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CHAPTER FOUR
To Shannon’s shock, Zac’s interest in her did not weaken, and within a few weeks he had become one of the best friends she had ever known. He rang her more and more frequently, and Shannon slowly began to trust him with emotions and secrets that she had never shared with anyone before. For the first time, she felt like somebody actually cared about her, and for that she adored him more than anything. Zac could feel a secreted, unknown, yet profoundly remarkable personality slowly becoming exposed to him, and the privilege of that gave him more personal satisfaction and delight then he dared to admit.
Zac took down his guard when he spoke to Shannon, and because of that she knew of the true worries and concerns behind Hanson. Namely…Taylor. There had been a steady change in his behaviour over the past few weeks. Zac had explained how Taylor was always the dreamer, the peace-keeper, the witty, calm level headed one… and that’s the way he’d always been. But, lately he had changed. He had stopped daydreaming, and become more abrupt and blunt in everything he said and did. Zac had become particularly close to Taylor over the time that Isaac had found Lara, and now that he had Rachael, Zac could feel him changing…
Then, a few weeks later, Zac had an idea.
"See? It’s gonna be great!! I…am a genius. I mean, how cool would it be? If it works, we could do stuff together all the time!!"
Shannon shook her head a little.
"Zac I’m not so sure."
Zac looked at her questioningly across the room, throwing the tennis ball up and down in one hand.
"Why? I mean, it might even stop whatever’s up with Tay!"
Shannon didn’t know about that. From what she’d heard of Taylor’s steadily increasing erratic behaviour, it wasn’t something that was going to go away that easily.
"Zac." Shannon exclaimed. "Rachael and I just don’t…"
"Oh come on Shan! She doesn’t seem that bad!" He interrupted cheerfully.
"Yeah, well, you don’t know her very well then, do you?"
Zac however, had made up his mind. Him, Shannon, Taylor, Rachael, Isaac, and Lara were all going to go out together as a group to dinner, and become best friends. Shannon sighed, and smiled as the ball hit Zac on the head. If she decided to go ahead with this, it would be for him.
_ _ _
"Happy 2 months!!" Rachael squealed, and draped herself onto Taylor, who kissed her.
"Happy 2 months to you too!!"
Zac rolled his eyes.
"Oh man, here we go again." He muttered.
Shannon grinned. He had already had to sit through this with Isaac and Lara. It was their 7-month. After Taylor and Rachael had finished greeting each other they all trooped into the van, which was to be driven by Isaac to the restaurant.
Given Shannon’s fears, the night went quite smoothly.
That was, until Rachael decided to dump her meal onto Lara’s lap.
Shannon could still remember the way her mouth just kept opening wider and wider.
"Oh…my…GOSH." Lara had choked out.
"Oh oops, sorry." Rachael cooed, smiling sweetly.
Lara picked up the juicy pizza slowly, the topping oozing over her lap. Throwing it back onto Rachael’s plate, she gave the girl a chilling stare, which she pretended not to notice.
Lara and Rachael’s relationship was destined for disaster right from the start. Whenever Lara said anything Rachael would roll her eyes, smirk, and raise her eyebrows in disgust and aversion, determined to outdo the rather pretty and popular girl beside her. She could clearly see how highly Lara was respected by the Hansons, and Rachael didn’t like that one bit.
The spiteful comments between the girls made everyone feel tense and uncomfortable, and therefore the group left the restaurant considerably earlier than planned. Rachael made a point of pushing and shouldering past Lara whenever she could, establishing her authority. As they neared the car, Lara had to say something.
"Look, Rachael, is there something wrong?" She exclaimed.
"Why, no." She stated innocently, her arm wrapped around Taylor’s waist. "Of course not!"
"Because you’ve made it quite clear that you’re disgusted by my presence, but I’m yet to work out what I’ve done that’s so unacceptable to you." She exclaimed, her voice clearly irritated.
Rachael looked up into Taylor’s eyes in mock shock.
Shannon sighed sadly and turned to Zac. His eyes were wide as he watched the drama unfolding.
"Excuse me?" Rachael exclaimed, putting a hand to her chest as if she were mortified by Lara’s words.
Taylor glanced with clear disapproval at Lara.
"Hey, back down." He stated, running a hand through Rachael’s hair.
Lara’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
"No." Isaac suddenly spoke up. "It’s true Rachael, you’ve been obnoxious all night…just give it a break ok?"
"We’re all allowed to express opinions Ike." Taylor answered airily, kissing the top of Rachael’s head.
"Oh for goodness sake Taylor!" Lara exclaimed. "There’s a line between an opinion and being a bitch."
"Well excuse me," Rachael exclaimed sarcastically, "but what you give is what you get returned!"
"Well I don’t recall dumping my food in your lap!!!"
"That was an accident!!" Rachael raised her voice.
"Oh it was not." Isaac suddenly exclaimed, throwing up his arms. "For goodness sake Rachael, how dumb do you think we are?"
"Isaac!" Taylor exclaimed, his face disgusted.
"How could you say that?" Rachael shrieked, "How dare you!"
"No Rachael, how dare you undermine our intelligence by pretending you were being a nice person tonight." Lara stated. "I was open to friendship, but you…"
"What? Open?" Rachael chaffed, "You didn’t make the slightest effort!"
"You know what Rachel? You aren’t worth the effort! I’ve got enough great relationships in my life without you."
"Well I’m the one who’s going out with the main backbone of Hanson!"
"Taylor is not the lead member!" Lara spat in contempt. "You’d think that you’d know something about your boyfriend’s band…"
"Hey shut it Lara! I’m close enough to being lead, everyone knows that."
Isaac stepped forward, distaste thick in his voice.
"Get a life Taylor. You are not the lead member of our band. You never have been and you never will be."
Taylor froze for a moment, but then his eyes grew icy.
"Yeah, you wish Isaac."
Isaac’s eyes flashed, but Lara placed her hand firmly on his arm, restraining him from saying anything he’d regret later.
Rachael took Taylor’s tense hand decisively.
"Taylor let’s go. Let them find their own way home."
He glanced at her.
"Ok, fine." He said, unlocking the car and getting in. Rachael followed, and locked the doors behind her.
"Taylor…" Lara warned.
He started the car.
He wouldn’t would he? He wouldn’t.
With a loud rev of the engine, the car sped off towards the freeway, and out of sight.
He wasn’t coming back.
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