"Oh, hi Tay," Paige said when she answered the door. He was hot and sweaty from rollerblading for so long.
"Where's Zac"
"He's...somewhere...I think he rollerbladed into your neighbor's backyard to look at their dog," Taylor laughed.
"Do you want a drink? You look tired," Sierra asked.
"Oh, sure. That would be great! Do you have any Pepsi? I seem to have good luck when I drink it," Tay commented, referring to when he and Paige first met.
"Sure we do, but I wouldn't call drenching a complete stranger and making a fool of yourself good luck," Paige said as she walked into the kitchen.
"Oh, I sure would. Anyone who has an encounter with an angel is drenched with good luck!" Tay said shyly.
Paige walked back into the living room with his Pepsi.
"Why Jordan Taylor Hanson, that's the nicest thing I've heard come out of a boy's mouth in a long time. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Tay blushed, "So, what do you want to do now?"
All of a sudden, Zac burst into the room, bringing two people with him.
"Heeeey guys! Look who I found!" Zac smiled, pulling Kristen, Paige's best friend aside from Sierra into the room, and Tanner, another friend of Paige's.
"Wow, Paige, I didn't know you knew Tanner! He's only been one of Zac's best friends since he was like two. I can't believe we didn't meet through him before! This is really cool! Who's your other friend?"
"This is Kristen-she's my best friend. Kristen-Taylor."
They exchanged "Nice to meet you's".
Paige explained, "Tanner and Kristen are dating."
"Noooowww...back to the subject," Zac yelled, "To do now...let's plaaaay.." he paused for emphasis..."Truth oooor DARE!"
Kristen, Tanner, Taylor, Zac, and Paige saat in a circle on the living room floor on top of big, fluffy feather pillows. There was a huge bowl of popcorn in the middle of them. They were home alone-this would be a perfect game.
Tanner was first up to ask someone-Zac-the question, "Truth or dare?"
"Dare!" Zac shot back.
"Okay, hmm...uh..I dare you to...put a piece of popcorn up Kristen's nose!"
Kristen wrinkled her nose. "Hey, no fair-this is Zac's dare-not mine!"
"Yeah, yeah. Grin and bear it. Go, Zac," Tanner demanded.
Zachary picked up a piece of popcorn out of the bowl and stuffed it in Kristen's nose, making gagging sounds at the same time. About a third of it was left sticking out of her nose.
Tanner snorted, making Zac grin.
"Hey Tanner-truth or dare?" Zac asked devilishly.
"Dare-I'm not scared of you!"
"Now, Tanner...take the piece of popcorn and remove it from Kristen's nose...using your teeth!"
"Ewww," everyone whined, making Zac's smile even larger.
Tanner tilted his head and bit at the stump of popcorn sticking out of Kristen's nose. After a few "Ew, gross!" 's out of Paige and a few "Ouch!" 's out of Kristen when her nose skin was bitten, the popcorn finally came out.
"Phlew!" Tanner spit the popcorn across the room and then gave Kristen a quick peck on the cheek.
Zac applauded, still grinning at Tanner, who would be his target all morning.
"I already went," Tanner said, "Kristen, why don't you go?"
"Okay, umm...Paige! Truth or dare?"
The game went on for about twenty more minutes when it was Tanner's turn again, "It's dare time for you, Zac!" Tanner grinned, "You have to kiss...hmm..."
Please don't pick me; please don't pick me, Paige thought, because if Zac had to kiss her, it could create some tension between Zac and his brother.
"You have to kiss..." Tanner's gaze was adjusted to Paige and he grinned, "Kiss Paige...on the lips...for TEN seecooonds!"
"Ooohhh," Kristen said teasingly.
Zac looked terrified at first, but then he jumped up and sat in front of Paige.
Aww, no! NOT my own brother! Isn't it obvious I like Paige? Taylor thought upsettedly.
Zac closed his eyes, fidgeting nervously with his hands. He had never kissed a girl before!
Oh, well. Lemme just get this over with so I can get Tanner back maaajorly!
Zac took a deep breath and puckered up big time, making Paige giggle. He planted his lips on hers, not moving at all, like cement.
".::One Mississippiiii, two Mississippiiii::.," Kristen and Tanner chanted.
Meanwhile, Taylor sat on the floor, the only person still in the "circle", glowering at his little brother who was kissing his girl even before he could!
"Nine Mississippiiiiiiiiiii, TEN!"
Paige pulled away, and Zac made a huge smacking noise, causing everyone to laugh except Taylor.
"Dang, Zac, I can tell you've sure had a lot of experience," Tanner said sarcastically.
"Yeah, and so have you-with your dog!" Zac cut in defensively, but then remembered Tanner was dating Kristen and apologized, blushing.
Kristen butted in, "Guys, guys-c'mon. It's Zac's turn!"
Taylor was still sitting and frowning at the wall.
Zac began, "Tanner...truth or DARE?"
"Dare!" he cried out, trying to hide the "fear" in his voice.
"Let's see..." Zac looked out the window at the back yard, "...Tanner-you have to go outside aaand-dive in the pool!"
"What?!? It's the middle of FEBRUARY!!!"
"That's the point...aaand-you have to do so wearing your clothes you already have on!"
"But won't the chlorine level be off and everything since it's Winter?"
Paige grinned, "My mom is a neat freak-she keeps the pool nice all year long!"
.::SpLaSh::.
Tanner dived into the pool. Zac stood at the edge, laughing hysterically as Tanner came up, sputtering.
"Ya think that's funny, huh?!?" Tanner taunted, grabbing Zac's ankle and pulling him into the pool.
At first, Zac gasped for air and looked mad, but after getting used to the water, he said, "Hey-it's not that bad!"
Ten minutes later, Kristen joined Tanner in the pool, fully-clothed. They were having a water fight. Zac had changed into a pair of Paige's board shorts and thrown off his shirt and shoes (even though it was only around 55 degrees out) and cannonballed into the pool, splashing Taylor who was sitting about five feet away.
"Zac!" he yelled with an outburst of anger. "Why are you being so careless today?!? First, you go behind my back and kiss my girlfriend, and now you splash me! Thanks a LOT!" he shouted, storming away towards a forrest of trees.
Paige looked at Taylor, shocked. He had his back towards her, running away.
She began to run after him.
"Taylor!"
He kept running.
"TAYLOR!!!"
Paige caught up to Taylor and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around. They were hidden in the shade of a few Oak trees.
"Tay? Did um...did you hear what you called me back there?"
"Huh? Oh..."
"Yeah. You called me your girlfriend."
"Oh..." Tay responded shyly, looking at his feet. He was obviously still upset.
Paige began, "Taylor, we were only playing truth or dare. If I knew you considered me your girlfriend, I wouldn't have let Zac kiss me anyways."
"I didn't mean to call you that, only...it doesn't sound all that bad," Taylor explained quietly.
"I'm sorry you are upset, Tay. I don't like your brother as more than a friend at all; In fact, he only kissed me like a five year old would-it was sort of like an extended peck on the lips, I guess."
"Yeah, well...he's my brother and he still kissed you...even before I could."
"Taylor?" Paige interrupted.
"Yeah?"
"Your brother didn't even kiss me this well," Paige grabbed Taylor by the shirt and pressed her lips against his. He looked surprised at first, but soon got used to it and kissed Paige back.
After a minute or so of this, Paige pulled away and smiled. "Well, well, Taylor, I do believe it was my turn...truth or dare?"
"Truth...I've already seen enough dares."
"Alright, Jordan Taylor...how far have you gone with a girl before now?"
Taylor smiled, "Well, in kindergarten I tackled a girl at recess and kissed her on the cheek. She cried and told our teacher and got to go home early that day."
Paige laughed and pulled Taylor close. "Don't worry-I won't tell the teacher."
As they slowly began to kiss, Paige and Taylor heard Zac, Tanner, and Kristen calling for them.
"Taaaayloor-I'm sorry-I didn't mean to splash you. And for the other thiiing-I had to do it-I don't wimp out on dares! I didn't know you'd care...or that Paige was your giiirlfriiiend..." Zac called out into the trees.
Kristen and Tanner helped, "Paaaige; Taaaylooor..." they searched for their two friends.
When Taylor and Paige came out from the trees, Tanner, Zac, and Kristen dragged the two of them to the poolside and pushed them into the pool, jumping in after them.
Soon they were all splashing around, having a great time.
"Does anyone want to play Marco Polo?" Zac asked, but before anyone could respond, the cordless phone rang.
Paige hopped out to answer it.
.::click::.
"Hello."
"Paige...how come you're not here at the hospital yet? You're grandpa is in pretty bad condition..."
Paige's heart sunk. She had forgotten all about the heart attack because she was having so much fun with her friends. Now she felt guilty.
"I'll call Sierra and see if she's home yet so she can take me...sorry, Mom," Paige replied, hanging up the phone and dialing Sierra's number.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Sierra."
"Omigosh, Paige, you'll never believe what happened last night with me and Isaac. And also-we talked for hours. I found out everything about him-his favorite movie, his favorite place to sit at home doing nothing...I have so much to tell you!"
"Yeah, me, too. But later-right now could you maybe take me to the hospital to see my grandpa?"
Paige walked back out to the pool and explained her grandfather's situation. Kristen and Tanner told Paige how sorry they were and left for their homes; Zac called Diana to pick him up.
"Well, I have to go and get ready to see my grandpa."
Taylor asked supportively, "Do you want me to come with you?"
"To see my grandpa, yes. To change clothes, no," Paige replied, grinning.
Paige ran to her bedroom and threw on a blue Old Navy Performance Fleece and a pair of jeans.She quickly dried her hair and ran to her dad's room, where she had left Tay to find an outfit of her father's to wear. They were slightly big on him, but not bad. Paige tried to hide her grin when she noticed Taylor had also slapped on some of her dad's aftershave.
They walked downstairs together, and Paige collapsed onto the couch. She placed her head in her hands and began to cry.
"I love my grandpa. Ever since I can remember he has been there for me, teaching me to tie my shoes and sharing his Wherther's Originals. I love him so much, and I can't lose him! I just can't!"
Taylor hated to see Paige like this, but he swallowed that feeling away and put his arm around Paige, rubbing her back.
"I can't tell you everything's going to be alright because I just don't know. But I will be praying for your grandpa, and I care for you a lot, so if there's anything certain you need to talk about, I'm here."
Paige turned and hugged Taylor, wiping away her tears.
"Thanks, Taylor. That means a lot to me. It's just that..." Taylor and Paige had talked for about fifteen minutes when Sierra arrived to take them to the hospital.
"Hey, Paigers," she greeted her, a look of concern washing over her face, "Ya gonna be alright?"
Paige sniffled and smiled at Tay.
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks, Sierra. Thanks, Taylor."
In the meantime, Zac had arrived at home and was bored.
"Mooom! Where's Ike?" Zac yelled from the den.
"Oh, I saw him sneak in this morning and head towards his room. He's probably sleeping. God knows what he was doing last night."
"Okay, thanks Mom. I think I'm going to go outside for awhile."
"Okay, Sweetie! Just remember, if you see any cars drive by, make a run for the house."
"Yes, Mother," Zac said in an annoyed tone. He hated being so rude to fans!
While Zac was kicking around his soccer ball, he saw Caley come out of her house.
Omigosh! There she is! She is sooo hot! If I show off, maybe she'll notice me.
Zac kicked the ball as hard as he could and overshot the goal by a long shot. It started heading across the street, and it was falling fast.
Oh, no! "Duck!" Zac yelled, but it was too late-Caley was hit in the head and on the ground.
"Are you alright?" Zac shouted, running across the street towards her as fast as he could.
"What do you think, Moron?" And with that she stood up and hussled back inside her house.
Oh, crap; I blew it. She hates me now! This is a crappy day.
Zac kicked the ball harder this time, and it landed in a ditch by Caley's house. When he went to retrieve the ball, Zac re-considered his thoughts of today being a "bad" day. He had, after all, had his "first kiss". Well, sort of, anyway.
As a matter of fact, Zac thought, Paige isn't all that bad. Sure, she's my brother's age, but she's cute, she's sweet-"I think I'm in love with Paige Ellingston!" Zac exclaimed loudly, arms outstretched. Caley glared out her window at him and pulled down the blinds. Zac didn't care. He fell back on the grass and sighed happily.
