"Hmmph," Jayden groaned as she shifted in restless sleep. She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, worrying if Taylor was all right. She still refused to call the Hanson's, for fear of embarrassment, or worse yet, condemnation. If he had returned in a fowl mood, his family would naturally take his side and support him.
She didn't truly believe that the whole situation would be blamed upon her & her abandonment of Taylor, but then again, last night's confrontation with Taylor was anything but expected. Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, Jayden found that it was only 5 am. It was a Sunday, so she didn't have to go to school. Still, she knew there was no way she'd drift off to sleep again. Throwing back her bedspread, she reached for her slippers at the edge of her bed.
She sighed deeply, a memory suddenly invading her brain.
~"Tay, do you like these slippers?" Jayden inquired, shoving the fluffy, bright-colored pair in front of Taylor.
"Not bad, but I don't know if i'd ever wear 'em..." he cracked.
"For ME, stupid!" she laughed,"Do you think they're cute?"
Taylor frowned,"Pink & poofy... Definitely not the fashion statement of the year..."
"Yeah, I guess you're right..."
Grabbing Jayden's hand, Taylor led her out of the shoe department and out into the main mall aisle.
"Just wait here for a sec, ok?" Taylor asked, stopping at a bench. He was off and down the mall before she could protest. Jayden sat down, tired from the day's shopping trip. She had dragged Taylor to the mall at 9 am, as the doors were opening, claiming she was suffering from an uncontrollable craving for new perfume & khaki pants. Taylor had agreed, complaining all the while. Jayden knew that he was bored and hated having to worry over being recognized, but she figured that if she didn't get him out of the house soon, he'd be dangerously close to resorting to the lifestyle of a Monk.
"Close your eyes!" Taylor exclaimed, coming up behind Jayden several minutes later.
Jayden smiled,"What are you going to do now?"
"It's a surprise..."
"Ok... Just promise me that this 'surprise' isn't going to result in me in a body cast..."
Taylor laughed,"Yeah, yeah, I promise. Now close your eyes!"
Jayden did as she was told, and moments later, she felt a package placed in her lap.
"Tay! Aw, you bought me something? You're so sweet!" she cried, giving Taylor a quick kiss.
"Wow, I get a kiss before you even check out what I got ya?," Taylor asked.
Jayden nodded,"But if it's alive and reeks, you'll be getting a slap, too!"
Taylor held up his hands,"I come in peace! Now open it."
Reaching inside the plastic bag, Jayden retrieved the items.
"THE SLIPPERS!" she squealed, hugged them to her chest,"The fuzzy wuzzy slippers!"
"Calm down, they're just footwear..."
Jayden quickly placed them back in the bag before giving Taylor a big bear hug.
"I figured maybe they weren't so ugly after all... and I knew you really wanted them," Taylor explained.
Jayden grinned,"I'll wear them every night; every single night!"~
"Argh! Quit thinking about him!" Jayden ordered herself. She padded downstairs to the kitchen, her feet bare. She had just gotten set at the table with a bowl of Frosted Flakes when the phone rang.
"Hello? Tay?!" she asked, grabbing it after only one ring.
"No, sweetie, it's Mom."
Jayden sighed,"Oh... Hey Mom."
"Don't sound so happy to hear from me," her mother chuckled.
"Sorry Mom, it's just that I..."
She debated whether or not to tell her mother about Taylor and his proposal. Realizing that her parents would probably decide to cut their visit short if she was upset, decided against it.
Her mother waited,"You just what? Are you all right?"
"Oh, yeah, I-uh, I'm just tired... It's only 5:15..."
"Oh, i'm sorry about that!" her mom apologized,"It's just that your great aunt is an early riser and figured your father and I, even Regan if you can imagine that, should be, too..."
Jayden smiled slightly,"Some relaxing vacation, huh?"
"Not quite what I had in mind," her mother agreed,"But as soon as I can sneak away, I'm gonna have one nice loooong nap!"
Jayden stifled a yawn,"I'm probably gonna hit the sack again,too."
"Well, just wanted to make sure you're doing well... Oh, and say hi to Taylor for me."
"Will do," Jayden lied,"Bye, Mom."
"Bye, angel."
Click
Sure Mom, i'll say hi to Tay for ya... Go out and find him for me and i'll recite a whole damn speech from you! Jayden thought, frustrated. She walked back to the table, where her cereal was now a soggy mess.
"They're greeeeeeeat!" she cried, mocking the Frosted Flakes moto as she emptied her bowl into the trash. She slopped back to her room. Climbing in to bed, she thought When I wake up, everything will be better. I won't be in such a bitchy mood, and Taylor... what about Taylor?
~Chapter 18~
~Chapter 16~
~Home~
