The next several weeks went by quickly. Zac kept trying to talk to Anne, but she did what I'd done to Taylor several weeks previous. I hadn't seen Kate around for a long time. She had stopped coming to Capital. Taylor and I were back to being really good friends, although my little remaining "flame" still existed in a remote corner of my heart. Michelle and Isaac were as close as ever.
On this particular Saturday afternoon, I was at the Hansons' house. I had asked Anne to come along, but she refused. I had actually come over too soon; Isaac, Taylor, and Zac were still doing schoolwork. I waited in the kitchen for them to finish. After only a few minutes, they came into the kitchen.
"Hey, Monica," Taylor said, grinning.
"Hey, yourself," I retorted. "What's up?"
"Oh, nothing much," he said nonchalantly.
I knew him too well to believe him when he used that tone. I turned to Isaac and Zac. "Guys, what's really up? I know Taylor's hiding something."
Isaac and Zac looked at each other, as if asking, Should we tell her? Isaac then spoke up. "Well, there is something, but Taylor wanted to tell you himself. Taylor?" he prodded.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell her!" he said. "It's just this: There's a big New Years' party for Mercury Records coming up."
"That's cool," I said, not really sure why they were telling me this.
"There's more," he added quickly. "All the artists coming are allowed to invite one person as their guest!"
"That's even better," I said, beginning to understand. "I guess Ike, you're inviting Michelle?"
"Of course!" he said.
"Zac, what about you?" I inquired.
He looked somewhat depressed. "I really want to ask Anne, but she'll say no."
"You never know until you try," I reminded him. Then I turned to Taylor. "And who are you taking?"
He smiled shyly. "Well, I had this idea, but I don't know what you'll think of it."
"Tell me," I urged.
"Okay. I was hoping that you'd go with me, but just as friends. It doesn't have to be a girlfriend that we take. It can be just a friend. What do you say?"
I smiled. "Taylor, I'd love to."
"Oh, and one more thing. It is very formal, so you need a really nice dress."
I wasn't really surprised to hear this, though I was a little disappointed. "I guess we'll have to go shopping, then. Michelle and me and hopefully Anne too."
"Can we come?" Zac asked hopefully.
"Maybe. As long as Michelle and Anne don't mind, and they shouldn't. I mean, Michelle is going out with Ike, and if Anne comes, then that means she's going with you, so they really shouldn't mind. I personally think that would be just fine." Then I changed the subject. "So...what do you guys want to do today?"
"Go shopping!" Zac shouted.
"Call Anne first, okay? That way we'll know right off if she's coming. Ike, have you asked Michelle yet?"
As Zac went slowly to the phone, Isaac replied, "Yes, I asked her on our date the other day."
"Then as soon as Zac gets off the phone, I'll call Michelle and see if she wants to come now." A few minutes later, Zac came back with a grin on his face. "What did she say?" I asked unnecessarily.
"She said yes!!!!!"
"Great! I'm going to call Michelle now." I quickly dialed the familiar number. Michelle picked up after two rings. I told her what was going on, and she immediately agreed to come shopping that day. Then she asked if we were just meeting at the mall. I ran back to the guys to suggest that. They agreed that would work, and suggested a time. I asked Michelle if that time would work, and she said it would. Then we hung up. I said goodbye to Isaac, Taylor, and Zac, and then I headed home.
Chapter 22
Love Takes Time
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