Chapter 26
Chapter 26-
Four days later-
Zac slowed his speed on his blades as he obeyed Isaac's call. "C'mon Ike!" he
whined, kicking a leg back and skating forward.
"HEY!" Ike called, trying to catch up to Zac, who was now about 65 feet
away from him. Almost out of Isaac's site. Thank god he's wearing those queer yellow pants
or I'd never find him! Ike sighed to himself. Zac looked backwards about 10 minutes later,
and heard a shrill cry. He turned his head forward, only to see the sky. Zac and another,
fell painfully quick to the ground.
"Uh." he moaned, smacking his head against someone else's skate. Isaac
looked forward and gasped.
"ZAC!" he laughed, finally reaching his brother and a long haired brunette.
"C'mon man...didn't your mom ever tell you to face the traffic when
rollerblading?" A sweet voice questioned. A familiar voice. Zac groaned and sat up, finally
picking himself off of the limp body beneath him.
"Sorry." he apologized, reaching down to the figure. "Thanks Ike!" Zac said
sarcastically. The figure took Zac's hand and whipped her hair out of her face.
"Ike Hanson?" she asked.
"Alyson Tripp?" Zac questioned with surprise; not allowing his brother to
get the chance to reply to the girl.
"Tripp from church? That Alyson Tripp?" Ike whispered softly. Alyson
pulled her hand from Zac's as she looked herself over.
"If it isn't Crucified Zachary Hanson, and Minister-For-A-Day Isaac?" she
asked laughing. When the boys were young, for Sunday School they had to do a video tape
for Easter, and being the creative little souls they are, Taylor came up with the brilliant
idea to crucify Zac on the oak tree outside of my house. I had been Mary..and a pretty
cute Mary if I may add. A few weeks later, the minister decided to have a contest to
figure out who would gain the great privilege to be a Minister-For-A-Day. Of course after
all the little battles, Isaac won. (no question there, huh?) Taylor had never been anything
with a large role that involved the church..unless you count waitering for the church
Christmas bazaar.
Zac snickered at Alyson, and shook off his shirt.
"Very funny." he mused. Isaac jumped in before Alyson fought back. Zac
and Alyson always fought with each other, and everyone knew that was their way of
expressing their liking to one another. Both, two stubborn for their own time, denied any
liking to each other.
"So how have you been?" Ike asked. Alyson tucked her soft brown hair
behind her ear, and let her naturally bright forest-green eyes search Zac and then Isaac.
"Cool. Did you hear about the other day?" she asked, skated around the
two.
"The other day?" Zac asked, arching an eyebrow. His heart raced with a
strength that scared him. Mrs. Alyson Hanson..nah. Too weird. Mr. and Mrs. Zac Hanson...ah
much better! Zac thought to himself. Even though Alyson was extremely stubborn and hard
to handle, Zac always had a strange attraction to her. Maybe it was her gorgeous breath-
taking green eyes, or even her strong sense of humor. I could always break her in. Zac
thought. Oh, better yet, bend her alittle. That's more my style. I'd like to bend her in a more..my
type of way. She's too..too..Alyson. Alyson giggled slyly and stopped in front of Zac. Bringing
them face to face.
"No one told you about the other day?" she laughed. Both Isaac and Zac
shrugged and shook their heads. Alyson continued. "Last Sunday Mr. Canter (the priest)
had to make an announcement about you guys. Too many girls were going threw your
trash..and stuff. Some even tried to sneak into your bedroom windows..wacko's huh?"
Zac's mouth dropped as he exchanged his brown-eyed dramatized glance with Isaac's.
"Really? That's weird." Ike said, stunned.
I opened my eyes swiftly and looked deep into Taylor's eyes. "Alyson Tripp?" I
asked.
"Yeah! They just beeped me and told me if mom asks where they
are..they'll be at her house." he paused. "Alyson Tripp..of all people to run into..geez!" Tay
laughed. I looked at him as he bounced the basketball a few times.
"I know..its really...weird." I said softly. I was just so relaxed, for the first
time in weeks all my worries were gone. Taylor smiled at me and I blinked. All of a sudden,
I realized..not all my problems were solved. Taylor and I..together forever..it'll never happen. I
joked with myself quietly. About sometime a few weeks ago, when Taylor told me he loved
me..I felt so different. For the first time since my parents died..I felt free, special,
wanted..and loved. But now, as I watched Taylor, I knew something about my life was
different..something was going to change. I just didn't know how it would change. For the
good, or for the bad?
Taylor shot the ball, and missed the basket by a few inches. He turned around and
faced me.
"What?" I asked, raising my hands above my head. Seconds later, a warm
front approached me, and I couldn't stand the heat. "Can we please go inside? Its way to
hot out here!" I begged. Tay smiled, and walked toward the house.
"Want some water?" he asked when we finally settled into the kitchen.
"Nah. I'm cool." I said. Taylor looked me over for a minute, and then turned
away, sipping his own bottle of water.
"So, uh..when is Patricia coming down?" he asked. His voice shook, and his
body shivered quickly.
"Soon. About., I think a week." I studdered, suddenly shivering myself. "I'm
not..not quite sure." What is up with this? I can't speak with my best friend anymore? Why do I
have to feel this way...hmm..why? My mind whined with aggravation. This was just so
stressful. Taylor and I had spent every waking moment together since he got home, and
neither of us seemed to feel normal. Everytime we found ourselves alone, we couldn't
speak without shivering with nervousness., and we couldn't even look each other in the eye.
Neither of us had the guts to speak of the day we promised ourselves to each other.
I wiped my palms on my shorts and sighed. "Uh.." I trailed off softly. I wished
deeply that Taylor hadn't heard me.
"I know." Tay whispered, hiding him face behind his hair. I smiled weakly
and felt the sudden urge to cry. Slowly I brought my hand to his face. When my fingertips
grazed his cheek I cautiously placed his hair behind his left ear. He looked at my hand, and
then looked at me. We sat silently, just looking at each other, before I moved my hand
from his ear. "I hate this." Taylor whispered. I dropped my hand by my side, and then
shoved them into my front pockets.
"This bites." I said in agreement. Taylor slouched in his chair and cupped
his hands around his bottle of water. My knees started to shake, and I squeezed my eyes
shut. My knees still shook, and I felt warm hands on my knees. Slowly I opened my eyes.
Taylor's hands rested softly on my shaking knees. Over come with a shock of energy I
leaned toward him, and bearly touched my lips to his bottom lip. I pulled a few inches away
from him. "I'm sorry. I can't do this." I said, pressing my lips to his. Taylor, recovering
from his own feelings, kissed my lips sweetly and softly. I wrapped my arms around his
next and drew his shaking body towards mine. Abruptly I pulled from his lips and brought
my lips to his neck., inhaling his sweet scent. "Please." I begged, grazing my tongue slightly
over his skin. Bringing him closer, I stopped. Looking up, I sat up and looked into his eyes.
"I promise." he whispered to me., leaning closer to me. I touched my lips to
his quickly, and after soaking in his passion, I stood up. Finally pulling my lips away from his
I smiled.
"I promise." I repeated him. "Tonight. Meet me in the woods
tonight,...12:30." I said, grazing my lips past his one last time. Taylor leaned forward, and I
pulled away.
"12:30." he whispered, as I walked outside. He sat, shaking, at the table,
staring after me.
Isaac rolled his eyes and laughed. "That's the 27th time Alyson beat you..give it up
already!" he said. Alyson brought her face close to Zac's.
"Give it up." she said, her lips bearly touching his in an oblivious tease. Zac
started to lean forward, but then flew backwards.
"Ewww." he said, wiping his lips. "Gross Alyson, really gross." he said. Ike
fell over with laughter., and Alyson sat staring at Zac with an arched eyebrow.
"Gross? Whats so gross about you losing?" she teased. Damn..I should of, just
to...just to know how it feels. She thought to herself. In the back of her mind, she knew Zac
had never experienced a first kiss, and it probably wouldn't be with her..her of all people
none the less. Zac eyed Isaac, who was choking over his own sip because he was laughing so
hard.
"You kissed me!" he mused with pure excitement. Zac! he yelled at himself.
She didn't kiss you dumb-dumb., you just wish she would. Zac's mind screamed. Whatever! Zac
fought back.
"I kissed you?" Alyson snorted. "Yeah right..now that's gross! And I mean
gross." she mused. Zac rolled his and dropped the controller. (they had been playing Mortal
Kombat 3)
"Ike, I think it's time to go. It'll be getting dark soon." he lied. Alyson
laughed again with pure amusement and shoved Isaac.
"I guess your right Zac. We don't want the light to go out on you and
Alyson..or do we?" Ike giggled like a 4 year old as he grabbed Zac by the sleeve and tugged
his through the door. "Thanks Alyson. We'll call you." "Alright." Alyson called after them.
"Please do." she whispered softly, shutting the door.
I ran my finger across my c.d. player, and pressed play. Just to set the mood for
what could happen later tonight, I put in my 5ive c.d., and played the song 'When The
Lights Go Out.' Singing along happily to the opening verse, I laid down on my bed. "Tonight
it will happen..I know it will." I said to myself.
"What will happen?" Duncan asked, popping his head into my room. I jumped,
and sighed with relief that it was only him. Duncan walked over and sang his own part to
the first verse as he laid down next to me.
"N-nothing." I studdered softly. "How long have you been outside my door?"
"Not long." he paused. "But long enough to figure out why your playing 5ive
all of a sudden." I jumped. He knows. I dared to imagine.
"Is that so?" I questioned, my voice no longer ready to shake. I wasn't
about to slip up with nervousness, especially not now. Even if Duncan did know what I
prayed would happen tonight, he wasn't my boss. He couldn't stop me from being with
Taylor, no matter what.
"Yep. You never used to like 5ive before..so it must be pretty big if your
listening to them." Duncan said. His voice at a slightly higher pitch. Instantly I knew the
tone I was hearing. He was teasing me..he thinks I'm going to slip up and spill the beans. I
snickered at him. Not this time buddy.
"Yes I did. I've always liked 5ive." I lied. I knew I wasn't that big of a fan,
but I did start to like them more after I saw that Disney Special they just did a few days
ago. Secretly I liked them..alot., but being my life-time devotee I'm trying my hardest not
to get as obsessed with 5ive as I am with Hanson..I couldn't let myself do that. No
chance..even if Scott Robinson is incredibly gorgeous. 5ive had a different..crazy/sexy
appeal to me. Their music sent me straight into heaven..but did I say a word? NOPE! Scott
Robinson especially was something I couldn't help but find a liking too. He is just so
heavenly. Breath taking that is! I thought to myself. "I'm in a 5ive mood..no biggie." I
continued. Jumping off the bed in discomfort, I went over to the c.d. player, and picked up
the c.d. My eyes grazing over all the songs. "Ahhh." I whispered with sarcasm, skipping the
c.d. ahead to my favorite song- 'Now and Forever'. Duncan laughed.
"Sure..whatever." he paused. "I'm going out with some friends..I'll be home
late, so don't lock the doors. And wait up if you want..I might come home with some food."
Duncan told me. Ohh, even better. With Duncan gone for the night..who knows what could
happen..... I thought. Shaking the greatest daydream I'd probably have in my entire life, I
shoved Duncan toward my door.
"OKay cool. Stay out as late as you want..don't take to much money, cause
Tay and the guys might drop by..and I'm having a major craze for Chinese rice and Ice
Cream." I laughed. Duncan leaned close and kissed my cheek.
"See yeah- sis." he whispered before turning around and walking down
stairs. I sighed and returned to my bedroom...to listen to my 5ive c.d.
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