~Chapter 13~

Click

Jayden hung up the phone, plopping down in front of the tv. Don't get all worked up she tried to calm herself, He's been gone an hour and it's not like he's a 4 year old who can't cross the street without holding mommy's hand...

"Home alone until tomorrow..." she said, no one listening but the sickeningly beautiful characters of a lame evening soap opera,"Might as well get myself something to eat."

Too lazy and distressed to actually follow through with her plan, Jayden stayed put on the floor.

"Now making her Broadway premiere... starring in the acclaimed role as a beached whale... Jayden Lindley!!"

She glanced up at the tv screen, where Gary O'Hunk was flashing a cheesy smile.

"Thank you, thank you very much!" Jayden mumbled, stumbling to her feet and bowing,"Love ya too, O'Hunk."

As she padded into the kitchen, she passed a large decorative mirror. Pausing in front of it, she shook her head at herself,"Where did you go wrong, Jay-Jay? When did you start acting so weird?"

She laughed quietly at herself, scrounging through the pantry. Retrieving a bag of chips, she grabbed a soda and headed back to the living room, where Gary O'Hunk was now kissing his ex-wife's step-daughter who was recently found after being kidnapped by her father's mailman for 4 years on a foreign island.

"Awwww, Gary, you said you'd always wait for me..." Jayden cracked, nestling up on the sofa. Reaching for the remote, she clicked through all 350 channels.

She groaned,"Hmmmmm, 'Sewing with Style' or 'Knitting Classics'... How do I decide?"

Turning off the television, Jayden headed to her bedroom. It was one of her favorite places in the entire world... albeit she hadn't seen much of the world. When her family had first moved into their old, Victorian-style home, Jayden had instantly claimed the attic. It was fairly large, with more than enough space for a small art studio. An easel in the northeast corner displayed her latest work-in-progress;Tubes of paint covered a wooden table, splattered with color. A silver, metal-framed bed was positioned in the opposite corner. Various tiny trinkets filled the room, portraying many memories; A framed picture of her and Tay, looking incredibly uncomfortable at the start of their first date. Her mother had insisted on taking it, much to Jayden's protests. Beside it was a stack of postcards Taylor had sent during a promo tour in New York. Over the 5 day trip, she had received over a dozen cards, each with heart-melting messages.

Stepping towards the lone small window, Jayden peered out at 75th Street. She saw the figure of a young boy walking slowly up the sidewalk. Taylor! she thought,relieved, His parents are gonna be soooo pissed when he gets home! She watched the boy, waiting for him to turn a nearby corner towards 78th Street. Much to Jayden's surprise, however, he entered the house across the street.

She frowned,"Guess that wasn't Taylor... Oh well, he's gotta be home by now. He wouldn't want to really worry his parents..."

Reaching for her phone, she dialed the first 6 digits of the Hanson's phone number. Her finger paused before hitting the seventh. If I call, everyone will assume I want to talk to Tay... and there's no way he'll want to talk to me... Then i'll be stuck explaining what happened; not exactly a ton of fun...She slammed the receiver back in its place, sitting on the edge of her bed. I shouldn't be beating myself up over this...He's the one who proposed after all! I mean, how did he expect me to react?!

"I just hope he won't hate me for this," Jayden said sadly, clutching her ratty teddy bear, Paulie,"This would have to happen the one night Mom & Dad aren't home..."

She reached for the phone once again, but this time she dialed the number of her best friend,Thalia Reeves. Ever since being assigned locker buddies in kindergarten, the two had been close. If anyone would lend a sympathetic ear, it was Thalia.

Ring, ring... Jayden bit her lip impatiently.

"Hello?" someone answered.

"Hey,girl,it's me."

"Who?"

"C'mon, Thal, quit teasing..." Jayden smiled.

"No, seriously, who is this?"

Ha ha, very funny Jayden smirked,"'K, Thalia, I really need to talk."

The person on the other end of the line gave a frustrated sigh,"I don't know who the hell Thalia is, and i'm really not in the mood for pranks."

Click

"What the-?" Jayden said, brow scrunched in confusion. She quickly recalled the past few days... I don't remember pissing Thalia off... She hit Redial and was greeted by the same person.

"Ok,'Little Miss Prankster, I'd really appreciate it if you'd quit calling or get yourself a friggin' phone book!" was the answer; Obviously, they had number display.

Jayden quickly hung up. I called 555-7672... 7672... Ohmigosh! Thalia's number is 555-7276! Oops! Jayden considered calling back and apologizing...

"On second thought, NOPE!" she said, recalling their PMS-like behavior. Instead, she dialed Thalia's number, making sure each digit was correct this time.

Ring, ring, ring...

Jayden tapped her foot impatiently.

Ring, ring, ring...

Just as she was going to hang up, Jayden heard a voice.

"Hello??" Thalia asked breathlessly.

"Hey, Thal. It's Jayd."

"Oh! Hey, listen, i'd really like to talk, but Mark's waiting for me," Thalia said apologetically.

Jayden frowned,"You two going out again?"

"Uh-huh. We really hit it off last night," Thalia replied.

"Um, well, have fun! You two make a cute couple," Jayden said with fake cheerfulness, hoping her friend would detect something was wrong.

"Thanks! I'll call ya later, ok?"

Jayden sighed,"Yeah, whatever."

Click

"Just great," she grumbled,"Tay AND Thal are avoiding me..."