Chapter Three
(*Names have been changed to protect privacy and please understand that this story is fiction. Do not take it seriously...)
 
        By the time Isaac, Mel, Mrs.Hanson, and Debbie had arrived at the hospital, Zac had been checked over and was waiting with Tari, Taylor, and Ashley.  "How is she?" Mel asked.  "Just a broken leg, she's getting a cast on it now and is kind of out of it though" Ashley explained.  "Mom, this is Tari" Taylor said after he saw his mom look over at Tari.  They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.  "Well, I should take Zac home" Debbie suggested.  Zac agreed- he WAS kind of tired.  They left and Ashley and Taylor explained what had happened.  Everyone waited and finally Pepper came out- her leg in a cast- being wheeled in a wheelchair.  She was holding a pair of crutches.  "Pepper!  How are you?" Mel asked.  "How do you feel?" Ashley added.  "I feel fine!" Pepper exclaimed and it was obvious that her pain killers were still in effect.  Mrs.Hanson went to talk to the doctor to make sure it was all right to take Pepper home.  She soon returned.  "OK, lets go home everyone.  Pepper, you need to rest.  Girls, you all need to call your parents when we get back.  The doctor wants to see Pepper on Friday.  You will have to stay the rest of the week.  We will pay for the hotel- since you didn't plan on my son running into you."  The girls agreed and they drove to the Hanson's house.
        After the calls were made Pepper was starting to feel groggy.  "I think I'll go to the hotel to rest; if someone will drive me there" she said.  "Maybe we should go too" Mel said sadly.  "Well, I'll bring Pepper to the hotel and stay with her if you want to do something" Ashley offered.  "Yeah, we could go see a movie and bring pizza back to the hotel" Isaac suggested.  Mel looked at Pepper.  "Go ahead- that's fine-I'll be sleeping anyway.  Ashley, I won't be very much fun- are you sure you want to stay with me?" Pepper asked.  "Sure, we can watch TV and I'll watch you sleep" he joked.  "OK, lets go then"Pepper agreed and they went to the Camero and were soon off to the hotel.    "OK, what movie?" Taylor asked.  "What haven't you seen?" Mel asked.  "The only movie we have seen is Good Will Hunting so anything else we haven't seen.  "You haven't seen Titanic?!" Tari asked in amazement.  "No, we never had time" Taylor said.  "You have to see it!" Tari told them.  "Ok, Titanic it is" Isaac agreed.  "Where's Zac?  Will he want to go too?" Mel asked.  "He's sleeping, we can come get him if he wants to eat pizza with us later" Taylor suggested.  "Ok, so it's just the four of us.  We can take the Saturn since we'll have to bring it to the hotel anyway"Tari offered.  "Ok, the next showing starts in an hour, but we should go now so we can be sure to get tickets" Isaac reasoned.  They told Mrs.Hanson what they were doing and went out to the driveway.  "Mel, you drive all right?" Tari said.   Mel agreed.  Isaac sat up front with Mel and Taylor and Tari took the back seat.  "Nice decorations" Taylor said as he saw the Hanson necklace hanging from the rearview mirror and the small collage of Hanson pictures on the side of the car.  "Um...thanks" Tari said- embarrassed.  "I guess you really were determined on this trip" Isaac added.  "Yeah..." Mel answered as she backed the Saturn out of the driveway.  Isaac put 104.5 FM on the radio as they drove into town to the movie theater.
        When they reached the theater, Isaac went up and paid for their tickets.  They noticed the line that was forming to get into the theater and joined it.  Before long, they opened the doors and began to take tickets.  The line was pushed from behind and people were trying to cut into it.  Mel got held back and caught up.  Isaac grabbed her hand so they wouldn't get separated again.  Mel felt a surge of excitement run up her spine at his touch.  Finally, they were in the theater and found four seats close to the middle.  Taylor went in first, then Tari, then Mel and finally Isaac.  The movie wasn't going to start for ten minutes so they began to talk.  "Now, don't cry too hard Taylor" Isaac teased.  "I think the one we should worry about is you, my friend- you're the one that cried at Bambi" Taylor joked back.  "Yeah- when I was 5" Isaac added.  "I love sensitive guys" Mel said to Tari.  "I can cry though" Isaac responded with a smile and Mel laughed.  The theater began to fill up and the room began to get dark.  A preview started for a movie with Jennifer Aniston in it scheduled to open in April.  "Taylor, there's your woman" Isaac whispered across to him.  "I really don't like her all that much anymore.  I mentioned it in an interview once, and it was made out to be bigger than it was" Taylor whispered to Tari.  She smiled at the thought of him feeling the need to explain this to her.  "Oh, Okay" she replied, still smiling.  They settled back to watch the movie.  About half way through the movie Isaac started to stretch his arms out in front of him.  Mel watched him out of the corner of her eye.  He rested his right arm on the back of her seat and Mel moved toward him.  Isaac took this hint and moved his arm around her.  He smiled at her and she smiled back.  "Darn these arm rests" he thought to himself as he saw that the arm rest was the only thing between them.  "Oh my gosh! This is great!" Mel thought as she began to surge with excitement again.  Taylor had been watching the whole thing.  "How cheesy!" he thought.  "but, I wonder if Tari would want me to do that" he continued.  He looked over at Tari, who was staring intently at the screen.  "I wish something like this would happen to me.  Leonardo looks so hot here" Tari thought- not noticing anything but the movie.  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Taylor looking at her, she smiled at him and looked back at the screen and then noticed that Isaac had his arm around Mel.  "Whoa! When did that happen? Maybe Taylor was looking at me because he.... oh! That must be!  He's shy though" she thought.  Tari put her arm on the armrest next to Taylor's and let her hand touch his.  Taylor felt her hand and decided to go for it.  He put his hand on hers and they weaved their fingers together.  They looked at each other and smiled before turning their attention back to the movie.  A few minutes later Jack was drawing Rose on the screen.  Taylor's face turned red and Tari felt his hand get sweaty.  She smiled at his nervousness.  Isaac moved closer to Mel and she smiled.  The movie continued and by the end of it, Tari and Mel were wiping away tears even though they had seen it before.  As the credits rolled, they stood up to leave.  Isaac took Mel's hand and lead her to the exit door.  Tari and Taylor remained holding hands and followed Isaac and Mel to the car.  Mel started the engine of the Saturn, and drove to Little Caesar's Pizza.  They went in and ordered some pizzas.  The guy told them it would take 45 minutes so they went outside to find a pay phone to call Pepper and Ashley.
        Meanwhile, back in the hotel room Pepper was a little tired but didn't notice because she was flying high on pain killers.  She listened to Ashley's side of the phone conversation.  "Yeah....yeah...OK....mushrooms?....Oh, Okay.....an hour......good......see ya.....Okay......bye...." he said and hung up the phone.  "They'll be here in about an hour with pizza.  Zac is at home and is asleep so they will be here after they pick up the pizza" he explained.  "Oh, Okay" Pepper commented.  "Do you want anything?" Ashley asked.  "I'm sick of sitting here.  Let's go try these crutches out" Pepper said.  "OK, we could walk to the patio in the middle of the hotel" Ashley suggested.  Pepper agreed and Ashley helped her to her feet.  They walked down the hallway slowly.  "Pepper, maybe we could do something tomorrow since we missed out on seeing the movie tonight" Ashley said shyly.  "That's cool.  I wonder what everyone will want to do" Pepper replied.  "Um...I was kind of hoping we could do something alone" Ashley said softly looking down at his feet.  "OH!....Um....OK..." Pepper replied.  Ashley smiled at her and Pepper smiled back.  "There you are!" Tari exclaimed.  "Finally! Food!" Pepper said and hobbled as fast as she could towards Tari.  They sat in the hotel room and ate and talked.  Soon they felt like they had known each other their whole lives.  "Um, sorry to break this party up but I'm kind of tired" Pepper said, suddenly extremely tired.  "Oh, Ok.  We'll call you tomorrow- Ok?" Taylor asked.  "Sure" Tari replied.  "Oh!  Pepper and I are going to a movie tomorrow" Ashley told everyone.  "Oh Ok, we'll find something else to do" Isaac assured him.  The guys left and Pepper went into the bathroom.  "What's going on with you and Taylor?" Mel asked- not wasting any time.  "I don't know- I think he just wants to be like his older brother" Tari teased.  Mel smiled.  "Anyway, I think it was just because of the movie" Tari finished.  Pepper came out of the bathroom and got into bed, she was soon falling asleep. "So, how was your night with Isaac?" Tari whispered.  Mel smiled again.  "It was great. Today I got to know him better and then tonight, well tonight was- fun...  But I don't know..." Mel whispered back.  Pepper started to move.  Mel and Tari decided to go to sleep too, it had been an incredible day!
        Meanwhile, Isaac say in silence in the back seat as Ashley and Taylor talked about some song.  His legs were getting squished since the back seat wasn't that big, but he barely even noticed.  He thought about the day he had just spent with Mel, from the minute he saw her after he had walked out of the bathroom to what had happened at the movies.  He couldn't believe what had happened and tried to figure out how it had.  "Earth to Isaac... Come in Isaac....We're trying to figure out if Ashley has a chance with Pepper" Taylor said.  Isaac shook himself back to reality.  "Um... yeah... I guess.." he mumbled.  "And you are trying to think about Mel still" Taylor teased.  "Like you're not trying to think about Tari" Isaac responded.  "Not really" Taylor said- obviously lying.  "Not yet anyway- he'll save that for later" Ashley teased.  "Hey! Shut up!" Taylor said and playfully hit his friend.  "Hey! I'm driving!"   Soon they were in the Hanson's driveway.   Isaac and Taylor got out and Ashley headed home.  Isaac lay in bed for awhile, starring at the ceiling.  Taylor finally turned off the light and got into bed.  They laughed as they heard Zac mumbling something about a dog in his sleep.  Finally, Isaac drifted off to sleep and a few minutes later Taylor did too.  It had been a great day and they had three more days to look forward to.

        Pepper woke to the sound of a ringing phone early the next morning.  After it rang a few times, it became clear that Mel and Tari weren't going to answer it.  "Mmmm... Hello?" she quietly asked into the receiver.  "Hi...who is this?" a young voice asked.  Pepper, always the cautious one, sat up in bed.  "No, who is this?" she asked back.  "It's Taylor... Taylor Hanson...from yesterday?.."  "Prove it!" Pepper told the voice.  "Ummmmm..."  A new voice was heard a moment later.  "Hi.  This is Isaac Hanson.  Is Mel there?" Pepper put down the phone.  "Mel..." she shook her sleeping friend. "Huh? What?"  "Phone.  It's Isaac... so he says..."  The phone was handed over and Mel spoke to the boy on the phone.  Pepper hobbled over to the bathroom, throwing a pillow at the still sleeping Tari.  Mel got off the phone with Isaac and leapt out of bed.  "Get up Tari! We're going to the Hanson's!"  "Pepper, you got your medication?" Tari knew how cranky Pepper would get during the day and didn't want to suffer.  "Come on Gimpy!" she teased as her friend struggled with her crutches.  "Shut up!" Pepper shot back.  She didn't feel good and her leg was throbbing badly.  She didn't want to go to the Hanson's house... they'd been there enough as it was.  Her mood soured even more as she listened to Tari and Mel talk about what a great day it would be... "Then maybe we could go back to Laser Quest.  Taylor said he wanted a rematch so he could beat Zac.  Oh, how about we ask them to take us to the mall.  It would be sweet to shop with them.  Then maybe..." Pepper stopped listening to her friends and starred out the window, pouting.   "What about you Pepper?" Tari asked.  "Any ideas?"  "Yeah... I thought we could all go roller blading or take a long walk through the park."  "How can you with your leg?....oh..."Mel said.  "We can get you a scooter or a golf cart" Tari teased.  "Then you can drive next to us while we blade."  "Ha ha.  You're going to miss their road" Pepper pointed out.  Their attention was soon back on driving and Pepper's mood went from dark to stormy.
        When they pulled into the boys' driveway, Mel was out of the car before the engine was off.  "Easy Mel" Tari reprimanded.  "You need help?" she asked her injured friend.  "No, just get me a golf cart and I'll be fine..." Pepper shot back.   With some struggle she was soon in the backyard making her way to their back door.  "Hey!" Isaac greeted warmly.  "Come on in!  Taylor!" he yelled.  Soon, the middle brother was in the room welcoming  everyone in too.  "Where's Zac?" Tari questioned.  "I don't know... Zac!  Get in here!"  They made small talk until the familiar 12 year old walked into the room.  "Hi guys..." he said at the girls and then met Pepper's gaze.  "Are you better today?  How's the leg?" he asked.  "Still broken.  Thanks." was his answer.  It got quiet for a few moments and then the silence was interrupted by Isaac.  "Well, as soon as Ashley gets here, we can go."  "where?" Tari asked.  "It's a surprise" Taylor said imitating a vampire and then made an evil laugh.  "Come into the parlor" he added, drawing up his arm and shirt like it was a cloak.  "He had Lucky Charms this morning" Isaac whispered to Mel as they followed the "vampire" and Tari.  "Pepper's medicine hasn't kicked in yet" Mel warned him.  "She's a little cranky."  "I noticed."
        "Hello?!" Ashley walked into the door and followed the noise.  "In here!"  He walked in the living room and stood next to the window.  "So, what are you guys doing today?"  "Yeah" Tari spoke up.  "What's the surprise?"  Isaac and Taylor exchanged glances.  "Actually..." Mel, Pepper, and Tari looked at each other.  "Ashley..." they said in unison.  They laughed at their private joke.  "What?" Ashley asked.  "Nothing...forget it- private joke" Tari told him.  "Anyway," Taylor began again, "it's not really a surprise... we are going to meet the rest of our family at the park for a picnic."  Mel and Tari agreed and excitedly followed Isaac and Taylor to the cars.  "Oh great.  A whole day of limping around the grassy knoll" Pepper sarcastically said to herself.  Tari heard this "calm down gimpy."  Pepper shot her a look and got into the car.  Zac sat next to Ashley and glanced at Pepper.  He felt bad for what had happened.  It was his fault, but he already apologized, what more did he have to do?  He realized that her vacation was pretty much over for her.  She really couldn't do anything but sit and watch.  And it was his fault.  Pepper was looking out the window sadly and Ashley was watching her.  Tari and Mel were joking with Isaac while Taylor played out a beat on the seat in front of him.  "I'm sorry Pepper" Zac apologized sadly.  Pepper looked at him and forced a smile.  "It's Ok Zac- really."  They finally approached the park and spotted Mr. Hanson and Mrs.Hanson watching Avery, Jessica and Mackenzie playing on the swings.  A baby stroller was next to Mrs.Hanson.  At the sight of his older brothers, Mackenzie came running.  "Hiya!" Taylor said as Mackenzie ran to him.  He grabbed his baby brother and swung him around while Mackenzie squealed in delight.  Mr.Hanson walked over to great everyone.  "Glad you could make it" he said warmly.  "Thanks for letting us come with you today" Mel thanked him.  "Not a problem- we heard all about you girls this morning" Mr.Hanson said and Isaac shot him an alarmed look.  "Come on Ike!" Avery called and pulled him over to where the rest of the family was gathering to play kickball.  They broke into teams.  "Don't worry about me- I'll just sit here" Pepper said and hobbled over to the picnic table.  "Come on Mom!" Jessica called.  "I'm going to make sure that Zoe's all right" Mrs.Hanson said.  "I can stay, I'm not going anywhere" Pepper offered.  "Are you sure?" "Sure"  "Thanks" Mrs.Hanson said and joined the rest of her family.  "I'll go and sit with Pepper" Ashley told Taylor and Taylor smiled knowingly at his friend.  "What are you doing over here?" Pepper asked as she watched Ashley approach.  "I'm going to keep you company"  "Yeah, I bet that's what you really want to do" Pepper smiled.  "Go- play ball!  Kick a home run for me."  "I'm not going to leave you here alone."  "I'm not alone.  Zoe is here.  Now go otherwise I'll feel bad.  You don't want to see me cranky.  Trust me."  Ashley really didn't want to just sit on the bench.  he wanted to play ball and to show off for the girls.  "You sure?"  "Yes! GO!" Pepper smiled as he ran off to join the game.  Pepper watched the game and couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so hard.  Mel rarely made it past first base, and if she did, she slid into the base.  Ashley was up to kick and smiled at Pepper as he tried to kick the ball.  She waved and he totally missed it.  Before long the game was over.  "We won Pepper!"  Avery called out and sat next to her.  Everyone was hungary and it was time to eat.  Tari was grabbing Zac's arm since he kept trying to trip her as they made their way to the table.  Isaac laughed as Mel brushed off the dirt from her pants.  "At least you made it to base" Taylor said, grinning.  "Unlike some certain friend of mine" his comment was directed to a sweaty Ashley.  "Hey!  I was distracted!" he pointed out.  "Yeah right!  Jessica played a better game than you did!"  "Hey!" Jessica complained as she threw her brother a dirty look.  "Come on guys! Hurry up!" Mrs.Hanson prayed a short prayer and then everyone took their seats.  Everyone talked and laughed as they ate their hamburgers- fresh from the grill.  "Good game" said Taylor with a smile as he looked across the table at Tari.  "Thanks" she replied.  "I love to show off how coordinated I am" Taylor laughed.  "Maybe we can go take a walk?" he asked.  "Sure" Tari agreed and they got up from the table.  "Where are you going?" Mr.Hanson asked.  "For a walk" Taylor told him.  "Me too!" Mackenzie pleaded.  "You'll just get tired and I'll have to bring you back" Taylor complained.  "Mackenzie, we are leaving soon" Mr.Hanson said.  Taylor gave his dad a grateful look and they walked off.  As they disappeared out of view Isaac turned to look at Mel.  "You want to go walk over by the pond?" he asked.  "Is that because Tari and Taylor went the other way?"  Mel asked.  "Was I that obvious?"  "Kinda" Mel replied and they started to walk towards the pond.  Meanwhile, Pepper watched all of this and continued to feel sorry for herself.  Ashley walked over to her and sat down.  "So, what movie do you want to see?" he asked.  "Excuse me?" she asked as she reached for her pop.  "What movie do you want to see tonight?" he repeated.  "I didn't know they planned on a movie tonight." Pepper said, obviously confused.  "They don't.  We were going to go since we missed the movie last night' Ashley explained and looked expectantly at Pepper.  Pepper didn't remember agreeing to this, but then again, she didn't remember much about the night before.  "Oh....um....what's playing" Pepper asked nervously.  "I don't know.  Hey Zac! What movies are playing?" Ashley asked Zac who was nearby, helping his mom pack up the remaining food from the picnic.  "Um... Titanic... Good Will Hunting....As Good As It Gets....and probably more... are you going to see a movie?" Zac asked.  "Yeah- but later though" Ashley answered him.  "Can I go?" Zac pleaded.  "No" Ashley said at the same time as Pepper said "Sure Zac", she looked at Ashley quizingly.  Ashley shrugged and agreed.  Zac went to ask his parents for permission.  Zac came back with a wide smile.  "I can go" he joyfully informed them.  "Well, we're going to go home now.  Avery and Jessica have to go to a birthday party in an hour and I want to put Zoe and Mackenzie down for naps.  Can you please call us with firm plans and tell your brothers to do so as well" Mrs.Hanson asked.  Zac agreed and Mrs.Hanson ran off to gather the rest of her children as Mr.Hanson ran finished packing up the van.  Taylor and Tari walked over to them and waved good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson and the youngest Hanson children.  "So, you three are going to see a movie?" Taylor said inquisitively.  "Yeah" Ashley responded and Taylor detected a hint of disappointment in his voice.  "Where's Mel and Isaac?" Tari asked.  "By the pond, I think" Zac answered.  "We should go check out the movie times" Ashley said.  "Oh OK.  Do you two want to go too?" Pepper asked hopefully.  "Um...sitting through three hours yesterday was enough for me" Taylor told them and Tari agreed.  They soon saw Mel and Isaac walking towards them.  Tari smiled as she saw Mel  beaming with happiness because they were walking hand in hand.  "We're going to go check movie times, what do you have planned for the day?" Pepper asked when they were finally in earshot.  "Well, we were going to go to the mall and then finish Lord of the flies" Isaac informed them.   "Can we go to the mall with you?" Taylor asked and Isaac agreed.  They got into separate cars.  Pepper reluctantly got into the passenger seat of the Camero.  "It's going to be a long day" she said to herself.  Mel watched Pepper get into the Camero with Ashley and looked back at Tari.  "She'll be all right" Tari assured her.  "She might even have fun" Mel said- in part, to make herself feel better.  Ashley drove to the theater and they decided to see Good Will Hunting since neither Ashley nor Pepper had seen it, and Zac had only seen part of it.  Pepper sat on the end so she could put her casted leg into the aisle.  Ashley sat next to her happily with Zac on the other side of him.   They went into the theater and realized they had a half hour before the movie was supposed to start.  "Can I get you anything?" Ashley asked politely.  "Sure.  Can you get me a Dr. Pepper?" Pepper asked.  "Sure.  Do you want some popcorn?" Ashley asked and Pepper agreed.  "Zac? For you?"  "Wow Ashley!  Sure!  Junior Mints, gummy bears, and a large Dr.Pepper.  Thanks" Zac replied.  Ashley rolled his eyes and went out to the lobby.  "That will keep him busy!" Zac exclaimed and Pepper smiled.  "Just what I was thinking" she thought, relieved he was gone.
        Meanwhile, Isaac drove to the mall.  "Ok, we'll meet back here in two hours.  Tay, call mom and tell her what's going on all right?" Isaac said.  "It'll cost ya!" Taylor replied and Isaac laughed as he handed him 35 cents to pay for the call.  Mel and Isaac walked into the mall.  Isaac reached down and took Mel's hand again.  She smiled and looked up at him.  "Where do you want to go?" she asked.  "You know, I really don't care" Isaac replied.  "Ok, then let's go to Musicland- Ok?" Mel suggested and Isaac agreed.  They walked into the store and looked at CDs for awhile and left to walk around the mall together.
        "Ok, now that I've called home, what do you want to do?" Taylor asked after hanging up the phone.  "Lets go to the arcade" Tari suggested and Taylor smiled.  "Ok, that's cool" he agreed and they walked to Tilt the arcade on the top floor of the mall.  They contentedly spent money on video games and skeeball.  "Let's see who can get the most tickets" Taylor suggested.  "You're on!" Tari agreed
        Meanwhile, back at the theater, Ashley finally came back with all the food.  Pepper thanked him politely.  "Thanks" Zac said, his mouth full of food.  The lights dimmed and the previews began.  Half way through the movie Ashley stretched his arms behind him letting them rest on the edge of Pepper and Zac's seats.  He removed the one by Zac, and started to move the other along the back of Pepper's chair.  Pepper leaned over to him.  He grew excited until she whispered "don't even think about it buddy." Ashley put his arm down as Zac whispered just loud enough to hear "That goes for me too Ashley, don't try anything on me!"  Ashley punched his arm lightly and turned his attention back to the movie and slumped down in his seat.  Pepper smiled at his embarrassment and almost felf sorry for him- almost.
        Tari, meanwhile was desperately trying to keep up with Taylor in the ticket contest.  He obviously had more experience with video games because he was beating her by about 20 tickets, and she hated it.  "Ha Ha!  350 points!" Taylor exclaimed as the siren of Skee ball went off, telling everyone in earshot of his high score.  Tari watched as tickets spewed out of the machine.  "Aghhh!!!" she grunted.  "Ok, Ok....You win!" She exclaimed, defeated.  Taylor realized what he had done.  "Come on Tari." he said.  "no... it's Ok.  I just don't spend my time playing arcade games"she shot.  "Oooohh...hostility!" Taylor remarked with a smile.  Tari laughed. They took their tickets over to the prize counter.  After combining their winnings they picked out a cute stuffed giraffe for Zoe.  "We have to meet Isaac and Mel soon" Tari said.  "soon is the operative word, let's go get an Icee" Taylor suggested and Tari agreed.  They went in search of the frosty beverage in the food court.
        Isaac and Mel walked to where the car was parked and got inside.  "Taylor and Tari should be here soon" Isaac said and looked at his watch.  "Yeah... um.... Isaac?" Mel asked.  "Yeah?"  "Thanks for everything.  I've really had fun with you" Mel said and looked into his eyes.  "I've had fun too.  It's been great getting to know you.  I know this sounds dumb, but I feel like I've known you forever" Isaac said, looking back into her eyes.  He leaned towards her, his mouth getting closer and closer to hers.  He held her face in his hands and came just inches  away.  Mel closed her eyes in anticipation... Suddenly Taylor opened the back door of the car and they got inside the car.  "We weren't interrupting anything were we?" Tari asked and Mel smiled as a red faced Isaac shook his head to say no.  Isaac pulled the car out of his parking space and drove to the Hanson's house.  "I wonder how Ashley and Pepper are doing" Taylor joked.  Isaac laughed.  "Poor guy.  Zac tagged along on his big date"  "What big date?" Mel asked and looked over at Isaac.  "Oh.... Nothing...  Never mind..." Isaac replied.  "No, it's not nothing" Tari exclaimed.  "Ashley was just hoping..." Isaac started.  "that Pepper would like him as much as he likes her" Taylor finished.  Mel and Tari laughed.  "Pepper was in a bad mood today.  I don't think he could've gotten very far" Mel exclaimed.  "Especially with Zac there" Tari added.  All four laughed the rest of the way home.
        After the movie was over, Pepper made Ashley and Zac sit with her as she read through the credits.  "I thought I was the only one that did that" Ashley said as he unlocked her door for her.  Pepper gave him a skeptical glance as she carefully got into the car.  Zac laughed from the back.  "He is trying Pepper" he whispered  just as Ashley opened his own door.  Pepper smiled as Ashley drove towards the Hanson's house.  When they got there they got out of the car and soon Isaac drove up behind them.  Isaac, Mel, Tari, and Taylor got out of their car laughing.  "How was the movie?" Tari asked.  "All right" Pepper replied.  "How was the mall" Ashley asked.  "Good" Taylor said.  "Well, anybody want food?" Taylor asked.  "Yeah!" Pepper exclaimed.  "Let's go get some chicken at Rex's" Ashley suggested.  "I'm really not hungary" Mel said.  "Me neither, we'll stay here since we have to watch the rest of our movie" Isaac added.  "You want us to bring you some chicken later?" Tari asked.  "Sure" Mel agreed.  Ashley, Pepper, Taylor, Tari and Zac got into the Blazer and were soon on their way to Rex's.  "Alone again" Mel commented.  "Finally" Isaac said and Mel followed him inside the house.  "Where is everyone?" Mel asked and Isaac noticed a note on the table.  "They're swimming at my aunts house" he explained and thought to himself "Yes!  They won't be home for hours!"  Isaac walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed two cans of Pepsi, and handed one to Mel.  She took it and thanked him.  They went into the living room and sat on the couch.  Mel was happy to notice that they were sitting closer than they had the day before.  Isaac pushed play on the remote and they began watching the movie again.  Mel lasted about 5-10 minutes before her mind began to wonder.  Isaac wasn't paying attention either, his mind was racing.  Ralph was once again yelling at boys on the TV, but Isaac didn't really know why.  In fact, the whole movie was a mystery.  Being close to a girl made him forget everything else.  His hands began to sweat, his stomach began to churn- but in a good way.  He decided to give in to his thoughts.  Just as he was about to make his move, to give into his teenage hormones, he leaned forward but was interrupted by the slamming of the back door.  Isaac jumped back as Zac ran in the room.  "Taylor forgot his coupon for a free dinner at Rex's" Zac explained as he hurried past.  Zac soon left again and Isaac wondered if he would ever get a chance to do what he wanted to without being interrupted.  He sighed and folded his arms across his chest.  Mel decided to just do what she wanted to do for as long as she could remember.  She leaned over and pressed her lips against his for a few moments, then sat back, waiting to see what he would do.  He kept his eyes on the television, and Mel felt herself flush with embarrassment.  "Sorry, I just had to go for it.  IT was now or never" she glanced quickly at the quiet boy next to her.  "Ummm... I'm sorry..." She repeated.  "No... really... that was great.  I was just shocked." he said looking at her red faced.  "I didn't know if you wanted to do anything like that." he added quietly.  "I've wanted to for a long time" Mel said looking down at her hands folded in her lap.  She finally looked up at him.  He was looking at her with a smile on his face.  "I'm glad" he said softly.  They both smiled and he put his arm around her shoulder as they continued watching the movie.
        Pepper meanwhile was becoming extremely self conscious as the meal went on.  Everyone noticed that Ashley spent more time focusing on her than on his meal.  She sat back so his view would be obstructed by Zac who was happily munching his catsup covered fries.  She glanced over at Taylor out of the corner of her eye and caught his gaze.  They connected and she knew that Taylor read her mind.  Pepper sent him a silent plea and he smiled back.  "So Ashley, tell me again about your quad?!"  Pepper sighed with relief as Ashley's attention was drawn away from her.  It was embarrassing having everyone know that he liked her.  She wanted to spend time with the Hanson's not with Taylor's friend only.  Zac broke into her thoughts as a straw wrapper hit her on her cheek.  "Mature Zac" Pepper told him.  "Mature... That's me!" His grin made Pepper laugh and she found herself in a better mood than she had been in all day.
        Tari watched as Taylor tried to keep his friends attention off of her friend.  Ashley was putting it on thick, but she couldn't understand why Pepper wasn't responding to Ashley's obvious flirtation.  "Maybe Taylor could take some lessons" she thought to herself.  Taylor looked over at her and smiled as Ashley continued to talk.  She smiled back at him and looked over at Pepper who looked relieved to have a chance to eat without someone staring at her.  Zac was laughing about something Ashley said.  When they finished eating, they got some chicken to bring to Isaac and Mel and got into the car.  They drove back to the Hanson's.  "I have to go" Ashley said.  "Oh darn" Pepper said to herself sarcastically.  "You gonna come back later?" Zac asked.  "Yeah, if I can" he replied and got into his car.  "See ya!" he called and waved out the window.  "Why didn't he say where he was going?" Tari asked.  "He has to go meet with his tutor.  He's failing science" Zac blurted.  "Shut up Zac! You know he didn't want them to know about that.  Please don't let him know that you know- he's embarrassed" Taylor explained.  They went into the house and found Isaac and Mel sitting on the couch.  Isaac pushed pause on the remote when everyone came in.  "Here's your chicken.  How much more do you have to watch?" Taylor asked.   "An hour or so- we had to rewind it" Isaac said.  "Oh. Well, I think we're going to go into town.  Need anything?" Taylor asked.  Isaac shook his head.  "We're going into town?" Pepper asked.  "Yeah, unless you want to stay here.  I thought I could show you around Tulsa like Ike did with Mel yesterday" Taylor suggested and the girls agreed.  "Zac, you want to come too?" Tari asked.  "Sure!" he answered and they went to the driveway.  Tari unlocked the Saturn and got in the passenger seat.  Pepper and Zac climbed into the back.  They were soon on their way into town.
        Isaac and Mel heard them leave and smiled at the quietness that surrounded them.  They ate their chicken and continued to watch their movie.  "You know, this movie is kind of sad" Isaac said- out of the blue.  Mel looked at him "Yeah, I know.  I cried when I saw it in school and almost went home that day" Mel told him.  "Let's turn this off" Isaac said and turned off the TV.  Mel got nervous once more and knew in her heart what was going to happen next.  "Mel..." Isaac started.  "Yes?" she whispered, looking at him.  "do you..." he began.  "Yes..." she interrupted.  He smiled.  "all right, where?" Mel was confused.  "Where what?"  Now it was Isaac's turn to be confused.  "Where do you want to go?" he asked looking quizingly at her.  "Oh, go... ummm... I don't care" she responded.  "Do you want to go back to the park?" he asked.  "Um sure." Mel replied.  "We could stay here but my parents and brother and sisters will be back soon" Isaac explained.  "Hey! I know what we should do!  Let's go to the park and on the way back let's go watch the sunset at the top of that big hill down the road" Mel suggested.  Isaac smiled and agreed.  He left a note for his family and they were soon on their way.
        Taylor showed the girls the same things that Isaac had shown Mel the day before.  They stopped at an elementary school playground.  "Come on Pepper! I'll push you on the swing!" Zac offered.  Pepper agreed and hobbled over to the swings with him.  "OK, I'll swing but don't push me, I'll be all right" Pepper told him with a smile.  Tari and Taylor watched them walk over to the swings.  "You want to?" Taylor asked.  "Sure" Tari agreed and they walked over to where Zac and Pepper were swinging.  They noticed that there was one swing left.  "You take it, and I'll push you" Taylor offered.  Tari smiled and sat on the swing.  Tari, Pepper and Zac swung happily in the warm air until they were bored.  "Let's go get ice cream!" Zac suggested.   "OK!" Pepper agreed and they returned to where the Saturn was parked.  They were soon on their way in search of ice cream.
        Meanwhile, Isaac and Mel walked around the park, talking about things they wanted to know about each other.  "We have to practice tomorrow.  Do you want to come watch?" he asked.  Mel's eyes lit up and she nodded "I'd love to!  Can Tari and Pepper come too?"  "Sure, but it Zac starts showing off, you'll probably have to leave so we can get some work done" Isaac explained.  Mel nodded "I understand."  They walked around some more and stopped by the bridge over the stream.  Isaac stopped walking and turned so he was facing Mel.  He got very nervous again at the thought of what he was about to do.  Mel looked up at him and her heart began to race.  He held her face in his hands and leaned closer to her.  Mel closed her eyes in anticipation as his mouth got closer to hers.  Isaac kissed her with his soft innocent lips.  Mel kissed him back and they separated.  Isaac smiled.  "I owed you one" he said softly.   "And you owe another one" Mel replied.  Isaac smiled  "I can take care of that" he replied and soon he was kissing her again.  This time the kiss was longer and Mel was surprised at first but then relaxed at this amazing moment.  As they separated Mel exhaled.  Isaac smiled.  "It's going to get dark soon.  If you still want to see the sunset, we'll have to leave now" he said.  Mel nodded.  They got into the car and drove to the top of a hill just miles from the Hanson's house.  They got out of the car and Isaac held Mel in his arms as they waited for the sun to set.  Mel closed her eyes, very content to be where she was at that moment.  She had dreamed about this just a few weeks ago and the reality of the moment was better than any dream she ever had.  Isaac smiled, he couldn't believe that he had met someone like Mel.  He couldn't believe he had such feelings.  He always had wanted to feel this way.  It was amazing that this had happened and with a fan no less and when he was at home.  They watched the sun set, happy to be together but sad that another day was ending.
        Meanwhile, Zac ran up to Taylor at Blockbuster.  "Let's get this one" he suggested.  "Zac you've seen that one 40 times- no way!" Taylor told him.  "Let's rent Scream" Tari suggested and Taylor's eyes lit up.  "Ok, Pepper?" he asked.  "Sure, whatever" Pepper said with a shrug.    "Zac?  ZAC?  Where did he go?" Taylor asked.  They heard laughter coming from the adults only section in the back corner.  "Uh-oh!" Taylor said.  "Go get him Pepper" Tari said.  "Me?!  YOU go get him!" "But you're 21" Tari reasoned.  "Zac!  Get out of there!" Taylor called into the door.  Soon Zac came out and smiled.  "you've GOT to go in there!  Everyone's naked!" he exclaimed.  "ZAC!" Taylor exclaimed and Pepper looked at Zac in disbelief.  Tari started laughing.  "I can't believe that Zac Hanson was in the porn section at the video store!" she said laughing so much she was crying.  Zac laughed too and soon it was contagious.  "Don't ever do that, you could have gotten in real trouble" Taylor warned his younger brother.  "I won't...  I won't....  Just promise not to tell mom" Zac pleaded.  "Ok, Zac but you have to promise not to go back there anymore... Deal?" Taylor asked.  "Deal" Zac agreed.  They went up to the counter and paid for the rental.  Soon they were on their way back to the Hanson's.   "Well, hello there" Mr.Hanson greeted as they walked in the door.  "Hi Dad.  Where's everyone?" Taylor asked.  "Your mom is putting Zoe and Mackenzie down to bed.  Jessica and Avery are spending the night at a friends house and Isaac went somewhere with Mel but should be home soon." Mr.Hanson reported.  "We rented a movie, so we'll be in the living room- all right?" Taylor asked.  "Oh, what did you rent?"  "Scream" Taylor replied and Mr.Hanson nodded.  They went into the living room and Taylor put the movie in the VCR and pushed play.  Zac and Taylor were the only ones that had never seen it before and seemed excited to see it.  About 20 minutes into the movie Isaac and Mel peaked their heads in.  "Do you like scary movies?" Isaac said spookily and Zac jumped a mile high.  Everyone laughed.  Taylor pushed pause.  "Where have you been?" Taylor asked.  "Nowhere dad " Isaac teased.  "You wanna watch the movie with us?" Tari asked.  "No, we're going to go to the garage and work on our papers" Mel said.  "Sure you are" Zac sarcastically exclaimed.  Isaac smiled.  "See you later" he said.  "We are going to write our papers" Mel said as Isaac guided her out of the room.  Everyone laughed again and Taylor pushed play again on the remote.  They settled into their movie again.
        Isaac and Mel went down the stairs into the garage and Isaac turned the computer on.  "You want to write your paper first?" he asked.  "No.  I can type mine later- like an hour before class.  You type yours and I'll help you if you need it" Mel offered. "Ok" Isaac answered and began typing.  Mel was happy to have enough time to look around the garage.  She smiled as she looked at the drawings on the wall and touched the pansy.  Time passed and soon Isaac was done with his paper.  Mel proof read it and they printed it.  "Can I check my hotmail on this?" she asked and Isaac logged her onto the net.  As Mel responded to her friend Hannah's email, Isaac picked up his guitar and began to play.  Mel wrapped up her message and logged off the computer.  She shut it off and looked at him.  He continued to playing as he spoke. "What's your favorite song?" he asked.  "Of yours? Um..." She listed them off with her fingers.  "More Than Anything, At Christmas, and A Minute without You."  "I think I can do that" he broke into A minute without you and Mel listened contently as Isaac played softly.
        Pepper got up to get a drink and stretch her legs.  She heard familiar notes coming out of the garage.  She silently opened the door until she could see what was going on.  Mel was getting a private concert.  "That's so unfair" Pepper thought to herself.  After the door was closed, her thirst clouded her mind and she rejoined the group watching the not so scary movie.  As she sat back down, the door opened and Taylor glanced up to see his friend entering.  "Hey" Ashley told everyone in greeting.  "Shhhh!!!" Zac scolded.  Pepper smiled with relief when she noticed that the only place for Ashley to sit was on the floor by the lazy boy.  Tari spoke up.  "I'll move" she told Ashley as she slid to the floor in front of the couch.  Tari laughed to herself as an angry Pepper shot her a look.  "Thanks" Ashley sat down next to his crush, and smiled his greeting to Pepper.  "Hi" he smiled.  "How was your science whatever?" Pepper asked.  Ashley flushed red.  "Ummm, Ok I guess."  A twinge of guilt pained Pepper and she soon spoke again.  "I hate science.  I can't do it for the life of me either."  Ashley wanted to die.  How embarrassing to be known as the kid who couldn't do science.
        The movie drew to a close, but Pepper didn't notice the action on the screen.  Her attention was drawn to Tari and Taylor who had switched places minutes ago.  Now Tari sat on the couch next to Ashley and Taylor was on the floor below her.  Pepper watched as Taylor closed his eyes with contentment as Tari's hand played with his hair.  Taylor's eyes were half way closed and occasionally he would lean his head back so that Tari could get the certain spot he wanted massaged.  "Oh great..." Pepper thought to herself.  She smiled, forcing the jealousy out of her mind.  Taylor Hanson was 2 feet away from her, Zac was near by and Isaac was in another room.  She was sitting in the Hanson's house.  THE Hanson's!!! Who else could claim to spend the week with Hanson?  Still, Pepper felt she was getting 'The Shaft'.  Her friends had hooked up more or less to their favorite brother, and all she had was her favorite's best friend.  "What are you thinking" she scolded herself.  "Be happy with what you have!"  Still, she wanted more- not that she wanted what Tari and Mel were experiencing, she just felt really left out.  "Well" she thought to herself, "If you can't beat em, join em!"  Tari tangled her fingers into Taylor's long hair.  She combed through a snarl and smiled to herself.  She tried to remember every strand, the place where each hair fell back onto his head, the smell of his hair. "Easy Tari!  He's only 15!" she reminded herself.  She knew that she had his attention and loved the idea of being the one who was closest to him at the moment.  Taylor's head rested against the couch as he stretched out on the floor.  "Hey Pepper... Can I borrow your scrunchie?" Once the scrunchie was in Tari's hand she gathered Taylor's hair up and put it in a bun.  "Awww...  Aren't you cute?" Taylor reached back to touch the bun and his hand brushed against Tari's.  "Now you really look like a girl!" Zac spoke up, turning to see Taylor's new hairdo.  "Shut up Zac!" Taylor kicked his little brother causing Zac to cry out in pain.  "Hey! Everyone has someone but me!" he complained.  "No fair!"  His pouted look caused Pepper to laugh. "No Zac not everyone." She sat forward, hoping that her body language would speak for itself.  Ashley glanced at Pepper, watching her obvious discomfort.  He didn't know what else to do.  After the movie, Tari suggested that they go to the treehouse and talk under the stars and in the cool air.  "Come on gimpy.  I'll help ya" Tari told her.  "I don't need help!" Pepper was cranky, and she couldn't help it.  "Whoa! Someone needs her pacifier!" Zac commented.  Pepper thought of tripping him with her crutch, but decided to control herself.  Ashley had enough of Pepper's sour attitude.  He turned to her with a determined look.  "all right, cut the crappy mood Pepper.  Stop feeling sorry for yourself, we all know that you want to do stuff with us that you can't, but nothing can fix your position.  So let us help you and stop your whining" he finished his speech with a flourish and Pepper flushed.  "whoa..." Zac said under his breath.  Tari watched her friend as she followed Taylor out the door.  "Come on" he said to her and took her hand, leading her through the dark side yard.  "Come on Zac!" Taylor ordered his brother.  Pepper felt like she was going to cry.  She'd just been embarrassed in front of Hanson.  Ashley turned and sighed in frustration.  "Sorry" he apologized.  "No you're not" Pepper retorted.  "You're right, I'm not.  I've wanted to say that all night." Pepper looked down.  "Here, get on my back.  I'll carry you out to the tree" He turned around and waited for her to get on.  "I'm so embarrassed" she told herself, but knew this was the last time everyone would put up with her.  "I weigh more than you think" she told him as she jumped up.  He grabbed her legs as she put her arms around his neck.  "You do weigh more than I thought" he joked.  "Hey! You're no Steve Urkle yourself"  "I was kidding" he told her, smiling about how fast she became defensive.  They made their way to the treehouse, following the trio in front of them.
        Mel was thoughoughly enjoying Isaac's concert.  "Hey" he said when he was done playing.  "do you want to go to the treehouse? It's a great place to sit and think"  "Yeah, sounds great" she still had the notes of music flowing through her head.
        "Wait, listen" Taylor gestured for everyone to be quiet.  Tari listened, then heard a faint whistle.  Zac sat up from his place on the uneven wooden floor and whistled back.  "What the..." she stopped as Taylor's hand covered her mouth.  The whistle was heard again, closer this time.  "Isaac's coming" Taylor finally said.  "Ummm.  What's with the whistles?" Tari asked.  "It's the way we communicate to know where each of us are.  When fans are around, you can't really yell Zac! Taylor!  Where are you!  It'd get crazy."  "Cool system" Pepper told them and they waited till the oldest brother and Mel were at the base of the tree.  "Is there a party going on?" Mel asked.  Isaac directed his message to his brothers.  "Mel and I are going down to the Barry's."  "Ok" said Taylor as he sat back against the tree next to Tari.  Isaac took Mel's hand and led her away.  "Who are the Barry's?" Mel asked as they reached the driveway.  "They live down the road, but I just told them that because I didn't want to hang out with a bunch of people tonight."  "Oh" said Mel.  "Do you want to go for a walk?" Isaac said as he stopped walking and looked at her.  "It's kind of dark" Mel replied unsurely.  "I know this town with my eyes closed.  Don't worry.  Anyway, we'll just walk a little way." Isaac said and led her toward the road.  "Ok" Mel said and followed after him.
        After they had left, Taylor smiled because he knew Isaac wasn't going to the Barry's.  "Zac!" Mrs.Hanson called.  "YEAH?!"   "Come inside!  You need to read your report!"  "Oh man!  See ya later" Zac said and climbed down.  Tari looked at Taylor.  She couldn't believe she was there.  "You want to go lie on the grass and look for shooting stars?" Ashley suggested.  Tari and Taylor agreed and climbed down.  "Come on Pepper!" he said.  "No, wait a minute.  I'm sorry I've been such a complaining... whining... person.  You've been really nice to me and I've treated you horribly" she apologized.  Ashley smiled.  "No problem.  Come on.  I'll help you down." Pepper smiled back and let him help her.
        Meanwhile, Mel held on to Isaac's hand tightly as they walked along the street.  "So....Tomorrow's Thursday" Isaac whispered as they stopped in an open field. "Yeah" Mel agreed, knowing what was coming next but not wanting to discuss it- not then anyway.  "We leave for L.A. Friday late afternoon" he said with a sigh.  "Why L.A.?" Mel asked hoping to change the subject.  "For the Kids Choice awards and then we tape Leno on Monday" he explained.  "Oh, I go back to school Sunday night and then back to classes Monday" Mel told him.  "Mel, I've really liked spending time with you this week and a part of me wishes that I could go with you or arrange for you to come with me..." he said sadly.  "But, that's not possible" Mel reasoned.  "I have to focus on the band now" Isaac sadly explained.  "Isaac, I understand but we really don't need to discuss this now.  We have all day tomorrow and Friday morning to spend together" Mel explained.  "You're right.  Mel I... really.... um.... I'm glad we got to meet... I mean, I've never felt this way before..." he whispered.  "Me neither" Mel breathed back.  Isaac wrapped his arms around her and held her.  As the hug continued, a single tear fell from Mel's eye.  She didn't want this feeling to end.
        It was getting cold and Pepper was getting tired.  Tari noticed this and knew it was time to leave- the only problem was that Mel wasn't back yet.  "You ready to go Pepper?" Tari asked and Pepper nodded.  "Ike and Mel are still at the Barry's. When they get back he can drive her back to the hotel" Taylor suggested.  Tari and Pepper agreed.  Ashley held out his hand to help Pepper up and everyone walked around to the front.  "See you tomorrow?" Taylor asked.  "Sure.  What do you have in mind?" Pepper asked.  "We have to practice.  You can come watch if you want" Taylor offered.  "What time?" Tari asked.  "Ten"  "all right.  See you tomorrow." Tari said and started the Saturn.  They waved as they drove away.  "Pepper is softening" Taylor remarked.  Ashley shrugged.  "Yeah.  They're leaving day after tomorrow.  What can happen in a day and a half?" Ashley remarked.  "A lot- look at Isaac and Mel" Taylor reasoned with a smile.  "Speaking of those two, The Barry's?! Yeah right" Ashley said with a sly smile.  "Give him a break, he's in love" Taylor said and they laughed.  "He's doing better than us my friend" Ashley realized and the laughter stopped.  " I gotta go- I'll come by tomorrow afternoon.  I'm gonna sleep in" Ashley said.  "Ok, see ya!" Taylor said.  "Sweet dreams!" Ashley called as he got into his car and drove off.  Taylor smiled.  He heard footsteps on the road and talking.  He walked over to his brother and Mel.  "Where did Pepper and Tari go" Mel asked.  "They left about 10 minutes ago.  They said that you should sleep here" Taylor said- trying to sound serious.  "OK!" Isaac said enthusiastically.  Mel laughed and smiled.  "Really, I told them Ike would bring you back" Taylor explained.  "OK" Isaac said.  "You probably should take her now so that mom will let them come watch us practice tomorrow" Taylor suggested.  Isaac nodded and went inside to grab his keys.  "So..."  Taylor began.  "You and Ike..." He finished with a teasing smile.  "I don't even know myself Taylor" Mel tried to explain.  Isaac returned.  "See ya tomorrow!" Mel said to Taylor as she got into the car.  Isaac drove Mel to the hotel and walked to her door.  Inside the room Tari and Pepper heard their friend  in the hallway.  Tari put her finger to her lips "Shhhh!!" she said and crept over to the door.  She looked out the peephole and put her hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter.  "What?" Pepper asked.  "Kissing" Tari mouthed.  "what is she thinking?" Pepper said out loud.  "Shhh!" Tari hissed.   Mel heard this and put her finger over the eye hole.  Tari laughed and ran into bed.  Soon Mel came into the room with a big smile on her face.  "Mel..."Pepper began.  "I know what I'm doing" Mel called as she grabbed her pajamas and went into the bathroom.  "Leave her alone Pepper!" Tari said and rolled over trying to sleep.  Pepper sighed and decided to let it go- for now.  Mel left the bathroom and turned all the lights off.  She lay awake with a smile as she thought about what had happened that day.  She finally fell asleep, hoping that the week would never end...

  What is going on with Tari and Taylor?
Will Pepper finally give Ashley a chance?
Will Mel and Isaac give into their hormonal urges?
Will Zac ever meet the woman of his dreams?
 
 
CHAPTER FOUR
 
GET ON HOME BABY