No one wanted the next day to come but the sun came up on schedule in preparation for one of the saddest days of their lives.  The phone rang loudly and once again, Pepper answered it because Mel was in the shower and Tari didn't budge.  "Hello?"  "Hello-- Pepper?" a woman's voice asked.  "Yes?"   "Pepper, this is Diana Hanson.  The doctor's office called here this morning confirming your appointment.  I'll come by to pick you up in a half hour if that's all right"  "Oh, Mrs.Hanson, you don't have to-" Pepper began.  "It's all right.  When I come I can get your hotel bill taken care of too.  Isaac and Taylor are hoping to see Mel and Tari as soon as possible today.  I'll bring you back to the house after your appointment."  "Well, all right." Pepper agreed.  She hung up the phone and woke up the sleeping Tari.  The next half hour was spent packing up and getting ready for the day.  By the time Mrs.Hanson drove up to the hotel, the girls were packing up the car.  "Good morning girls!"  she greeted.  Mel smiled as Tari greeted her with a "Good morning!"  Pepper smiled and handed Mrs.Hanson the room keys.  Mel walked to the front desk with her and they checked out of the hotel.  "Ready Pepper?" Mrs.Hanson asked when they returned.  Pepper nodded and was helped into the passenger seat of the van.  Mrs.Hanson drove away.  "Well, we better go too" Tari said to Mel.  She smiled- excited to go see Isaac again.  Mel drove the Saturn out of the hotel's parking lot for the last time and they were soon on the familiar route to the Hanson's.
        As Tari and Mel drove into the Hanson's driveway, Zac ran out the door to greet them.  Mel put the car in park and got out of the car.  "Hi Tari! Hi Mel!" he greeted.  "Hi Zac- where is everyone?" Tari asked with a smile as she closed her door and walked towards him.  "You mean- where's Taylor and Isaac" Zac teased.  "Sure- where are they?" Mel asked with a smile.  "Oh, they left already.  They told me to tell you that they said good-bye" Zac teased.  "Shut up Zac!  We're up here packing- come on up!" Isaac called from the window.  "Oh.... yeah...  I guess they're upstairs" Zac said with a shrug.  "Well come on Zac- you have to pack too- don't you?" Tari asked.  "Yeah..." Zac said sadly and began to walk towards the house.  Mel and Tari followed him inside and into the boy's room.  "Whoa!  What a mess!" Mel exclaimed, examining the mess of clothes strewn everywhere.  Three empty suitcases were on the bed with two backpacks in the midst of books and CDs.  "Come on guys, it isn't that hard to pack" Tari said.   "We'll never have anytime to do anything today until you pack" Mel reasoned.  Isaac picked up some jeans and shirts and threw them into a suitcase.  "Be done soon" he said with a smile as he grabbed some socks and a few pairs of boxers.  Taylor began packing.  "Come on Zac, I'll help you.  Your stuff won't wrinkle like your lazy brother's will" Mel offered.  Zac smiled.  Soon Zac's stuff was packed as well as both of his brothers- if not better.  "You guys all packed too?" Taylor asked.  Tari nodded sadly.  "Well, as soon as Pepper gets back the six of us are going on a picnic" Zac explained.  "What about Ashley?" Mel asked.  "We haven't heard from him" Taylor said.  "Poor guy" Tari added.  "Yeah, but he should've known better" Mel said.  Tari agreed.  "Ashley thinks he knows so much about women" Isaac added.  "Come on guys, we have to go pack up the food for our picnic so we can leave as soon as Pepper and mom get back" Taylor said- not wanting to talk about his friend anymore.  "Ok Taylor, let's go" Tari agreed.   They went downstairs with Zac behind them.  Mel began to walk behind Zac.  Isaac stopped her and pulled her close to him.  He kissed her softly letting his lips caress hers for a few seconds.  Mel smiled.  "What was that for?- Not that I'm complaining."  "Nothing.  I just wanted to do that since I saw you get out of the car." he explained.  Mel pulled him close to her and kissed him back.  "You think they'll notice if we don't go to the kitchen right away?"  Isaac whispered.  "Probably.  But let them wait a few more minutes" Mel answered with a smile.  Isaac kissed her again.  "I'm not letting you out of my sight all afternoon" Isaac promised.  "Good, then I can keep you in my sight too" Mel promised back.  They kissed again and finally forced themselves to go down to the kitchen.
        "Zac, make different kinds of sandwiches.  Not everyone likes Peanut Butter and Jelly" Taylor ordered.  Tari stood back and watched as Taylor and Zac continued to fix everything for the picnic. She had tried to help but Taylor wouldn't let her.  She smiled and tried to remember every little detail of this moment.  She knew there wouldn't be that many more.  "I'll pack some pop in the cooler" Isaac said as he entered the room with Mel.  "Don't even try to offer to help Mel, they won't let you" Tari warned before Mel even had the chance to speak.  "So when's Pepper and mom going to be here?" Zac asked.  "Any time.  Pepper's appointment was at 10:30.  It's after 11:00 now.  Maybe I should try to call Ashley." Taylor said and walked over to the phone.  He dialed his friends number and soon heard his friends familiar voice.  "Are you coming over?  We're going to go to the park for a picnic soon" Taylor said.  "I don't know..." Ashley began.  "Come on Ashley!  You'll probably never see them after today..." Taylor reasoned.  "But..." Ashley began.  "No buts!  Get over here!  You know you want to!" Zac interrupted.  "Zac!  Get off the phone!" Taylor exclaimed.  "Ok, I'll be over soon" Ashley finally said with a sigh.  "Good.  See ya!" Taylor said and hung up the phone.  "All right.  Ashley's coming" Taylor told everyone.  "Good. I thought he would come" Isaac said with a smile.  Taylor silently vowed to himself to make the day a good one for everyone- especially Ashley and Pepper.  "Mom's home!" Zac called and soon Pepper and Mrs.Hanson were on their way to the house.  "Hi everyone!  Ready for your picnic?" Mrs.Hanson asked and peeked into the cooler.  "Mmmmm Peanut Butter!  Look's like Zac did some cooking!" she teased.  "Hey!" Zac exclaimed and shared a smile with his mother.  "How did it go Pepper?"  Taylor asked.  "Fine.  It's healing all right and I have to go see a doctor at home on Monday and I should be able to get my cast off in a week- if not sooner" Pepper explained.  "Well, we're just waiting for Ashley then." Isaac said.  Pepper sighed, "Good.  I'm glad he's coming.  I'm really sorry for hitting your friend" Pepper apologized.  "We don't mind- but have you apologized to Ashley yet?"  Isaac asked.   Pepper looked down and shook her head sadly.  "Ashley's here!" Zac exclaimed.  "I love how everyone is announced when they arrive here" Mel said.  "It cuts back on the surprises" Isaac replied and laughed as he pulled her close to him.  He put his arm around her and they followed everyone to the driveway.  "Hi Ash- ooh! That's gotta hurt!" Taylor said as he got his first look at his friends bruised eye.  "What a shiner!" Zac exclaimed.  "Shut up Zac!" Isaac told him as Pepper came outside.  "Well, let's go!" Taylor said as everyone was finally in one place.  "We'll take the van so we can all go in one vehicle" Isaac said and walked towards the van.  He put the cooler and basket in the back and opened the passenger door for Mel.  Pepper put her hand on Ashley's shoulder- holding him back as everyone else began to go towards the van.  "Listen, I'm really sorry about your eye and everything- I didn't mean to-" Pepper began.  "It's all right.  I'm sorry too.  Let's just start all over and enjoy the day.  Hi, I'm Ashley.  And you are?"  Ashley introduced himself with a smile.  Pepper smiled back  "I'm Pepper. Nice to meet you" she said as shook Ashley's hand.  "Well, now let's start our last day together" Ashley said.  Pepper smiled as Ashley helped her into the van.
        "Pepper can I sign your cast?" Zac asked.  "Sure Zac.  In fact, I want all of you to sign it" Pepper agreed.  "We have Sharpies up front" Taylor said and Mel found them in the glove compartment.  "Let's wait until we get to the park though" Isaac suggested.  "Can we draw on it?"  Zac asked eagerly.  Pepper smiled.  "Sure!" Pepper was excited for them to sign her cast.  She would keep it forever!  Isaac parked the van and they brought the food over to a picnic table.  Mel, Tari, Ashley and Isaac signed Pepper's cast first.  Taylor and Zac uncapped their Sharpies, anxious to cover their blank "canvas".  Pepper sat on the bench of the picnic table as Zac and Taylor began to draw.  "I wonder how much this is going to be worth" she joked when the cast was covered with drawings and cute sayings from the boys and her friends.  "Come on guys, I'm hungry" Ashley whined.  "All right, let's give the baby his bottle" Isaac retorted, and then started setting out the food.  Everyone enjoyed the sandwiches, even though they were just plain PB&J's and devoured the chocolatey brownies that Mrs.Hanson had made.  Zac aimed one of the gooey brownies over his head at Pepper and laughed wickedly.  "Oh Pepper!!!" he sang in a sing-song voice.  "How badly do you want to tour Zachary?" Pepper calmly asked him, her attention on her dessert.  The threat was lowered and Zac decided that he'd rather eat his brownie than waste it.  Taylor and Isaac laughed at their brother and continued eating as Tari shyly watched Taylor.  After a few moments, Taylor met her gaze and smiled.  "Do you..."  "You want to..." They laughed as they talked at the same time.  "Where would you like to go to?  Pick the place that you had the most fun in Tulsa at" Taylor suggested.  Tari thought for a minute.  "Um...  other than your house, it would have to be the mall" Tari responded.  "Want to go to the mall guys?"  Taylor asked the group.  "Sure!" Pepper replied.  Ashley looked at her skeptically.  "You sure?" he asked.  Pepper nodded enthusiastically.  "Then let's go back to the house after the mall" Isaac said in hopes of spending some time alone with Mel.  "Oh, Ok" Taylor answered.  "Can we go to the arcade?" Zac asked hopefully.  "I was hoping you'd want to" Pepper said with a smile.  Suddenly, a low rumble sounded and gray clouds moved quickly overhead.  "It's gonna pour.  Pepper go to the car.  Everyone else grab something!" Isaac commanded.  Pepper headed for the van and got in just in time.  She laughed as it began to pour and everyone ran to the van soaking wet.
        Once at the mall, Isaac and Mel left with the promise that they would meet up with everyone in two hours.  They hurried away hand in hand, towards the music store.
        "Well..." Taylor started and then hesitated, shoving his hands in his pockets.  "Arcade" Ashley said and Zac nodded in agreement.  Tari hesitated.  "You want to go with them?" Taylor asked, sensing that the answer would be no.  "Can we go somewhere else?"  she hopefully asked.  "Ummm, yeah.  Come on."  He reached for her hand and steered her away from the group.  "Tari and I are going shopping.  We'll meet you later" he told them over his shoulder.  "Ok" Pepper said, slightly confused about the change of plan.  "Well, it's just us three" Ashley said, trying to get the mood between the group up.  "Let's go!" Zac said leading the way.  The trio rode the escalator to the top floor of the mall and entered the loud, bright arcade.  "I always get intimidated in places like this" Pepper confessed.  "Why?" Zac asked.  Pepper looked around.  Tilt was packed with teenagers who were yelling and kids who were running around.  The whole atmosphere was untamed and wild.  Seeing Pepper size up the place, Ashley led her over to the token machine so she would relax.  As the change poured from the machine, Zac stuffed as many tokens as he could in his pants pockets and then waited patiently while Pepper exchanged her dollars.  "Come on, there's a really cool driving game you've got to try!"  Zac tugged her hand and led her over to a crowded corner.  Ashley saw some guys her knew from his  neighborhood, and with the promise of joining them soon, left to hang out with his friends.
    "This one is you!"  Mel held up a lime green button down shirt that she took off the clearance rack at The Gap.  Isaac walked over and took the hideous shirt from Mel.  "I didn't know this store sold anything this retro."  Mel giggled as he held it up to him.  "Too big?" he asked.  Mel reached for the top, but Isaac shoved it behind his back.  "No way!  I'm getting this!" he teased.  Mel tried to get the shirt back from him, and the two of them fought, with Isaac always holding the shirt out of her reach.  They got a little loud, and soon a store employee came over to investigate.  "Do you need help with anything?" she asked with fake niceness.  Mel was trying to hold back her laughter so Isaac spoke up.  "Yes, do you have this..." he looked critically at the garment in his hand. "...beautiful shirt in an extra small?"  "This particular shirt only comes in small, medium, and large.  Perhaps a small would fit."  She reached over and after a few moments handed the size small shirt to Isaac.  "Anything else?" she asked coolly.  "No, this should fit Wicket.  What do you think, Mel?"  She laughed.  "Yeah, your dog would be styling around the neighborhood in this."  He turned to the now annoyed clerk.  "Thanks for your help, but I'd like to think about it before I make such an important purchase."  The shirt was placed back on the rack, and Mel And Isaac let the store, laughing.
    "Hey Taylor!  I found one."  Tari handed a silver choker over to Taylor and then turned her attention back to the wall full of necklaces.  "This is ugly!"  He put the gaudy necklace back on the rack.  "How's this one?"  Tari pointed to a tiny woven hemp necklace with a huge plastic peace sign dangling from it.   "Ummm...I don't think so."  Taylor looked quizzically at Tari.  Her taste in jewelry was odd.  "I'm kidding with you Taylor," Tari reassured.  He nervously laughed as he pushed stray hairs out of his eyes.  He was uncomfortable in Claire's, and by the amount of girlie hair clips that seemed to follow him around every corner.  "Hey,"  Tari spoke up looking around the store.  "I need to replace a scrunchy of Peppers that I lost."  She walked over to the opposite wall that was half covered with every kind of scrunchy color and style that could possibly be desired.  "Help me pick one out?"  Taylor didn't know where to begin.  "How's this one?"  He chose a red and silver metallic hair wrap.  "Eww.  That's so ugly!"  Tari turned her attention back to the wall.  Taylor sighed at went back to his search.  "How about just a black one?"  "No, too plain."   After a few more minutes of still not knowing what the perfect hair accessory looked like, he came to a conclusion.  One, he didn't know as much about girls as he thought he did, and two...stores like Claire's were strictly for the purpose of making him uncomfortable.  "Hey!  I know!"  Tari chose a plain white scrunchy and headed towards the counter.  Taylor didn't quite believe Tari.  "Wait a minute..." he began.  "We spent all that time looking for some stupid hair thing and you finally decided on a white one?!"  Tari smiled at Taylor's shocked expression.  "Well, white goes with everything."  She paid for the replacement and left Claire's with a disbelieving Taylor trailing behind.  "What just happened here?" he asked himself and then hurried to catch up.
     "Pepper!  You got a token I can borrow?" a breathless Zac ran up to her while she was busy blasting green monsters into puddles of ooze.  "Zac, this is like the 10th time you've hit me up for money" her eyes never left the video screen.  "Does that mean no?" he asked, hoping that she would help him out.  The screen flashed terminated and Pepper took a deep breath as she turned to face the young blonde.  "Either you're really good or you stink at the games" she told him smiling.  "Please?! Only two more levels and I would've beat the high score on the game!" His brown eyes pleaded and when he saw his pathetic look wasn't working, he got on his hands and knees and folded his hands together.  "Please?!" he begged.  Pepper couldn't resist.  It wasn't everyday that Zac Hanson begged her for anything.  "Hmmm... I think I might have one left..." Zac's eyes grew wide and he held out his hand.  When a dull gold coin was safe in his hand, he gave his game-saver a half hug.  "Thank-you!" Pepper laughed as she watched the excited teen star race to the Mortal Kombat game that he had left a few moments ago.  She turned back to the game she was playing.  As she reached into her pocket for a token, a male voice startled her.  "Hi there" She turned to find a boy about 16, standing next to her.  "Hi" she replied and dropped the coin into the slot to start the game.   "You wanna play two player?" he asked.  Pepper smiled and met the boy's gaze.  He smelled strongly of tobacco and his eyes were bloodshot.  "All right, I guess." The more the merrier she thought to herself as the the strange boy inserted the coin to start up his player.  After a few moments, Pepper's character was ahead by a few thousand points.  "Not bad" Tobacco boy commented.  "Do you score better during or after the game?" Pepper rolled her eyes.  "Yeah, that was good" she hit the fire button harder.  "You really know how to impress someone" She then noticed that his player wasn't fighting anymore.  "Do you plan on playing?" Pepper asked him, turning her head close to glance at him.  He moved his head close and leaned over the game board.  "It depends on whether you want to play or not."  That did it.  Pepper turned to face the boy head on.  "Look," she began  "...I don't think you're..." She was interrupted by Zac coming up to her.  "Ummm... Pepper?  You all right?" Zac noticed the boy and how uncomfortable his friend was.  "Yeah Zac" she spoke to the tobacco boy, "I was just leaving" she reached for her crutches.  "Let's go play pinball."  Pepper made her way across the room and waited for Zac.  "Who was that guy?"  Zac asked once the game started.  "Some jerk."  They played quietly for a few minutes.  "Hi again."  Pepper stiffened as the familiar voice and smell of tobacco boy filled her senses.  She ignored him and Zac looked on.  "Oh, ignoring me now?"  "Why don't you go some where else." Zac spoke up.  The boy's face brightened.  "What was that?"  he asked, amused.  Zac stood to his full 5'4".  "I said, why don't you leave."  The boy glanced at Pepper, amused then back at Zac.  He narrowed his eyes and then realization hit him.  "Hey, you're one of those Hanson fags, aren't you?"  "I'm not a fag, jerk." Zac's face got red and Pepper could sense that Zac was getting really angry.  "Zac, it's cool.  Just ignore him." She turned her attention back to the game even though she was very aware of her surroundings.  "Yeah Zac.  Listen to your girlfriend." Suddenly Zac was on his bottom, on the floor due to a hard shove from the boy.  Zac got up and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Pepper alone with the teenager.  "Well, now that's better" he approached her and she soon found herself backed against the game.  She was ready to cry.  She was so angry.  "GET AWAY FROM ME!" her line was delivered with enough venom to scare Lucifer.  The boy hesitated, then smiled.  "Hey man, you ready?" The boy turned from Pepper and faced two guys who came up behind him.  "Yeah guys, hold up" Tobacco boy turned back to Pepper but his words were directed to his friends who were the spitting image of the one that was harassing Pepper.  "I'll meet you outside in a minute."  His friends turned and left, giving their friend sly smiles.  Pepper's attention was again drawn to the boy in front of her.  "Well, I'll catch you later... Pepper."  He flashed a smile and she felt that his closing statement was more of a promise than a goodbye remark.  She watched him leave and meet up with his friends.  As she leaned against the machine, a single tear of anger threatened to fall.  The noise of the arcade, the ringing and banging of the games, the shouts of victory and groans of defeat engulfed her.  She turned to play another round of pinball, but couldn't seem to find the slot for the token.  A strong hand took ahold of Pepper's arm and she elbowed the person behind her out of reflex and fear.  "Leave me alone!" she cried.  The person doubled over and let out a loud groan.  "Pepper! Whoa!  Wait! It's us!" Zac stood next to her as she let herself cry out the anger and fear.  "Easy, it's Ok" Zac watched as her tears fell.  She looked down at the doubled over boy and recognized him.  "Ashley!" She said through her tears.  "What's the matter with you?" he stood up still clutching his stomach where she had hit him.  "Where were you?"  She asked as she slowly took a step toward him and cried against his chest.  "What happened?"  Ashley asked, his tone softer now.  "Some jerk wouldn't leave me alone!" Her cries got softer and Zac looked around for the tobacco boy.  "He's gone now Ashley." Zac stood closer to Pepper and Ashley.  "I'm sorry I left you, but I went to find Ashley..." Zac tried to explain.  Pepper moved from Ashley's embrace and wiped her tears from her eyes.  "You jerk" she told Zac, and attempted to smile.  "I couldn't believe you left me alone with him!" She straightened up and glanced around, embarrassed that she was crying in a public place.  No one even noticed her or the boys next to her.  "I hate guys like that." She attempted another smile but it didn't quite make it.  "Let's get out of here" Ashley said quietly.  "Wait till I get composed all right?"  The two boys nodded and it was kind of awkward with Zac and Ashley watching her calm herself down.  Pepper glanced up at Ashley and her gaze fell to his shirt.  She smiled.  "Ummm... Sorry about your shirt."  Ashley glanced down at his tear stained gray T-shirt.  "It's Ok." He smiled and got one in return.  "Let's go see if Taylor and Isaac are back" Zac suggested.  Pepper nodded and the trio slowly  made their way to the meeting spot near Sears.
        Meanwhile, Isaac and Mel were walking hand in hand.  Isaac noticed an empty bench in the corner of the mall and began to develop a plan.  He started to walk toward it.  Mel followed and they sat down on the bench.  Isaac leaned over and began to kiss Mel.  She was surprised at first, and a little embarrassed to be doing this in a public place.  She soon forgot where they were as Isaac began to kiss her neck.  As he was kissing her, Mel became aware of someone's presence. She opened her eyes  and saw a man wearing  a security guard uniform standing behind Isaac with a stern  look on his face.  "Um... Isaac..." Mel whispered.  Isaac noticed that  Mel had gotten very tense and knew it was time to stop.  He was kind of confused by this,  because  they had gone much farther the day before- but if she was uncomfortable...  He kissed her one more time  and backed away.  He slowly turned and was surprised  to see a stern security guard looking at them.  He then realized  why Mel had made him stop his advances.  "Um... Hello sir." Isaac said nervously.  "Hello yourself.  I'm going to  ask you to leave the mall.  Loitering and Public Displays of Affection are not permitted." The security guard said sternly.  Mel felt her face get red.  "We're supposed to meet our friends  and my brothers in 15 minutes sir and-" Isaac began to explain but the guard interrupted.  "I'm sorry.  They'll have to   meet you at your car."  Isaac and Mel  stood up and started to  walk to a mall exit.  Mel looked behind her and noticed that the security guard was following  them.  They finally found their way outside and walked to the van.  Isaac unlocked their doors and they climbed in.  They looked at each other and finally  broke the silence with roaring laughter.  "Well, we have 10-15 before they come looking for us" Isaac began.  "Maybe even 20 minutes" Mel added.   Isaac looked at all the room in the  back of the van and looked back  at Mel with a smile.  "Well, we have  some time... and an empty van..." he suggested.  Mel laughed.  "Whoa there Sparky- you better go take a cold shower when we get back to your house."  "Only if you'll come with me" Isaac replied with a smile.  "I guess Ashley isn't the only pervert" Mel commented with a laugh.  Isaac's face turned serious.  "Mel, I think we need to talk..." Isaac began.  "Not now.  We'll talk about that when we have more time to be alone- like back at your house.  I want to continue to think of this as a normal day- even for just a few more minutes.  Besides, we have all that room in the back seat" Mel said mischievously.  Isaac nodded slyly- he was glad to put off the conversation.  He didn't know what to do about "them" anyway.  He leaned over   and kissed her forehead.  "I wish you could come with us today" he whispered.  "Me too" Mel whispered back and  could feel the beginning of the end of her  perfect vacation.
        "Where are they?!" Zac asked impatiently.  They had only been  waiting 5 minutes, but it felt like 30.  "Probably got a room" Ashley said under his breath.  Pepper smiled at his comment and wondered where Mel and Isaac could possibly be.  "Maybe  they forgot where we were supposed to meet" Tari commented.  "Maybe they went to the van- Isaac had the keys" Taylor suggested.  "I don't want to know what they're doing in the van" Ashley said with a laugh.  "Shut up Ashley" Taylor said- sick of his perverted comments about his brother.  "Come on Taylor" Tari urged, leading him away by his arm.  "Let's go see if they're at the van."  They left for the parking lot and they spotted the large white van.  They ran through  the rain, dodging   puddles as they went.  They couldn't see anything once they were at the van until they pressed their faces against the window since the windows were deeply tinted.  Tari laughed as she noticed Mel and Isaac making out in the second to last seat.  "Ewww!" Taylor whispered.  "Hey watch this." Tari put her hands on the side of the van  and rocked it.  Taylor joined her and the vehicle shook rapidly.  "What the...." voices were heard from inside.  Isaac opened the side door.  "What are you doing?" he asked  slightly out of breath.  Tari and Taylor laughed hard.  "Let us in!  It's pouring out here!" Mel moved up to the  passenger seat while Taylor chose the back seat and Tari followed.  "Well, now we know why you weren't at the meeting place," Tari teased.  Mel blushed.  "Actually, we were planning on meeting you, but were kicked out."  "They kicked you out of the mall?!" Tari laughed.  "You must have been doing some serious..." Taylor began, but was  quieted when Mel told him to shut up.  Everyone  laughed as Isaac started the engine  of the van and drove to the doors to pick everyone else up.
        "Hurry up gimpy!" Tari complained.  "Hey! I'm going as fast as I can Tari!"  The door of the van   was open  wide as everyone made their way  to it.  Zac couldn't resist and jumped in a puddle, sending water flying everywhere.  "Thanks Zac." Ashley said  as water trickled down his face.  He helped Pepper get to the closest seat, then followed her in, leaving Zac in the rain.  Finally, everyone was in and after a short lived fight over who  got the middle seat, the van was on its way.
        "Oh great!" Isaac surveyed the cars parked along the road in front of his house.  "Holy crap" Mel exclaimed.  "What's going on?"  Pepper asked, moving in her seat until she could see what Isaac and Mel were looking at.  Isaac started talking to himself.  "All right.  What were we supposed to do?"  He slowed the van down.  "Everyone down!"  Zac hit the floor as   Taylor pulled Tari with him.  "No Mel, you stay up." She sat back up from her slouched position.  Ashley and Pepper leaned down too as Isaac drove the van past the parked cars.  "Just look straight ahead Mel."  Isaac told her.  He drove  the van to the next  road over, and pulled it into a driveway.  "This is insane..."  Taylor grumbled.  "We can't  even go home."  "How are we going to get in your house?" Tari asked.  Pepper spoke up.  "Why don't you  just go back  to your house?  So what if fans are here?"  Zac poked  his head up.  "You don't understand Pepper.  They'll storm the house!"  "Yeah right!" she said laughing.  Her eyes darted between the brother's eyes.  "You're serious?!"  Her question was answered by three nodding heads.  "Oh."  "Well," Isaac spoke up.  "I guess we'll have to just chance it." He started the engine  and headed back   to his house.  "Ummm.....How's this going to play out?" Mel asked worriedly.  Everyone was quiet and the only noise was the windshield wipers squeaking.  "Here we go!" Isaac announced as he pulled into the driveway.  The fans started screaming  and approached  the driveway.  "Whoa!" Mel said under her breath.  "All right, everyone out." The van doors were opened and everyone sprinted out towards the back door.  Pepper calmly made her way out the door of the van and was  greeted by the fans.  "Hi guys.  I don't mean to be rude, but you're trespassing." She reached  for her  crutches and continued talking.  "If you go back to your cars now, I'll bring you  autographs- O.K.?"  Pepper turned to see Ashley and Tari rounding the side of the house.  "Is it a deal?"  The fans  nodded and slowly made their way back to the road.  "Everyone in?"  Pepper asked  as she was greeted by her friends.  "Yeah....Ummmm... sorry for leaving you again" Ashley told her.  To his surprise, she smiled at him warmly.  "No problem.  I'm just glad the boys got in with out too much  trouble."  Once in the house, she got the autographs and Tari delivered them  to the awaiting fans.  Once everyone was together again, a strange silence filled the room.  "So...." Taylor began.  Zac shifted his weight  and Mel and  Isaac looked up at each other.  "Hey..." Pepper suddenly said.  "I know  you don't want  pictures of your house out and around, but can  we get  some pictures taken?  Of us and you guys?"  "Yeah," Tari spoke up.  She looked at  Taylor   and met his gaze.  "I want to remember this past week forever." Taylor smiled and gave Tari a quick hug.  "I think pictures would  be all right" Mrs.Hanson said, walking into the room.  "You have cameras with you?"  "In the Saturn." Pepper told her.  Once the cameras were  in the house,  a "photo shoot" was started.  The boys were used to having their pictures taken, but the girls weren't.  Mel wanted rolls and rolls of pictures of her favorite band, yet knew that it would be rude to keep asking  for more.  The whole group (including Ashley) posed on the couch while Mrs.Hanson snapped away.  Then everyone wanted individual pictures of the boys and them, and then with the rest of the family.  "Dang, that was fun" Tari commented after the pictures.  "Do you have any film left?"  Taylor asked her, smiling.  "Nope... I used four rolls."  He laughed, his blue eyes wide in surprise.  "Hey come with me for a minute." They left and headed off the the  boys room.  Taylor left Tari in the doorway and went to  his suitcase.  "I want to give you something" he told her and handed her a red shirt.  Tari recognized it from posters  she had at home and from televised interviews.  "Taylor...  I can't take this-"  "I want you to have something no other fan has- because  you are more then a regular fan" Taylor said and looked shyly at Tari.  She smiled, but could not speak for fear that she might start to cry.  He held her close and closed his eyes, wishing he wouldn't have to let her go.  "Oh sorry" Isaac said as he opened the door.  "No, it's Ok.  We're leaving" Taylor told his brother.  "Everyone else is in the den watching a movie" Isaac told him.  Taylor looked at Tari and she nodded in agreement.  They left the room hand in hand, shutting the door behind them.  Mel sighed and walked over to the window, looking at the pouring rain.  Isaac walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on hers.  "How much longer?"  she whispered.  "About an hour or so" he whispered back.  Mel turned to face him.  She knew it was time to have their "talk".  She didn't know what to say, but they had put this off long enough.  "Mel, if you could have anything right now what would it be?" Isaac asked.  "More time in Tulsa" she answered simply.  Isaac smiled.  "I'd have you come with us." he said.  "I know, but I can't..." Mel said realistically.  She wanted nothing more than to go with him but knew how important it was to go home and finish her spring semester.  "I don't know what to do.  I can't expect to have a relationship with you.  I'd rarely see you, with your crazy schedule, and with my own."  Mel said.  "Yeah- but-" Isaac started to say, realizing there was nothing to do or say to make what he wanted a reality.  He wanted to say that it could work if they tried- but knew it would be too hard- especially on her.  "So what are we?"  he asked.  "We're definitely more than friends but not tied to each other" Mel thought out loud.  "Let's say it like this- if it's possible to be together then we'll be together.  If not- then we're not"  Isaac said.  Mel smiled.  "So now, we're together but we leave we're not-"    "until we see each other" Isaac finished.  It sounded a little strange for Mel but she didn't want to waste any more time discussing this.  At least they could think they had something.  Mel kissed him softly.  "Well, while I have you-" she started with a mischievous grin.  Isaac smiled.  They climbed up to Isaac's bed and kissed some more.  Mel finally put her head on his chest and closed her eyes contentedly at the the sound of Isaac's heartbeat mixed with the sound of the pouring rain outside.  Isaac smiled and looked down at Mel's right hand.  He never noticed that she had a silver ring on her middle finger- just like he did.  "Why do you have this?" he whispered holding her hand.  Mel smiled, slightly embarrassed.  "Because a guy in my favorite musical group has one too" she answered with a smile.  "Oh Howie from the Backstreet Boys has one too?"  Isaac teased.  "I don't like the BSB!  Not like that anyway!"  Mel exclaimed defensively.  Isaac laughed and took his ring off of his finger.  "Take it off" he commanded.  "Excuse me?!" Mel said.  "Your ring- take your ring off" he said, smiling.  Mel did and handed it to him.  Isaac put Mel's ring where his used to be and placed his on her finger.  "There now you have THE ring and I have yours." Isaac said.  Mel smiled and looked at her hand.  She felt like crying and didn't want this time to end.  She kissed him before her tears could start- there would be time for that later.
        "I can't believe I'm watching this!  You guys are such geeks!"  Ashley exclaimed as Zac and Isaac ran into the doors at the Beacon theater on the TV.  "I can't believe I'm watching Tulsa, Tokyo, and The Middle Of Nowhere with you guys- this is great!" Pepper exclaimed.  Taylor and Tari entered the room.  Taylor laughed when he saw what was on the television screen.  "Look at how young you are!" Tari teased Taylor.  He blushed, "Can't we watch something else?"  "No!" everyone answered- even Ashley, who was suddenly content to watch his friend squirm.  "Oh Pepper!  I almost forgot!  I bought you this to replace the scrunchie I lost" Tari said and handed Pepper the bag from Claires with the white scrunchie in it.  "Thanks" Pepper said and thought of an idea.  "Will you guys sign this?" She asked.  "Sure!"  Zac replied.  Taylor thought for a minute.  "None of you have autographs yet, other than Pepper's cast right?  Well, we should definitely do that before you leave.  Did you guys bring CDs with you?" he asked.  Tari thought of the 3 copies of MON and the blue sharpee that they had placed on the visor of the Saturn earlier in hopes of meeting the boys earlier in the week, and smiled.  "Yeah.  I think so."  Tari went to get the CDs and Taylor went to get Isaac and Mel.  When everyone had gathered, Isaac, Taylor and Zac passed around various CDs, the white scrunchie and Mel's day planner (from Dr.Marten) signing each of them.  Isaac took extra time with Mel's planner and made her promise not to read it until later.  "Guys, I hate to break this up, but we have to leave for the airport in 10 minutes." Mr.Hanson said, his arms full of luggage ready to go to the van.  "Well, I'm going to leave then" Ashley said and stood up.  He gave Mel and Tari a quick hug.  When he stood next to Pepper he smiled "Watch that right hook killer.  You can keep away your future husband that way" he joked.  Pepper laughed and gave him a long hug.  "Take care Ashley." she whispered.  He was soon on his way to his car.  They watched him pull his car out of the driveway and start on his way.  "We better go too.  We need to be at Tari's grandparents by 7 or so" Pepper said.  "We better say goodbye here" Tari said, looking at the fans still along the side of the road.  Zac gave the girls each a hug and went to go see if his dad needed help.  Taylor hugged Mel and then hugged Pepper.  "If you ever need someone to hit- you can always have Zac" he teased.  Pepper smiled.  "Why hit Zac when Ashley's around!" she replied.  Taylor turned to Tari.  He really didn't want to say goodbye.  Isaac saw this and decided to help his brother procrastinate.  He walked over and hugged Tari.  "Bye Tari.  Watch Mel for me" he said.  Tari smiled.  "Will do."  Isaac turned and hugged Pepper.  "Take it easy on the leg Pep" he teased.  "Ok, well if everyone is done with their goodbyes to me, I'm going to start for the car.  I have a feeling that your goodbyes are going to make me sick" she teased and started to hobble to the car.  Tari and Mel knew that this would be hard.  Tari hugged Taylor and kissed him.  "I thought you didn't want to get hurt" Taylor said.  "Yeah, well who can escape the heartache from Taylor Hanson" Tari said sadly.  He kissed her back.  Isaac and Mel kissed for awhile and he held her close one last time.  Mel felt the tears begin to form.  "Bye" she whispered.  Isaac kissed her again.  Mel looked over at Tari.  They knew it was time to leave.  Mel kissed Isaac one last time and bravely opened the door.  Tari followed her to the car.  "See you in Michigan!" Pepper screamed.  Taylor and Isaac watched sadly as the Saturn left their house for the last time.  "Well, I finally have a nickname for my new guitar...Mel" Isaac thought.
        Mel opened her day planner.  "Melissa Lyn- you are my 10,000 roses and I'll never let you go.  You will always be special to me and in my heart I know we'll be together- someday.  Love, Isaac."  Mel let her tears fall and felt her heart begin to ache.
        The next day they watched Hanson win two Kids Choice awards on Nickelodeon and the following Monday Mel watched with a smile as Jay Leno asked the guys if they had any girlfriends.  Isaac hesitated as Taylor denied that they did.  "Look!  You and Isaac are sharing a smile!" Pepper exclaimed as Mel blushed.
        The summer was fast approaching and the girls were looking forward to seeing their favorite Tulsa trio in concert.

            But that is another story, a realistic one that Mel can only write after June 29th...
 
 
 
 

IT'S DONE!  THANK THE GOOD LORD!!!  HOPE YOU ENJOYED!  EMAIL ME WITH YOUR COMMENTS!!!!!