A/N: Thank you too all the readers. It means a lot to me that all of you are being so patient with these chapter updates. I am trying very hard to crank them out as quickly as possible. As a rough estimate, there are about 15 more chapters to part one and with the stories beginning to come together, the chapters could be a little longer.

A/N: So, please, stay tuned for more. =)

The Person- Taylor Earhart-Mitchell, the Frigid Middle Child

Chapter 10- TAboo Years of a Livid cOckeRel

Xxxxx

1997 Inquiris Lane
Angel Grove, CA

Seldom were there sugar coated words to describe who I was. Many of the usual descriptors were: bitch, angry, crazy, irrational, and maybe even erratic. My past has shaped who I have become, and I would hate to use that as an excuse, but it was true.

As the middle child, I definitely needed to find my own identity. Similarly like Stephanie Tanner from Full House. For that reason alone, I chose to branch out and live in solitary confinement. Okay, so it's not really like that, but at times, I feel lonely I could always call Dana or Kendrix and ask one of those two to live with me, but our personalities would furiously combat, and I've waged in enough war.

It's roughly, 5:01 AM, the strictly controlled lifestyle I had in the army definitely wasn't carried over to my civilian life. Go figure, and I exited my bed. I winced at the pain my knee was giving me already. I just woke up, couldn't the inflammation stay dormant like an animal spirit? Animal spirits weren't a real thing, at least I didn't anything of them until say Pocahontas came out, but then again Grandmother Willow was a tree. Anyways, I entered a hot shower, and I hoped my vibrant blonde hair wouldn't dull due to the increase of the water temperature. That should and actually was the farthest thing from my mind, since my knee swelled with the pinching feeling I loathed.

Damn the Army, and all the things that came with it. Yet, and this was the big yet, I had enlisted myself in there.

My parents had three daughters. I supposed my father, since he carried the 'XY' set of chromosomes, determined the sex of the fetus. Obviously, my mother carried the 'XX' chromosomes, and one of her 'Xs' was bound to do something. The first born was Dana, the model- I guess that term can be taken in more ways than one- then me, Taylor, the bitch, and the last child was Kendrix, the geek. Honestly, Dana and I don't know anything about Kendrix, other than the fact she wears glasses and is the youngest.

While growing up, I was constantly compared to Dana. Probably because Dana and I were only a year apart, I presumed. She was a beauty, I would be lying if I didn't think so. At the age of five, she took some pictures. An idea sparked, and she was taken to some big, hot shot modeling agency. Her first print ad was for JC Penney, and she had the greatest and most joyful smile frolicking on her lips. I coldheartedly detested that picture because it predestined my path. Hell no, I was not meant to be a super girly-girl. I was a slight tomboy, and my dad heightened that by allowing me to play catch instead of house and own a GI Joe instead of a Barbie. To go against my father, my mother signed me up for modeling classes since everyone gushed about how beautiful Dana was, and my mother wanted all her daughters to be dainty, prim, proper, exquisite, alluring, and every other optimistic and floral words that could describe one's daughter.

On the other hand, she never registered Kendrix for any classes. Lucky bitch, she wasn't subjected to adults picking, prodding, scrutinizing your every move. I thought I could see the jealously radiating from Kendrix, as I believed she wanted to be included in everything we did. She was a year apart from me for goodness sake.

Eventually, modeling went down the drain. Dana didn't want to continue, and I knew mom was hurt. However, that was Dana's choice. She didn't want to break into the world of modeling, nor did she want to be an actress. She definitely had the looks to be either one. She was a lucky bitch for that, and I was partly resentful of looking like a bow wow compared to Dana. Going on, a 180 transpired nonetheless, and Dana concentrated heavily on scholastics. That was a shock, since sometimes she exhibited the 'dumb blonde syndrome'. But, she excelled. Her goal? She wished to become a doctor.

How was I ever going to keep up with that?

That over the top aspiration had my parents thrilled. Almost too thrilled, since they wanted me, and even Kendrix, to follow her dreams. Nope, that didn't happen. Dana graduated from high school- Valedictorian. She went to college, and now, she's doing her residency. For Kendrix, following her graduation from high school, she did attend college. Then an ad in the paper stopped her from continuing, and she became a claims adjuster for Geico. The classes weren't complicated, and they taught her everything she knows.

As for me, when I was 18, I was enlisted into the army. While in the army, I acquired the nickname, 'Cockerel'. Not sure how I got it, but thank God it didn't stick! Anyways, I made the choice, since I wished to be away from my family. My parents' overbearing attitude about how I should be more like Dana and a little more like Kendrix caused a bad taste in my mouth to form. The army became my hopeful escape. No where was it a dream though. The 'LEFT-RIGHT', 'LEFT-RIGHT', 'A-TEN-HUT', 'DISMISSED!' standard of living caused me to go insane. Seriously, what was I thinking enlisting into the army, knowing damn well a fucking war with the Middle East was commencing and our laws were so shitty! Way too fucking shitty for words to even depict.

The benefits were my true incentive to continue, and please, don't get me wrong, I love my country, and I was willing to sacrifice my life knowing this place was safe and full of peace. But, I was being selfish, at the time, and I wished for my service time to be accelerated, so I could leave. Five years was a very long time, but it was the bare minimum. Sadly, I never reached that point because I was honorably discharged due to an injury I suffered in Afghanistan. A piece of shrapnel is still lodged in my knee. While I was stationed there, and in a surprise attack, we were shot at, and then a bomb went off, and a piece found it's home inside of my knee. The pain, to this day, caused a ton of agony. So, I came home at the age of 22, and I couldn't stand the animosity in my household. The chronic bitching and complaining about this would've never happened if I had stayed home and became a doctor or a model was fucking unbearable. With those endless bullshit criticisms surrounding me, I subsequently moved into my own apartment.

Soon after, I had to start physical therapy. Since I was living alone, I hated to bow down and ask for help, but I did. Out of my sisters, Kendrix came to my rescue. Dana, in contrast, didn't. She had other things to do. After a few rounds of the therapeutic sessions, my PT advised me to head to the newly formed Youth Center and work out.

I followed her suggestion, and that's when I met Ernie. He was looking for a manager, and I spoke of my background. Immediately, he hired me on. Ernie's such a sweet man, and he's kind of like a father figure. Ernie has never judged me, and when he was looking for a waitress, we hired Kira Corbett-Collins. She's a sweetie, but I'll never tell her that since that goes against the demeanor I've built.

As remarked before, I am known as the bitch. After hearing my story and after a few times of retelling my story, my experiences have shaped my behavior profile. I admit I'm brash, crude, and frigid, but it's only when I was pushed that far. Maybe if my parents stopped hassling over this and that, and if Dana stopped acting so arrogant could I truly become merciful like some other people.

I exited my shower, and I began to place some Icy Hot on my knee. This would hopefully let me continue with my day with no problems. My knee usually didn't act up this early. Of course, I've asked my sister, the bitch in my eyes, to help me. She would respond with 'put some ice on it' or 'just go and see your doctor'. That wasn't fair to me, since she could at least look at it. I took a quick look at my clock, and it was almost time for me to head out. Quickly blow drying my hair, rapidly putting on some makeup, and of course, hastily placing some clothes on, I was finished in no time.

Now, it was time for work.

Xxxxx

2 Hours Later
1996 Eltar Rd.
Youth Center

I've been in the back for some time now, resting in my comfortable chair. My knee was feeling significantly better. Now, the worst part of the job was here. I had to balance those damn books.

My surprise fpr the morning was Kira arriving very early. She had said something about practicing for a bit, and Ernie granted her wish. She really sounded like a rocking songbird. I couldn't believe she held that kind of talent, and even the owner was brought to tears. Lately, Ernie's been a little too emotional. He's a sap for Kira and I, but I never understood why. He's a complex man, and I used to think he held a disgusting pedophilic torch for Kira and I, but no, that was just a horrid assumption and the bitch in me.

There was a prompt knock on my door.

"Come in." I called, while I placed down the volume of my radio. I also placed the calculator away from me.

"Hey, Taylor." Our resident UPS guy, Leo Corbett-Collins, Kira's brother, announced his presence. I heard a bit of anger singed in his voice, but I didn't think anything of it.

"Hey Leo." I signed off on my package. This was something I had been waiting for, and even though, I could've driven to the store; delivery was the easier option.

"Is there a different way to get out of here?" My eyebrow quirked at his question, since he routinely exited the way he came in.

I simply nodded and showed him the direction of where to go. He thanked me graciously, and I opened up my package. The dress was the wrong color and the barrettes were the wrong color as well. I noted before that I was somewhat of a tomboy, so I decided to give myself a little makeover. Of course Kira helped me to choose a dress that would make my features stand out. I became frustrated with the person at Mighty Modes. Obviously, he or she had no clue how to pay fucking attention.

I quickly dialed the number.

"Thank you for calling, Mighty Modes, this is Kim, how can I help you?" The girl answered with some sadness seeped into her voice.

This was no time to play psycholgist, so I ignored her needs for mine. "Yes, this is Taylor Earhart-Mitchell, and I'm calling about the order I just got." I began with some anger. "You see, I wanted the yellow dress and red barrettes, not the pink dress and black barrettes. I mean, who gets that wrong? Who the hell works there? Must be some incompetent people!" Okay, so I went a little over the top, but this request should've been easy.

"Ms. Earhart-Mitchell, can you tell me the number of your order?"

"WF90120" I read from the box.

"I am very sorry for the mix up, if you would like I could deliver the right order to you, so we can make a fair exchange."

In the middle of my conversation, Ernie came into my office. I smiled at him, and I knew I should quickly get off the phone. "That's fine." I contritely hung up, so I could give Ernie my concentration. "Hey, Ernie, what can I do for you?" Just then my phone rang, and I instantly rolled my eyes. I let it ring once, and then Ernie urged for me to answer. I nodded. "Good morning, Youth Center, this is Taylor Earhart-Mitchell, the manager, how can I help you?"

"Isn't that a mouth full?" I heard the snooty tone of my sister.

Bitch, I muttered under my breath.

"You too." She said to me, and I wanted to choke her through the phone. "Anyways, I want some lunch from the Youth Center. I know your salads are to die for."

"Okay, that's fine, but you could've called the front. Kira is the cashier and waitress you know." I irritably reminded her. Ernie, just then, tapped his knuckles on my table. I looked up at him and took a few deep breaths. He was right, this was not the time or the place to be discourteous with someone, even if the person was someone I didn't particularly get along with.

"Yeah, I know, but I called you because you are the one that can get a longer break and deliver it to me." She mentioned, while I began to grit my teeth in aggravation.

"You can't come and get it yourself?" I asked her seriously and as nicely as possible. Ernie nodded his head in approval, so I continued with the act. "Dana, the Youth Center is not that far from your work."

"Please." She practically begged, and I would've continued her groveling, but of course, my boss was here.

"That's fine. What kind of salad would you like?" I questioned in a sing song voice, and she probably saw through my performance. After I wrote down her order, I told her I would deliver that in about two hours. She was fine with that as long as I added our famous strawberry shortcake to go along with her salad. That was definitely no problem. I finally had a little break, so I looked at Ernie and gave him my undivided attention. "What's going on, Ernie?"

"Kira's performing tonight." He was going to continue, since he knew the opposing words were about to dance out of my mouth.

However, I was going to surprise him. "That's fine." I simply said. "Is there anything else?" I believed this was going to be great for business. Not to mention, this would be Kira's chance to be discovered. Seriously, I had no clue her voice was that talented. Kind of made me jealous, even though I would never admit that.

I swore I needed a shovel to pick up his jaw from the ground. He proudly smiled at me, and he shook his head. He left my office to go back to his own. At that point, I could finally continue with my work. Of course that couldn't happen because the intercom came on.

"Hey Taylor." Kira requested me for something.

"What is it Kira?" I queried with exasperation.

"Bad day?" She countered hesitantly. Kira wished to never be on my bad side, and to be honest, she never really was.

"Let me see, the books are a bitch, I just got the wrong package, and now, I might have to deliver food to my older sister at Angel Grove Regional. My day is already peachy." I ironically quipped, as I looked at my table filled with too much shit!

"Is it okay if I make a phone call? I'll man the front at the same time." She offered with a valid reason, so I could let her use the phone.

And it worked, so I could get back to my task at hand. "Yes, that's fine." I resumed my duty, and I cringed at the numbers. Math was never my forte, and I wondered if I could call Kendrix and have her do this for me. She insisted the smart genes went to Dana, but I disregarded her observation. She would be crazy to think Dana was a smarty pants.

It did take some time, but I was able to finally balance the books. Today was definitely a lucky day for Kira, since she was about to get paid for her services in addition to her performing tonight. I got up, and I went to the front. Kira was still watching over everything, and even Ernie was up there. Ernie was a very private man, and he hardly spoke of his history. Though it's blatantly clear there's been some heartache. At least, and I will probably repeat this from time to time, he's very thankful for us girls.

"Here you go, Kira." I presented her check, and she happily took it.

"Thanks, Taylor." She accepted it, and then she went to the cooks. She brought back my sister's salad and the strawberry shortcake. "Here you go. That's for your sister."

I rolled my eyes, but accepted my next obligation. "Alright, I'll be back." I informed them, but before I could grab my purse, Ernie hugged me. The affectionate hug caused me to tense, but in a moment, I substantially relaxed in his arms. I even hugged him tighter. I didn't know what the symbolism meant.

"Be safe." He protectively cautioned me, and I simply smiled at Ernie.

In no time, I was on my way to the hospital.

Xxxxx

1995 Angel Grove St.
Angel Grove Regional

So, here I was at the hospital. I had my sister's lunch in my right hand and it was even accompanied with a disgusted expression.

As I walked inside, I saw a couple in the back crying, and I even saw a young man to the side sobbing too. Something must've occurred today, but I had no clue what. Surveying the hospital, I could tell there was a problem of a high degree that'd gone down. Still, I wasn't clued in on the occurrence. Though, with me being a bitch, I'm not supposed to care, right? I hate the assumptions that are branded on me. I also hate that no one was willing to understand how I got to be that way. One day, the frigidness would subside. Trust me, a change was very much in store.

I went to the nurse's station, since I had no clue where to exactly locate my sister. "Is Dana Earhart-Mitchell here?" I questioned, and she pointed me in the right direction.

Up Next: Chapter 11: Wesley 'Wes' Corbett-Collins, the Unfailing Police Officer.