*Author's Note: ChApTeR 1 used to be pretty good (for us anyway, lol), but it was erased by geocities somehow, so we had to re-write it from memory...we couldn't remember all of the parts, pllluuus we didn't make it real detailed, so...if ya don't like ch.1, go easy on us, will ya, and go on to chapter two anyway? Thanks! =O) *
"So, how is he, Mom?" Paige asked as they got to the waiting room on the tenth floor.
"Not so good; he's in ICU right now, and the doctors said he would be in there for a couple of days.
"Can we see him now?" Paige asked, fighting back her tears.
"The doctors thought it would be best if he didn't have any visitors right now. Why don't you two run down to the cafeteria and grab something to eat while you wait?"
Sierra answered quickly..it wasn't that she didn't care about Paige's grandfather-she just wanted something to take the heart attack off her friend's mind, "Mrs. Ellingston, you read our minds! I'm not too fond of cafeteria food, but I am pretty hungry. What do you say, Paige?"
"Definitely."
"Okay, girls; here's some money. Bring me back a Coke if you remember."
"-K-, Mom."
"So, what exactly do they serve at hospitals?" Paige asked as they stepped into the elevator.
"I have no clue; Just as long as it doesn't kill us, I'm a happy camper."
When they arrived at the cafeteria, it was practically empty except for a couple in the corner and some person getting a drink against the far wall.
"Hmmm...must not be flu season," Paige commented, laughing half-heartedly to herself.
"You can say that again."
"Hmm...must not be...just kidding!" Paige said when she saw Sierra's annoyed glance.
After they finally got their food, Sierra found them a table while Paige got their drinks.
"DP, right?" Paige yelled across the empty room.
Sierra just smiled.
"Why did I even bother to ask? That girl's been addicted to that stuff even since we were kids," Paige commented to herself while looking down at her feet, wondering how that gross-looking stain got on her shoe as she headed towards the drink machine.
All of a sudden she felt an impact and she was on the floor, soaked in carbonation. Paige could hear a boy apologizing over and over for what had happened. He held out his hand and helped her up. The boy already had a handful of napkins and was trying to dry her off.
"Thanks, Graceful," Paige said to her perpetraitor.
"I'm so sorry!" he said, "I was deep in thought and didn't see you!"
"Obviously," Paige said as she looked up. At that moment, she just froze.
Sierra came running up to Paige. "Are you alright? What happened?" Sierra asked, trying to hold back a chuckle.
Paige didn't answer. She was just standing there, wide-eyed and grinning.
"Hello? Earth to Paige!"
"I'm sorry; I drenched your friend with Pepsi! I'm really sorry," a male voice explained apologetically.
Sierra looked up in disbelief at whom the voice was coming from. She was looking at a boy with long, gorgeous blonde hair, big blue eyes, a smile that was to die for-the same person who was on the cover of every teeny-bopper magazine sold in stores.
Finally, Paige, who was in a daze, spoke up "It's alright. I wasn't planning on going anywhere special-not soon, anyway, Taylor!"
"That's good, but I still want to make this up to you somehow. How about a Pepsi? Wait, never mind. I'd say you had enough of that already."
Paige laughed, "It's okay. Really. You don't have to make it up to me!"
"But I want to! I can't really think right now 'cuz my mom went into labor this morning, and I have a lot on my mind."
"Your mom is having another? Poor thing!" Sierra said jokingly.
"Yeah...she does have her hands full! But anyway, about my IOU-how about you come up to the maternity floor with me so I can see how my mom is doing and we can figure something out?"
"Sure!" Paige and Sierra chimed at the same time. They did that pretty often.
As they headed towards the elevators, once again forgetting about their uneaten food, Taylor asked, "So, what did you guys say you were here for again?"
"Well, my grandpa had a heart attack this morning, and he is in I.C.U.," Paige replied sadly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Tay said, "I understand how that feels..to have your grandpa in the hospital."
"Well, he's strong, so I think he'll make it through this," Paige said hopefully.
"We'll have to pray for him," Tay said, but as they were going up to the maternity level on the elevator and Paige saw who was standing beside her, she couldn't help but think, "Thanks, Gramps!"
.::Ding::.
The elevator came open.
"After you! Ladies first," Tay said, trying to make up for his bad first impression. But, before he could step out, the elevator doors came to a close. Taylor blushed with embarassment.
Smooth, Tay, smooth, he thought to himself as he pushed the 'open' button to the elevator. He quickly stepped out, but he couldn't save himself from this one-Sierra and Paige began to applaud him and, to Taylor's dismay, his cheeks deepened to a shade of burgandy.
"How is Mom?" Taylor asked a very distressed Walker, who was pacing around the room.
"They said she's getting closer, but that it probably won't be for several more hours."
"That's good. Dad, this is Sierra and Paige. I kind'a had a messy run-in with them earlier."
"Hi Mr. Hanson," Paige and Sierra said.
"Hello," he replied. They called me Mr. HANSON, they must be obsessed-with-my-sons teeny boppers. But, then again, Taylor has pretty good judgement...they seem rather nice. I just hope once they find out where our house is, they don't try to stalk my boys!
"Hey Dad, can I borrow the keys to the van? I want to take Paige by our house to change shirts. It's my fault that she is drenched in Pepsi."
"Taylor, you are only fourteen years old!"
"WAAAAALLLLKER!" Diana screamed from the other room.
"Coming!"
"Dad, please," Taylor begged. Before Walker could think, he handed the keys to Taylor and ran into the other room.
"Do you even know how to drive?" Sierra asked nervously.
"Yeah, I know how to, I've just never done it before," Taylor said with a sly grin on his face.
"How about you tell me where to go and I'll drive?" Sierra asked.
"Okay, sure."
"First I need to tell my mom that we're leaving," Paige chimed in.
"Okay."
As they were stepping out of the elevator onto the ICU floor, Paige and Taylor tried to squeeze through the elevator door at the same time. Their arms rubbed against one another, and Taylor looked at Paige and turned red AGAIN. Paige just smiled. "Hey Mom," Paige said, "Guess who Sierra and I ran into."
"Who, Honey?"
"Mom, this is Taylor Hanson," Paige said happily, yet at the same time she emphasized the name Hanson in hopes that her mother would realize who he was and try not to embarass her. However, she had no such luck.
"Oh, I know who you are. You are in that very talented young band, and you are on our television constantly. Yes; that's who you are! You're the one Paige always watches on T.V.!"
At those words, Paige and Sierra blushed.
"Why thank you, Mrs. Ellingston. It was very nice to meet you."
"Oh, what a nice young man. How come none of your old boyfriends were this sweet, Paige? I think you should hang out with guys like him more often."
"Yeah, Mom, I know," Paige said, a little annoyed. "What we came to ask you is if Sierra and I could go to Taylor's house so that I could change clothes. My shirt got soaked with Pepsi."
"Sure, Sweetie. Just hurry back because I think they are going to allow visitors in to see your grandfather soon."
"Alright. Thanks, Mom. See you later."
"It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Ellingston," Tay said as they were walking towards the elevator.
"The pleasure was all mine. I hope to see more of you in the future."
She hopes to see more of me? Taylor looked beside him on the elevator, and he noticed how cute Paige looked when she was thinking. I hope to see more of the Ellingstons, too.
