Katie and Abby had slept in the next morning. It was nearly 11:00 and Katie was planning on leaving around Three. She figured if she left and drove the six hours she wouldn’t be getting in too late. Both girls spent what hours they had left together alone, going out for lunch one last time before they had to be separated another few weeks, maybe even months. Katie didn’t know when she would be able to make another trip down. Unless she scraped up the money from somewhere to pay for a plane ticket. Even then, she couldn’t stay that long. No way was she making that drive with her car again. It was starting to give her
minor problems and she needed to be careful how many miles she put
on it. Thanksgiving was the next holiday the college students had off. So maybe then.

After a small lunch the two of them decided to take a walke around the park. They had a little over two hours to spare. The park was just built about a year before and was one of the main tourist attractions. A lot of the students around campus go there to study or just relax. It was beautiful. Fountains and ponds stretched on miles of grassy lawns. They even had a mini Zoo in the back. Tigers, some neat looking birds, lamas, and a few other exotic animals lingered around there own individual closed in areas. It was gorgeous.
The girls caught up on things... like how they were planning on
spending holidays and when they could squeeze in a trip home.
“Wow...” Katie said sitting down in s shady area under a willow tree
over looking a small pond. The branches hung down to the ground like a beaded curtain.
Ducks and geese flocked around, Eating up the over sized pieces of
bread some little kids threw into the water.
“This is beautiful.” Abby said laying down and propping herself up by her arms. She was deep in thought. All she could think about was Taylor. She wanted him here right now.
What was the future going to be like with them?! I mean come on.
Three years before, Tay was the boy on every fifteen year old girls
mind. This was just all too weird and moving too fast for Abby to take in.
“This whole ‘Meeting up with Tay again’ thing is just really getting to me.” Katie said looking over at me from her fixed position on the ground. “It hasn’t hit me yet.” She said laughing. Must Katie and I always be on the same brain wave?!
“I know. And it’s even worse for me. I’m with him all the time. We’re always talking about when we were young. Back when they were
‘Hanson’. And how he felt about everything. It’s kewl to see what he went through, ya know. Dealing with the crowds. His opinions.” Katie didn’t respond. She sat there thinking.
That’s one thing Katie and I always did... we would just sit and think about stuff. Then, the first thing that popped into our heads we spoke.
It was weird when Taylor said he was interested in me. If I would have known it two years before... I danno what I would have done. It was bad enough getting shit from other fans that saw us hanging out at shows. Taylor wouldn’t of had time for a relationship anyway.
Everything was quiet for a minute. Just Katie and I being together,
relaxed us both. Katie lay her head back on the freshly cut grass and closed her eyes.
“Ab, What’s up with you and Tay? And don’t even say nothing. I know
your keeping something from me.” As if I snapped out of a deep trans
by a slam of a book Katie asked the one question I dreaded.
I sat there stunned. “Ab?” Katie asked again. This time opening her one eye then waved her hand in front of my face.
“Uh.” I didn’t know what to say. As if everything built up inside of me suddenly wanted to come out. I stood up and walked a couple feet
away. I don’t know why I was acting like this. Why couldn’t I just tell Her? A single tear rolled down my cheek. ‘Why am I crying?’ I asked myself.
Katie came up behind me. She just stood there and waited for me to
talk. I hated it when she did that. I guess it was her way of getting the truth and comforting me at the same time. I knew she cared and she knew I knew she cared.
“Why didn’t you just tell me you guys were together. It’s obvious.”
I turned around. “How are you so sure we’re together?” I asked wiping another tear.
“Well last night when I left the room to go to the bathroom. I didn’t close the door all the way. I saw you guys kissing.” She looked down as if ashamed she spied.
“Katie. I’m sorry. I should have told you. To tell you the truth...I don’t know why I didn’t. Everything has moved so fast... for both him and I that we don’t even know what to do or where to begin.”
“Abby, I don’t get it. We’ve been friends for how long? and you
couldn’t even tell me something like this.” She stopped for a second then continued. “Ever since Lee, I’ve been worried sick about you. You never want to go out with anyone. You wouldn’t let me fix you up... As if you were scared to go near any and every male on the face of the earth.” She grabbed my shoulder and turned me around so I would face her. “Look at me when I’m talking to you young lady!” She said trying to keep a straight face. The corners of her mouth started bending up into a cute smile. I laughed. Drying my wet eyes again. We gave each other a small hug.
“I’m really happy for ya hun.”
“So you don’t hate me.” I asked.
“How could I? Your dating Taylor Hanson. That’s my one and only way
to get to the hottest guy I know.” She gave me an evil grin.
“Huh” I was confused.
“Think you could get me Ike’s number.”

***********

A week had past and Ike was standing in his dorm room packing a bag for the weekend. He was finally going home. His college had started a month earlier then Tay’s... so he had been away for about two months. He missed everybody. Ike hadn’t heard anything from Zac ever since last week and he wanted to find out why he had hung up on him so quickly. When he had called home and talked to his Dad, Walker didn’t have a clue as to where Zac was at the moment. So Ike decided to drop it for the time being.
Ike walked Nora home that one night and hadn’t spoken to her since.
He kind of just dropped her out of his mind. To him, she was just a
nice, cute looking girl he politely walked home. So he thought.

Ike threw his duffel bag over onto the passenger side seat of the Explorer.
Isaac loved his Explorer. At first he wasn’t too excited about it. But
after a couple months he grew to love it. It was Tay’s choice in the first place. Taylor had this weird obsession with big, road ruling vehicles. Ike let Taylor help pick one out. And boy did he pick a good one.
Zac on the other hand hated them. He takes his beloved car everywhere when the three of them go out. Never do they go out in
the jeep, or the Explorer... but the precious mustang.

Ike pulled into a small gas station down the road to pick up some snacks. Then he was off.
Six and a half hours later he pulled into the long driveway. The new house was tucked far back in the woods. Trees surrounding the paved drive. Ike quickly punched in the 4 digit code and the metal gate slid open. He was so happy to be home. The smell of burning leaves made the welcome more enjoyable. It was sure to be Walker and Mackie in the back yard. Ever since Mackie was 5 he was fascinated with fire.
Soon the driveway came to an end and the huge brick house open up
in front of him. He pulled his vehicle around the circle and stopped in front of the house.
Grabbing his bag, Ike climbed out and headed for the door.
“IKE!” Came a shrilling scream. Ike turned to his left just in time for Mackie to fling into his arms.
“Hey man! What’s up?” Isaac said bringing the still little boy into a bear hug.
“Your finally home! Come one! Mom and everyone are in the back.
We’re having steak!!!” Mackie informed Ike... then ran ahead. He
followed close behind.
The whole family greeted Isaac with hugs and the usual kiss from
Diana.
“Zac! What’s up? Ike said giving his younger bro a man hug. The simple half hug half pat on the back.
“Hey! Good to see ya again. Not much.”
“Ahh guys. You shouldn’t have.” Ike said jokingly about the so called ‘Welcome home party’ they were celebrating for ‘him’. Isaac knew well it was just a regular family cookout, and not especially for him. Everybody laughed.
“How was the drive hunny?” Diana asked, putting her arm around his
shoulder once they were seated watching the kids attempting to play volleyball in the yard. Walker stood in front of the grill cooking the remainder of the steaks.
“It was all right. I’m a little sleepy. But okay.” Isaac looked at the unfamiliar girl sitting across from him next to Zac. She smiled in his direction. Kari.
“Ahh. You must be the Kari I heard SO much about.” Ike said putting
emphasis on the word ‘So’ and laughing. He looked in Zac’s direction, Zac gave him a ‘sorry, I forgot to tell ya’ look. Isaac extended his hand.
“Oh really?.. All good I’m hoping.” Kari said, eyeing Zac and lightly punched his arm. She shook Ike’s awaiting hand.
“Yeah... It’s all good.” Ike looked at Zac and winked. He smiled back.