"Mom, I don't want to be here." Taylor complained from the back of thier van. They were in Indiana, for some business thing.
"I know Taylor. You've told us a million times. Why not?" His mother said.
"I don't know." Actually, he did know. He was afraid of running into Colleen.
"Well, we have a surprise for you, Taylor."
"What?"
"We're staying with Colleen's family." Taylor's eyes grew large.
"What!!! Why?"
"Because they are the only ones we know here and it cost too much for our whole family to stay in a hotel." Taylor sighed, knowing there would be no way for him to be able to go without seeing her. About twenty minutes later, they arrived at Colleen's new (well, not anymore) house. A lot bigger than their old one. Everyone gathered at the front door and rang the doorbell.
"I'll get it." was heard from inside. A way older looking Mike answered the door. He was now fifteen. (Well, Zac would be in five days.)
"Mike?" Diana asked.
"Yep." he said. "You guys can come in." he said and let them inside. Mr., Mrs., Jessie, Avery, Mac, and Zoe went into the family room while Zac, Isaac, and Taylor stood in the entry way. Soon, they heard something at the top of the stairs and looked up. They saw Colleen standing there. She was very pale faced, dark long hair, wearing dark eyeliner, dark brown lipstick, long black courds, and a black tight shirt.
'Wow, did she change.' Isaac thought.
'That's Colleen? It can't be.' Taylor thought.
'She's scary.' Thought Zac. Colleen finished coming down the stairs and stopped to look at them. Then she began a very small smile.
"Hi." she smiled, revealing her perfectly straight teeth.
'Oh, I'm melting.' Taylor thought at her smile.
Isaac raised his eyebrows.
'Wow, she looks fine. Even in that weird outfit.' he thought.
"Is that what you usually wear?" Zac asked. He would.
"Nice to see you too, Zac. No, it isn't." she said.
"My friends are coming over and we were showing eachother our Holloween costumes." Colleen looked at Isaac and smiled. She had never really NOTICED him before. He was really hot. She also noticed him smiling at her. Then she looked over at Taylor. She remember how they would kiss. She now, of course, knew that that was NOT what friends did. She kind of laughed as she thought of that.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing. Come on. Let us go join the others." she said and lead them into the family room. Since about every peice of furniture was in use, they had to stand towadrds the back of the room. About seven minutes later, the doorbell rang.
"Aeren and Elizabeth!" Colleen almost screamed and she ran for the front door.
"Hey, since when have you had female friends?" Taylor snickered. Colleen gave him a look.
"Ever since I left you." she shot back. Colleen answered the door. There was Aeren and Elizabeth. They stepped inside.
"So?" Aeren asked, turning in circles. She was dressed in high heels, fish-net stockings, a short, tight black skirt, a tight red sleeveless top and make-up caked on.
"Perfect." Colleen said. Elizabeth stood there. She had a long black, flowy dress on and her face was painted white. She had fake vampire teeth and a black wig on.
"So, what are you suppossed to be?" Taylor asked Aeren.
"A slut." Aeren replied bluntly.
"Oh." He said. "I'm Taylor."
"Aeren."
"Elizabeth." She said, and they all shook hands. Then Isaac came with Zac. Zac stared at Aeren. Even though she was dressed like a slut, he still found this strange attraction to her.
"I'm Zac." He said and put his hand out to Aeren. Isaac introduced himself as well and stood by Colleen. Taylor looked at Aeren, she looked like she might be nice.
"Well, right now, Aeren, Elizabeth, and I have to go up and change." Colleen said and all three of them went up the stairs to Colleen's room.
"I think Taylor still likes me. Oh, man, is Isaac finer than ever."
"Yeah, Taylor's hot too." Elizabeth stated.
"I agree. But Zac is cute too." Aeren said.
"Where did you meet them?" Aeren asked.
"I told you that I was Taylor's best friend before I moved here and he always kissed me and stuff."
"Oh yeah." Soon, the three girls were dressed and headed down stairs.
"Isaac, I think I like her." Zac told him.
"Like who?" he asked.
"Aeren."
"Oh."
"Do you have any advice?" Zac asked.
"Ask her out."
"I hardly even know her."
"You know that you like her."
"I guess you're right."
Aeren, Elizabeth, and Colleen came all the way down the stairs and found Isaac, Zac, and Taylor sitting at the kitchen table.
"Hi Aeren!" Zac said. She smiled.
"Hi, Zac." she said back. Her eyes settled on Taylor. He was so cute. He sat there, looking slightly annoyed.
"What's wrong, Taylor?" she asked. He eyes rolled over to Colleen.
"Nothing." he replied and looked back at Aeren. She looked hurt at his expression. They all sat down at the table.
"Oh!" Colleen said, getting up.
"I left the laptop outside and it's about to rain. I have to go get it. I'll be right back." she finished. Taylor watched her leave. He stood up as well.
"I have to go to the bathroom." and left the room also, following Colleen.
"He doesn't even know where the bathroom is." Isaac said, repressing a laugh. Taylor opened the porch door and saw Colleen pulling the cord out of the wall. She looked up and smiled.
"Hi." she said. He smiled back. He stood and watched her as she neatly wrapped the long black cord up.
"I really missed you when you left." he spoke softly. She stopped and looked over at him.
"I missed you too." Colleen stood next to him. He smiled slowly.
"I think this is the happiest I've seen you since you got here." she said quietly. He slowly leaned forward and let his lips linger on hers. He stepped closer and put his hand on her cheek and deepened the kiss, letting thier tongues touch. Colleen pulled away abuptly.
"Taylor, we can't."
"But-"
"That was five years ago." He stepped back and frowned.
"And you lied to me." she said again. Taylor's expression was now more hurt.
"How did I lie to you?" he asked lugubriously.
"You know. You used it to use me. I felt like your little toy." Taylor cocked his eyebrows.
"I didn't use you." He turned around, knowing she was mad at him. "I just...."
"You just what?" She asked, wanting to hear what he was going to say. He turned back around and looked directly in her eyes.
"I just could never tell you that I liked you more than a friend so I made up the whole "friends kiss" thing so I could kiss you. I thought you enjoyed it too. I was going to ask you out but then you moved. You were my best friend, Colleen." Taylor said. Colleen looked down as she listened to him. "I still want that."
"Want what?" she asked, now calm and soft.
"Want to be friends. Close, like we were before." She looked in his shimmAereng blue eyes and saw that he was holding back tears. At that a tear fell from her eye. Colleen stepped towards Taylor and wrapped her arms around his neck. Taylor completed the embrace by surrounding her back with his arms tight. Colleen put her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry for how I acted." Taylor said.
"It's okay. I'm sorry. too."
"I wonder what they're doing." Elizabeth said, looking out the kitchen window and into the porch, where Taylor and Colleen were. She couldn't see them, but she had heard Colleen's voice above normal volume.
"Friends?" Taylor asked as they seperated.
"Of course. Friends." They shook each other's hand and headed inside. But before they went into the kitchen, Taylor stopped.
"I really do have to use the bathroom." and took off.
"Huh?" she called out to no one. Colleen shugged and returned to the kitchen. She recieved looks, glares, and very shocked faces from the remaining people at the table. She ignored it and sat down.
"How about movie tonight?" Colleen suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Okay. Let's go. We can take two cars. Aeren's and...."
"We can take mine." Isaac offered.
"Great. Let's go." They got up and headed for the cars, except for Colleen. She waited for Taylor. He came into the kitchen.
"Where'd everyone go?" he asked.
"We're going to the movies. Come on." She grabbed him arm and pulled them out of the door. Aeren's car was already started and she had Elizabeth and Zac in her car. Colleen leaned down into the window.
"Let's go to U.A. I'll ride with them." Colleen ran over to Isaac's car and hopped in.
"So where are we going?" Isaac asked, backing down the driveway.
"To United Artist. Just follow Aeren." Colleen said. Aeren backed out and all of them headed to the theater. Elizabeth, Aeren and Zac got the tickets (each person paid for themselves, just they went up and bought.) As they walked into the theater, they recieved a couple of glances from people that went to Aeren and Colleen's school. (Elizabeth was from Cleveland and was visiting) Isaac moved towards a six-seater isle. Next to him sat Colleen, then Taylor, and Aeren, and Zac and Elizabeth. Zac was ecstatic to be able to sit next to Aeren. Elizabeth just missed Ryan. She remembered how they would hold hands and go to movies. But, now she was here, and he was there, and they wouldn't be together for two weeks. As she stared at the screen and let her mind wander, Zac had something else on his mind. Aeren. He looked over at her and she noticed out of the corner of her eye. She was fully aware that he liked her. But she wasn't sure yet. Taylor seemed some what of a prick to her. But, she had only heard him say about five words. Must be shy.
Isaac glanced down at Colleen's lap. (Don't think anything sick by that.) Her left arm was on the arm rest next to him and her left hand was on her leg. He noticed her fingers started to move a little. She had noticed him watching her. Isaac, feeling a little flirtatious, reached down and traced the sliver chain around her wrist. Colleen glanced down at the action taking place. He slowly moved his fingertips up her arm. Colleen tried to hold back a smile as goosebumps formed on her arm, and just about everywhere else. Isaac continued his trails as they moved on with watching the movie. About five minutes later, Colleen made her move. She leaned over and kissed Isaac on the cheek and let her lips linger over his face. He smiled and looked over at her. Before she could look away, like she wanted too, Isaac pressed his lips against hers. As immediatly as their lips connected, their tongues were touching. The shock of how quickly it had happened washed away and they continued kissing. Taylor glanced over, noticing Colleen's form had changed from the way she was just sitting there, watching the movie, to barely even seeing her from the corner of his eyes. He sighed as he watched her and his older brother go at it.
'She won't let me kiss her, but she'll let Ike kiss her.' Taylor thought.
Isaac's hand came up and rested on Colleen's face. Taylor returned his attention to the movie and absentmindly put his arm down on the arm rest. Little did he know that it was already occupied. As soon as their hands touched, Taylor looked at Aeren and smiled appologetically.
"Sorry." he whispered. Aeren smiled as well.
"It's okay." she said. They found themselves next to staring into each others eyes. But Zac intercepted and "accidentally" bumped her with his elbow, causeing her to look his way.
"Sorry." Zac said. Aeren smiled.
"Damnit Zac." Taylor thought. He was really starting to like her. But he knew Zac liked her too.
Colleen put her hand on Isaac's shoulder and gently pulled away.
"Hold on." she said, taking a deep breath. They looked at each other and smiled. Isaac took her hand, brought to his lips and they continued to watch the movie.
"Hey guys, I'll be right back." Elizabeth called in a whisper down the row. She got up and headed for the bathroom. About ten minutes after Elizabeth left, and still hadn't come back, Isaac just couldn't take any longer. He leaned over and started to softly kiss Colleen's neck. He looked up, after a second, and saw Taylor looking at him, with a scowl on his face.
"Where is Elizabeth?" Aeren wondered out loud.
"I'm going to look for her." Aeren got up and left to find Elizabeth.
"Ryan, so, when are you coming?"
"Next week." Ryan said casually.
"Next week!?!?!?" Elizabeth asked excitedly.
"Yep. My boss said I could take an extra week off so I'll be there next week."
"Wow, well, great. I have to go." Elizabeth was tapped on the shoulder by Aeren. She almost screamed.
"Elizabeth, when were you planning on coming back?" Aeren asked.
"Right now. Ryan? Bye. See you soon."
"Bye." They hung up.
Elizabeth and Aeren walked back to the theater, but first they decided to stop and get some refreshments.
"What should I get?" Aeren asked
"I don't know. How about Popcorn?"
"Ok. That sounds good." Aeren bought the popcorn and they headed back to the theater.
"Hey, where were you?" Zac asked
"I had to make a call." Elizabeth said. "Want some popcorn?"
"Sure. Thanks." He took some and then passed it back down to Aeren. He was glad that he had to pass it down because he was hoping that he could touch her hand when he handed it to her.
"Aeren, here. Elizabeth told me to give it back to you." He held it out for her to grab.
"Thanks" She reached out her hand and their fingers touched. For a moment they just looked in eachothers eyes in amazement. Then Aeren grabbed the popcorn and looked back towards the movie screen. She was in a daze with what had happened between her and Zac. She didn't know if she liked him or not. But she was starting to realize that Zac liked her.
Soon the movie ended and they decided to head back to Colleen's house. This time Elizabeth, Aeren and Colleen all rode together and Zac, Taylor and Isaac rode together. This gave them a chance to converse about eachother.
"So, Colleen, what do you think about Isaac?" Elizabeth asked, half expecting to know the answer.
Colleen shrilled with delight. "He's such a sweetheart! He's adorable! I feel so bad that Taylor and I were practically making out before and now I'm in love with Isaac! I wish that I would have known how sweet he is!"
"Yeah, but Taylor isn't bad! " Aeren added.
"Oh yeah?" Elizabeth asked, "What makes you say that?" There must be a reason Aeren had decided to add her input.
"Well, he's pretty darn cute, you've gotta admit!" She said
"Ok. I admit it, but what about Zac? He seems to have a thing going for you." Elizabeth snickered.
"Well, actually... I like them BOTH!" She seemed very confused.
"Don't worry. You have time to decide, but you can't lead either of them on. That would be the meanest thing in the world that you could do." Colleen added.
Back in Ike's car, the guys were chatting.
"So, how was the movie Zac?" Taylor asked.
"Pretty good. Aeren shared her popcorn with me." Zac seemed adorably cheerful.
"Yeah, I saw!" Isaac said, "And I saw you two touching hands!" He teased. Zac's face started to blush. Taylor was secretly disappointed, but he just kept his feelings to himself.
"How about you, Tay? How was YOUR movie?" Isaac instigated.
"Ah, It was a pretty good movie.I especially liked the part where the guy fell off the train." He knew that wasn't what Isaac had asked, but he didn't want to express his feelings for Aeren while Zac was there.
"Oh, the movie's all that interested you?" He knew that Taylor was not the type of person to keep his mind on the movie.
"Yep." Taylor said in a pathetic little voice. "What about you? Was YOUR mind on the movie?"
"Actually no. Colleen and I have a little thing going on. I can't wait to see where it leads to!"
The cars pulled into her driveway and they all got out.
"Let's watch Saturday Night Live." Colleen said when they got into the house.
"Oh! I love that show!" Taylor said.
Everyone sat down around the couch. Isaac, Colleen, Aeren and Zac sat down on the couch. Elizabeth and Taylor sat down on the ground in front of the couch. Everyone was errupting with laughter when Taylor had an idea pop into his head. He looked over at Elizabeth and saw how pretty she was. Why not fool around with her? It would break Zac's heart if he liked Aeren. But in the mean time, he would make Aeren jealous.
Isaac made sure to sit next to Colleen on the couch, and very close too. He couldn't believe that for all the time she and Taylor and been friends, he had never noticed her. Not really anyway. Of course, she had been younger, but now....he looked over at her. He was just glad Taylor was over his little crush on her. He slipped his hand into hers and she looked over at him and smiled. He melted.
Taylor inconspicuously moved closer to Elizabeth. She didn't seem to notice. After a minute, he slowly slid his arm around her shoulders and was pleased to note that Aeren glanced down at them. He didn't mind this at all. Aeren was surprised to see Taylor put his arm aound Elizabeth. She was even more surprised to see that Jacyln didn't protest. 'She must not have noticed.' she thought. Just then she felt something touch her leg and jumped.
"Sorry." Zac said as he drew his hand away.
"That's okay."
For awhile Elizabeth and Taylor sat like that and Taylor wasn't sure if Elizabeth was letting him put his arm around her, or if she just didn't notice. He prepared himself to find out. He turned his head towards her so that his chin was over her shoulder. Elizabeth could feel him breathing in her ear and was finding it hard to concentrate on the T.V. Finally Taylor leaned over and started kissing her behind her ear. Elizabeth turned towards him and Taylor took the opprotunity to find her mouth. For a few seconds they kissed and then Elizabeth abruptly pulled away. Taylor could see the shock in her eyes.
"I have a boyfriend." she said queitly, so as not to draw attention to themselves.
"What?!" Taylor said, a little to loudly. She just gave him a look and turned back to the T.V. Taylor leaned back against the couch, very put out.
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Chapter 3 : NOT UP YET