Mac smiled and leaned in to kiss him. Billy could only stare at Mac in disbelief. 'What was she thinking? Why was she doing this?' Suddenly JT spotted Billy staring.
"Hey Abbott, jealous much?" he smirked.
"What a loser," Billy said turning to Mac. Mac looked down and away from Billy.
"Come on JT, don't start anything." she said under her breath. JT decided it was best to do as she said, he didn't want to risk it, unlike Billy.
"Sorry babe, need a ride home?" he asked, ignoring Billy. Mac sighed with relief and took JT's hand and led him down the hallway. He followed only too willingly behind her.
Ever since JT was blown off by Brittany he was doing everything he could to make her angry. He tried by telling everyone about their affair and her lame little plan to break up Billy and Mac. When that failed he set his sights on something even more effective, Mackenzie Browning. It had been two months since the scene at the pool house when JT came up with his brainstorm. It started out as just that. But as he slowly worked on Mackenzie for the past month he had really gotten to know her and she started opening up to him, much like she had to Billy. JT seriously had some sort of feelings for her. It turned out that his plan became the real thing, for him anyway. Mackenzie figured she had no one else, and the worst JT had ever done to her was call her a dork. This was far less hurtful to her than Billy's games. And she was only too willing to do anything, and everything to get Billy off of her mind.
So it had happened that one night as she and JT were talking at the coffee house he offered her a ride home after her shift. The ride ended with a goodnight kiss, and things seemed to be moving along slowly since then between the two. Their whole friendship was pretty much a secret. Not on purpose, but just because Mackenzie avoided everyone, and everyone avoided JT, so no one had seen much of them. Until today in school!
"JT, I appreciate what you did for me back there...." Mac started, but was interrupted.
"Hey, just forget it. I didn't need to deal with Abbott's attitude!" he said smugly, trying to brush it off as nothing. He hadn't even realized how much he was starting to like Mac until then. It sort of threw him off balance. He had liked Brittany because she was easy, she wasn't complicated. What you saw was what you got, basically. But as he had tried to get on Mac's good side in the past weeks, he had started to see what it was that she had drove Billy nuts. And it had actually started to get to him too.
Mac had also gotten to know JT though, beyond her better judgment, and could see right through him. She knew how he felt about her. It was only too clear, JT wasn't exactly the stealthiest guy in the world, and it amused her to say the least. Plus, she had been really lonely, and really hurt, so she was happy to have a friend, if that's what you could call it. And JT was really sweet to her, like he was just then. Mac smiled and JT saw it.
"Come on, I'll give you a ride to work." he said. When Mac didn't move he said, "You are working today aren't you? I thought you worked Wednesday's." Mac wouldn't hold it in anymore and laughed. Billy had just followed them out at this moment, and he heard Mac's laugh across the school parking lot.
'God,' he thought. 'It's been so long since I've heard her laugh! Why does it get to be that jerk JT who gets to hear it?" He was angry to say the least. But he was unnoticed by the two and they continued talking. When Mac stopped laughing she looked at JT.
"You memorize my schedule!" she teased him.
"You wish," he replied. "Come on, get in the car. I'll take you home if you're not working." he said. He just wanted to spend a few more moments in her company. Billy silently watched as they teased each other and flirted, and felt ill. Mac smiled a few more times at JT, and then he saw her get into his car. They drove off together, and he hurried into his car to follow. They definitely weren't headed to the coffee house, from what Billy could tell.
JT pulled the car into the parking lot and parked. He had driven to a park. By this point, Billy was more hurt than angry. 'What exactly did Mac see in a loser like JT?' he thought. He pulled into the other end of the lot and left the car running, watching silently. JT had gotten out and was getting something out of the trunk. Mac was still in the car. He then went with something in his arms, and opened Mac's door. She got out and they walked arm in arm to a tree. JT took the object from under his other arm. Opening it, he spread it on the ground and Billy realized it was a blanket. Then JT took Mac's hand and they sat down together, facing each other. They weren't speaking, when suddenly JT leaned into Mac. Billy freaked, lunging forward he accidently leaned onto his car horn. Mac and JT looked in his direction immediately. Billy ducked down.
JT returned his gaze to Mac, "Where were we?" he asked smiling. Mac looked upset but JT didn't really notice.
"JT stop! Isn't that Billy's car? I can't believe he followed me!" she said, getting angrier with each breath.
"It is, isn't it?" he answered. "You really care what that guy thinks, after what he did to you?" he asked her. She didn't respond. "Let's show him what he came to see." JT said smiling and leaned in to kiss her again. Mac didn't pull away, and they kissed. It was innocent at first, but Mac started thinking about Billy and got lost in the moment. The next thing she knew her and JT were lying on the blanket, wrapped up in each other. He pulled away and smiled at her. She was confused at first, then realized what had happened. She didn't regret it though. And she realized that it was something more than just payback to Billy. She smiled at JT. He somehow always knew how to cheer her up. She had been slowly feeling like her old self again ever since he had approached her in the coffee house a month ago. Her thoughts were broken into by the screeching of tires. Both looked and saw Billy's car speeding away. JT felt pretty proud of himself. But Mac felt guilty in a way. She didn't want to hurt him. She had loved him. But she knew she would never forgive him, and JT was what she needed to make sure she could stay strong. She pushed Billy out of her thoughts and returned to the moment.
"JT, what's going on here?" she asked turning back to him. "I mean, I never imagined this happening between....us." She saw JT's face after she said it and tried to rephrase her thoughts. "What I meant was...."
"I know, me either." JT said, agreeing with her. He was mildly hurt when she first said it, but he knew what she meant. "But I think it's what we both need right now."
"Need?" Mac asked confused.
"Come on Mackenzie, you know it's true. No offense, but sometimes you take life way too seriously. You need to loosen up a little, have a little fun. And I'm just the one to show you how!" JT said proudly. Mackenzie was mildly offended, but then remembered it was JT who was talking.
"Yeah, well then you need me too." Mac said lightly.
"Need you? For what Browning?" he asked.
"You need to slow down sometimes JT. Stop and smell the flowers and stop scheming all the time." she teased.
"You think you know me so well babe." JT replied. Mac just laughed. She really had been feeling better since JT had came into her life. This surprised her, but she liked it. She hated to admit that he was right about her though. She laid back down and looked up at the sky, then closing her eyes she leaned against JT. It was a beautiful day. At this moment she almost felt peaceful. Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice over her.
"Well well well, aren't we cozy?"
Mac looked up to see Brittany standing over her. She was a mess, sweaty and out of breath. She had obviously been running in the park. Mac didn't respond.
"Spying on me, Brit?" JT asked. "I thought we were through. I already got everything from you anyway!" he said smugly.
"Yeah, still clinging to that dream?" Brittany asked him. Then said, "So, trying to get some action out of that little slut now? Good luck, it'll take more than a nap in a park. Billy gave her a private pool party and he still came running back to me for what counts!" she announced.
"Get lost Brit!" JT answered, standing up. Brittany just laughed at her own joke and ran on. JT looked after her. Then looked at Mac who was now sitting up, turned away from him. He wasn't sure what to say. He was kind of always lost for words around her. He was relieved when Mac turned and opened her mouth to speak first.
"JT, I didn't realize what time it was. I've gotta get home or my grandma will be worried! See you later! Thanks for this though." she said with a slight smile.
"Come on, I'll drive you home." he replied.
"No, I can take the bus." she said standing up and turning to walk away.
"Mac..." he started. Turning around again she looked to JT.
"I'll take the bus." she said and walked away.
"Bye!" JT called after her.
When Mac got home the phone rang. She answered it and heard a familiar voice.
"Mac, what's going on with you? I think if we talk we can still work through this." the voice said. Mac knew the voice and responded accordingly.
"Billy, there's nothing to talk about. How about you just stay out of my life!" she shouted angrily, slamming down the phone. It rang again almost immediately. She picked it up and said, "Billy, there is NOTHING left to say. Why can't you just move on, and let me move on too?" she finished and felt herself starting to cry.
"Whoa, Mac, that you?" she heard. "That jerk Abbott bothering you? I can take care of that loser for ya!" JT said.
"JT, sorry, I thought it was Billy calling again." she said calming down. "What do you want anyway?" she asked slightly irritated. She had just seen him, and he had never called her before like this.
"I was just checking to see that you made it home okay babe." he answered. "Don't let it go to your head!" he joked. Mac was annoyed with all of these guys in her life. They always thought she was so helpless, and now JT, of all people, was acting the same way.
"I can take care of myself." she said quietly.
"I know that," JT said. "You showed me that quite clearly in the park." he said almost dreamily remembering how she had kissed him. Then pulling himself together, "But Brit was acting like herself as usual, earlier. She can really lay it on thick, and you seemed kinda strange. But I gotta go anyway." he said before he got too mushy on her. "Catch ya later!" he said and hung up.
"Yeah, later." Mac said into the phone and hung up too. What was it about JT that got to her? One minute he is kissing her and the next he is just JT, the jerk, again. She couldn't understand why this was happening to her. She just wanted to forget Billy, and everytime she started to let herself. there he was again. 'At least I got my point across to him today,' she thought remembering the incident in the park. JT was the absolute last guy she imagined being with. 'But maybe,' she thought. 'No....' She pushed both JT and Billy out of her mind and headed upstairs.
Mackenzie found herself at the playhouse and looking out the window and saw it was dark outside. Candles were everywhere there was soft music playing. The room glowed with candle light. The furniture was pushed to the sides of the room, leaving a large space in the center. Billy entered wearing a tuxedo and carrying a large bouquet of roses. His eyes twinkled with the flicker of the flames.
"You look so beautiful Mackenzie," he said to her. Mac looked down at herself and she saw the beautiful gown she had on. It was silver, long, straight, and slightly hugged her body. It was sleeveless with a deep vee down the front and back. Her hair was down, lying straight, partly covering her face. Billy laid the flowers on the table in the corner and walked to her. He brushed her hair behind her ear. Then caressed his hand down her cheek. She smiled and held his hand to her face. He smiled back.
"Thank you." she replied.
"So beautiful." Billy repeated with a sigh. He stood across from her and took her in with all of his senses. Mac just stared at him.
"Billy what's wrong?" she asked. He didn't answer for several minutes.
"Mackenzie, everything is perfect." he replied moving his hand to the back of her neck. Then he kissed her. Pulling her to him as they danced silently in the center of the room, she closed her eyes and lost herself in Billy's grasp. She could feel his strong arms holding onto her, as if his very life depended upon her being in his arms. It was a familiar feelings. It was how he always held her. And she felt his hair under her fingers. She smelled his cologne and sighed. Just then someone knocked on the door.
"Mackenzie!" she heard someone call. "Mackenzie, can I come in?" she heard again.
'Who could know about the playhouse?' she thought to herself opening her eyes and finding herself lying in her bed, she sighed. It was just a dream. She looked at the clock, it was midnight. 'Why can't I just forget him?' she thought to herself. Then she got up and opened the door.
"Dad, what is it?" she asked puzzled, when she saw Brock standing in the hallway.
"Oh, good. I was worried, darling. I guess I didn't hear you come in, I wasn't sure if you were home yet. I'm sorry to wake you." he said to her.
"No, it's okay. Maybe we can talk for a minute?" she asked.
"Of course, I always have time for you Mackenzie." he said. "What's on your mind?"
"Billy." she said with a frown. Brock nodded knowingly. She continued, "It's been months and I thought I would have him out of my mind by now. But I just had this dream, and it was so real. You know? Why can't I just forget I ever met him?"
"Mackenzie," Brock said softly. "Maybe this is your hearts way of telling you, you shouldn't forget him. I know I've always said that I thought Billy wasn't right for you, but I know how much you care about him." Mac didn't say anything. She looked deep in thought so Brock continued. "Are you considering giving the relationship another chance sweetheart?" he asked her. Mac shook her head.
"How can I? He made a fool of me. He played this game and I got hurt in the process, and I thought he moved on. But then when I was with JT today he followed us, and he called...." she stopped when she saw Brock's concerned expression.
"JT?" he said quizically.
"Yeah, he's just this guy, but that's a whole other story. Maybe tomorrow night." Mac laughed.
"Well Mackenzie, at least you still know how to laugh. I think you always will do what's right. Trust yourself." he said, kissing the top of her head and turned and walked back down the hallway. Mac stood and thought a moment about her father's words. She walked back into her room and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" she heard a soft voice whisper. "Hello?" it said a little louder.
"JT, is that you again?" Mac asked confused. The phone hadn't even rang. How weird was it that they were thinking so alike now. Calling each other at the same exact time.
"I was just about to call you." she whispered, remembering to keep her voice low so as not to wake anybody up. Billy was startled on the other line. He heard Mac's voice before the phone even rang and thought he was going nuts. When he realized she thought it was JT, again, all of his dreams were shattered, and he came crushing back down to reality. 'What amd I doing to do?' he thought. What he said next surprised him.
"Hey babe," he said in a whisper so he wouldn't have to bother imititating JT's obnoxious voice. "Can we talk?" he asked. Billy thought if he could get Mac to open up to him/JT about their relationship/breakup, that he could use it to win her back. He was even more surprised though, by Mac's reply.
"JT," she said. "Can I see you now? I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight if I don't. I just have to see you." she whispered.
Billy's heart just about crumbled, and he grabbed his chest in response. He felt as if he were going to die. 'Why did she NEED JT tonight?' Now he had really gotten himself in deep. 'Good work, Abbott.' he thought to himself. But maybe if he got Mac to see him, she would be forced to talk to him.
He pulled himself together and said almost inaudibly, "Meet me at the park, under the tree. I'll leave right now."
Mac wasn't sure what was going on. Why did she call JT, now, when she was so confused. What could he do for her anyway? And why did he sound so weird on the phone? He sounded really strange, he was so caring. He didn't ask any questions, he just said he'd help her. That wasn't like JT at all. 'Well, I guess I better get going.' she thought to herself as she pulled on her coat and sneakers. Then she snuck silently out of the house.
Billy slowly stood and then walked out of the house as well. He got in his car and drove to the park. He immediately saw Mac standing under the tree with her arms crossed. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she was wearing sneakers and sweat pants. She looked great!
Mac didn't notice Billy's car pull up. She was kind of nervous for what she was about to do. 'How would he react?' she wondered.
Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder and heard a voice say, "I hope you haven't been here long."
"Billy!" she said without turning. Only his touch could send that feeling through her, and she would know his voice anywhere. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't sure if she could walk away from him again. She needed someone else to make her strong enough to do it. And then she realized that she had been using JT. As much as he had used her, at least as much as he had intended, until he started to like her. He could help her through this. 'Breathe, Mackenzie.' she thought to herself. She turned to face Billy.
Billy was trembling. He wasn't sure how she would react to his being there, and he got his answer soon enough. It took all of his strength to hold himself together when he saw the all too familiar look of anger and pain in Mac's eyes.
"Did you set me up?" she said accusingly.
"Mac, it wasn't intentional." he said.
"Oh, so how was it Billy? You accidently pretended to be JT? You accidently tricked me into meeting you here tonight?" she shouted. She didn't know why she was saying these things. Just a moment ago she was hopeful for JT's help in finding the truth behind Brittany's lies, finding hopw for her and Billy. And here she was screaming at the one person she wanted to love forever.
Billy was defensive, "How else was I supposed to do it, Mac? You won't talk to me any other way. I took the opportunity when I saw it. Can't you just calm down and listen to me?" he said looking at her intensely.
Mac was crying by this point. So many emotions were running through her and she couldn't control herself anymore. She so wanted to listen to Billy, but her anger took over. She looked at him and turned to run away. Billy caught her arm and held it tight. Mac just screamed as she continued pulling away and Billy immediately let go. To his surprise she stopped moving as soon as he did. And even more surprising was what happened next. She did not kiss him, but she walked to him. Billy looked at the ground feeling ashamed. Suddenly, Billy felt Mac's arm around his neck and felt himself being pulled close to her. She just pulled him to her, burying her head in his chest, and cried. Billy slowly put his hands on her back and then moved one to the back of her head.
"Mackenzie," he said softly. "It's going to be alright." He felt Mac pull away.
"No it's not, Billy." she whispered. She backed away from him. "I'm sorry, for that." she said, meaning her jumping into Billy's arms. Billy just stared at her. She wiped her eyes, and pushed her hair behind her ears. "Billy, why did you come here?" she asked finally.
"I don't know." he said truthfully. He didn't speak again right away. He was hoping for some sort of response from her. But she made no motion to speak so he felt that burning question pass his lips. "So you're happy, with JT?" he asked sadly. He could barely force the words from his mouth, but he had to know. The bottom line was that he wanted to see her happy, even if it wasn't with him. He braced himself for the answer. He wasn't sure how much longer he could survive like this though. For some reason, he always assumed it WOULD be him. But now he had every reason to doubt that.
"Billy, I haven't been happy for a long time. Don't you think I deserve it by now?" she said. It wasn't what Billy had expected to hear. He looked at her, he couldn't argue with that thought. She always was trying to be practical, but he knew she wasn't happy yet.
"Mac, that's not what I asked. I asked if JT made you happy." he said.
"No, he doesn't." she said matter of factly. "But he wants to, and you obviously just want to have fun with Brittany. Like you did at the end of the summer!" she paused and looked at him. He had that hurt look in his eyes again, but she didn't care. "Oh, sorry, that's right. You don't remember. Billy, why don't you just do us both a favor and figure out the truth. That you used me, and then you went running back to Brittany." she finished. She felt angry all over again. This time she did find the courage to turn and leave. Leaving a shocked Billy standing with his mouth hanging open.
'Mac, you're right.' he said to himself. 'It's about time I did find out the truth.' He walked to his car and realized that now he was finally headed in the right direction.
*The Next Day*
As Mac opened her locker she saw JT's face reflected in the mirror she had hanging in it. She turned with a smile and greeted him.
"Hey!" she said. "I can't believe it's almost time for Thanksgiving vacation. I can hardly wait!" she said happily. After last night she had actually felt better, getting everything she had wanted to say to Billy off of her chest. Now she was going to focus on moving on. And she had JT to make sure she would. Billy was going to have to be out of her life for good. After what he had done to her, she couldn't let herself be pulled back into his games. JT was surprised to see her so upbeat.
"What's gotten into you babe?" he asked. He found himself smiling at her after he said it, and immediately stopped when he realized how goofy he was acting. 'God,' he thought. 'I hope I don't turn into as big of a loser as Abbott when he was hung up on Mackenzie.'
"Nothing," she said simply. "I gotta get to class. Meet me at Crimson Lights after classes if you want, I'm working today." she called over her shoulder. JT just stood there by her locker and watched her walk away.
Billy came down the hall just in time to see JT gazing after Mac. He was disgusted. He didn't know what exactly JT was up to, but he didn't like it.
"Hey JT!" he called. JT turned to see Billy standing in the hallway. He just laughed to himself, and turned to walk away. "JT, I was talking to you." Billy said walking towards him. JT stopped and turned again.
"Oh yeah, Abbott. I don't know if I like the tone of your voice!" he said.
"Well get use to it, cause I've got something to say to you!" Billy barked. "What do you think you're doing with Mackenzie anyway? You know she's too good for a jerk like you!"
"I think the only jerk I see around here is..." JT paused and looked around the empty hallway. "...is you Abbott. Mac's lucky to have me around to pick up the pieces after the mess you made!" JT said smugly. "And from my point of view, you ain't seen nothing yet!" With that he took off down the hall, brushing past Billy. "Sometimes you just gotta accept defeat man!" JT called over his shoulder.
Billy just stood, completly miserable and confused in the hall. It was time for some serious action to be taken. And JT wasn't going to help him, that was for sure. So who else could he go to? He had already pumped Rianna for information and she was clueless as usual. And he knew he had a better chance of getting help from Mac than his chances of smoothing things over with Raul and having him help him win Mac back. So where did that leave him? It hit him like a ton of bricks, and Billy rushed out of the school. He wasn't concerned about missing classes anymore, he just had to fix this whole thing!