In the morning (several weeks later)...
Jett and Tara met up with JB at his store. "So were you able to get in touch with Kayla today?" asked Jett.
"Yeah, she said that she and Jason had some things to do."
"Like what?"
"I don't know! Does it really matter anyway?" said a slightly annoyed J.B.
"Uhh nah, I guess not..."
"Well, what are we going to do today?" asked Tara.
"Ummmm...swimming hole? It is Saturday after all..." said J.B.
"You know...I'm not in the mood for swimming today." Said Jett.
"Are you ok Jett?" asked Tara placing a hand on his back.
"Yeah, I just think I want to skip."
"Alright. So then what do you want to do?"
"I dunno." He shrugged. "Now that I think about it, maybe I should work on my Silverstone lines a bit. I've been somewhat preoccupied lately hanging out and all that jazz."
"Oh, ok. I think I can just head back to Nigel's house. I should call some friends back home and catch up. Don't worry about walking me back, k?" she said.
"You sure?"
"Positive." With that she gave him a quick kiss and headed out.
"What's been up with you lately man?" asked a concerned J.B.
"I'm alright." He said in a monotone fashion.
"Yeah, right." J.B. said sarcastically.
"You know, I'm getting sick and tired of everybody asking me what's wrong. NOTHING is wrong with me!!!" He snapped.
Kayla had just walked into the store as she heard him yelling. "Whoa Whoa Whoa!" she said with a frown. "Cool down, Jackson!"
"Kay...Hi..." replied Jett in a high-pitched tone.
"Hey...I won't be here long, I just wanted a pick up a few things."
"Yeah, me J.B. and the crew are hanging out today." he said semi-nervously.
"Oh ok. Well, I have some class stuff to take care of."
"Class stuff or personal stuff?"
Kayla gave a slight frown of confusion. "Maybe a little bit of both. Does it matter?"
"Yeah, it matters. You're supposed to enjoy your summer with your friends, not just blow us off like you have been lately, Kay."
"I am NOT blowing anybody off here. It's not like I'm leaving either of you hanging. You two obviously have...other means of being entertained..."
"Hmm...lately it's like you have been too..."
"And so what? I can't try new things, Jett?"
"Sure you can try new things, but don't neglect the old things..."
"Wait wait wait a minute here. You are accusing ME of neglecting my friends?"
"Well...yeah!"
Kayla's mouth dropped as her eyes grew large with surprise at what had just come out of his mouth. "Excuuuuuse me? Jett Jackson, you have the NERVE to try to make me feel like crap about doing my job! So what if I can mix work with play. Big deal. I am not allowed to have fun with other people, yet you can go off gallivanting around with whomever you please? You HYPOCRITE!! I bet you don't even realize it. Ever since Tara waltzed into town, you've practically cut everybody off and made your own little world merely working us around it if it's convenient. You have no problem blowing off J.B. and me to cater to her every whim and then some! You drool so much around that girl, you'd fill a gallon-sized milk jug in about 3 seconds. Everything has become about you and Tara. You two are joined at the hip and to tell you the truth, it's gotten old. I swear this is probably the first time I've seen you alone since she got here. I wouldn't be surprised if she was here only a minute ago! So don't you DARE get on MY case about a THING!" snapped Kayla. Jett was shocked, as was J.B. An angry, fired up Kayla got a few snacks, which she placed in her mini basket in a slightly forceful manner, and paid for them at the counter. She stormed out giving one last stare at Jett while shaking her head.
There was silence in the store for a little until J.B. broke the ice. "WOW! What has gotten into her?"
"...I don't know." Jett said still staring at the door.
"I have never seen her act like that. EVER! And I've known her longer than you, Jett."
"Yeah." Jett sighed. "Is she right? I mean, have I changed since Tara's been around? Has it seemed like I've been neglecting you guys?"
"Well, at first, yeah...but I understand. It's new and it's fun. That's why I understand why Kayla is sort of doing the same thing. I didn't press you about it and I'm not going to press Kayla. We're all good friends and that's not in jeopardy at all."
"You're right man. I guess I should go talk to Kayla."
"Wait, what are you doing really? First you say you're going to rehearse your lines, THEN you tell Kayla that we were all going to hang out, and NOW you're going to go find her?"
"I guess I just kinda missed her that's all, and when I saw her I immediately thought of just hanging out."
"Ah. Gotcha."
"Sooo...I am officially going to go study my lines, then find Kay and talk to her, and then I guess I can meet up with Tara for dinner or something. Later!" Jett walked out and headed for home.
He found himself unable to concentrate on his lines. I should have talked to her the second I let the store so I'd have it off my chest. I'll just go now. He headed for the farm.
As he arrived at Kayla's, he noticed a car. He assumed it was either Sarah's or Jason's. Walking up to the door Jett heard some noise around back so headed over there. He spotted Kayla with Jason. They looked pretty cozy with their arms around each other; her arms around his neck and his arms around her waist. They obviously had just finished riding. Jett continued to watch while being out of site. They seemed closer than before. It didn't take too long until they started their little lip lock session which Jett couldn't stand to watch for too long. "I guess she's got her hands full..." he said somberly. He hurried off. Somehow Kayla and Jason heard him leaving, but didn't see him. "What was that?" Jason asked. "Oh, probably a rabbit or something." he reassured himself and continued. "Anyways, so, did you hear about Jamie Shroeder's party next Friday? It's her usual annual 4th of July ball."
"Of course! I have never been to one though..."
"Well, there's a first time for everything!"
"There sure is!" she said with a smile.
"Anyways, I gotta get going. I promised I'd help my dad clean the gutters."
"Alright! Always nice to see a son helping his dad out." And with that, they kissed one last time before he headed off. Kayla rushed to her phone to call Riley. "Hey! Guess what! I'm going to Jamie Shroeder's 4th of July ball with JASON!" she exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down a little.
"COOL!" Riley said holding her phone to one ear with her shoulder as she added a coat of nail polish to her big toe nail.
"It'd be so awesome if everybody could be there. I am SURE that you'll have no problem getting in."
"Of course I won't. I was invited." she said as she added a coat to another toe nail.
"Of course. Duh!"
"All of us are going. J.B., Holly, me, Baxter, Jett, and Tara." she said wiggling her toes in hope they'd dry faster.
"Oh great! It should be fun." Kayla said. "Talk to you later Riles."
"Bye girl!"
Kayla turned the cordless phone off but held it in her hand for a minute thinking to herself again. Oh joy! I get to watch Jett fawn over Tara looking finer than he's ever seen her look before. She'll probably knock everybody out of the ballpark since she's no small town girl and is probably used to being more stylish. Ah well, at least I have Jason. I guess I could try to give him the same luxury. It's not everyday you'll see Kayla West be a knock out. Heck, this thing won't even be during the day, technically, rather the EVENING. Now...where to find a dress...