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Skye hauled butt that afternoon to get away from the school. Her feelings were all messed up, and she was certain she was sorely mistaken when she had thought that she had a crush on Taylor.

Please, God, don't let this be true. I don't want to like Taylor! He's so...he's so...Taylor-ish, her mind pleaded.

Once she had reached home, she raced out of the car, darted up the stairs, and locked the door to her room, with her in it. She quickly shed herself of her skirt, sweater, and hose, and pulled on her pajamas. Crawling into bed, she began to cry.

Taylor sat on the porch swing, tapping his toe on the wood floor and drumming his fingers on the arm rest. He looked about nervously. He was kinda hoping that Skye would make an unannounced visit right then. He closed his eyes, and pictured her loping up the front walk in ratty jeans and a tattered t-shirt that had mustard and grass stains all over it. Her hair was pulled back away from her face in a sloppy ponytail, and she'd call out, "Hey, Skinny!"

He felt himself grinning, and suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment. He opened his eyes, and blushed deeply. Instead, coming up the front walk he saw Josh Andrews. Josh bent down, and picked up a basketball that lay conveniently by the sidewalk.

"Hey, Tay," he called. Tay nodded in response. Josh looked at him. "What's up with you? You look like your mom just walked in on you and Skye in the middle of one of your makeout sessions."

Taylor glared at him. "Skye and I don't makeout. That's disgusting. We're only friends," he informed the dark-haired boy. Josh put up his hands innocently.

"Okay, okay. So I've been misled to believe otherwise. Sorry," he said, dribbling the ball. "Do you wanna go out back and play some ball?"

"Sure," Taylor said. He got up and followed Josh around to his backyard. As the game got underway, Josh asked, "Are you gonna play this year?"

"For the team?" Taylor asked.

"Yeah," Josh said, shooting a 3-pointer. It went through the net with a 'swoosh'.

"I don't know. Can I still get in?" Taylor asked, rebounding and trying. It bounced off the rim.

"Ooh, poor shot," Josh snickered. "But, yeah. I mean, varsity try-outs start next Monday."

"That's darned short notice," Taylor muttered, grabbing back his own ball and making for another shot. He watched as it ricocheted off the backboard. He grimaced.

"Yeah," Josh said, running out to get the ball. "But, I mean, you're pretty good...on any normal day."

"Shut up," Taylor snapped, as he attempted to guard Josh. Josh pivoted, and went around him. Taylor was too preoccupied with his thoughts to really care. He made another perfect shot.

"Nothin' but net," Josh said with a grin. He took the ball out, and passed it back in. "Besides, it would get your mind off of all the crap going on around here," Josh said, waving to the air. "Nobody needs this stress."

"What stress?" Taylor asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Josh asked, watching in slight disgust as Taylor lobbed the ball at the goal. The ball sunk to the ground feet before it even got to the net.

"Isn't what obvious?" Taylor asked, turning to face him.

Josh rolled his eyes, and picked up the ball that was rolling toward him. He made a few quick moves down the "court" and did a lay-up. The ball again sliced through the net with ease. Taylor jumped and caught the ball firmly in his hands, trying to concentrate.

Mrs. Hanson suddenly leaned her head out the back door. "Josh, your mom just called. She said you need to get home right now."

"Okay. Thanks, Mrs. H," Josh called. Josh turned and began to walk away.

Taylor stopped him. "Hey, Josh, aren't you going to tell me what's obvious?"

Josh paused and looked over his shoulder. Taylor was getting ready to make a shot. He watched as the ball launched into the air, Taylor frozen.

"You're completely in love with Skye," Josh said in a sing-song voice. Taylor's eyes widened, just as the ball went through the hoop. Josh smiled to himself. "See you later, Tay."

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