Celena and Taylor stood behind a huge oak tree at the park, kissing again. Every day, they went rollerblading, and every day, Celena and Taylor swore that they wouldn't kiss again. So much for that vow. Celena pulled back and rested her head on Taylor's shoulder, breathing in his scent. Vanilla and washing detergent, as usual, but she loved it. Something about the way he smelled was so comforting. It made her feel safe, just like being around him always did.
"We can't keep doing this, you know," Taylor said. "It's not fair to John. I mean, he is officially your boyfriend, after all." Celena kissed him on the forehead.
"I know, you're right . . . but I can't help it. I want to be with you so badly," Celena whimpered. Taylor stepped away, holding Celena's hands in his.
"Then choose," Taylor said. "It's either me or him. I can't keep doing this."
"Not this again," Celena said, rolling her eyes. "I've told you already, I'm staying with him. He's my dream guy, and I'm finally getting a chance with him. I'm not going to throw that away." Taylor had threatened her before about this, and she had just shrugged it off every time. Something about this was different. "You know that."
"What I don't understand is why you're with him, yet you keep telling me you want to be with me. You're not being fair to either John or me, and you know that," Taylor said. He cupped her chin in his hands. "Besides, if you really wanted to be with me that badly, as you say you do, you would drop him. And we both know it."
"Why are you so worried about this?" Celena said, pushing his hands away. She walked over to a nearby bench and sat down. "You keep pressing the subject, when you know what I'm going to say." Taylor walked over to the bench and sat down beside her.
"I guess I keep hoping that you'll change your mind about it," Taylor said. "But I know you're not going to." He kissed her on the forehead. "Which is why I'm stopping this now. I can't do this anymore. I want you, and I think that you want me, but I don't want to be with you while you're with someone else. I can't do that. You have my heart completely, and I need yours in return, and you can't give it to me. So, goodbye." He stood up and skated away. Celena put her head in her hands and began to cry.
Taylor trudged up the stairs to his room. Isaac was sitting on the bottom bunk when Taylor walked into the room. He could tell Taylor was down about something when Taylor sighed loudly, climbing up onto the top bunk.
"What's wrong, Tay?" Isaac said, climbing the ladder to the top bunk.
"Nothing," Taylor said, sighing loudly again. "Well, it's just that, you know how Celena and I have this thing going on, right?" Isaac nodded. "Well, I basically told her to choose between me and John . . . and she chose John. So, I called the whole thing off. I told her that I couldn't be with her like this. It wasn't fair to John or to me. And I left her."
"And you were right in doing that, little bro. She needs to know she can't have both of you, and that what she's doing is making you feel miserable," Isaac said.
"Then why do I feel more miserable now than I did before?" Taylor said. He jumped off the bunk and walked into the bathroom. He slammed the door behind him and Isaac heard him turn the shower on. Isaac climbed back down the ladder to the bunk and sat down on the bottom bunk again. He sighed loudly, feeling badly for his brother. Love sucks sometimes, Isaac thought.
Celena laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling, when the doorbell rang. She ignored it, still laying there. The doorbell rang again. She sat up finally.
"Mom? Can you get that?" Celena called. No answer. He must have gone to the grocery store after all, she thought. She got up and went downstairs, as the doorbell rang again. "I'm coming!" She fiddled with the lock, finally getting it open, then opened the door. "Ailani? What are you doing here?" Her younger sister stood at the door, suitcases in hand, a lit cigarette hanging from her lips.
"I know, I'm a little early, but the bus left earlier than Dad and I expected," Ailani said. Celena just stood there, in shock, with her mouth hanging open. "Aren't you going to ask me in?"
"Oh, yeah . . . sorry. I was just a little surprised to see you so soon," Celena said, snapping out of her trance. She reached over, taking one of Ailani's bags. "Come on in, and we'll get your stuff upstairs." Ailani took the cigarette out of her mouth and dropped on the ground, smashing it with the toe of her shoe before she came in. The two girls struggled upstairs to Bella's old room with Ailani's bags. They dropped them on the bed, Celena wiping her hands off on her jeans. "Wow . . . you've changed since I saw you last." Ailani laughed.
"You just saw me two months ago at Christmas!" Ailani said, running her fingers through her hair. "I understand though. I figured if I was going to a new place, I'd better make a fresh start at it. So, I dyed my hair back to its natural color, laid off some of the makeup and the trashy clothes, quit the pot and drinking. I'm still working on the cigarette habit, though."
"You look incredible," Celena said, giving her a hug. "I'm glad you quit everything, though. And I think you're really going to like it here."
"Me, too. But of course, anything's better than New Orleans and being with Dad," Ailani said. "I'm sure Mom's going to have a heart attack when she sees my new look and all."
"I think it will be a very pleasant surprise for her," Celena said. "Well, you get unpacked, while I go call Mom on the cell phone to let her know that you're here." Ailani nodded, and Celena left the room. Celena walked into her room and picked up the phone. She dialed Mrs. Holt's cell number. "Hey, Mom? Yeah, it's Celena. Guess who's here a little earlier than we expected?"
Celena heard John's car horn honk. She walked into Ailani's room. Her younger sister was standing in front of the mirror, primping.
"Ready to go?" Celena asked.
"Yeppers," Ailani responded. The walked downstairs and out the door to John's car. As usual, John didn't open the door for the girls, but Taylor was kind enough to get out and do so. There was an uncomfortable silence between Taylor and Celena, and Ailani noticed it. While they were on the way to Mechelle's house, Ailani and Celena sat in the back seat.
"What's up with you and that Taylor guy?" Ailani asked. "I sensed some tension there. What happened?"
"Long story . . . we sort of had something going on . . . and he ended it last week. It's just kind of weird being around each other. I'll explain it to you later," Celena said. Ailani nodded. Taylor turned around in the front seat to face the two girls.
"So, Ailani, your sister says that you're from New Orleans. What's it like?" Taylor asked. He was desperate to make conversation with someone. The silence in the car was unnerving, and it made him nervous.
"It's a fun place to live. If you're an adult, but otherwise, it's really not that great. Too much partying," Ailani replied. "Cel tells me that you have six brothers and sisters. Your house must be very chaotic."
"At times, yes it is. But it's nice to always have someone around to talk to. And I'm really close with my brothers, Isaac and Zac. We share a room together. You'll get to meet them tonight at the party. They're meeting me there. Zac's about your age. He's thirteen," Taylor responded.
"I look forward to meeting him," Ailani replied. Then she turned to her sister and asked her something quietly. This girl was not at all like Celena described her. She seemed so mature for being just 12. And she certainly didn't look anything like her picture. Her hair wasn't red, but actually a soft brown. And she didn't wear a pound of makeup. She must have gotten herself a make over before she left New Orleans, Taylor thought. He turned back around and looked out the front window of John's car. This was going to be one long night.
Celena sat on a bar stool at Mechelle's house, looking around the room. Mechelle Primovera was probably the most popular girl at Tulsa High School. So saying everyone and their dog was at the party just about covered it. Ailani sat on the couch talking to Taylor's younger brother Zac. They had hit it off right away. Isaac was across the room, talking to Mechelle herself, while Taylor was sitting at the other end of the couch from Ailani and Zac, by himself. He'd been doing that all night. He looked absolutely miserable. But Celena was more concerned with finding John. He had disappeared from her side almost immediately after they arrived at Mechelle's, and she hadn't seen him all night. There was no sign of him anywhere.
Taylor stood up and walked out of the room. He went out to the back porch of the house that overlooked a small pond. Celena got up a few minutes later and went out there with him.
"Hey," she said softly, walking up beside him. He didn't answer her. "How are you?"
"Fine," he said curtly.
"You're not still mad, are you?" she asked. "Well . . . that's a stupid question. Obviously you are. You haven't said one word to me tonight, up until now. So . . . "
"Yeah . . . ," he trailed off. He turned to her. "Look, I'm not mad. I'm just hurt. And I don't want to see you get hurt by John. I know what he can be like."
"So do I. I've known him for two years," Celena said.
"Yeah, but have you ever gone partying with him before?" Taylor asked.
"No . . . but I don't see how that makes any difference," Celena replied.
"Do you want to know where he is right now?" Taylor asked. Celena nodded, giving him a look of curiosity. "He's in the front yard, funneling tequila with Max Baxter. They have a bet as to who can drink the most without passing out."
"You're kidding me, right?" Celena asked. Taylor shook his head solemnly. "That's why you got Isaac to meet you here. So you'd have a ride home, in case he does pass out."
"You got it," Taylor replied. "And if you and Lani need a ride, you're more than welcome. We have the van, so there's plenty of room. We'll probably be taking John home too, once he's passed out. But that should be a while. He holds his liquor pretty well."
"Alright," Celena said. "If it helps, I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to."
"Thanks . . . it's okay though. I really shouldn't have allowed it to happen in the first place. I knew better," he said. He placed his hand on hers. "Look, Celena, I have to tell you something." She turned to him, her blue eyes glistening in the moonlight.
"What?" she asked.
"I -," he began. John walked out onto the back porch.
"Hey, you guys," he said. "Celena, come inside with me. Please?" Celena looked to Taylor and shrugged her shoulders. Then she walked over to John and took his hand in hers.
"Alright," she said. "Sorry, Tay, I'll talk to you later." She walked back into the house. Taylor kicked the post on the porch in anger. He walked back into the house, and slumped back down on the couch again.
Celena and John walked upstairs to one of the rooms on the second floor of Mechelle's lake house. John said it had a good view of the moonlight shining off the pond from the window. She walked over to the window, while he shut the door, locking it.
"Magnif! The view is awesome!" Celena said. John walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist, kissing her neck gently.
"I told you it was," he said. He massaged her shoulders while still kissing her neck softly. She turned around to face him, kissing him on the lips.
"Well, let's get back to the party," she said softly. She walked over to the door, turning the knob. It was locked. "I think the door's stuck." She turned the knob again, and it still wouldn't open. She turned to look at John. He was holding a key up and smiling. "No way."
"Oh, come on, baby. You know you want to," John said. He backed her up against the wall, kissing her. She pushed him away, running to the door. She began pulling on the door knob. He came up behind her and put his arms around her, fondling her breasts. "Please . . . " She could feel his breath on her neck.
"You're drunk!" she exclaimed. She shoved him away, pulling on the door knob again. "Help! Please, someone!" She let out a shrill scream, causing John to collapse to his knees, covering his ears. She screamed again, hoping someone would hear her.
Ailani sat downstairs on a couch, talking to Zac, when she heard Celena's ear piercing scream. She knew that scream anywhere. And so did Taylor. He was already up and moving toward the stairs. Zac and Ailani followed him. They followed the scream to the room where John and Celena were. Taylor turned the knob. It was locked. They could still hear Celena screaming inside, while John was sweet talking to her.
"Zac, I need your help. When I count to three, we're going to run at the door and hit it. Hopefully it will break the lock," Taylor said. Zac nodded, they backed away from the door. "One, two, three!" They ran at the door, hitting it. It jostled the lock slightly. "Again! One, two, three!" They ran at the door again. Hitting it, it flew open, revealing John and Celena. He had a death grip on her arm, and she was crying. "John, let go of her!"
"She's my girlfriend! You can't tell me what to do!" John said, drunkenly slurring his words together. Taylor walked over to him.
"Let go of her, dammit!" Taylor exclaimed. John shoved him. Taylor shoved back. John swung at him, then Taylor punched him right square in the nose. John fell over, covering his nose, which was bleeding. Celena just stood there, sobbing. Taylor walked over to her and put his arms around her. They walked out of the room. There was quite a crowd standing outside the room. "She's okay . . . just a little scared. Someone get him some ice and a strong cup of coffee." He looked over at Celena. "We're going home." She nodded quietly.
"Do you want me to get Isaac?" Zac asked, with a concerned look on his face.
"Nah . . . I'm just going to walk her home. It's not that far, and I need to talk to her about something anyway," Taylor said. "Lani, just get a ride home with Zac and Isaac." Taylor and Celena walked downstairs and out of the front door. Celena's sobs quieted down as they walked along. He held her hand in his.
"Thank you," Celena said. "You really didn't have to do that."
"Well, I wasn't very well going to let him rape you or something. He was drunk, and when he gets drunk he doesn't realize what he's doing," Taylor said. "Besides, you're my best friend. My best girl friend, anyway."
"Well, thanks anyway," Celena said.
"No problemo," Taylor said, looking down at his feet. "Look, I have to tell you something, and it's kind of important. And it will be easier if you don't interrupt me. Okay?" She nodded. "Okay . . . here it goes . . . I think I love you . . . well . . . not actually think . . . I know I love you. And I'm wondering if you feel the same way about me . . . because I'm leaving in a couple of weeks . . . and -."
"You're leaving!?" Celena exclaimed. "What for?"
"We're going on tour . . . for about three months . . . I'll only be home once, for about a week," Taylor said. "And if I knew how you really felt about me, and that you're here waiting for me, it would make leaving you so much easier." They walked up in front of her house. "So, what do you say?"
"God . . . this is so hard . . . ," she said. "I do love you . . . you have no idea how much I love you . . . but I'm with John." Taylor's heart sank. "And I love him more . . . "
"After what he just did to you?" Taylor exclaimed. She nodded. "You would pass up what could possibly be true love for that son of a bitch?!"
"You don't know him like I do . . . he's sweet . . . and funny."
"And an alcoholic!" Taylor interrupted. "And he treats you like dirt! And you just take it!" He started to walk off. "God, I love you so much . . . and if I could stay here and stop you from seeing him, I would, but I can't! There's obviously nothing I can say or do to change your mind!" He walked back over to her and cupped her chin in his hands. "He's going to destroy you, and you and I both know it. And there's nothing I can do. Except tell you I love you and that I will always be here for you, no matter what." He kissed her softly on the lips. "I love you, Celena. And if you ever change your mind, let me know. Because I will wait forever for you." He kissed her again, then they hugged. "Good bye, Celena." He walked away.
"I love you, too," she whispered softly, as she watched him leave her.
