+chapter.two+

Zachary sat glumly in his seat on the airplane the next morning. It was a usual scene for him on the plane before they left Tulsa. He hated leaving home, leaving his friends. This was actually a short trip too. The tour, God, the tour had been so much longer. Thank God Mercury had paid for a long distance phone call for each of them every two to three weeks. Zac had always called Jenn. She was the only one he knew would care.

Zac gave a soft sigh as he looked out the window of the airplane. His whole trip to...God only knows where would be like this. Staring out the window, listening to music, and reading.

Zac reached into his carry-on and pulled out his walk man and a mixed tape that Jennifer had made for him. She had given it to him the day previous and told him not to listen until he was on the plane or she would "beat the crap out of him".

He smiled a bit and pressed play. Her voice started up. "Hey, Shmuck, this is for you. I've got some pretty awesome songs here I think you'll like. Do me a favor and listen to the radio this time." There was click as Jennifer's voice stopped. After another click, she spoke, "Here's my theme, 'Too Late to be Good' by The Tuesdays." A quick paced song started up as Zac smiled, looking out the window. Maybe the plane ride wouldn't be so bad after all.

Back in Tulsa...

Jennifer had cut a day from school, telling her mother she had a major headache. It was true, she wasn't lying. This one just wasn't going away though. And she didn't know how much longer she could take the pain. After taking two aspirins, Jenn laid down in her bed, under the light covers. Maybe sleep would take this headache away. Hopefully sleep.

Jenn never experienced such headaches when she was younger. In just the past few years they had started getting bad. At first, Jennifer blamed stress. Then the main cause had been changed to family. It was a bad time in her life she wanted to forget as soon as possible. After that, it was the school's turn to be blamed. Now though, now Jenn wasn't so sure. She had begun to notice a pattern. Whenever Zac left, or was gone, she would get tremendous headaches. She thought a lot while he was gone. And she wrote even more. She was lonely. As Jennifer began to fall into a light sleep, she made a choice that would change her life. She was going to make friends.

Meanwhile...

Zachary's plane had landed in London. That's where they would be for the next month. London. He couldn't stand it there. He had nothing against the fans, but the dreary, stormy weather was not his thing. But since Taylor had a thing for British girls, of course they had to go back again and again. Zac gave a heavy sigh as he picked up his carry-on bag and began to get off the plane.

Zachary walked with this eldest brother for a bit, but even Ike had gotten tired of Zac's pouty mood. Jenn would have stayed by him. Jenn would have cheered him up too. Jenn... Zac shook his head. He thought of her too much. Too much or not enough? 'You're so corny, Zac. She's your best friend. Damned hormones givin' me thoughts like that.'

He gave a light sigh as they walked outside of the airport. A big white van was waiting.

They drove to the huge hotel where the family would be staying this time. Zac trudged into the huge building, carrying his bags.

After his parents checked them in, getting two separate rooms, they headed upstairs. Zac, Tay, Ike, and Mackie were all sharing a room and the others all had the other room.

Zac dropped his suitcase on the floor and then did the same with his carryon. He laid down on the bed. The jet lag always got him good. Always.

"Hey, Bucko," Ike began as he sat down next to Zac.

"Whaaat do you waaant?" Zac asked tiredly.

"What's your status with Jenn?" Ike asked.

Zac looked up; his eyes squinted in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Please. What is he talking about. You and Jennifer. The Goth chick. We drove by yesterday and you two were hanging out-again," Tay butted in.

Ike nodded.

Zac made a face. "I don't know what you guys are talking about. She's my best friend. She's been my best friend. For as long as we've been alive."

Ike shrugged. "Your point?"

Zac groaned. "You guys are so impossible." He grabbed a pillow and pulled it over his head, trying to block them both out and sleep. He needed sleep.

Ike shook his head, smiling slightly and got up to unpack. Zac wasn't in the mood. For anything. He could tell. So, he would just leave him alone. Zac isn't one you want to mess with when he isn't in the mood for something. Not at all.