+chapter.twenty.five+
Kimberly leaned forward and flipped on the radio quietly.
"Man...It's really quiet back there..." Tay trailed.
"Yea, it is..." Kim turned around some to look at Jenn and Zac. "Yuck! Just found out why."
"Tonsil hockey?"
"Totally."
"Guys!" Tay whined. "Not in my car! Please!"
The two didn't acknowledge Taylor. "Guys!" Tay yelled again, hitting Zac on the knee.
Reluctantly, they pulled away.
"God, Tay, chill!" Zac exclaimed.
"When it's your car, Zac..." Tay trailed.
"Yea, yea, Tay." Zac rolled his eyes as he rested his arm on Jenn's shoulder, pulling her close to him. Jenn rested her head on Zac's shoulder, a smile appearing on her lips.
Taylor, Kim, Jenn, and Zac all walked the mall. None of them said a word to each other. Zac was desperately trying to hide his smirk. Jenn was blushing a smile and Kim held back the smile that lightly appeared on her face. Taylor on the hand just walked not saying a word, there was no look on his face just one of seriousness, but Taylor always was the serious one. They walked a little more and came to the end of the mall. They all stood near the railing of the balcony and looked over the edge at the people passing through the mall.
“So...”was all Zac could say. He looked at Jenn and they both began to crack up when they did Kim did and unexpectedly Taylor did too.
“Guys I’m sorry I was so serious, but I couldn’t help it. I mean, what happens if some mall security guard found you two? What then? What would mom and dad say? They would never let you two see each other again.” The seriousness came to his face again and to the others as they thought about what he said.
“Yeah I guess your right Tay. I guess it was a good idea you found us not Deputy Dewy,” Zac joked, pointing to a mall security guard.
“Yeah...but let’s just forget about this. Tay you won’t tell our rents will you?” Jenn asked with pleading eyes.
“Well...” Tay trailed. Kim shoved him with her elbow. He looked at her with a smile “Let’s just say you guys owe me.”
“Oh yeah how do you figure Mr. and Mrs. You Moaned” A smile appearing on Zac’s face.
“Shut up!” Tay exclaimed, blushing “At least that wasn’t in a public place, but in the comforts of my own home and may I stress comforts.” Tay laughed a little.
“Yeah. Well, how about we call ourselves even and go get something to eat?” Zac asked.
“Okay. Okay. We’re even,” Tay agreed “Where do you guys wanna eat?”
“I don’t care,” Kim shrugged.
“Neither do I,” Jenn nodded.
“Okay, then I’ll pick,” Zac grinned glancing around the mall “Hmm. Let’s see how about Friendly’s? I could go for some good nuked food.”
“All right then. Let’s go,” Tay spoke and they headed off in the direction of the restaurant. They all sat down and ordered their meals.
“So, what are you guys doing later tonight?” Tay asked Kim and Jenn.
“Well, that all depends on what happens with whatever our parents are talking about,” Kim replied.
“What do you mean, is something going on” Tay asked.
“No, it’s just if everyone is in a good mood, than we will be able to do whatever ya have planned. That’s assuming you have something planned.” Kim grinned.
“Oh, I have something planned all right...” Tay whispered to Kim, who was sitting next to him “I just never said we needed them to be right there.” Kim laughed a little.
“Yeah, well I am sure they got plans of their own tonight anyway,” she said.
“Yeah, I bet they do by the way they acted today.” They both laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Zac asked.
“Oh, nothing. Don’t worry about it,” Tay reassured. Zac shrugged it off. They all ate their meals when they came and then left the mall.
“Wow, a whole day at the mall and I didn’t buy a thing,” Jenn spoke, amazed.
“Wow, that’s got to be a first for you,” Zac smiled her way. They all got in the car and headed to the Hanson’s house.
+chapter.twenty.six+
Taylor pulled up to the house and parked in the driveway. Everyone got out and began walking into the house.
Zac slipped his arm around Jennifer's waist. Jenn leaned her head onto his shoulder. Zachary's lips grazed the top of Jennifer's head. "I love you," he spoke.
"I love you too," Jenn replied.
Zac smiled lightly as he opened the door to a quiet house. "I think we're gonna be alone for tonight."
"Yeh. Mom and Dad left a note saying they were going to Samantha's with the kids and prolly won't be back 'til morning.”
"Phat," Jenn smiled.
Kim nodded.
"Where's squinty?" Zac asked.
"Gone fishin'," Jenn joked.
Taylor shook his head at the desperate stab at humor. "Clubbin' with Greg."
"Ahh...I gotcha."
Kim plopped down on the couch. "So, uh, what do we do?"
Tay grinned. "Baby, do you really have to ask?"
"Is that all you think about? Making out?"
"With you I do...And besides, I went to the mall with you today."
"True."
"Dude, before that, I'm like, dehydrated. You want anything?"
"Naw."
"I do," Jenn chimed and got up off Zac's lap. "Want anything, Baby?"
Zac shook his head. "Naw, nuthin'. Thanks, Babes."
"Mmhmm..." Jenn trailed as her and Taylor walked to the kitchen down the hall.
Zachary looked around for the clicker. "Where the hell is it?"
"III dunno," Kim replied.
Zac gave a laugh. "You have it. I'm not Tay. I'm not stupid."
Kim laughed as Zachary came to attack her for the remote.
He tripped on the leg of the coffee table and fell on Kim. The remote fell from her fingertips and the two stared into the other's eyes. Face to face, the scene ended with a short kiss.
Meanwhile...
Taylor and Jennifer were getting their sodas in the kitchen. "So, uh, how far have you gone with my little brother?"
"Tay, that's none of your business."
"He's my little brother!"
Jenn gave a light, exasperated sigh. "If you must know, when you caught us. That was the farthest we'd gone.
Tay nodded. "Yea, Kim and I-"
"No. No, no, no." Jenn spoke, her eyes closing, a light laugh sounding from her vocals. "I don't want to hear about you and Kim. Please. Spare me."
Tay laughed. "Aight. Let's head back I guess."
Jenn nodded.
*~*~*~*~*~
"Nothing. It was nothing, right?" Zac asked frantically, jumping up and back to his seat.
"Absolutely nothing," Kim replied in the same tone.
"What's nothing?" Tay asked.
"Oh, uh...on television. Absolutely nothing's on television."
"Oh," Tay replied.
Jennifer sat down on Zachary's lap again. Instant guilt set in his mind.
"Baby, you wanna go up to my room? Watch TV or something?"
Jenn nodded with a smile. "Sure."
Tay shook his head as he slipped his arm around Kim. "Those two..." he spoke.
"Mm..." Kim nodded. In the pit of her stomach, she also felt the guilt become greater. She turned to Taylor. "I love you, Tay."
"I love you too, Baby."
"No, really, I do."
Tay gave a light smile. "I really do too, Baby." His smile slowly faded. "Are you okay?"
Kim nodded quickly. "Yea. I just wanted to tell you."
Tay smiled again, grazing his lips over hers lightly.
A pang of guilt pierced through Kimberly. With his brother...God. But it was nothing. All nothing.
Meanwhile...
Jennifer and Zachary were sitting on his bed. Zac had felt so guilty. How could he have done that to Jenn? Worse yet, Tay? God...
"Baby, you know I love you, right?"
Jennifer nodded. "And I love you."
Zac spoke nervously with all seriousness. "Can I prove it?"
Jennifer was a bit taken aback by the sudden request. Where had this all come from? "Zac, do you think you're ready? We're ready?"
Zac nodded. "Yes...but if you're not..."
"No...no, I trust you're right. We are. We're ready," Jenn spoke. "Do you have..."
"Yea...Ike stocks up. Who knows what the hell for."
Jenn smiled lightly as Zachary leaned in, kissing her and gently lying her down on his bed.
+chapter.twenty.seven+
Taylor pulled away from their make-out session slowly. "What the hell are they doing up there?"
"Ten little monkeys?"
"I have a feeling no," Tay replied.
"They're probably just fooling around...You know those two. They're forever goofing off," she gave a light smile. "They're probably beating each other up. But let it go. Please? I just want to stay here with you and for everything to be okay."
Tay sighed, giving a light laugh. "You're probably right...If mom and dad were home, they'd get it."
"Hun, I think they know that. That's why they're foolin' now. You're parents aren't home..."
"Oh yea!" Tay gave a laugh. "Blonde moment."
Kim shook her head. "Mmm, and how I love that blonde."
Tay smiled as he and Kim started up again.
*~*~*~*~*~
Zachary and Jennifer laid under the covers. Jennifer was comfortably lying next to Zac, her head against his chest. "God, I love you," Jenn spoke breathlessly as he ran his fingers over her hair.
"I love you too," Zac replied. "So much."
Jenn smiled and rested her eyes. About ten minutes ago, they were both virgins. Well, not anymore.
"Jenn, we are going steady, right?" Zac asked.
Jenn gave a light laugh. "Of course we are."
"And that means no secrets or lies or anything, right?"
Jenn lifted her body to meet his eyes, keeping her chest covered. She nodded slowly. "Yes...why?"
"Because before, something happened."
"What?" Jenn asked, majorly confused.
"I...I kind of...well, kissed Kim..."
*~*~*~*~*~
"You did what? You asshole!" was the commotion coming from the upstairs.
Taylor and Kim parted.
"Jenn, would you please wait and let me explain?"
"What the hell's going on up there?" Tay wondered aloud.
Kim kept silent.
"I do not believe this. What, you screw me and then expect me to be okay with that?"
Jennifer's shoes clomped down the stairs. Her black boots untied, her hair a mess, and her fingers buttoning her jeans, she rushed down. "I do not fucking believe this," she muttered.
At that moment, everyone knew how serious this was. Jennifer never used that word. Ever. She reached the living room, her eyes tearing. "Oh, God. Thanks, Kim. Thank you so frigging much. You know what? You can have him. Because I don't put up with shit like that. Oh, and Taylor, let's say there's a fling between your brother and your girlfriend. I'll see myself to the door."
With that, she took off.
"Jenn, come back, let me explain." Zac stopped at the foot of the steps. "Shit."
He took off out the door, running after Jennifer.
"What was she talking about?" Taylor asked, already knowing what was to come.
"Me and Zac, we kissed. It didn't mean anything. Not a thing," Kim spoke.
"Oh, you just kissed..." Tay trailed.
"Yea. Frankly, I don't see why she's so pissed."
"Kim, it always means something! Spin the bottle, the only exception."
Kim's eyes fell to the ground. "It just happened. I don't know how...or why. But really, Tay, I love you. I love you so much."
"If you loved me, you wouldn't have kissed my brother."
His last line stung and tears began trickling down her cheeks. "I'll leave before you ask me to."
And with that, Kimberly went home.
*~*~*~*~*~
"Jenn, please, hold up!"
Jennifer turned around after wiping away her tears. "Go to hell, Zachary!"
Jenn whipped around and stormed up her walkway. 'Just don't let him see you cry. Don't give him the satisfaction.'
She let herself in, locking the door behind her.
Zac persisted, talking through the door. "I love you, Jenn. Not Kim. I don't know why we did what we did. But I love you and no matter what you think, I did not use you today!"
The tears continued rushing down Jennifer's cheeks. She struggled to keep her sobs silent. "Jenn, please open up...Please? I just want to talk to you. Come on," Zachary pleaded.
Jenn opened the door some, her tearstained face meeting his. Her eyes filled with spite, traveled into his. "Fuck off."
She then slammed the door in his face.
Zac stood, bewildered. Her voice was cold. Something he had never experienced with her. Her eyes were the same. And for as long as they had been going out, Zachary had never seen her look so hurt.
And it was all on account of him.
