Alright, we are onto the next chapter! What is it, twenty something? Yeah I'm not looking at anything so I lost count. xD Anyway this chapter is a request one. Cornoque chaylor girl from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Now first I will say in advance I never watched the movie much nor did I understand it. Because it took place in a Church I found it, at least now, a bit religious...which then again would also explain why I never understood some of the stuff they mentioned in the movie. xD (Yes, that means I am not Cathloic, but that's all besides the point.) Anyway, I was trying to figure out how to pull this off too, and it took me a couple of ideas. I was thinking today in the commuter lounge at school and I was thinking for about an hour or so before typing this up. So I really hope this turns out well to your liking.

Taylor McKessie was a lot of things. She was strong, never showing emotions so easily and always ready to not only stand up for herself and those she cared about but also for what she believed in. She was stubborn, never willing to take advice unless she gave it to herself - and when she finally would take advice from someone else she would not accept it so easily nor admit that she needed it in the first place. She was independent, always assuming that she was fine on her own and never asking, begging, or doing anything else of the sort for others; yes of course she helped others but she never asked for their help in return. She was intelligent, always focusing on her studies and working to improve herself and the knowledge of everything around her. She was impatient, not allowing herself to wait longer than a set amount of time before reaching the front of a line or waiting for someone to take her out some place. But one thing she never expected to be was a teen mother.

Now there were two sides to the story: the factual side and Taylor's side.

The factual side was simple. Taylor found herself attracted to another person, a male of course, and one thing led to another. Did he pressure her? Perhaps a little. Did she want to do it? She had certainly not experienced it before and it would only add to her knowledge. But you know where this goes, right? She was smart to use protection of course, but neither of them knew that a little something something broke in the middle of it. And guess where it led to. Taylor fell pregnant and confessed to her boyfriend, who ultimately ended up leaving her. That was two years ago, during her senior year of high school. Not really the best way to end those years, for anyone.

But the way Taylor saw it was much more complex. It wasn't all a 'what you see is what you get' type thing. She found herself attracted to a male and put herself out there. She was more than happy to find out that her affections were returned. She had analyzed every point there were at with caution and exactness, as though it were as logical as a logarithm equation. She didn't rush too fast for her first kiss nor did she jump right from there to making out. It was third base that became most confusing. She had taken health class of course, so she knew the precautions that had to be taken and what had to be done on both ends. Taylor knew that it was a big step and she constantly questioned herself on whether or not she was ready to take it. She saw where her boyfriend had been coming from, how he felt every time their bodies touched and what he wanted it to lead to. Taylor didn't want to deprive him of that. She could easily answer herself when she questioned her feelings for him...at least, she thought so. So she gave into the lust. She poured out her feelings and opened her heart to him. And look what it ended up with. They were supposed to be in it together, to bring up the child together. But he turned his back on her like it was all for nothing. It was quite stereotypical actually. He didn't' want to settle down and have to stick with one girlfriend from eighteen on because he wasn't that serious. So when Taylor needed him most he broke her heart in two.

Taylor had to know everything to every last detail. She had to analyze everything so it was precisely correct. That's what she had done since he left her. So now here she was, a twenty-year-old with a little girl living in a small house owned by her landlord. No further education, no full time job, no one to help her. Now that was plain and simple.

I don't know if you can hear me

Or if you're even there

I don't know if you would listen to a gypsy's prayer

"Come on Keisha," Taylor sighed as she carried her two-year-old into the house and into the bedroom, "let's get you to sleep."

She didn't blame the little one for being so worn out. Taylor had been forced to take her daughter to work since the free daycare center she had used so much had finally closed. Most of her co-workers adored Keisha, of course, but that also meant less time to work and less money to earn. And Taylor knew that the rent was due soon, not to mention she had accidentally kept a few library books for too long. But this wasn't what she wanted. Not for her and certainly not for her daughter.

Taylor tucked Keisha into the warm bed and kissed her good-night. She let the child sleep as she walked back into the living room, beginning to look through the day's mail. So much junk mail, so much more to pay...what was this? Taylor's eyes widened as she saw a sheet of paper with bold red letters stamped diagonally on the center.

"Evicted?" she gasped. Taylor groaned and threw the paper down on the table. This was just great. Now she had to pay said amount of money in three days or she would be forced out. Where was she supposed to go? Certainly not a shelter. And it wasn't like any of her co-workers could take her in; Taylor couldn't bother them with two more mouths to feed.

"What am I going to do?" she sighed.

Yes I know I'm just an outcast

I shouldn't speak to you

Still I see your face and wonder

Were you once an outcast, too?

Two days had passed and still Taylor hadn't earned enough money. One day to go. She had worked overtime and everything. Luckily one of her co-workers sisters was able to babysit Keisha for her, but it wasn't enough. Not enough to let her work longer or earn more money. It all seemed so hopeless. Who could Taylor turn to now? She sighed and put her hands on her forehead, her fingers running through her hair. As hard as she tried to think of a solution, nothing came to mind. She was out of ideas and she was out of time.

Suddenly, a knock came to the door and she picked up her head. Who on earth could that be? And at this late hour? Removing herself from her chair, Taylor left the table and walked over to the front door. She opened it and, much to her surprise, there was the landlord's son. What as he doing here? Was she being kicked out already? Couldn't she even have that last day? See if she could even start packing or find a place to stay? Anything?

But as much as she was panicking on the inside, Taylor wouldn't allow herself to appear so distressed. "Good evening Mr. Danforth."

"Um...I'm not your landlord Taylor. You can call me Chad." he replied after a minute.

"Sorry Mr. Da-" she started, then corrected herself. "I mean, Chad. Would you like to come in?"

He cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes please."

Taylor nodded and left the door opened so he could enter. She didn't know Chad that well, but he seemed to have more softspots than his father. He didn't like seeing people get kicked out of their homes, Taylor knew that much. He had heart, she gave him that. But she wasn't going to be dragged in by his kindness. Whatever he had planned, she was sure it wasn't going to turn out the way she wanted it to. One way or another, she would be out of the house and most likely off to a woman's shelter and this rate, and before she knew it.

"Would you like anything to drink?" she asked, sitting on the couch.

"No thank you." Chad shook his head, closing the door behind him. He joined her on the couch.

Taylor sighed, already assuming she knew where this was going. "If you're here to kick me out now all I ask is to give me until morning to pack and find a place to stay." she said right away.

"You've still got one more day." Chad said, placing his hands in his lap.

"One day, one week, one year, it would make no difference I'm sure." Taylor shook her head. "There's no way I can earn the money in one day to stay here."

God help the outcasts

Hungry from birth

Show them the mercy

They don't find on Earth

"How do you know that?" Chad asked.

"It's impossible." Taylor said. She looked at him. "Listen, if there's any chance I could even try to get a few more days, just a few..."

"I've tried that before from others, Tay." Chad sighed. "My dad doesn't go for it. He's not a giving person."

Taylor merely nodded and turned her side to him, looking downward. She should have seen that coming; Taylor knew just as much as anyone else that Chad's father was one to try and keep as much money to himself and give as little back as he could in return. Just because she asked his son for assistance, something she never thought she'd resort to doing, didn't mean that she would get it. That was one of the reasons why she never asked for help. If there was only one reason she was looking for it, it was for her daughter. That was the only person she was going to show any affection to from now on.

"But...there is a way to fix things. At least a little." Chad sighed, which made Taylor look up.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Taylor, this is a side job for me. I know who deserves to stay here and who doesn't. I have ways of finding out and I have ways of helping them." he explained. "I've seen so many people get kicked outta here for no good reason. So what if they don't have enough money? They got other things to use it for. My dad doesn't understand that. But I do. And the one thing I'm sure of, is that you are the one person around here who doesn't deserve to be evicted."

"Why would you ever think that?" Taylor asked quietly. She never thought much of it. She figured that she was the last person to deserve anything for free after all the work she put herself through. She worked to earn what she needed and she intended to keep it that way.

God help my people

We look to you still

God help the outcasts

Or nobody will

"Why wouldn't I think that? I've read your file." Chad replied.

"My file?" Taylor repeated.

"Yeah. All residents have one. My dad likes to keep an eye out." he nodded. "And quiet frankly...so do I."

Taylor just shook her head. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear this. Hopefully she could get him out of here as quickly as possible.

"I'm sorry Chad, but I don't have time for this." she shook her head quickly. "I really should get back to work and find a way to get more money...."

"Do you know what you go through everyday?" he interrupted. "I know all about you Taylor. Don't underestimate me."

Taylor refused to listen and at least attempted to pretend she was getting some papers together like she was preparing for something. "Don't act like that Chad. You don't know anything about me."

"Valedictorian of your high school. President of Chemistry Club. Head of Scholastic Decathlon. Student council president. Volunteered at the local beach two summers in a row." Chad started, naming everything he could recall reading about her. "You grew up in New Mexico. Youngest of three, two older sisters, the older one five years older and the second three years older. Two parents; your mom was an accountant and your dad was a bank president. Your eldest sister decided to go out of the country and attended Banting in Canada. And your second sister stayed on the west Coast at UCLA, then transferred to a school in Louisiana. You were on a full-ride scholarship to Harvard Law. But you never took it. "Less than five months after graduating high school you had a daughter at the general hospital in Albuquerque. Keisha Adrienne McKessie on October fifth at nine a.m. You moved out of your parents' house and struggled to get jobs. You've had three different jobs in the past two years. Bell girl at a local hotel, cashier at Wall Mart, and an usher at a movie theater. You tried to settle down here about six months ago and are struggling your job and Keisha."

Taylor blinked. She had never expected Chad's research to be...so thorough. "How do you know all that about me?" she finally asked in a surprised yet quiet voice.

I ask for wealth

I ask for fame

I ask for glory to shine on my name

I ask for love I can possess

I ask for God and his angels to bless me

"I make it my business to know certain people." Chad admitted, though it sounded like he was going to say something else.

"So I haven't lived the most privileged life. I understand that." Taylor allowed herself to say as she moved a loose strand of hair out of her face.

"I can't say the same for myself either." he replied. "I knew we're the same age and I couldn't have gone through everything you did, but I had my share of disappointments, too. I lost my mom before I was ten. Why do you think my dad's always in such a bad mood? I wasn't the best at school and I never had a steady girlfriend. But after everything you went through you deserve one positive thing in your life. One thing that'll always stay the same. And if you won't go to anyone else for help then you can come to me."

"Cad I can't-" she started.

"Mommy?"

Taylor turned her head to see Keisha standing in the doorway. "Honey what's wrong?" she asked going over to the two-year-old.

"I had a bad dweam." she replied quietly.

Taylor picked Keisha up. "It's ok, it was just a dream. It wasn't real." she promised.

Chad rubbed his chin as he watched. He waited a minute, then walked over to the girls. "You know what always helps me when I have a bad dream?" he asked Keisha. "I drink a nice big glass of water and think about balloons."

"I like bawoons." Keisha said.

"Then that's all you gotta go." Chad said calmly. "Think about all the bright colors. Just close your eyes and picture all the balloons in the sky. They're flying up and covering the sky in all rainbow colors. Red, yellow, green, pink, orange..."

Keisha listened to the sound of his voice as she closed her eyes. Before either of them knew it she was sound asleep. Taylor shook her head in disbelief and looked at Chad.

"How did you...?"

"I kinda have a way with kids. Oldest of five." Chad shrugged. "Twenty, nineteen, two seventeens, a sixteen, and a just-turned fifteen."

Taylor looked down at her sleeping daughter, then back at Chad. "You're amazing, do you know that?"

"I've been told a couple of times." Chad admitted. "And I might be willing to throw you the money."

I ask for nothing

I can get by

But I know so many

Less lucky than I

Please help my people

The poor and downtrod

"I couldn't ask you to." Taylor said.

Obviously Chad wasn't going to hear any of it. "Tay, why are you doing everything that you do? Why do you constantly put up with juggling jobs and passing up opportunities for college and live in a dump like this when you know you can do so much better?"

Taylor held Keisha closer to her and sighed. "For my daughter, of course." she said softly. "I don't...go to others for help. I can get by on my own. I don't need help from anyone else. If I stop what I'm doing now that means less for Keisha and evidently even less for me. And I'm not putting either of us in that situation."

"Just because you've had some bad luck with a few things doesn't mean you can give up on asking for help when you know you need it." Chad replied.

"It wouldn't matter. I can't go to anyone else." Taylor confessed. "My family wants nothing to do with me. Keisha's father walked out the minute I knew I was going to have her. I don't talk to my friends from high school anymore. I can't trust anyone else with my life but me. So now you answer me this: why would you be so willing to help me? What's in it for you?"

Chad sighed, knowing the jig was up. "I'm willing to lend you the money on one condition. You don't have to agree to it; it's optional." he offered. "But it is there."

Taylor sighed, hoping his condition wouldn't be too horrible. Knowing Chad it most likely wouldn't be. He was actually a noble and honorable man, at least from what she could tell. But still, that didn't mean she was willing to take chances.

"Name it."

"I'll lend you the money...if you go out with me." he confessed. "But only if you want to."

Wait a minute...did he just ask her out? Why would he do that? Taylor had nothing to offer him. What could he see in someone who was once so promising and then threw everything away? Ok, so he got something out of it and she got something out of it; Taylor understood that much. But what could he want with one date? Was it she who he was after? Her body?

Finally, she gave up on trying to figure out. She just looked away and sighed. "You don't want to go on a date with me." she said. "And if you're paying me to do it then you're wasting your money. But if it's sex you want then I'm not going to give my body for that just to stay here."

"That's not what I want." he shook his head. "I said you don't have to if you don't want to. I never said that I wouldn't give you the money if you declined. But if you're not interested then just tell me."

She couldn't believe she was saying this. Probably the most decent man she'd met in a long time and she was pushing him away. She didn't want to get close to someone again and then watch him leave her; she didn't want to open her heart and make herself vulnerable only to get hurt in the end. The words escaped her lips quietly, almost barely audible.

"I'm not interested."

Chad held in a sigh as he nodded. The word was branded onto his face: rejected. "Alright." he said in a quiet tone. "I'll come by first thing in the morning to give you the money." He turned to the door. It was a quiet squeak, but the door opened and then it closed. He was gone.

The children of God

God help the outcasts

The children of God

Taylor sighed and pulled Keisha in as close to her as she could be. Taylor knew right then and there that she had made the biggest mistake of her life. True, she'd only known Chad since she moved there, but even she knew from the moment she met him that he was a good guy. Everything she saw in him was what she wanted, what she was looking for. That support. That help. That someone to open her heart to. Just someone.

She shook her head. She couldn't take it anymore. There had to be someone she could go to, to give her the stregth to go after Chad and tell him she reconsidered. So she looked up to the ceiling, almost as though she were looking right through it and into the sky.

"Please help me." she whispered.

It took a few moments as Taylor stood where she was, but then somehow she knew. What was stopping her from going after Chad? Nothing. Why should she stay there and pout? She shouldn't. Why shouldn't she go out with Chad? It certainly wasn't that she didn't like him. So why should she push him away when Taylor knew she needed him more than anything else right now? Not waiting another moment, Taylor sped out the door and went after Chad. But much to her surprise, there he was, still in front of her house.

"Chad?" she blinked.

Chad spun around to her. "Taylor...I was uh..." he stammered. It was clear that he hadn't come up with a decent excuse for his staying put. "I was uh...just admiring...your lawn. I think it looks greener than the others. Are you doing something new with it?"

"Seven?" was her repsonse.

Cahd blinked and raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"

"Seven? Tomorrow night? Do you still want that date?" she asked.

"Well...yeah of course." he nodded. "But why did you change your mind?"

"I finally asked for help. And I should have known all along that somewhere there was someone I could go to." Taylor replied.

Chad smiled and rubbed the back of his head. "So...we have a date?"

"Yeah." Taylor nodded with a smile, feeling happier for the first time in years. "Yeah we do."

Not one of the fluffier chapters anyway. XD I worked on this for a few hours and finished this after midnight...when I should be sleeping. Not smart. xD So my neck is really hurting right now and I'm gonna go to bed. So, I hope this was a good chapter and fullfilled the request at least decently. Like I said, if you have any ideas feel free to share them. Now why do I always feel like I'm forgetting something? -_- Deep in thought, deep in thought.... Of forget it. Sleep first, think later.