+chapter.seven+
They had both decided on bringing their own vehicles, just incase a fight broke between the two.
Time to time, the thought, ‘What am I doing here?’ would run through his mind. He felt the same would be going through hers.
Finally, he spotted Jennifer. She had on a short, black skirt, a white tank top, and a light purple ¾ blouse over it. Needless to say, she looked damn good and Zachary wasn’t the only one noticing.
Her shoes gave her some height, something Zachary wasn’t used to.
“Hey,” he gave a light smile.
“Hey,” she replied. “How’s the cheek?”
“Let’s just say you know how to slap.”
Zac pulled out Jennifer’s chair for her. “It’s okay. I can get it. Thanks,” Jenn spoke. She didn’t mean to be rude, but once she lost Zachary, she lost everything. And she vowed never to depend on a man for anything ever again. Even if it was just to pull out a chair.
“Okay,” Zac spoke. He sat back down and Jennifer took her seat.
“It’s really good to be talking to you again,” Zac’s voice broke through the silence.
Jennifer nodded. “You too.”
He could tell she was slightly distant. “Are you okay?” The words came from his mouth before he could stop them.
Jenn nodded, giving a slight laugh. “Hun, you’ve got to remember, this is kind of weird. I’m a totally different person now than what I was.”
Zac nodded. “So am I.”
Jenn nodded. “I’ve seen.”
“Jenn, why do you act like that now? Not to be conceited, but is it because of me? Of what I did to you?”
“In other words, why am I a slut? Zac, I’ve always been like this. I’ve just never shown my true colors.”
“God. You’d have never known. Why were you so…”
“Innocent?” Jenn interjected.
“Yea.” Zac finished his sentence, “before?”
Jenn shrugged. “Just how I was then. Then I found this way of life. And believe it or not, but I like it. I like living on the edge.”
“Was…was I your first?”
Jenn smiled lightly. “Zac, you were and always will be my first and maybe only love.”
“Do you think that we can have another go at us? Maybe do things better this time around?”
“Zac, I don’t know…Things really have changed a lot. I’m not so worried about myself getting hurt, but I wouldn’t want to hurt you that way.”
“Jenn, I don’t care about myself. I’m really more grown up now. And I really am still attracted to you.”
Jenn took a breath to speak.
“Can I get either of you something to drink?” the waiter asked.
“Yes, a Shirley Temple please,” Jenn asked.
“I’ll just have a Pepsi, thanks,” Zac ordered.
Jenn gave a light laugh. “You’re still downing the Pepsi?”
Zac laughed. “Yea…some things never change.”
Jenn smiled.
“Jenn, thanks for coming tonight.”
“Zac, thanks for kissing me in the hall.”
Zac laughed. “Hey, anytime hot cakes.”
Meanwhile…
Taylor and Kimberly were sound asleep in her room. In both of their hearts, deep down, they knew that what was happening was right.
Kim’s dreams were filled with her and Taylor; of their past, present and what will come of everything. All that she really cared about though, was the fact that they were friends again. And he held her in his arms again the way he once did long before.
Taylor’s mind was filled with many of the same thoughts. Taylor was so happy to finally be talking to Kim again. He missed the long conversations they’d have late at night when he would sleep over or vice versa. He was glad just to have things this way again. He didn’t care what was to come or what had passed, only what was happening at the moment. And at the moment, he was loving everything.
Back at the restaurant…
Jennifer and Zachary were heading to their cars. Their laughs echoed throughout the streets as the night passed.
“I would ask you to come to my house, but there’s way too many people there,” Zac spoke.
“If you want, you can come back with me…You don’t have to or anything, but if you want to spend the night…with the old Jenn.”
Zac gave a light smile. “I think I’ve seen some of the old Jenn in there tonight…I’d really like that.”
Jenn returned the smile. “I’ll meet you at my house.”
“All right. I’ll see you there.”
The two parted and got into their cars. A light smile was plastered on each face as they drove to Jennifer’s house. She really did feel the way she used to. And the funny thing was, the more she felt it, the more she wanted to be that again. She wanted that innocence she had to her back. She knew in a way, she’d never have it again, but then in some strange way, she knew she’d regain it.
Jennifer arrived at her home shortly after. She walked to the door, unlocked it, and walked in. Just as she shut the door, Zachary pulled up.
Zac laughed as he got out of the car. “What? You expected to get rid of me already?”
Jenn laughed. “Oh yea.”
Zac smiled and they walked into the house together for a night of catching up.
+chapter.eight+
Kimberly woke up the next morning, quite early, after a nightmare scared her awake. Her jump had startled Taylor who was still holding her closely. “Are you okay?” he asked groggily.
Kim took in a deep breath. “Yea, just a nightmare.”
“What about?” Taylor squinted in the bright sunlight.
“Josh,” Kim spoke quietly.
“Oh, Kim,” Tay whispered gently, cuddling her more. “Don’t worry about it…I won’t let him hurt you.”
Kim smiled lightly, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Thank you.”
“Hey, anytime. You know that.”
Taylor’s blue eyes met Kim’s. They laid for a moment, just staring at each other. Slowly, they both neared, their eyelids falling and the end result being a slow, sweet kiss.
At Jennifer’s house…
Zachary and Jennifer had talked all night, catching up on each other’s lives.
The two fell asleep on Jennifer’s bed, stretched out.
Zachary truly did feel as though Jennifer was the way she used to be in some strange way. All night, they laughed, flirted, and joked about everything and anything.
Zac awoke, Jennifer cuddling to him, obviously quite cold. He pulled a blanket over her and began pushing her hair behind her ear.
He really did hope that they could get back together. After the previous night, he fell in love with her all over again.
Slowly, Jennifer’s ocean eyes opened, meeting with Zac’s chocolate brown eyes.
“Hey,” he smiled.
Jenn smiled. “Hey…” she paused, “I wasn’t snoring, was I?”
Zac laughed. “Nah, I probably was.”
Jenn smiled. “I couldn’t tell you. I was too busy sleeping.”
Zac looked at the clock on Jenn’s stereo. “Oh man, ten thirty. I better be getting home. They’ll be sending out a search party.”
Jenn smiled. “Okay. Thanks for coming back here.”
“Hey, thanks for inviting me.”
The two stood up and fixed themselves. They hugged each other and gave each other a kiss on the cheek.
“Bye,” Jenn spoke.
“Bye,” Zac replied, leaving the house and going home.
Meanwhile…
Taylor pulled away from Kim slowly.
They each smiled at each other.
Tay caught a glimpse at the clock behind Kim. “Oh crap! I have to get home! I’m supposed to baby-sit, then I have to go to class.”
“Aww, okay.”
“Maybe we can catch a movie later…”
Kim smiled. “I’d really like that.”
Tay smiled in return. “Cool. I’ll pick you up around seven. I’ll call you about it later.”
Kim smiled. “Okay.”
“Later,” Tay kissed her cheek.
“Bye,” Kim returned the kiss on the cheek.
Tay headed out, Kim watching him get in his car.
He headed home and pulled into the driveway.
He walked into the house, smiling widely.
“Tay! Where the hell have you been?” Zac exclaimed. “I got in like, so much crap for you cause I was home late!”
“I was at Kim’s…where were you?”
“Jenn’s…You’re back with Kim? Did a li'l sumtin', sumtin' go down, Tay?” Zac asked.
“More like a lil nutin', nutin' went down so mind your own business.”
“Oh...Disappointed are we, Tay?”
“Zac, I have a girlfriend...Oh shit today is Monica’s Birthday. What should I do?”
“Well how about, 'Oh Happy Birthday, Monica. By the way, I’m breaking up with you,’” Zac gave a little laugh “I bet she’ll never forget that gift.” He slowly started to walk away towards the stairs.
“Oh yeah, Zac. Well, I recall you having a girlfriend too, so I wouldn’t talk.”
“Well, that's why I'm heading upstairs. I have to break it off with Em.”
“Oh, so things went well last night, huh Zac?”
“Yeah,” his mind drifted to the night before. “Yeah, it went real well.” A smile appeared on his lips. Tay smiled at his brother.
“Oh yeah, so sure.”
“Well, I have to go make a call,” Zac spoke as he went up the stairs “Maybe you should make the same call to Mon, Tay. You know you want to,” his voice trailed as he entered his room and closed the door. Taylor stood at the bottom of the stairs, his mind wondered to Kim then Monica. Which did he really want? He thought of all the past he had with Kim, the good and the bad. But that’s what it was. Past. And then his mind floated to what was said the night before, that they would forget their past relationship. Then, he thought to Monica. She was really beautiful and fun to be with, but she was more of a friend than a lover. He walked into the den so he could talk on the phone. He decided to call Kim and ask her exactly what was going on between them.
Meanwhile…
Upstairs, Zac picked up the phone to call Emily.
“Hello?” her soft voice answered.
“Hey,” Zac spoke.
“Oh, Zac. Hi! I was wondering what was going on. You haven’t called me in a few days...”
“Well, that's what I called to talk about.”
“Oh?” Her voice was a little shaky not knowing what to expect.
“Yeah, see, Em...I don’t think we should be together anymore.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, because things just aren’t working out that's all. Nothing against you or anything.” There was a long pause from her end. Then, Zac could hear her tears.
“Well, if that's how you feel, then I guess that's how it will be.”
“I mean we could still be friends. If you wanted to.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“Yeah.” Neither knew what to say.
“Well, Zac, I have to go. Bye.” With that she hung up the phone. Zac hung up the phone and laid back on his bed. He hoped he had done the right thing. He thought to Jenn, he pictured her face in his mind and with the sight of her, he knew he had done the right thing. Then, his mind wandered to her reputation. He hoped she would change and return to her old self, but somewhere inside, he knew she never could go back to that. And in that spot where he knew that, that was the spot that he felt the regret of breaking up with Em. A regret he would have to live with. Just like he had lived with many other things.
+chapter.nine+
“Oh man, Kim. It was just like old times.”
“Okay, but one question.”
“Yea?” Jenn asked.
“When the hell did you and him make up?”
“Yesterday…It was so weird. He kissed me in the hallway of the dorm—
“How’d you get to the dorm?”
“Long story…Anyway, I slapped him and then went home. Then, I was looking through the letters he sent me and I felt majorly bad. So, I called and we went out last night. And we had a great time. We like, picked up from where we left off…”
“That is so cool,” Kim exclaimed. “Tay and me too…Josh kind of went ballistic last night…” “Oh my God! What happened?”
“Tay called in the midst of it, heard the ruckus, and came right over. He spent the night. We fell asleep pretty early, but it was like old times. He held me just the way he used to…”
“What if they have girlfriends?”
“What?”
“I mean, I hate to be the pessimist, but what if they do? Two years is a long time. And you had Josh and Lord knows I’ve become the slut everyone’s been with…”
Tears welled in Jennifer’s eyes. What she was speaking was true and as they say, the truth hurts.
“Hey, even if they do, as long as we have them again.”
“Ah, shit. I got a beep. I’ll call you back.”
“Aight. Later.”
“Bye.”
Jennifer clicked over to the other line. “Hello?”
“Hey,” Zac’s voice came.
Jenn smiled. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I was wondering if you might want to like, go out this weekend or something.”
“I would love to, but I’m going to my dad’s this weekend…”
“Your parents are divorced?” Zac’s voice was questioning.
“Yea…” Jenn trailed. “Like, last year.”
“Wow…I’m sorry. I know it’s awhile after, but if you ever want to talk…”
“Thanks. A lot. It was about last year this time, so I don’t know if I really want to go with him. We’ll see.”
“Do you want me to come over?” Zac asked.
“Yea, please,” Jenn spoke timidly.
“I’ll be right there.”
Meanwhile…
Kim picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Absolutely nothing. I am so bored right now.”
“Yea, same here. I was gonna write a few songs, but forget it.”
“You’re still on that?”
Tay laughed. “Oh yea. Ike, Zac, and me are still trying. Not so hard anymore though.”
“Oh?” Kim asked.
“Yea, well, I needed to talk to you about something.”
“Oh, okay. Shoot.”
“Well, I was just wondering if last night meant that we were, you know…”
“A couple?” She finished his sentence. He loved that about her.
“Yeah...”
“Well, Tay that’s up to you...I was the one that split us in the first place. I’m all for being a couple again, but the decision is mainly yours.” There was a little pause.
“Well, then I guess that settles it.”
“Um, yeah…” she trailed unsure of his exact answer. Tay laughed a little.
“So, we’re a couple then...that’s okay, right?”
“Oh, yeah it’s fine,” she laughed. They were both so happy that they were getting back together.
“Well, how about later tonight I come over and keep you company?” Tay grinned to himself.
“Yeah, sounds great since my parents won’t be back from vacation until this weekend.”
“Alright then. I’ll be at your house at around seven?”
“Yeah, seven is good. Bring a good horror flick from your collection.”
“Yeah, okay.” He laughed a little “I’ll see you later then.”
“Yeah, see ya at seven.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.” They both hung up the phones, smiles on their faces. Taylor looked over at the phone again. Now, it was his turn with Monica. He picked up the phone, and dialed her number. They talked for a while and then Taylor broke the news. They agreed to stay friends. She hung up with tears in her eyes. He hung up with anticipation of the future.
Meanwhile…
Jennifer opened the door to see Zachary. She already had remains of tears trailing her cheeks.
“Hey,” Zac spoke gently.
“Hey,” Jenn replied. “C’mon in…no one’s home.”
Jenn closed the door behind Zac and they headed to the living room. They sat down on the couch beside each other. “You wanna talk?”
Jenn nodded lightly.
“Go for it then.”
Jennifer took a deep breath and began her long, painful story.
It was six-fifty on a Friday morning. I was putting on my makeup, getting ready for school as usual. My mom came flying up the stairs, slamming the bedroom door of their room which was located next to mine. She began screaming and all I heard was rumbling and my mom repeating ‘Who is it? Who is it?’ over and over. I knew then. For awhile I had thought my father was having an affair. That was the moment I was positive what I had suspected was true. He was having an affair with one of my mother’s best friends, someone who I had known and trusted with my life. My mother screamed and yelled for him to get his things and get out. Afterwards, I quickly finished getting dressed. If I hurried, I would still be able to make the bus.
As I was walking to my driveway, my mother pulled up. She had taken a drive to her friend’s house down the street. She told me to get in, and asked me, more than once if I was alright. I obviously wasn’t, even when I was nodding repeatedly. My mom saw passed my act and I let it out. I had to talk to him before he left, something I didn’t exactly want to do. After he left, my mother found tons upon tons of emails that the two had sent back and forth to each other.
I missed him such a great deal. I still do. The pain is so, so great. There’s such an emptiness inside of me. I lost my father a long time ago. The man that is there now is not my father. That is not my father. I hate this man. I truly hate this man. It’s not even so much everything that’s happened. And a lot has happened. He’s given me so much attitude and told me so many lies, before and after his cover was blown. What really hurts is the fact that he won’t be there to see me learn to drive. He won’t be there when I get my real license. He won’t be there on the family vacations. He won’t be there. And you know what? That’s his problem. Not mine.
Jennifer took a deep breath as a few tears trickled down her cheeks.
“Oh, God, Jenn. I never knew. I’m so sorry,” Zac spoke, leaning to give her a hug.
“Hey, it’s not your fault. Thanks for listening though,” she sniffed.
“Hey, anytime.”
Meanwhile...
It neared seven o’clock. Taylor brushed his hair and put on some cologne. He picked up a few movies and walked out to his car. He got in and drove to Kim’s.
A few minutes later, he pulled up to her house. He stepped up to the front door and rang the bell.
Kim opened the door. “Hey, Tay, c’mon in.”
“Hey,” he stepped into the house. He watched her close the door. She locked it and turned to him.
“I popped some popcorn for when we watch those movies you brought.”
“Movies? I didn’t bring any movies...” Taylor quickly hid the movies behind his back, a smile coming to his face.
“I see them! You have them! Give me them!” She wrapped her arms around his waist to retrieve the tapes.
“Hey, hey, I think that popcorn’s done,” he said, laughing and pointing to the kitchen.
“Fine, be that way,” she smiled and went into the kitchen. She got the popcorn out of the microwave. She went and reached for a bowl to put it in. She felt arms wrap around her and lips graze her neck. “Hey,” she smiled.
“Hey, is the popcorn done?”
“Yea, it is. Put it in this.”
Tay grabbed the bowl she handed him and put the popcorn in. Kim poured two glasses of iced tea for them and they went into the living room.
Tay sat on the couch and Kim put in the movie, Scream 5. “Hey, I think Sid finally dies in this one. Thank God too. It was starting to piss me off that she always gets away at the end,” Tay rambled.
Kim smiled. She sat next to Tay.
He put his arms around her shoulder and gently kissed her cheek.
Kim smiled and looked up at Taylor.
Tay smiled. “I’m so glad we’re back together.”
Kim smiled. “Me too. I missed you so much.”
Tay smiled, leaning in for a kiss. His lips pressed against hers. Slowly, Kim slipped her tongue into his mouth.
Their tongues played with the others as the makeout session began.
Tay let a light smile break through. After what had happened, the long while back, he never thought they would get back together. But he was wrong. Thank God he was wrong.
