CHAPTER 8 - Home Boy Ike, The Garage & Sneaking Out

** RING RING ** ** RING RING**

Isaac tried to ignore the sound and tried to go back to sleep. It's was 2am. And Taylor's cellphone was ringing. He looked at Taylor who was sleeping to tightly. He sighed. He stood up and went beside Taylor's bed.

** RING ** ** RING **

"Why can't I sleep like they do...?” he said to himself as he woke Taylor up.

"Tay wake up.. your phone's ringing." Isaac whispered shaking Taylor.

Taylor slowly opened his eyes. And scratch his head. "Wha?"

** RING RING ** ** RING RING **

"Holyshit, that's my phone! where is it?"  Taylor said  quickly standing up.

"Here." Isaac handed him the phone, and went back to bed.

Taylor took the phone from Isaac's hand and pressed the answer button. "Hello?"

"Ashley?" Taylor whispered.

"What? Don't worry.. I'm coming over." Taylor said, turning off the phone.

Taylor quickly took a pair of pants, and grabbed a polo and wore it over his shirt.  He stood beside Isaac's bed and told Isaac that he was going to Ashley's place cause she needed him.  He promised to be back before 8am. Taylor jumped outside the window and took his car, driving as fast as he could to Ashley's house.  5 minutes later, he was in Ashley's street. He parked his car, two houses from Ashley's house.  He climbed up the pipe drain & knocked on Ashley's window.

"Ashley.." Taylor whispered standing outside Ashley's window, knocking.

"ASHLEY!!!!" Taylor whispered a little louder this time.

Ashley came to the window, and opened it so that Taylor could come in.  When Taylor got into her room, he noticed that Ashley was crying.  Her eyes were red, and she looked like she had a cold.  Ashley didn't say anything to Taylor.  She just looked at him and hugged him.

"Hey..." Taylor said, sweetly

"What happened?" Taylor asked concerned.

"Oh it's lame Tay..." Ashley started.

"Come on.. this can't be lame. You're crying." Taylor said

Taylor sat down on the side of the bed, in front of the TV.  Ashley sat beside him, her head on his shoulder.

"Now, tell me what happened.." Taylor asked.

"It's Trevor." Ashley replied.

"What did Trevor do? I'm going to kick his ass.." Taylor said, standing up.

  "Taylor sit down!" Ashley said, pulling him down to sit. 

Taylor sat on the floor, his back resting on the side of the bed.  He could feel anger growing inside him, but he tried not to think about it & clam down at the moment.

"Trevor.. he cheated on me." Ashley explained.

"I'm so sorry Ashley.. who was the girl?" Taylor asked, looking at Ashley with a very concerned face.

"Rachelle." she said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Rachelle? The one that Ike dated?"

"I don't know. That slut must have fucked the whole town."

"Don't get all upset Ashley." Taylor said, wiping the tears on her face.

"Come on, sit here beside me." He instructed.

"Listen to me, Trevor doesn't deserve you.  Don't worry I'm here." he said hugging her.

"Thanks Tay." Ashley said, as she manages to smile.

"This is weird..." Ashley laughed between sobs.

"What's weird?" Taylor asked.

"This, me crying in front of you, cause of guy problems.."

"As if you don't talk about your boyfriends."

"But I never tell you why we broke all broke up."

"I guess you're right. This is definitely something new."

  "Hey Tay, can you stay over the night?" Ashley asked, standing up.

  "I think so why?"

"No reason.. I just need company." she said

====================

Zac & Nicole were sitting on the Hanson's garage.  They were watching TV, and eating McDonald’s, which they bought earlier.  Zac looked at Nicole.  He smiled.  Nicole turned to look at Zac, and smiled back.

"Why are you smiling Zac?" Nicole asked.

"Nothing... I'm just happy."

"Happy? Why? Cause of the Big Mac you're eating?" she joked.

"I'm serious here Nic." Zac laughed.

"I'm sorry... tell me why." she said, placing her head on Zac's shoulder.

"I'm just happy that things went well when I met your parents." Zac said, taking another bite in his Big Mac.

"I am too. My mom really likes you."

"And obviously your sister loves me too." Zac said, proudly.

"Whatever... Zac" Nicole said in return.

"How could you eat all those food?" Nicole asked, pointing at what Zac ordered at McDonald's

"What? What's wrong with my food?" Zac asked, his mouth full.

Nicole giggled.

"Don't you think you ordered too much?" she asked.

"I'm a growing boy!" Zac defended himself.

"And Big Mac's are very very very nutritious!" Zac added.

"Nutritious? That's junk food Zac!"

"Not for me. This is like, vitamins for my system, you know." Zac informed.

"You're so cute Zachary." she said, as she gave him a kiss.

After Zac finished his Big Mac,  French fries, apple pie & his Nuggets, and Nicole finished her Happy Meal, they were both lying down on the sofa, their heads on the opposite sides.  They were watching 'Little Mermaid' (AGAIN).  Ariel was singing her heart out of Eric, showing her love.  Nicole laughed to herself.  She felt silly watching 'Little Mermaid'.

"You know Zac, we're probably the only two people left our age who still watches this cartoon." Nicole said, sitting up.

"That's not true! Taylor still watches this movie." Zac said, extending his arms over his head.

Nicole laughed.  "Really? I thought only girls liked this cartoon."

"Are you blind?! Ariel is one hot mermaid!"

"So that's why you like this movie so much!" Nicole said, as she knelt down beside the couch, where Zac's face was & pinched his cheeks

"There's nothing wrong with that! ... Is there?" Zac asked, giving Nicole his best fake smile.

"I guess not." Nicole said.

Nicole sat back down to where she was seated a while ago.  She tried to focus to watch the film.  She looked over to look at Zac.  He was focused on the screen.  He was obviously very infatuated by Ariel.  'He's so cute.. smiling to himself.' she thought.  Zac sat up and smiled at Nicole, then he place his head on Nicole's lap.  He took her hand and held it the whole time they were watching.  'He is so sweet. How could I not fall for him..' she smiled.

====================

"Mackie dear, can you go down to the garage and check on Zac?" Mrs. Hanson asked, handing Mackie a cookie.

"Ok Mommy." Mackie said, smiling

"And while you're down there honey, why don't you ask Zac's friend if she wants to stay over for dinner." Mrs. Hanson added.

"Ok!" Mackie said, running to the garage.

Isaac entered the kitchen, his eyes half closed. He just woke up, and his hair was all up and his he was in his underwear. Basically, he looked like shit.

"Who's Zac with in the garage?" Isaac asked, opening the ref to get some milk.

"I think with his friend name Nicole." Mrs. Hanson replied

"What?!" Isaac said in disbelief

"Mom, you mean the French girl?" Isaac continued.

"I think so. She looked French to me." Mrs. Hanson said, while washed the dishes.

"I can't believe how Zac got that girl! She's too HOT to be true.." Isaac he said to himself, scratching his head as he walked out of the kitchen.

"Teenage boys..." Mrs. Hanson said to herself as she continued to wash the dishes.

====================

Just as the movie was about to end, Zac's head was still on Nicole's lap & just before they were about to kiss, Mackie pushed the door open.. jumping and screaming Zac's name.  Zac was surprised when he heard Mackie shout his name, and he accidentally fell on the floor and Nicole jumped to the couch when she heard the door open.

"ZACKIE!!! ZACKIE!!!" The 3 year old. came running to where Zac was.

Mackie sat on Zac's chest and started to tickle Zac. "ZACKIE ZACKIE ZACKIE!!!!" he screamed again with his high-pitched voice 

"Mac! Stop.. you're killing me!!!" Zac said between laughs.

"Ok." The 3 year old gave up easily, and sat beside Nicole.

Zac stood up and sat beside Mackie.  Mackie stood up on the couch and stood behind Zac's back.

"Zackie, who's her?" The little boy asked pointing at Nicole.

"Why don't you ask her Mac?" Zac said, looking at Mackie.

"No, I'm shy Zackie." Mackie said, looking down.

"Shy? I thought Mackie is never shy?" Zac asked.

Nicole couldn't help but smile.  Zac & Mackie where so cute.

Mackie sat on Zac's lap and whispered a little loud that Nicole heard what he was saying.

"You talk to her Zac. She's pretty." Mackie whispered, blushing.

Nicole giggled. She looked at Zac and smiled at him.  She looked at Mackie who was extremely blushing.  She decided to start the conversation with the little guy.

"Hey there.. I'm Nicole. What's you're name?" Nicole said smiling at Mackie

"Me.. Mackie." he said, pointing to himself.

"Why do you talk funny Nicole?" Mackie asked, scratching his head.

"Because she's new in town.  And she came from France." Zac explained.

"Oh.. Can I call you Nikki?" Mackie asked, smiling sweetly facing Nicole.

"Of course you can." Nicole smiled back

Mackie turned to face Zac. "Mommy wants to know if Nikki wants to stay for dinner."

"Nic, what'ya say?" Zac asked looking at Nicole.

"How could I resist your cute little brother?!" she said smiling.

"Mac, tell mom she's staying for dinner. Now, go up and close the door." Zac instructed Mackie 

"Ok Zac." Mackie said, as he jumped from the couch and ran to the door. Just as he was about to close the door, he went back in.

"Nikki, can I ask you something?" Mackie asked his body behind the door.

"Mac, I told you to go up." Zac said, a little annoyed.

"Aw come on Zac.. he's cute!" Nicole said, pinching his cheek.

"Mackie what is it?" Nicole asked walking over to where Mackie was standing.

"Are all girls from where you came from as pretty as you?" Mackie asked looking down, obviously blushing.

Nicole nodded. "You're a sweet boy Mackie. Now go up follow what your brother said." she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Nicole walked back to the couch in front of the TV and stood behind Zac who was watching MTV.  She placed her arms around Zac's neck & placed her head  from the back of his shoulder.  Nicole's hand traveled from Zac's shoulders to his arms.  Zac turned to look at Nicole.

"Zac.. " she whispered on Zac's ear after she kissed it lightly.

"Yea?" Zac asked looking at her.

"Would you sing for me?" she asked sweetly.

"Uh?" Zac asked in disbelie 

"Please? would you sing for me?" Nicole whispered on his ear.

"Ok... What do you want me to sing?" Zac asked. He asked Nicole to sit beside him, and placed his arm around her.

"Sing me one of your songs..."

"Please Zackie?.." she asked sweetly, stroking Zac's hair.

"Oh now you call me Zackie!" Zac laughed.

"I thought you didn't even like our music?" Zac added.

"That's different. I want to hear my Zackie sing." she said, kissing Zac's forehead.

"Owkey.. As you wish Nic." Zac replied

=====================

It's was already 11am and Taylor just woke up at Ashley's bedroom.  'Holyshit!' thought to himself.  He looked over to Ashley and saw her sleeping.  He decided not to wake her up anymore.  She looked tired.  Taylor stood up and walked to Ashley's study table and took a pen and paper and wrote her a note that he already went home.  After writing, he placed the note on the lamp table beside her bed.  Taylor walked slowly to the window, he opened it slowly hoping that he won't wake Ashley up.  He climbed down the pipe, and ran to his car that was parked two houses down.  He looked at his watch.

"Holyshit.. it's 11:00! Mom's going to kill me if she found out." Taylor said to himself as he started his car.

10 minutes later, he was in front of his house.  He ran quietly to the door, praying that his mother wasn't in the living room, watching TV.  He opened the door, and saw Isaac, in front of the TV.  Isaac heard a soft crack on the doorknob and turned to face the door.  As soon as Taylor & Isaac made eye contact, Taylor placed his finger on his lips.  Telling Isaac to be quiet.  Isaac nodded, and faced the TV again.

"Hey Ike, did mom notice that I wasn't home?" Taylor stood behind Isaac whispering.

"I don't think so." Isaac answered.

Just then, Mrs. Hanson appeared in the living room.  Taylor looked at his mother, shocked.  Taylor tried to hide the sweat that coming from the sides of his forehead, and smiled sweetly at his mother.

"Tay honey, why are you all dressed? Where are you going?" Mrs. Hanson asked.

"Uh? uh..." Taylor just stared at his mother, not knowing what to say.

"Uh... Jake called and.. uh asked me to... uh come over at his place." Taylor lied.

"Oh.. ok. But, I prepared lunch for you, so you have eat first ok?" Mrs. Hanson said

"Tell Jake you're going to be a little late." Mrs. Hanson added.

"Ok mom." Taylor said, trying his best not scream of happiness.

Taylor sat beside Isaac in front of the TV with a big smile on his face. 

"Get that smile off you face dude." Isaac said, not looking at Taylor.

"I was soo good.. she didn't even notice a thing." Taylor said, smiling.

"You're fucking lucky." Isaac said, flatly.

"I AM THE KING OF THE WORLD." Taylor said proudly as he stood up and went inside their room.

====================

Isaac was in the living room, watching TV & eating pop tarts.  He has nothing to do the whole day, Madeline was out of town.  She went to Oklahoma City to talk to some of her clients.  And Taylor, who was suppose to keep him company the whole day, went out to pretend that he was going somewhere with Jake.  Isaac was bored out of his mind.  He was trying to figure out how to assemble the Lego that Mackie left on the living room table earlier. 10 minutes later, he gave up, seeing that there was absolutely no point of trying to figure out the Lego blocks.  'I gotta find something better to do.' he thought to himself.  He decided to go down to the garage to what Zac and his girlfriend were up to.

Isaac opened the door, and saw Nicole & Zac watching TV. 'What? They're just watching TV?' he thought to himself.  He opened the door a little more, the made a cracking noise.  Zac and Nicole quickly looked at the door, where the noise came from. 

"Ike! what are you doing here?" Zac said, shocked.

Nicole just smiled at Isaac.

"I....uh just wanted to get my guitar" Isaac lied.

"Whatever Ike. Your guitar is not here."

"Uh....are you sure Zac? I think I left it here." Isaac lied again.

"Did an alien hit your head with a UFO?... You just used your guitar last night Ike."

"Oh.." Isaac said, smiling.

"Whatever Ike.. You just wanted to spy on us." Zac said, walking closer to Isaac.

"What? Why would I do that?" Isaac defending himself.

"Cause you have nothing to do." Zac relied.

"That's not true!" Isaac shot.

"Whatever man." Zac said, rolling his eyes.

Zac walked over to where Nicole was standing and took her hand.  They walked to where Isaac was standing.

"Nicole, this is my idiotic brother... Isaac." Zac said, pointing at Isaac.

"Ike, this is Nicole" he said, hugging her.

"Hey." Isaac said, extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you." Nicole said, shaking Isaac's hand.

Isaac smiled at Nicole and made his way out the door.  But before he went out, he whispered to Zac.

"That girlfriend of yours is HOT." Isaac said, patting Zac's shoulder and leaving the couple alone.

Chapter 9 - Before the Concert, the Concert & After the Concert
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