Taylor got out his key from his wallet, opened the front door and stepped into his house."Anyone home?" he called out. No one replyed. Then he remembered that his mum was taking the kids shopping. He figured his dad must have gone with them. He kicked off his shoes and headed into the kitchen. He walked over to the fridge and opened the door. He pulled out the cold water jug and then shut the fridge. Taylor poured himself a glass and quickly gulped it down. His long walk home in the hot sun had made him very hot (hehe, no, I mean as in heat). He then walked out of the kitchen and into the lounge and flicked on the tv. He skipped through a couple of channels. Nothing but crap midday shows and home shopping commercials. Taylor moaned and turned off the tv. He pulled out his wallet and took out his ticket stub and Sarah's untouched ticket. He then sighed and slumped into the lounge chair.
"Tay......hey...Tay.....Taylor". Taylor mumbled something, riggled and went back to sleep. "Tay, get up," said Ike.
"What?" Tay mumbled.
"You've gotta get up," said Ike. Slowly Taylor opened his eyes and realised that he must have fallen asleep on the couch.
"Why?" Taylor asked.
"Cos, Sarah's mum is on the phone".
"Sarah's mum?"
"Yeah, she wants to talk to you". A little confused, and still a little weary, Taylor managed to stand up and walk into the kitchen.He picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he said.
"Hello Taylor, it's Mrs Davies. I was wondering if Sarah was with you," Sarah's mum said. She sounded a little concerned.
"No, she's not here. Why, what's wrong?"
"Well, she hasn't come home from the concert yet". Taylor looked at the clock on the wall. 7.30 pm. Woh, thought Taylor. I must have been asleep for ages.
"Well, the concert ended around one".
"Yes, I know. Did you drop her off after your swim?"
"Swim?".
"Yes, Sarah told me before she headed over to your house this morning that you were all going to go over for a swim in the lake after the concert". Taylor realised Sarah had used him for her make-believe alaby, without telling him of course.
"Oh yeah, the lake, um..no, she left with some friends after the that," Taylor lied.
"Well, do you have any idea where she could be?"
"Um, have you tried Jenny's? She could be there".
"Yes, I've tried there, Jenny doesn't know where she is either". Taylor sat in silence thinking for a while. Where could she be? He was starting to get concerned. "Taylor, are you sure you don't have any idea where she could be? She should've come home by now, I'm getting very worried".
"I'm sorry Mrs Davies, I don't have any idea where she is".
Mrs Davies sighed, "That's ok love, it's not your fault. She's probably off with some other friends. She'll probably walk through the door any moment and hit me with one of her 'sorry mum I lost my watch' routines". Taylor, pretended to let out a short chuckle. But then he remembered something. What about those guys she was with? Should I tell Mrs Davies about them? Sarah was acting really strange when she was with them today. "Well, if you don't know anything....." Mrs Davies started. Should I tell her? "...then I better let you go then..." No, Mrs Davies is probably right. Sarah will probably walk in any minute. There was no need to dob her in, that would only cause more hassles between them.
"I'm really sorry I couldn't help, but don't worry. As you said, she will probably be home any minute".
"I hope so. Well, thanks Tay, love. If you hear from her or she drops by tell her to get her little butt home quick-smart and that she has a lot of explaining to do".
"I will, I promise".
"Ok, I'll see you later Tay".
"Yeah. I'm sure she's fine Mrs Davies".
"Yeah, I'm sure she is too. I'm afraid worry and stress just come with being a mother".Taylor laughed."Bye, love".
"Bye Mrs Davies".Taylor hung up the phone. I wonder if she's with those guys, Taylor thought. Should I go look for her? Where would I look, it's too dark out, she could be anywhere. No, I'm sure she's fine. And after coming to that decision Taylor walked out of the kitchen, past the lounge and started up the stairs. He made it to the top of the stairs and then stopped still.God damnit!
"Ike!" he called, running back down the stairs and into the lounge to where Ike was sitting watching tv.
"Yeah, what?"
"Can you drive round town with me and help me look for Sarah?"
"Do you have any idea where she could be?" Ike asked as he slowly turned the car into 68th Street.Taylor sighed,
"No, I wouldn't have a clue". They had been driving around for about 5 minutes, driving up and down streets, pastfast-food stores and any other hang out places. But they couldn't find her anywhere.
"Has her mum rang all her friends?" Ike asked.
"All the ones she knows of," Taylor answered staring out the window.
"What about those guys she was with at the concert?"
"I don't know".
"Who were they?" Taylor took his time answering. He didn't really feel like talking about it with Ike, but then again, Ike was helping him out, so he had a right to know.
"Don't know, well I know about 2 of them, but who knows who the other guys are".
"Why was she with them anyway? I mean, you 2 are still going out right?"
"I guess". Taylor felt so uncomfortable talking about it. It was embarrassing. He didn't know why. He guessed that it was because he and Sarah had been the perfect couple for so long, the couple that everyone wanted to be like. But now they were nothing, well atleast they were heading that way.
"I don't have a clue what's going on," Tay said. Ike could tell that his brother was hurting, even though he was trying so hard not to show it. So Ike decided that he'd stop asking questions. They continued driving for another 5 minutes in silence, keeping their eyes open for any sign of Sarah. It was pitch black, the only light was from the street lights. No one was outside, everything was completely silent and still. As they turned another corner they started to hear the muffled sound of loud music coming from a couple houses further down the road. As they drove closer, the music became louder and the house came into sight. Cars were parked everywhere, all in the front yard and driveway, and the neighbours' driveways too. The music was so loud it was deafening. People were everywhere, mainly teenagers.
"Sounds like a heavy party," Ike said, "Do you think she'd be in there? I recognise a couple of kids from round here". Taylor looked over to the side of the house and noticed one of the boys that were with Sarah earlier that he knew.
"Yeah, there's Ron," he said pointing to the guy,
"Let's check it out". Ike found a spare spot to park the car. They both stepped out and started walking towards the house. They made their way to the front door, being careful to step past and around many kids that were sprawled on the ground, either throwing up or already passed out. They stepped through the front door, which was already open. Obviously the moral of this party was "the more the merrier", that and "let's get totally pissed off our nuts". Inside the house, the air stunk of smoke, alcohol and puke. Plus of course the ever deafening sound of punk rock music.
"Have a look around, and I'll meet you back at the door," said Tay. Ike went one way and Tay went another. Taylor couldn't believe how many people that were there. The place was packed. He struggled to walk past people without tripping over them or picking a fight. He saw kids dancing, smoking who knows what, making out, and to his disgust he also saw many couples actually having sex, clothed of course. It was obvious that every single person at this party was totally off their face. The more people he saw the more he prayed that he wouldn't find Sarah here. But a lot of good that did, when he noticed her sitting in a corner with some more guys, including the famous Jeff he had met earlier. He made his way over there. When he also noticed that she was cradling a bottle of vodka in one hand and a rolly in another, his heart dropped.No Sarah, what are you doing?
"Hey, it's the pretty-boy from this morning," Taylor was greeted by Jeff who sat grinning, staring Taylor right in the eyes. He had a satisfied look on his face. Some other guys turned to look at Tay, showing the same looks on their faces. The only difference between the lot of them was the brightness of each one's blood shot eyes. "Sar, your boyfriend's here," announced Jeff. Sarah, who hadn't yet noticed Tay managed to slur
"My boyfriend? What boyfriend?" She turned to face Taylor."Ohhhhh......that boyfriend" she giggled. Tay couldn't believe it, she was totally wasted. "Tay baby, you came," she slurred standing up and lunging at Taylor, draping her arms around him.Taylor caught her, holding her so she wouldn't fall.
"Come on Sarah, let's go," he said.
"Go where?" she asked nuzzling her face into his neck.
"Home, you're mum's worried about you".
"Ooooh," Jeff exclaimed sarcastically, "You wouldn't want to get in trouble with your mum now would you Sar". Everyone laughed at his pathetic comment, including Sarah, with her tiny, drunken giggle. Taylor just glared at Jeff, but Jeff's facial expression with his satisfied grin stayed the same.
"Come on," said Tay starting to walk away, holding Sarah and helping her walk.
"No, I don't think so," said Jeff, jumping to his feet and standing infront of Tay, blocking his way.
"Piss of man, we're leaving," said Taylor and turned to walk pass him. Jeff moved and again blocked Taylor's way.
"No, you're leaving, she's staying here," said Jeff.
"Why, so she can get more pissed and pass out in her own puke like everyone else? I don't think so," said Tay once again moving out of his way.
"She's staying here," said Jeff, still blocking him.
"Get out of my way," said Taylor bitterly.
"Ooh, getting tough now are we?" said Jeff laughing.
"Just piss of and leave us alone".
"Ok, we'll see what Sar wants," said Jeff, "Sar, you want to go home, or do you want to stay at the party with me and the guys?"
"I want to party" Sarah said softly. She had her eyes closed and was resting her head on Tay's shoulder.
"So that's that, she's staying," said Jeff, reaching for Sarah. Taylor pushed him away.
"Sarah, you don't want to stay here, do you?" Tay asked her softly.
"Yeah, she does, she just said so, remember," said Jeff reaching for her again. Taylor shoved him away again, harder this time.
"Sarah?" Tay asked again. Taking her time to answer, Sarah took a deep breath and sighed.
"Is Tay staying?" she asked, "I want to be with Tay". Taylor, smiled slightly, relieved.
"We're leaving," said Taylor. He picked Sarah up, carrying her in his arms, and pushed Jeff out of the way. He made his way towards the front door. When he reached it, he saw Ike standing there waiting for him.
"Oh no," Ike sighed when he saw the state that Sarah was in.
"Yeah, I know. Come on, let's get out of here," said Taylor. As they walked out the door and across the front yard over to the car they heard Jeff call from the house
"Catch up with ya later Tay!"
"Who was that?" Ike asked.
"Jeff," Tay muttered bitterly. When they got to the car, Taylor opened the back seat door and placed Sarah in the back and then climbed in with her. Ike climbed into the driver's seat and started up the car. Taylor lay Sarah across the seats and did up the middle seat belt around her waist and then his seat belt. He placed her head across his lap. She had fallen asleep now. As Ike drove the car down the street, making his way to Sarahs's house, Tay sat looking down at Sarah as she slept.He stroked her hair and sighed. What's going on Sarah?
