"Oh my gosh. I'm really sorry."
"Thanks," she tried to say with a little bit of expression.
"So, when do you think you'll be coming home?" Becky responded.
"Huh? Going home? Oh..." Carrie and her mother had never discussed this before. Everything was going so well, until grandma died. "We really haven't talked about it." "Going home?" Carrie thought. "We can't...Taylor and me...." she continued thinking. "I don't really think it'll be any time soon though, we want to get the funeral going and then settle down, and then head home."
"Oh well, we all miss you here. Almost force your mom to come home as early as possible."
"What? Ya know Becky, I've got friends here too. My Grandma just died, it's not that easy. We can't just forget about our friends and sadness as it never happened. Besides, me and Taylor, are sorta....well, ya know..."
"No I don't. Please tell," Becky shot back.
"Well, he's a really nice guy, and we are sorta a couple thing...."
"Oh that's nice...GOOD HEAVENS...don't forget about the people in Tulsa that you've known for...humm...let's see...2 weeks. But the people back here, who you've known for basically since birth, don't matter anymore?? I see your plan. It's okay...forget us...forget it. Bye."
"NO! Becky...you took that the wrong way. Taylor has been really nice about this whole thing...he's really sensitive. Becky??? Hello?"
"I'm here. Talk. I have to go soon," she said as she rolled her eyes and stared at the wall and twirled the phone cord in her fingers.
"Okay, well, I just would have expected you to be a little more supportive with this whole subject....ya know, making me feel like nothing more than something in the garbage doesn't really help."
"Oh God, you are taking this the wrong way! That's not what I meant."
"That's what came out of your mouth."
"Well, I have to go. Bye." Then, she slammed the phone down.
"Ugh." Carrie mumbled as she set the phone back in its cradle. "Great 'friend'," she thought. Before she called Becky she was in the middle of cleaning her room when she had realized that she hadn't called Becky and thought that it would have been a better time than ever. She was wrong. Trying to brush the thoughts out of her mind, she continued cleaning. As she started to clean out her desk drawers, she found an envelope with something inside it. She carefully opened it, thinking something delicate was in it. She opened it to find a bracelet. A friendship bracelet. The one that Becky had made for her on the day she left. "Think of me when you look at it," she recalled Becky saying. Then, as instructed, she thought of Becky. Then, she thought of the fight she just had with Becky, and stuffed the bracelet back in the envelope and kept on cleaning. Their friendship was falling apart.
A little upset by the fight she had had earlier, she wasn't the same when both families went for a picnic in the Hanson's backyard. They had everything set up, the blanket was decorated with sandwhiches and chips. The sound of bees buzzing and birds chirping filled the air. After they had all eaten lunch, the older kids decided to play a game of basketball.
"I'm not really good at this stuff...I'm just a gymnast." Carrie shrugged as she said this. "Don't expect my team to win...."
"What are the teams?" Zac asked. "I would like to submit a suggestion," he said, trying to sound sophisticated.
"Do tell," Taylor said in his most perfect English accent.
"Well, you see, I was thinking that Carrie and I should form a team....seeing that I would make up for the difference....with me being so good you know," he said, still sounding sophisticated.
"I don't. You suck," Taylor said, carrying on the accent.
"No I don't!" he shouted back...now in his regular voice.
"Yes you do, you are so short!" Ike said. Zac gulped as he felt a little embarrassed in front of Carrie.
"Fine," he reasoned.
"Okay, me and Carrie against you and Ike," Taylor said.
"Fine," Zac repeated...again thinking why Taylor always got the "good ones." The game was an easy win for Taylor and Carrie. Carrie wasn't as bad as she thought, her aim was right on. Taylor and Carrie, giving each other a high five, ended the game. The score: 59-34.
"Oh man Ike, we were so close," Zac said.
"No we weren't."
"I know, I was just saying that to make myself feel better," Zac groaned.
"Zac, we sucked," Ike laughed.
"Didn't you hear me?? I want to feel better, not worse. Ya see, I picture this as a war. We fight, they win. We suck, but I try not to think that, otherwise....I DIE!!"
"Zac, what are you talking about? You're not going to die..." said Taylor.
"Uh-huh. LORD BATHAGOMY says so. He's my leader. I come in peace," Zac sounded matter-of-factly.
"Zac, you need help. 1-800-CHARTER. Try it," Ike said.
"Get a life," Taylor said laughing.
"Why? For it is true. LORD BATHAGOMY is my leader."
"Shut-up Zac." Ike scowled as Carrie laughed. They soon reached the place where the parents and younger children were.
"Who won?" Walker questioned.
"Us...59-34," Carrie bragged.
"You better watch it or LORD BATHAGOMY will get you too," Zac stated.
"It's getting old Zac...." Ike said. Zac shrugged.
Taylor, ignoring his brothers said, "Hey Carrie, wanna go for a walk or something?"
"Sure," Carrie said as she put the basketball down. Taylor watched her do this and thought, "She looks great today." She was wearing a regular white tee-shirt with some jean shorts. She had her hair in a loose ponytail, and she looked cute. She grabbed his hand, and they walked off. Zac tried to ignore them, and started to push Mackie on the swing, watching Taylor and Carrie walk off into the distance.
They walked in silence for awhile, until Carrie finally spoke up.
"It's really nice out today."
"Um-hum," Taylor said, staring around. "Do you want to walk by the creek?" he later asked her.
"Sure, that's fine." Carrie was nervous. She didn't know why, but she was. She was afraid that she would screw up in front of him and then be embarassed. They reached a creek with a log stretching over it, and decided to go out on it. They sat in the middle of it with their feet skimming the surface of the water.
"Carrie?" Tay questioned.
"Humm?" she replied with her chin balancing on her knee. "I was just....well, do you think you would like to go out to the mall and then a movie on Friday?" he asked, with anxiety staining his voice.
"Yeah, that would be fun..." she trailed off.... "Taylor, I donno if we are going back to Colorado. My mom and I hadn't really discussed it," she sighed.
"I knew this was coming," he mumbled. "Carrie, you can't go...."
"I know," she said, raising her eyebrows, once again looking into his eyes and melting. "I just won't mention it. I'll wait for her to say something. IF we do move back, it won't be for a while, I mean, with Grandma just passing and all...."
"Yeah." They paused. "But...Friday, you still want to, right?"
"Oh yeah. I just thought that I should tell you about moving back, just so we're prepared."
"You can't move back," he whispered into her ear, leaning over. She turned to him, and he put his hands on her cheek. "You can't," he repeated.
Carrie felt tears coming to her eyes, but just muttered, "I won't." Then they gently kissed, and enveloped each other in their arms.
"Hello?"
"Carrie?"
"Yeah....?"
"Hi, this is Taylor."
"Hi!"
"Hi. Umm, I was thinking we could change the plans for this afternoon...."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Well, I donno. There is a County Fair here for the weekend. I figured we could do that...the mall is always here, the fair only comes once a year...."
"Okay. No problem," she cheerfully added.
"Alright...Ike will be there at around 4:00."
"Okay, see you then."
"Yup. Bye. Oh Wait! You still wanna do the movie thing right?"
"Yeah...what time does it start?"
"Well, it depends. What movie do you want to see? Something scary?"
"Nooo. I hate scary movies."
"Oh come on. I'll protect you," he joked. Carrie smiled.
"Fine. How 'bout 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'?"
"Lemme check what time it starts..." There was a pause. "7:00. And it's really close to the fair, so we can just walk from place to place."
"Okay, so 4:00 then."
"Yup. Bye."
"Bye." They both hung up the phone. Taylor turned to his brothers, who were sitting on their beds.
"Ike, me and Carrie are going to the fair at 4. Think you could take us?"
"What do I get out of it?" he smirked, but still looking at his magazine.
"Come on..." Taylor pleaded.
"Fine. Fine. But 4 on the dot...I have a life you know."
"Oh God, and just what did you have planned, Mr.Popular?"
"A date."
"Oh sure. Whatever."
"I'm not kidding! I met this girl at the mall the other day. She noticed me...."
"NO NO. She noticed me," Zac cut in as he stopped working on his latest lego project.
"What?" Ike said with a confused face.
"She noticed me....cause, ya know, I'm so fine," Zac responded.
"Whatever Zac. She's like 17. Like she's gonna go for a little 11 year old."
"12. I am a 12 year old."
"God," Ike sighed. "Either way."
"Nuh-uh."
"Drop it. She wants me, Zac."
"I am so sick of this! I never ever get a good girl! They always go after you guys! How come I always get the ones that scream or the obsessed ones? I HATE THIS!!!!!!!! I live such a sad life!" he screamed, pretending to cry. Isaac rolled his eyes, and then looked down at his magazine again.
"4:00 sharp," he mumbled to Taylor.
"Fine," Taylor grumbled as he bolted out of the room. Zac, after pouting, continued working on his legos.
"Bye mom!" Carrie yelled as she rushed out the door. Ike and Tay were there.
"Ohh. They're here. Bye honey! Have fun!"
"Bye!"
"Love y.." Carrie's mom tried to say, but her daughter was already out the door. She watched her daughter step into the car...thinking of how the years had flown by. "She's so grown up. And she looks so happy. She's beautiful," she thought.
"Bye Ike, thanks," Taylor said as he stepped out of the car and slipped his arm around Carrie's waist.
"You two have fun!" Ike said, trying to sound "big-brotherly" like.
"Bye," Taylor mumbled as he rolled his eyes, knowing that his brother was faking everything. He watched Ike drive away, and then turned his attention to Carrie. "So, here we are. What first? Rides or games?"
"How about rides...BEFORE dinner," she responded.
"Okay," Taylor said with a smile. They grabbed hands, and headed towards "The Zipper."
"Oh God. I donno if I can handle this," Carrie uneasily stated.
"Oh come on...it'll be fun! Trust me," he begged with pleading eyes, making the puppy face.
"Alright." Carrie gave in. They gave the ticket person their tickets, and got into one seat. "I can't believe you talked me into this," Carrie said as she strapped herself in.
"It'll be fun," Taylor smirked. Then, the ride started to move and they were headed towards the top. Suddenly they were zipped forward.
"Ahhh!!" Carrie screamed. The ride continued on and on, and Carrie hoped that it would soon end. "Oh my God," Carrie said as she stepped off the ride, holding her stomach.
"That was awesome!" Taylor screeched.
"Sure. Awesome," Carrie joked, but with a smile on her face.
"Aww, are you okay?" Taylor joked, seeing the look on Carrie's face. She playfully tickled him in the stomach, and then they headed towards a different ride. They went on ride after ride, Carrie always feeling a little queasy after each one.
"Let's get something to eat...." Taylor suggested.
"Good. Food. Not rides. Food," was all Carrie could manage to say. They went to eat, each getting a burger.
"Alright, now for the games."
"Thank God. I thought you were still hooked on the rides," Carrie said with relief.
"Come on," he said, reaching for her hand.
"Right here! Come and win a prize or two!!! All ya gotta do is pop the balloon!!!! $1.00 for 3 darts, $2.00 for 5, $3.00 for 7!!" a gentleman shouted behind a counter.
"I'm gonna do this," Taylor said with confidence. "Okay." He stepped up to the table, plopping his money down.
"All ya gotta do is pop the balloon!" the man repeated, handing Taylor the darts. He grabbed one, and shot at one of the balloons. POP! He made it....and still had 6 darts left. "Whoa! Right off the bat!" the man said. "Keep going! The more you hit, the bigger the prize!!" Taylor nodded and kept on popping and popping the balloons. He made 5 out of the 7.
"Well, take your pick of these prizes," the man said, pointing to a section of stuffed animals. Taylor immediately spotted a big bear with a heart in its paws.
"I'll take that one," Taylor said, pointing to the bear. The man took it from the rack and handed it to Taylor. "Thanks," Tay said as he walked back to Carrie.
"Here. This is for you," Taylor offered, handing Carrie the bear.
"Aww. Taylor, you are so sweet," Carrie said as she smiled and looked at what he won for her. She gave him a hug, and a quick peck on the cheek.
"So do you want to go to the Haunted House that's over there?" Taylor asked pointing in the direction that it was in.
"Yeah. Sure. Anything but rides," was her response.
Taylor smiled. "Let's go." He once again wrapped his arm around her waist, and they were off.
They gave the man their tickets, and waited in line for about 15 minutes.
"Do you two just want to go in alone?" The man asked.
"Sure," Carrie answered for the both of them. She knew Taylor would have wanted to, too. He nodded for approval.
"Okay, have fun!" the man said in a deep, scary voice. The two walked in...Carrie having butterflies in her stomach. They first entered a dark room, too dark to see anything. Then, a monster arose from an opening in the floor. He started to slowly walk towards them.
"Oh God...." Carrie mumbled as she shivered.
Taylor laughed a little. "It's fake Carrie. It's okay. He wrapped his arms in front of her, kissing the top of her head softly. Carrie grabbed his arms and kept close to him as they proceeded.
Another monster came out of a corner, trying to frighten the two of them. Carrie again shrieked.
"Shhh," Taylor said as he smiled and laughed a little, resting his chin on her head. A strand of Tay's hair was dangling in Carrie's face, and she blew it away. Taylor then went to Carrie's side, again putting his arm around her waist and holding her close. C
"A little scared?" Taylor asked.
"No. No. I'm okay," was her response, her face stricken white.
"Sure," he said with a smile on his face. Then, another monster appeared. Carrie clenched on to Taylor's shirt, and onto his shoulders and chest. He loked down at her and smiled. She looked up at him, and even in the darkness she could see his ice blue ey
"You are so sweet, Tay," she whispered into his ear. He laughed.
"I know." He looked down at her, and softly kissed her on the lips. It was a different kiss, so gentle and passionate. Then, another monster jumped out and they immediately broke apart. They ran out the exit of the haunted house, and again found themselve
"Well, that was fun," Carrie slyly stated. Taylor made a small little chuckle. He then looked at his watch.
"We better go if we want to see the movie."
"Okay...." she trailed off as they started walking.
"One large popcorn and a Dr. Pepper please," Tay ordered.
"Okay, that'll be $4.00," the man behind the counter stated. Taylor set the money on the counter, and received the food.
"Alright. Here we go," he then said. They found seats in the back; the theatre was packed with teenage kids. "I guess this is the best we can do," he said gloomily.
"It's okay. We're here, together. That's all I need." She smiled as she said this.
"And you think I'm sweet?" he smiled back. They sat back and watched the movie, munching on their popcorn, and washing it down with the Dr.Pepper. At all of the scary parts, Carrie of course used Taylor's shoulder. He didn't mind. He just streched his arm
Carrie stopped munching, and looked at Taylor, surprised at his sudden words. "What?" she asked with curiosity staining her voice.
"What about Colorado?" he repeated. Carrie stared blankly at him. Taylor just stared straight ahead at the screen, not even looking at Carrie.
"Taylor, look at me," she said, slapping a smile on her face. He obediantly turned his head towards her. "I haven't really talked to my mom. But, I really want to stay here. But, let's not think about it right now."
"Carrie, you can't leav...."
"I know," she cut in. "I don't want to. I'll talk to my mom tonight. But, all I really care about right now is that I am here with you...and no one else," she said with pleading eyes.
Taylor wanted to tell her how much he wanted her to stay, and that she couldn't go, that she had to stay. But he didn't. He just thought about that moment, and Carrie. "Yeah." he whispered with a smile on his face. He looked down at her pleading eyes, and
"Mom? I'm home!" Carrie bellowed as she walked in her home.
"Good, hon. I need to talk to you."
"About what? Has somehing happened?" she questioned as she hesitantly sat down next to her mother.
"Well, you know, I've been thinking about it all day."
"About what?"
"About Colorado." Her mother's words struck Carrie hard. "I really think we need to move back...I mean, I have a job, and we have our home...."
"No, mom."
"What?"
"No. I'm not leaving."
"Honey, if I choose that we go, WE'RE going."
"You can go without me."
Her mom was shocked, and speechless for awhile. "But...." she stuttered. "Why?"
"I have met some amazing people here. Better than the people I had in Denver. You can find a job here, I can go to school, or homeschool with the Hansons...anything! But I am not moving after all this. I am too attached." She swallowed hard, hoping that
"Well...what about Becky?"
Carrie pushed a deep breath out and brushed a piece of hair out of her face. She felt tears stinging her eyes. "I...I found out that she's not a friend."
"Oh. I'm sorry." She took a deep breath, and thought about it some more. "So you really like it here?" she asked.
"Yes, mom," she said with a lot of hope in her voice. Her mother thought some more as she stared at the ground. "Please," Carrie whispered.
"Alright. Alright. We'll stay," she gave in.
"Oh! Thank you so much, mom!" she said as she hugged her mom.
"Yeah, yeah, now get to bed," she joked as she tilted her head towards the exit of the room.
"Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," she repeated as she walked out of the room.
Tay found his brother with his shirt off, flexing his muscles in front of a mirror.
"That's right. The old Ike is back," he said into mirror.
"Oh my God!!" Taylor laughed. "What are you doing?"
"Oh!" Ike grabbed his shirt quickly and wrapped it around him. "I was just...I was...."
"Don't explain," Taylor said as he shook his hand in his brothers face. "I think I'm in love," he said plopping down on his bed.
"Well, I just went on a wonderful date."
"Oh, then that would explain the little show you were putting on, Mr. Muscles."
"Shut-up. And, you can't be in love. You're too young."
Taylor thought about this. "He's right," he thought. "I've only known her for 2 weeks. It's not anything."
"Maybe you're right," he said as he shrugged.
"I know I'm right."
Taylor laughed. "This coming from a guy that prances around half naked in front of a mirror." Ike gave him an evil look.
"What?!" Zac screamed as he walked in.
"Oh, I was just saying how our demented brother here seems to have been 'showing off' to the mirror."
"HA!!" Zac laughed.
"Well...talk about a 14 year old that thinks he's in love!" Ike shot back.
"Oh God," Zac moaned, and he stopped laughing. "Here we go again. I NEVER GET A GIRL!!! Tay, you're in love, Ike, you just went on a date....and what did Zac do??? Zac sat home and watched Barney re-runs with Mackie!! This isn't fair!!!!!!"
"Zac, calm down. When you get older, it'll happen."
"Well, it better come fast," was all he had to say.
Taylor again drifted off, thinking about Carrie. "Ike's right. I can't be in love," he thought.