part one
Taylor took a deep breath of salty ocean air. It felt good to have the chance to relax. The release of their second album had set off another frenzy of Hanson mania. They had been mobbed even worse than before, if that was possible. Zac had been close to a nervous breakdown, so their parents had decided to hell with the entertainment industry, their boys needed a break. The enormous ocean liner pulled back from shore, and Taylor stepped back from the edge. He ran his hand through his now, short, spiky, hair and walked down the stairs to the deck they were staying on. He tensed as he passed a couple of teenage girls, but when he realized they hadn’t recognized him; he breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t really wanted to cut his hair, but it seemed to help the mob size a small bit. Taylor opened his cabin door and looked around. Zac had left his suitcase in the middle of the floor, unsurprisingly. Taylor slid it under a bunk, and lay down. Down time, what would he do with it? The door opened a couple minutes and Zac walked in.
“Hey, where is my bag?” He exclaimed, looking annoyed.
“It’s under the bed, Zac,” Taylor said, not moving.
“This is going to be so cool. I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise,” Zac said, pulling his suitcase back out into the middle of the room.
“I guess,” Taylor replied flatly.
“Man, you can live without Isaac for two weeks,” Zac said, standing at the edge of Taylor’s bed. Isaac had decided to start college in their “break” and Taylor was already missing him like mad. Zac and Taylor got along, but Isaac and Taylor were much closer.
“Well, I’m going to the buffet. I’m hungry, I’ll see you later, Tay,” Zac said, walking out of the room.
Taylor leaned against the railing and looked up at the stars. He had tired of lying in bed and decided to explore the boat. He had glanced over all the decks and wound up on top, with a spectacular view of the sky. He was surprised he was alone on the deck, but he could hear the music from decks below, so he figured they were all partying. Taylor had sworn off parties, he’d been to plenty. Taylor heard footsteps coming up the stairs and turned around. The girl froze when she saw him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone was up here,” she stuttered, turning to run back down the stairs.
“Wait!” Taylor called out. The girl stopped.
“I can share the deck,” He said, smiling. The girl stared at him with frightened eyes.
“I. I don’t want to bother you,” she said.
“You wont, really.”
“Um.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Nothing is wrong.”
“Well, okay, you look upset.”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay, well, it’s a nice night, don’t you think?”
“Yeah...”
“What’s your name?”
“Uh...Rose.”
“That’s a really pretty name,” Taylor said, trying to put the girl at ease.
“Thanks. What’s your name?”
“Taylor.”
“That’s a nice name too.”
“Thanks…” There were more footsteps heard. Rose’s eyes grew huge and filled with tears.
“Pretend I’m your sister, please?” She asked Taylor. He gave her a confused look, but nodded. A couple of security guards came up the stairs. They glanced shortly at Taylor and Rose and left the deck. Rose breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“Now, tell me what’s wrong,” Taylor said.
“Oh God, please don’t tell anyone…” Rose began.
“Why are you hiding?”
“Um, let’s just say I’m not supposed to be here.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t pay for the ticket.”
“You’re a stowaway?”
“I don’t like that word.”
“Well! That’s what you are!”
“You aren’t going to tell are you?”
“I befriended a crook. Whatever would my mom think…”
“Please?”
“Yeah…sure…whatever. Just don’t get me in trouble.”
“I wont…”
“Okay. I’m going to go now.”
“Okay…”
“Good luck, I guess.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, why did you do this anyway?”
“Well, I needed to get away…”
“From what?”
“Everything.”
“That was specific.”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble, so I’m going to go.”
“Wait! Will you come by my cabin?”
“I don’t know…”
“I’m in room 317, please?”
“Um, maybe.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“I will.”
Rose wrapped her threadbare sweater tightly around her shoulders. She walked quietly down the corridor. She stopped outside of room 317.
“This is really bright…” Rose said to herself as she hesitated. She tapped lightly on the door. To her surprise the door flew open. Taylor looked around quickly, and then pulled Rose inside.
“My brother is still eating, believe it or not,” Tay said wryly. Rose laughed nervously.
“I don’t know why I came.”
“I don’t know why I asked you.”
“Yeah…”
“So what is everything, that you were running from?” Rose sighed.
“Aren’t you cold with no shirt on?” She asked Taylor, abruptly changing the topic.
“No,” Taylor shrugged. Rose couldn’t help but notice the clearly defined lines on Taylor’s abdomen.
“Oh.”
“Are you cold? Do you want a sweatshirt or something?”
“Uh, no, it’s alright, I’m fine.”
“Wait, I’ll get you one anyhow.” Taylor stood up and grabbed a red sweatshirt out of the small closet. He tossed it to Rose, who slid it over her head gratefully.
“So, now, without further ado, what the hell is going on?” Taylor demanded, sitting down on his bed beside Rose.
“Well…I guess I ran because I was afraid. I didn’t like the way my stepfather looked at me. I hate being poorer than dirt. I felt like trash. And I figured I could catch a boat and live on an island. Wear grass skirts or something.” Rose let out a half-giggle, half-sob. Taylor looked down at his lap.
“I’m sorry…that’s terrible.”
“Yeah, oh well, I’ll survive. Even if it is in jail or something.”
“I won’t let them catch you.”
“But, Taylor…”
“No. You’ve obviously been through a lot already, and it’s only fair that you get away. No one should be forced to be miserable.”
“But what would your parents think?”
“They’re nice people, they’ll understand.”
“They’ll turn me in, Taylor.”
“Then I won’t tell them until the cruise is over, and you can come back to Tulsa with us.”
“You’re insane.”
Taylor and Rose talked for hours. By three o’clock in the morning, Rose was lying curled up on Taylor’s bed, barely mumbling answers. Taylor was sitting on the floor, absently picking at a loose carpet fiber.
“Taylor,” Rose said, forcing herself to sit up, “I think I should be going…”
“Yeah? And where will you sleep?”
“I don’t know…”
“Stay here.”
“Taylor. No way!”
“Yeah, sleep on the bunk above mine.”
“What about your brother?”
“Maybe he fell overboard?”
“Brotherly love…”
“Yeah…well…whatever. So it’s decided and you’ll stay here where you’re safe.”
“But…”
“Don’t argue.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me young lady…” Rose laughed and hit Taylor with a pillow.
“I guess I could stay…”
“Good.”
“Alrighty then.” Taylor smiled and playfully pushed Rose off of his bed. She climbed up to the top bunk and tried to make herself comfortable. Her thoughts began to veer off in directions she wished they wouldn’t take. She could picture Taylor’s smooth stomach lying in the bed right beneath her. Sighing, Rose leaned over the side of the bunk. Taylor met her gaze and laughed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
“I wish I could believe you.”
“Well, just don’t think about it, and go to sleep.”
“Okay…”
“Night-night Rose.”
“Goodnight Taylor.”
“Oh my God! Taylor! There is a girl in the bed above you!” Zac said, very surprised. Rose’s eyes flew open. She turned on her side and looked at Zac.
“Zac! Shut up!” Taylor hissed.
“But…but…why is there a girl in here?” Zac screeched.
“Listen Zac, if you breathe one word about this to anyone, I’m feeding you to the sharks!” Taylor threatened. Zac’s eyes were huge. Rose tried not to giggle. Zac nodded.
“Rose is a friend, and we’re helping her, understand this?” Zac nodded again.
“Good.”
“But…”
“Don’t ask me questions.”
“Okay…”
“Hi, Zac, it’s nice to meet you,” Rose said, from her spot on the top bunk.
“Hi…Isn’t that Taylor’s shirt?”
“Yeah, he let me wear it.”
“Yeah…Um. Well, it’s nice to meet you too.”
“What time is it anyway?” Rose asked, looking at Taylor.
“About five…Damn Zac, did you stay out eating all night?”
“What I did last night is nothing compared to what you probably did…” Zac chuckled. Taylor threw a pillow at Zac, and it hit him, hard.
“You have a definite attitude problem, Taylor!” Zac said, slamming into the bathroom.
“Tay, I’d better get out of here,” Rose said, climbing down from the bed. Taylor frowned.
“Don’t let Zac bother you,” He said.
“He didn’t, I am just looking out for you.”
“Let’s meet somewhere around noon.”
“Tay…I don’t know…”
“How about the top deck again?”
“There will be people up there!”
“Then just come by here.”
“I was going to try to sneak some food…”
“I’ll bring you some, what do you want?”
“Anything.”
“Okay. Well, be careful.”
“I will. Thanks again…” Rose walked slowly to the door, and peered out.
“Bye.”
“Bye.”