.::Chapter Sixteen::.

I turned and waved goodbye to Taylor and his family, as they backed out of my driveway, and then continued walking to the front door. It was midmorning and overcast. A weather report to match my mood. The strong smell of imported French coffee greeted me when I stepped inside the house. "Sidney Aida Banks!" Uh oh, the middle and last name, I thought. "You've got some nerve disappearing like that without telling us!" Mrs. Phillips shook her index finger at me, while pounding into the foyer. "For God's sake, I went camping," I grumled and threw my hipsack full of dirty clothes at her feet. She had stopped talking, but her mouth remained open. I began to climb the white-carpeted staircase. "Don't you dare think for once second that I'm doing your laundry. You can come down here and do it yourself, young lady," she was running out of things to threaten me with. "I'm afraid I'll break the washing machine," I snorted in amusement after reaching the top of the stairs. I heard her release a frustrated cry and kick my bag accross the tiled foyer. I laughed even harder and shut my bedroom door, locking it behind me. While tossing my shoes and jacket into the closet, the latest issue of People magazine caught my eye. I took it from where it rested on my bed and flipped through the pages. I discarded it to the floor after discovering a two page article about Isaac, Taylor, and Zac. The thought of them being in the public's eye scared me. My opinion of them and the way I acted towards them could change, or even worse, they might change. A sudden clash of thunder caused me to jump. The rain soon followed. I smiled and walked to my window, for I loved it when it rained. I opened the small french doors, which were draped in lace, and edged my way out onto the widow's walk. Leaning on the stone railing, I shut my eyes and took in the smells and sounds of the storm. "Hey! Sid!" a soft calling came from somewhere in the backyard. I lifted my heavy eyelids to find Taylor creeping out of a hedge that separated the yard from the street. He motioned for me to come down and then ran for cover under the willow tree. I raced down the stairs, not bothering with my jacket or shoes. "Where are you running off to now, Sidney," Mrs. Phillips' monotone voice brought me to a hault when I reached the kitchen. I held up a cigarette and lighter for her to see, "Smoke." She shook her head in disgust, an idicator for me to continue on with my business. I trotted out onto the back deck and then the wet grass. Joining Taylor under the tree, I found myself in his arms and our lips pressed gently together. "Why did you come out here again?" I asked, still craddlng his face in my hands. "Because I have some great news," his smile shone like the sun. "Well, what is it?" I was curious. "My mom's gonna have another baby," he happily told me. "Oh that's wonderful, Taylor," I threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Yeah, I know. And it got me thinking. About me and you, I mean," he began, but was interrupted. "Sidney! It doesn't take you that long to smoke a cigarette!" Mrs. Phillips called for me. "Like hell it doesn't!" I shouted back. A pause of silence and then the door shut. "You were saying?" I returned my attention to him. "I'm saying...that what happened the other night with us should happen more often," he cracked a slight grin. I felt him push our bodies closer together, causing me to giggle. "You're right," I said. "I'm always right," he nuzzled at my neck. I giggled again, as I never had before, and brought his head up to face me. "Do you think you can get out of the house and come back around ten or eleven tonight?" I asked. He nodded, "I'll be here." I smiled and kissed him. "Until then," he returned the smile as we slowly slipped away from eachother. I skipped back to the house in delight. "What are you so happy about?" the warden inquired, sipping her coffee. "Nicotine makes me giddy," I excused myself. She furrowed her brow after looking me over, "How'd you get so wet for being outside only five minutes?" I looked down at the wet spots on my shirt and shorts from where Taylor's front had been. I felt myself become flush, making me retreat to my room for a shower without leaving her an answer.

[Chapter Seventeen]