day. I fell asleep that night thinking about Tay and how much I luved him.
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The next day was Saturday. I walked to Dominique’s house to see if she wanted to go to the mall with me and Tay. Her door was open, so I walked in. I went up the stairs and opened the door to her room. And there in front of my eyes was Ike!!!!! On top of Dominique!!!!!!
