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Jessica Grace Hanson: The Oreo Filling

"Hanson! Hanson! Hanson!" Once again, the voices of what seemed like endless hoards of girls rang through the air. Our bus screeched to a halt in front of, yet another, Planet Hollywood. This one..umm..Chicago, I think.
I glanced out the window to catch a somewhat unpleasant view of, oh, I'd say about fifty million hands banging on the bus window.
It was time to make the journey. The dreaded, twenty-five foot journey from the bus doors, through the endless sea of screaming girls, and safely into the doors of the building.
I watched as my brothers: Isaac, Tay, and Zac stepped out into the crowd with security guards at their sides. Girls were screaming, hands were grabbing, cameras were flashing...ya know, the usual.
It was my turn. Dad had gotten off with the guys leaving Avery, Mac, Zoë, Mom, and I to fend for ourselves. We stepped off the bus. It was a nightmare. We followed my brothers who had just completed the journey, unharmed, and were now, as I imagined, fighting off even more girls now inside.
I think that anyone who didn't know any better, would think that we were the ones they'd been waiting for. Some of the fans started screaming our names as they snapped picture after picture. I was surprised they even knew our names!
Some girl handed Avie, Mackie, and I small packages wrapped in purple, pink, and blue. That was quite unexpected, but then again, not unusual. I quickly said, "thank you" as I noticed another group of about three or four girls who were wildly jumping up and down while all at the same time screaming, "OH MY GOD! I touched Taylor's hand! Oh my god! Taylor!!"
"These girls are weird," is all I could think as we finally reached the doors and stepped inside. It was a bit calmer inside. These girls were definitely more civilized because instead of screaming and chanting, they just sorta stuck out their hand for a handshake and offered a polite, "hello" or something.
We smiled and continued walking until we reached the private room where they served us lunch. I picked at my chicken basket until the waiter arrived with the peanut butter I ordered for my chicken. I wasn't too hungry though.
I just wanted to jump up and down and release all the energy I built up after the five hour bus ride.
It seems I never have the time to anymore with being on the road and all. Even when we're not, when we finally get to go home and rest, and there's nothing I'd like more than to go run around in the backyard and play soccer, I can't. Usually because there's fans standing around outside. Sometimes I wish they'd just all go away. I know that's an awful thought, but for the past few years my life has revolved around what Ike n Tay n Zac need to do, or where they need to go.
"Jessie, Jessie snap out of it!" mom's voice brought me out of my semi-comatose state.
"Sorry, mom, I guess I just had something else on my mind."
"That's what it looks like, you've barely touched your chicken."
I began to pick at the chicken again. It was kind of cold and getting a little slimy. I smothered it with a big glob of peanut butter. It tasted better that way.
I glanced down at the small, unopened, purple package that sat under the table. Avery and Mac already opened their gifts. Mackie got a small Zoë figurine (a Sesame Street character whom he adores) and Avie got a Winnie the Pooh coloring book and a box of crayons which I noticed were occupying her at that very moment. I looked down at my package again before I decided to pick it up. It was wrapped in beautiful purple paper with an iridescent white bow.
The girl who gave me this must have put a lot of thought and time into these gifts.
Unlike Avie and Mac, I decided to open the card. It was a home-made card with a picture of an Oreo on the front that said:
"What's the best part of an Oreo cookie?" "The part in the middle..."
This puzzled me until I opened the card and read:
"Just like you!
Love, Sklyar McDaniel
This brought a huge grin across my face. I looked around the table. Zac, Tay, and Isaac were finishing the last of their meals. Dad was rushing them along too get them ready for the press conference, Mom was trying to get Zoë to drink her bottle, Avie and Mac were coloring, and then there was me. I looked back down at the card and read the writing on what normally would be the blank side. In the most beautiful handwriting, Skylar wrote:
"...And what's the best part of the Hanson family? That's right, that cool girl stuck in the middle just like me, Jessica Grace."
Peace, Love, and Middle Children (Oreo Filling),
Skylar McDaniel
FunnyBunny3045@aol.com
"Wow!" I thought. Someone just like me. My thoughts, again, were disrupted. This time by dad. "You guys ready?" he asked the guys. "Uh-huh.." Zac mumbled. I could tell he wasn't too hyped about this interview, but why would he be? They treat him like a kid every time.
No one really aims any questions towards him, and if by some odd chance they do, Ike or Tay cut him off before he can get in 2 words edgewise...Poor Guy... Anyway, they walked out the doors and a few girls screamed, but there was mostly applause. I guess this is because there were more reporters and such than girls in the audience. The press conference only lasted about forty-five minutes. I passed the time by coloring a picture of Kanga and Roo for Ike out of Avie's new coloring book.
The guys finished the interview and hung out a while longer to sign autographs for some fans who managed to get backstage. They seemed pretty normal, but like all good things, it must come to an end...DARN! Well, once again, we made the journey back to the big blue bus, this time, us first, with the guys following close behind. With one final wave from Zac, we were off to...God know where!!
I made my way back to my bunk and laid down. I still clutched the unopened, purple package from Skylar in my hands. I began to unwrap it. The paper slid off to reveal a small white box.
I opened the lid to find the most beautiful silver locket I'd ever laid my eyes on. I sat up as I examined it closely, running my fingers over the dragonflies and lilies engraved on the front. I turned the heart-shape locket over to reveal an inscription, "Jessica Grace: the Oreo filling."
I slowly cracked open the locket and gazed down upon a picture of an Oreo cookie filling half of my locket and my own face filling the other. It was breath taking. I quickly threw it around my neck, clasping it in back. I hopped out of my bunk and stepped across the aisle way to Tay's.
"Tay?" I inquired as I whisked open his curtain.
"Ugh....Now not Jess....I'm...tire..d..." he half-replied with his eyes still shut as he reached out to close the curtain again. I dragged my feet down the hall till I came to our make-shift living room complete with two couches, Nintendo 64, Sega, and Sony Playstation...Zac's dreamland....where I found, none other than...ZAC! He was quite involved in whatever game he was playing. I don't think he noticed me walk up.
"Hey Zac..." I began. It was no use...he was zoned. I walked to the small door on the far wall and slowly opened it leading myself into our "quiet room." This was just a place where we could read or write or work on homework and such.
I noticed Ike on a small love seat in the corner, guitar in hand. His eyes were closed, must've been concentrating pretty hard.
"Eh Hem.." I cleared my throat just loud enough for Ike to raise his head.
"Ikey?" I asked with big puppy dog eyes, knowing I'd grab his attention. Ike never is too busy or too involved or too tired for me!
"Yeah babe, what's up?" he asked.
"Oh I just wanted to talk. Here, I colored this for you," I informed as I handed him the catsup stained, folded up, coloring page I'd worked so hard on earlier.
"Well, thank you very much, Jessie, but, ya know, I think I'm gonna have to take a rain check on that little chat. I'm really wrapped up with this new song."
"Oh, can I help you?" I implied inquisitively.
He sorta chuckled and patted me on the head...C'mon, I'm NOT a dog!
"Well, Jess, I think I should work on this one alone...Maybe next time."
"Oh alright..." I shook it off. No Harm done, "I'm just gonna borrow your lap top, okay?" I sort-kinda asked as I picked it up and walked away with it. I turned around before he could see the hot tear the formed in my eye and began to trickle down my cheek.
Again, I walked pass Zac (still zoned,) and headed for my bunk. I heard a heavy-breathing-snore type thing coming from Tay's bunk and couldn't help but giggle.
"Good," I thought, "I needed a laugh." I brushed a final tear from my cheek as I flopped on my stomach down to my bunk. I reached for my stuffed chimp, another present from a fan, which I accidentally landed on.
I opened the lap top and turned it on. I logged on to Aol and was a bit alarmed by a robotic voice warning, "You've got mail." I giggled again and resisted the temptations to read all of Ike's love mail.
I clicked "compose." Okay, here we go. "To:...." hmmmm. I reached for the card that I shoved in the compartment at the bottom of my bed. I began to type:
To: FunnyBunny3045@aol.com
"Sheesh!" I thought to myself. She knew about Funny Bunny...and about our old address, 3045 w. 78th. I continued:
Subject: Thank You
"Dear Skylar," I began, " thank you so very much for the locket. I love it. Finally. Someone who understands. You can't be human. It seems that everyone who is, doesn't care about me. Ike n Tay n Zac are too wrapped up with their music. I'm happy for them and all, but they don't have time for me any more. Well, I'm sorry to burden you with my problems."
Thank you again.
Peace, Love, and Oreo filling,
Jessica G. Hanson
I clicked the "send" button as I closed the lap top. Tear after tear fell from my eyes as I watched each one fall and splash on the black plastic computer below.
I must've cried myself to sleep because the next sound I heard was mom's voice, "Hunny, wake up," her voice broke the silence of my deep sleep, "It's time for breakfast. Change quickly and wake up Zac for me." Her face disappeared from my bunk. I stretched a bit.
Mom is beautiful. Her hair is the color of the sun just as it's coming over the hillside on a hot summer morning. It's long, very long, but also very beautiful with a bit of wave to it.
"Jessie, Please...." It was Mom again.
"Alright, Alright," I grumbled. I crawled out of bed and laid sprawled out on the floor below me. I laid there for a minute until I gained enough strength to pull myself up. I checked next door in Avie's bunk, but she must already have been up and at 'em. Well, she's a morning kind of person.
I soon realized that this trait was not inherited by Zac when I tried to wake him. At first I used the "nice and easy" approach by quietly opening the curtain and whispering not-so-quietly, "Hey Prozac, get your Mmmbutt outta bed!" then a bit louder, "Hey Freaky child, wake up!!!" His eyelids fluttered, but still no response. Next attempt, the "Isaac approach." I grabbed for one of Mackie's puppets out of the bunk just below and, screaming this time, "Wait! you can't go to bed yet! It's time to get up"
"Ooooaaghhhhh!" Zac jumped. Okay, job done...he's awake.
I changed quickly and stepped out of the bus. We were at a small restaurant with only a few cars scattered around the parking lot. It must be earlier.
"Mmm. Great, I'm hungry," I thought as I spotted Mom and Dad and walked up to them.
"Hi Sunshine, are the guys coming?" Dad asked before he noticed the three walking our way. All three of them were adorned with baseball hats and shades. Great disguises, guys!
Mom handed Zoë to me as she took Mackie's hand and walked towards the restaurant.
I bounced her a little as I turned and saw Avie run up to Taylor. She jumped and he caught her mid-air. He carried her till they caught up to me. He set her down and ran to Zoë and I with open arms.
"Hey Panda bear!" he said in a goo-goo gaga tone scooping Zoë out of my arms. Zac came up and put me in a head-lock.
"Noogie Time!" he exclaimed.
"Zaaaaaaaaaac!" I couldn't stop laughing.
"Freaky Child? Prozac? What's up with that? I'll teach you to mess with the Zacster! C'mon I owe ya one for that rude awakening this morning!"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry." I was still laughing when Zac let go.
"Alright, I'll let you off easy this time, but one more incident like this, and we'll have ourselves a 24-hour noogie-a-thon, got it?" Zac warned.
"Got it!" I giggled as I opened the big door of the restaurant. We all filed to the table and sat down to order.
After breakfast, we went back to the bus for yet another, uncomfortable, inevitable bus ride.
I borrowed Ike's lap top and flopped down on my bunk once more.
"You've got mail," the same robotic voice rang out. I scrolled through the list of e-mails containing every subject from "To: Ikey poo" and "Isaac, marry me." *yikes.*
There it was. From Skylar McDaniel. Subject: That's the way the cookie crumbles
"Click" I curiously read the letter:
"Dear Jessica,
You are very welcome for the locket. I hope you will always hold it close to your heart. I have awful, awful news. Last night, my older brother, Dallas, was killed in a car accident. I'm no longer the Oreo filling. Our cookie is crumbling. I know you said that no one cares for you, but please, don't take your family for granted. I did and look what I received in return. I know you come from quite a large family, with three younger siblings and three older siblings, there tends to be quite a few children running around. Make the best of your time with your family...before it's too late. Please, use me as an example.
Peace, Love, and Crumbled Cookies,
Skylar McDaniel
Just as I finished reading the last line, my curtain flew open. It was Isaac.
"Hey Jess.. brought us a snack," he smiled as he squeezed into the bunk with me. How appropriate...OREOS!
"I'd like to cash in that rain check I took earlier. Now, what's on your mind?" he asked.
It was all to much, first the locket, then the Oreos, then Skylar and Dallas. I couldn't take it. I began to cry, and cry.
"What's wrong little Funny bunny?"
I looked up. Isaac hadn't called me that in years! I smiled.
He grabbed for an Oreo waiting for a response. When he didn't get one, he spoke again. This time, focusing on the Oreo.
"Ya know," he started, "isn't it funny about Oreos?"
"What about Oreos?" I inquired.
"Well, everyone knows that the best part is the filling..." I giggled, but he continued, "So you twist open the cookie and eat it, but then, no matter how bad it tastes, or how dry the cookies are, you always put the dry, chocolate cookies back together and eat them."
I was catching on. "You're right!" I replied "and the filling isn't even that good. The only reason it tastes good is because the cookie tastes so awful. But without the cookie on the outside, than all there would be is a big plop of disgusting, gooey filling that NO ONE would eat!"
We both laughed. Then Ike asked, "So does that make the cookie the best part of the Oreo?"
"No! It's all the best part!" I replied.
"Yeah," he said getting carried away on the subject, "yeah, you need all of it to make one big, huge, disgusting cookie! Ya know, I'm starting to not like Oreos anymore! Let's hurry up and eat them before that feeling fully comes into affect!" We must of sat up all night just talking and eating Oreos. A few times, Ike picked up a few cookies and made "Puff Daddy" videos. "Puff Oreo, Puff Oreo..Yeah Yeah.."
By that time, we were both cracking up laughing. We laughed until our sides hurt and it was physically impossible to laugh anymore. And just as my eyelids were so heavy I could barely keep them open, I whispered, "Ikey, I love you..."
"I love you too, Jessica Grace: the Oreo Filling!" (silence) "...of the big, disgusting Oreo cookie!" We giggled ourselves to sleep.

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