"Okay, this should be the one." Corey drove past a large house surrounded by a think line of trees.
"Lay on the horn." She prayed they wern't busy playing. "Wait-" she held his hand, preventing him from pushing on the steering wheel. "They're outside already. Lets make the last loop." Her stomach was in knots. She couldn't believe they were outside. This was going to be a lot easier than she expected. At least she had found them.
On the far side of the block, Bria pulle her hair back into a low pony tail, then opened her door, holding it mostly closed. Undoing her belt, she braced for the impact. Turning the final corner, Cory slowed and set the cruise at fifteen miles.
"Here's my number. Promise you'll call?"
"Promise. Here's the money." She handed him the hundred dollar bill with one hand while stuffing the number in her pocket with the other. "I'll call you so I can get my stuff, if you don't mind letting me leave it here."
"Another reason for you to have to call me." He smiled.
"Right. Here we go." As they came up on the house, Corey turned his legs toward her. She gave him a final smile.
"Thanks. I really appreciate this." And with that, Corey kicked her as hard as he could. Bria's body pushed the already open door wide as she went tumbling out of the moving car. Her right shoulder had taken the impact of the door, which made her flip over onto her other shoulder on the pavement, then coming to a stop on her back, arms and legs splayed in the road. She closed her eyes as her head thundered. The last thing she heard was shouts as she blacked out.

"Hey. Hey." Something wet and warm touched her face, bringing her to consciousness. Opening her eyes, she looked up into brown ones. Recognizing them immediately, she tried desperately to remember the lines she had rehearsed, now that she was where she wanted to be. Now was her chance. "You're awake." She didn't respond, but took a minute to take in her surroundings. She had been moved onto grass, but she was still outside. She made herself look dazed and serious when inside she wanted to jump up and dance with a huge grin on her face because Zac Hanson was kneeling over her, looking at her. At her. Taylor was holding a glass of water while he and Isaac stood over her. "Can you talk?" Zac asked.
"Yeah." At least her body didn't betray her. She sounded as rough as she felt. She tried to move her head, but pain exploded, forcing her to stop and grimace.
"What happened?" Taylor asked, kneeling down on her right side next to Zac. She looked from Zac to Taylor. She couldn't believe she was here, and had achieved her goal. Now for her story.
"More like, what made you fall out of the car like that?" Isaac said.
Bria made tears well up in her eyes. "He was angry because I was- am trying to leave." A tear spilled out as she looked into Zac's eyes, desperate. "I told him I was leaving for LA, to try to become famous."
"This is going to be a long story, I can tell. Let's get her inside," Zac said, "at least to the couch." The brothers nodded, then tried to help her up.
Wincing, and real tears of pain rolled down her cheek as she stood up, then limped into the house, an arm around Zac, and the other around Taylor. As they eased her down onto the couch, she slowly wiped her eyes. "Thank you for all your help," she said, agony in her voice. While she layed down, Isaac, Taylor and Zac pulled up chairs around her. As she looked into their eyes, she slowly began her new story.
"I've lived with my uncle since I was two. He's never been kind to me. Always resented me for being a burden on him. He's my only family left, since my parents died in a car accident," she paused, looking down sadly at her scraped up hands. Brushing at a drop of blood, it seemed to remind Zac that she might have other injuries.
"Where are your other wounds?" He asked.
"I don't think it's anything major, just scrapes and bruises. I don't think anything is broken. At least, nothing feels like it." Zac nodded. "But this one spot here-" she reached slowly for her upper left arm where the fabric was worn and ripped.
"Let me see." Zac slowly unzipped her blue hoodie, revealing a crimson tank top. He moved the shoulder back, revealing her shoulder. "Can you take this off?" Bria nodded slightly. She sat up while he helped her take it off.
"Oh shit," Taylor gasped, seeing her arm, then looking at the other and seeing a large blooming bruise and scrapes along her neck. "Isaac, go get me a wash cloth, ointment and an ice pack." As she leaned back on the pillows, she closed her eyes and continued the story, trying to ignore the pain. It was worth it.
"So then about a week ago I told my uncle that I wanted to try my luck in LA. He got angry, and started smacking me around. Told me I wouldn't make it, and would never amount to anything, the usual putdowns. I think he just didn't want me to leave so he'd still get money from the state for me. Anyway, so after he'd locked me in my room for a few days, I finally managed to get out and call my "boyfriend" to come get me." She made sure she had made the quotes with her hands before continuing. Just then Isaac returned with the supplies while Zac tended to her scrapes and Taylor fixed the ice pack between her arm and the couch. As Isaac sat, she continued. "So he did, and then I told him that I wanted him to drive me out of Tulsa, going west, and that I'd hitch rides from there if I had to. That was when he got angry and pushed me out. We're not together any more."
"What a douche." Zac said, shaking his head. Bria smiled slowly, forcing it.
"Yeah, so, here I am."
"Sounds like you've had a rough week." Taylor said gently.
"I'm just glad I got out of that whole thing. And I appreciate you fixing me up." She looked into Zac's eyes as he gingerly cleaned her scraped shoulder. "The sooner I can get out of your way the better. My goal is to not be a burden to any one any more, and this isn't helping." She hoped a little reverse phychology would let her stay a little longer.
"We're really busy-" Isaac began.
"But we can take a break for a while, until you're better." Taylor cut in.
"So you're running away." Zac said, musing, completely off the topic.
"I guess, in a way, but I don't have anything important to run away from, and I'm not rebelling, like most who run. I just want a chance at my own life."
"That's a good story." Zac said, pretending to play a piano. She couldn't believe she was seeing Zac write a song right before her. She watched him get up and disappear around a corner.
"So what's your name?" Taylor asked, sitting next to her on the edge of the couch.
"Bria. Bria Waverly."
"Nice to meet you Bria. That name sounds familiar. Waverly." While he thought about it, she searched for something to change the topic. She didn't really have any family here, and she didn't want to get any one else involved.
"So what's your guy's names?" She asked innocently, like she didn't know already. Taylor and Isaac looked at her, suprised. They exchanged lookes with eachother.
"I'm Taylor, and that's Isaac. The other one is Zac."
"Nice to meet you. And thanks again for helping me."
"No problem." Taylor smiled charmingly at her. If she took a shower and was able to clean up some, she'd be a stunner, he thought. "Would you like to shower or anything? I know it helps me to wash the thoughts of a bad day away." He wanted to see her dressed normal. Well, as normal as could be without a change in clothes. Clothes. "Do you have clothes? Where's all your stuff? Were you taking anything with you?"
"I was, but it got left in the car I was pushed out of." She gave a weak laugh. "I would like a shower though. What about-" she motioned to her bandage.
"We can put some plastic on it. Only slightly ghetto." Taylor smiled, his blue eyes shining. She had really pretty eyes, he though.
"Alright. And maybe some Tylenol?" She looked hopefully at Taylor. Taylor looked at Isaac, about to ask.
"I'll get it." Isaac said quietly, leaving them alone. Bria looked at Taylor. God he was gorgeous. His hair all messy, his chin covered with day old stubble, his white tee shirt and jeans, complete with bare feet. If she felt better physically, she'd jump on him right now. Willing herself to calm down, she had to settle with looking into his eyes.
"I think you'd do really well in LA," Taylor said quietly. "Once your scrapes go away." He smiled.
Bria laughed a little. "Thanks for the confidence."
"You know, now that I think about it, we don't have any girl's clothes around here."
"It's okay, just a pair of shorts and a shirt will do until I can get more stuff, if you don't mind." She gave a shy smile.
"I think I could find something." He returned her smile. Zac came in and found them smiling at eachother.
"I get a moment of inspiration and you take advantage." Zac said, shaking his head at his brother. While he sat, Isaac came back with a glass of ice water and two pills of Tylenol.
"Here." Isaac said, handing her the glass.
"Thanks." Popping the pills in her mouth, she downed the water. Taylor took the glass from her.
"Hey Tay. Why don't you go put that glass away?" Zac said, slightly irritated. Taylor glaired at Zac.
"Why don't you go find some plastic so we can keep her bandage dry so she can shower?" Zac returned Taylor's glair with one of his own, then turned it on Isaac. Shaking his head, Isaac got back up and went to the kitchen.
Sensing the boy's tension and grinning internally, she said," Where is the bathroom, anyway?"
"This way." Zac jumped up and reached for Bria's hand as Taylor did the same. Taking both hands, Bria pulled herself up.
"Ouch." She said, laughing a little. Next time, get a stunt double, she thought to herself, hoping for the Tylenol to kick in. They helped her down to the bathroom.
"Will you be able to manage by yourself?" Zac asked.
"I'll try, but I'll let you know if I need anything." Zac nodded.
"Use whatever you need in there." Taylor told her as he let go of her. "I'll go get you some clothes. Be right back." Bria nodded, and held on to Zac. She still couldn't believe she was here, arms around Zac. He smiled down at her.
"What's your name?"
"Bria. Taylor told me your name is Zac." He nodded.
"That it is. You have really pretty eyes." Bria smiled.
"Thank you. You do too. And I love your hair." Zac laughed.
"Thanks. How tall are you, anyway?"
"Five eight."
"Awesome." Taylor rejoined them with a stack of clothes. On top of it was a towel. "If you need me, I'll be right here. Just yell."
"We'll be right here." Taylor corrected, with another evil look.
"Thank you so much guys, I really, really appreciate this." She smiled at them, then held onto the wall as she left the support from Zac, and made it into the bathroom. Closing the door behind her, she breathed a sigh of relief. So far her plan was going smoothly. She was here in Tulsa, in the house Hanson lived in, and they were paying attention to her. The only regret she had with this plan was that she wasn't able to walk normally and have her own clothes and look like her normal self. She went through the clothes Taylor had given her. A blue tee shirt, a white wife beater, white with blue striped boxers, and a pair of jean shorts that once had been long jeans. Holding them up against her, they came down just below her knees. Not so hot. So she'd have to improvise. She went to the shower and turned it on, adjusting the water temperature. She began looking at all the shampoos, soaps and colognes. She grinned at herself stupidly in the mirror over the sink. Going back to the shampoos, she found one she used herself on occasion. She knew she shouldn't have held it past- probably Taylor- to use Biosilk. Two different scents of Axe- she laughed quietly, and a bar of soap. No loofah-oh, wait, there it was. She laughed again. She didn't think she'd have any problems with the products they used, they were mostly the same as hers. Just nothing flowery smelling. Setting the twoel on the toilet lid next to the shower, she began undressing. Man, was she going to be sore tomorrow. But it was totally worth it.

"So what do you guys think of Bria?" Taylor asked, all of them sitting in Isaac's bedroom. They wanted to be close just in case she called.
"She's really pretty. Even dirty." Zac smiled. Taylor nodded in agreement.
"I'm suprised she didn't know who we were. Most everybody in Tulsa knows who we are." Isaac pointed out. "I wonder how old she is."
"Yeah, me too," Zac said. "It's cool though. We can just pretend to be normal people. I think she's probably around twenty or so."
"Yeah, that'd be my guess. It sucks about her uncle though. How could someone be so mean to a girl like that?" Taylor said in disbelief.

Chapter Six