"...then again, Cathy probably wont show up.. I mean, she isn't exactly a little party wild child, is she?.... Cammie?? .... are you listening to me?" Alison asked, snapping her fingers infront of Cammies face. The two of them were in the libary. They were in a study period, but not much studying was being done.
"Huh?.. oh yeah.. I know what you mean..." Cammie said vaguely. Alison made a face.
"You have no idea on what I'm talking about do you?". Cammie gave her a 'guilty as charged' look. Alison rolled her eyes. "Doesn't matter.... so, what do you think of Taylor?" She asked. Cammie was taken back by the question, but she was also expecting it. It took her a few seconds before she answered.
"He's ok I guess... seems like a good guy.. but then again, I don't know him all that well." It wasn't known knowledge to her friends that she and Taylor had gone out after school the day before.
"I think he's gorgeous! And he keeps giving me these 'looks' ... I don't know.. do you think he likes me? No, of course he doesn't.. he doesn't know me that well to like me yet... but geez Cammie.. I sure like him.. I mean, he's perfect! He's sweet, good looking, funny, and Adel hasn't sunk her claws into him yet... just wait till she see's him though.. then it'll be all over for me.. I wouldn't stand a chance against someone like Adel.."
"Adel is a bubble brain air head who's main concerns in life are cheerleading, guys and whether or not shes up with the lastest fashion... shes a twerp who has nothing on you. Taylor would go for you over her any day!" Cammie told her. She felt sick inside. If Alison liked Taylor so much, there was no way she could pursue anything with him. She was one of Alisons best friends and she wouldn't do that to her. If she did, she would be no better than Adel. Alison smiled at her.
"You really think so? Maybe I should ask him to go to Jeremy's party with me... do you think he'd go with me?" She asked. Where going out with guys were concerned, Alison was a very timmid and shy girl. She could be friends with them, no problem. Cammie managed a weak smile.
"Yeah.. I know he would.. why wouldnt he?" She assured her friend. There was no way Cammie was going to let on that she had feelings for Taylor as well. Alison was nervous and self conscious enough.
Taylor sighed with relief when the lunch bell rang. He was starving and regretted opting to miss breakfast that morning. With his head down, he walked out of the class room and straight into a body. Books and pencil cases flew, as did Taylor and the figure he had run over.
"Oh shit! I'm sorry.. I didn't see you" Taylor apologized.
"Yeah well if you were watching where you were going- ... oh.. uh.. hi.." The girl said, giving him a brilliant smile, she teeth were perfect and white. She was pretty, and reminded Taylor of Tanya. She was smaller in size.. where everything was concerned. Not that size mattered much to Taylor.
"Hi... I really am sorry.. " He said again.
"Oh, don't worry about it... I'm Adel.. You're Zac's brother aren't you? I've heard all about you from Jodie.. my younger sister.. shes dating Zac now.."
"Yeah, so I've seen. It doesn't take him long... and yeah, I would be the brother.. I'm-"
"Taylor.. yes, I know.." Adel said, flashing him another smile. Taylor couldn't help but smile back at her. "So, what are you doing for lunch?" She asked him as they gathered up their books after standing up.
"I actually have some people to sit with.. so theres no need to worry.. I wont be alone"
"Why don't you come sit with me and my friends... I'm sure these other people wont mind you spreading your wings and making a couple of new friends... come on.. it's just one lunch time... you can go back to them tomorrow..." Adel reasoned, looking up at him with large chocolate brown eyes that Taylor couldn't resist. He couldn't get over how much she looked like Tanya. Grinning, Taylor agreed. "Great!" Adel smiled.
Cammie kept watch for Taylor as she and her friends sat, eating lunch. She haddn't seen him all day and she wasn't sure if she wanted to. Cammie hoped that he wouldn't mention the previous afternoon infront of everyone, especially Alison. If Alison found out Cammie had gone out with Taylor after confessing her feelings for him to her, she would be devastated. Cammie had been sworn to secrecy where Alisons feelings for Taylor were concerned.
"Hey.. Cammie... anything wrong girl? You haven't spoken...." Trent asked her. Joel and Dave nodded in agreement. Jeremy and Cathy were engaged in a conversation of their own. They were oblivious to the rest of the group.
"Yeah, she's been pretty quiet all day.." Alison said before taking a bite of her sandwhich.
"Nothings wrong... I never talk much anyway so why does it bother you so much now?" She snapped.
"Well, sorry..." Trent said, drawing out the word 'sorry' and raising his hands in defence. Cammie rolled her eyes and searched the cafeteria again with her eyes.Where is he? and where's Claudia for that matter.... must have had another nightmare... Taylor'll know anyway.. she thought. As if reading her thoughts Alison asked
"Hey... where's Taylor? He's here today... we had photography together.". Cammie shurgged her shoulders. Then she spotted him. Just as he entered through the large blue double doors, she stood up to wave him over. Cammies heart sank when she saw who was walking next to him, her arm linked with his. Adel. Cammies eyes burned into Taylor and when he spotted Cammie, the smile on his face fell. She couldn't stand it when Taylor let Adel lead him over to the table where the rest of her sheep were sitting. He sat down next to Adel, Stacey was on his other side.He didn't come over.... not even to tell us... tell me.. Cammie thought, sitting back down in her chair.
"What was that about?" Dave asked her, the others had obviously not noticed Taylor walk in.
"Noth.... uh... nothing.... I just thought I saw..... um.. saw someone... but it wasn't them..." She said lamely.How could he do this..... after what I told him about her... about what they've done to Claudia... to me... the hell with him! Alison can have him for all I care! Cammie thought. She stood up.
"Where ya going Cam's?" Trent asked her, looking up from his salad. Trent was a very light eater and a vegan. He hated the thought of eating an animal or anything animal based.
"Nowhere... I left something in my locker for my next class... it's easier to go get it now then at the end of lunch... when the hall isn't so crowded." She explained. Not waiting for an answer, she turned and walked as fast as she could out of the cafeteria. Cammie had just pushed through the double doors when she heard them open after her.
"Cammie! Wait... " Taylors voice called out to her. She was already half way down the hall. Ignoring him, she continued walking at her fast pace. "Cammie!" He called again, he was closer now, obviously running to catch up with her. Grabbing her arm he said "Cammie!.. Didn't you hear me.. I was calling out to you...". She yanked her arm out of his grip. Cammie turned to face him. She fought to keep in the tears. She never allowed anyone to see her cry.
"For starters, never grab me like that... secondly, never talk to me again. I don't know you and vice versa... got it? .. Theres nothing between us and there never will be.."
"What? just because I sat with Adel... look, I'm sorry ok?.. We crashed into eachother in the hall before lunch and she invited me to sit with them... I know how you feel about her, but she hasn't done anything to me, therefore I have no reason to dislike her." Taylor said, starting to get angry. He really liked Cammie, and was sorry that Adel had put her though misery, but Adel had been sweet and nice to him.
"It's just not you sitting with Adel.. although, that is one of the things contributing to my decision... but I found out something today that will prevent me from taking things further with you. I'm not going to lie. I like you very much.. but there can never be a relationship between us.."
"Cammie.. this is crazy! I can't just pretend not to know you... I like you a lot to, why cant we try things between us?"
"Taylor! Look at you! Look at me! Do you honestly think I'm the type of girl your paretns want you to bring home? One look at me and they would have you committed. Taylor, there are multiple reasons keeping us apart... we cant fight them so I'm not even going to try." Cammie told him.
"My parents don't care who I date.. they only care if I'm happy or not... and what did you find out today?" Taylor questioned her.
"Yeah, right.. trust me, I'm not what your parents want for you. They want the all american girl.. a blonde, big boobed cheerleader... like your last girlfriend in LA. You said so yourself yesterday, so don't give me that shit about them not caring who you date."
"Cammie... I will go out with who I want to... not who my parents want me to... and you didn't answer me.."
"Answer you about what?"
"What did you find out today? Why cant we take things further between us?"
"I'm not at liberty to say Taylor.. we can be friends... thats it. Now, just go back to Adel... she'll be wondering where you are. See you around Taylor." Cammie said, turning to walk away. Taylor reached out and took her arm again. Cammie shot him a look over her shoulder. He let go. Without protesting, he watched as she walked away from him. Cammie couldn't get away from him fast enough.
"Where the hell have you been all day?" Taylor questioned his brother. The day before, the two of them had run into eachother quite a lot. Today, however, proved to be the exact opposite.
"I've been at school"
"Where? I didn't see you"
"Taylor! I was at school... just because you didn't see me doesn't mean I wasn't there, geez, why do you have to always jump down my throat all the damn time?!" Zac exclaimed. Taylor looked at him and rolled his eyes.
"Ok, I can see your Mr Happy today... what flew up your butt?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Thats what I said isn't it?"
"Fine... it's nothing." Taylor said. The two of them were walking to the Walsh's house. Angela was working late and had the car.
"I can't see why Ike couldn't come get us.." Zac mumbled. Taylor shurgged.
"Maybe he's busy... besides, the walk will do us good... gives us a chance to talk." He said. By the tone of his voice, Zac knew Taylor didn't want to have a friendly chat. He was about to be lectured about something unknown to him. Zac sighed.
"What about?" He asked.
"The way you've been treating Claudia."
"What?"
"You heard me... Zac, you're being a complete asshole to her and I want to know why.. she hasn't done jack shit to you, except try to be your friend."
"She's a goddamn freak Tay! I mean, look at her! And if you ask me, someone who would do all that kinda shit to themselves has a few screws loose up top..."
"What? Zac, she didn't do all that to herself..." Taylor said, disgusted that his brother would suggest such a thing.
"Yeah? Then how did it happen?"
"I don't know.. but she couldn't do those sort of things to herself! Who told you that?" Taylor demanded.
"Everyone who talks about her! It's all I hear about.. and they're starting to think I'm the same as her... it's everything I can do to convince them otherwise... there is no way in hell I would ever be like her... the things she did...geez.. theres something wrong with the girl.. it scares me just to look at her.."
"You know what... just shut up Zac.. don't speak another word until you have something mature and intelligent to say ok? Just the sound of your voice right now is enough to make me want to smack you out." Taylor told him. He couldn't get over how his brother was acting.Maybe I should take this to Mom and Dad.. I mean, we have to live with the girl.. this can't go on... Taylor thought. No, I'll talk to Ike first... see if he can get through to the boy. Taylor looked at Zac and wondered what went wrong. He had never known Zac to act like this towards someone and he didn't like it. Zac remained silent for the rest of the walk home.
