AN: Hey, guys. I really want to thank the few of you that did review. Catchastar, you were my first reviewer and I'm grateful for the things you said. Louise, you're one of my biggest fans. FOBDanceDance, Thank you and Go Fall Out Boy! I just have one thing I would like to say to Wendy.
Ok, first of all, I thank you for at least reviewing this story, but I have to tell you that half the reason I've kept going with this story is because people tell me they like it because it is NOT a "famous couple" story (your words not mine). I feel that if I did try to involve some of that into the story, it would destroy my plot. No offense, I appreciate your advice very much, and I'm surprised only one person has suggested that, but I don't think going along with the rest of the people who are Disney brainwashed into thinking Troyella is the bomb would be the greatest thing for me to do. I say once again, that I love that you offered me your advice, and I love that you love this story. Go Chelsi!
Alright, here's Chapter 8
"Am I the only one who felt like that was a complete waste of a good Friday night?" Zeke asked when they walked to the car later that night.
"No, that about hits it right on the head," Ryan said, opening the car door.
"I mean, come on, the best part of the whole evening was watching Kelsi cringe during Cabin Fever."
"Oh shut up, Zeke," Kelsi said starting the car.
"Hey, he's right," Troy said. "Taylor complained the whole time. Seriously, who finds something wrong with a Will Ferrell movie?"
"Someone who is a very stuck-up individual," Ryan declared in a duh-tone.
"Uh yeah," Zeke said. "Seriously, I feel bad for Chad."
"Yeah me too," Kelsi mumbled.
"Why did Taylor even come back?" Troy complained. "Things were good for a while without her."
"Who knows, who cares?" Ryan said, rolling his eyes.
"Exactly," Zeke agreed. "The girl is fine, but I'd never be able to put up with her."
"Can we please stop this completely true conversation?" Kelsi begged, slightly tired of them talking, even horribly, about Taylor.
"Ooooo, I think the green-eyed monster is rearing its ugly head, ain't it Kelsi," Zeke commented.
She slammed on her breaks.
"Watch it Kels!" Ryan yelled.
"You told them, didn't you!" she screamed at him.
"Uh, no. Not exactly," he said, knowing a slap was coming.
"What do you mean not exactly?"
"Well, it was kind of hard for them not to know with you and Chad were yelling at each other in the next room," Ryan contended. "All I did was nod my head a little bit."
"Um, You. Heard. That," she said slowly.
"Yep," they all responded.
"Oh perfect," Kelsi said, practically slamming her head on the steering wheel.
"Well, let's all be grateful that Taylor didn't," Troy commented.
"Yeah. That smoking habit is going to catch up with her one of these days," Ryan joked, as Kelsi started driving again.
Kelsi finally pulled up to Troy's house. Troy got out, as did Zeke because he was spending the night.
"Thanks for the ride, Kels," Troy said, slamming the door shut.
"Yeah, thank you," Zeke added, waving as she started to drive away. "We'll see you later."
"Hey Kelsi, stop," Troy yelled after her.
"Yeah?" Kelsi asked, doing so.
"Don't worry about him. We're hear for you," he stated.
"Worry about whom?" she said, forcing a fake smile.
"Good girl," Troy winked. "See ya. Bye Ryan."
"Bye," they said as Kelsi drove off.
Ryan and Kelsi drove in silence to his house. Once again, Ryan was worried. Over the past few weeks he'd been getting to know the many faces of Kelsi. He knew when she was depressed, when she was starting to feel better, and he even knew when she relapsed. Secretly it amazed him that a situation like this could have such an affect on a person.
"Hey, you know that Troy's just trying to help," he said after a while.
"Yeah, I know," Kelsi said, trying to concentrate on driving.
"Now that they know what's going on, all they want to do is support you."
"Yeah that's kind of what baffles me."
Ryan sighed while she pulled up to his house.
"Listen, I know that you're not used to having so many people be dedicated to your well-being, but Troy, Zeke, and I are behind you all the way. We want you to finish your show. We want you to be happy. We want you to get over Chad."
"Well don't!" Kelsi bit back. "I can handle myself. I don't need a Pity Committee, and I don't need every single detail about my personal life to be known by a few silly boys."
Ryan was slightly taken aback. Angry Kelsi, again. Wow, she was coming out way too much.
"Just remember that no matter what, we're hear for you," he said after a second. "I'll see you Monday."
He got out, and she drove off, starting to repeat the vision of that night's events in her head.
"Do you mind please having some sort of respect for the other people at this party?" Kelsi asked as she walked into the kitchen where Chad was refilling the pretzel bowl.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. I'm just saying, the PDAfest, is getting a little old," she said, filling up her glass with water from the fridge. "Not to mention annoying."
"I'm sorry if it bothers you," he apologized, throwing the bag away.
"Oh don't be," she said, opening the freezer for ice. "Just keep the random loud smooches to a minimum."
"I can't help it if Taylor likes to make a big deal out of things like that," Chad responded testily.
"Actually, you could," she said, sipping her newly replenished drink.
"Sorry if I don't want to piss off a female publicly," he declared.
"Yes, you don't want to set off the wrath of Taylor. After all, she's had enough of a night already. Making fun of our movie choices, acting like we're second-class citizens. Do you not realize that she's turned into a complete and total hypocrite?"
"Listen I know she's different, but—"
"Different! Chad, she's a whole different person," Kelsi pointed out, slowly getting angry. "She doesn't even respect you anymore."
"That's not true," he defended, getting angry as well.
"Yes it is," Kelsi said, placing her glass on the counter. "Do you not hear the things she says to you? She's trying to keep you away from your friends, and she's trying to change you into the male version of her."
"You know what, you're the one being the hypocrite."
"Well excuse me for caring!
"Kelsi, what the hell do you want from me?!?!?" Chad exclaimed.
"Nothing, Chad, nothing. Just forget I exist. You and I, it never happened!" Kelsi said, storming out of the kitchen.
Chad replayed the memory of the fight in his mind again. She seemed so angry when she said what she did. Some things are better left untold, but he knew everything she said was right. As he lay there, Taylor in his arms, he couldn't help but feel guilty. Not only because he knew what was truly in his heart, but because of the position he was in at that moment.
He slowly slid off of the bed. A chill ran down his spine as his bare chest hit the cool air. He picked up his shirt and put it on. Then Chad grabbed his cell phone off the end table, and tiptoed to the door. He opened it slowly, as to not wake Taylor. Standing there in the hallway, he dialed a number, and waited for a pick-up.
"Hello?" Kelsi's voice came from across the line.
"Hey," Chad answered.
"Hey," she said softly.
A moment of silence hit them, though a simple understanding was between the two. She was sorry, plain and simple.
"What do you want?" Kelsi asked after a while.
"I don't know," he responded.
"Then why did you call?"
"I don't know," Chad said again.
Kelsi sighed into the phone.
"It wasn't spur of the moment," she explained, gently. "You weren't caught up in the moment. That night, in my room, you meant to do what you did, and you liked it. But now you're faced with a dilemma. Stick with the girl you've been with for a while, even though she's not the same person she use to be, or go with a person who actually cares for you. As much as you don't want to admit it to yourself, you know exactly which option you want to go with. But is it really worth breaking a heart you've loved for a long. When you make your decision, tell me. But assure me at least one thing."
"What's that?" he asked.
"Don't forget about me, and don't forget I exist," Kelsi said, hanging up the phone.
Chad shut the phone, and closed his eyes, pondering Kelsi's last statements. Then the door opened behind him. There was Taylor standing in her robe.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey."
"Who where you talking to?" she asked.
"Oh, uh, no one," he explained.
"Oh," she said, leaning on the doorframe. "Listen, Chad, about earlier. I didn't mean for you to—"
"Don't worry about it, Taylor," Chad said. "I'm fine."
"Alright," she said. "It's late you should go."
"Yeah, but I've got some things in your room" he said, pushing past her back into the room.
He picked up his backpack off the floor, while Taylor went and switched her stereo to the radio.
One more kiss could be the best thing
Or one more lie could be the worst
And all these thoughts are never resting
And you're not something I deserve
"Wow, this song is old," Taylor exclaimed as the 3 Doors Down song played threw her speakers.
"Uh yeah, it is," he said, grabbing the Hoosiers DVD that had fallen out of his bag.
In my head there's only you now
This world falls on me
In this world there's real and make believe
And this seems real to me
And you love me but you don't know who I am
I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand
And you love me but you don't know who I am
So let me go, let me go
"What is it with radio stations playing dumb stuff that no one even remembers anymore?" Taylor asked.
"I don't," he said. "I'll see you later."
"Wait."
"What?" Chad asked.
Taylor gave him a kiss. A kiss he at one time would treasure, but now just seemed too much like an every day occurrence.
"I'll see you later," he said.
"Bye," she called after him.
I dream ahead to what I hope for
And I turn my back on loving you
How can this love be a good thing
And I know what I'm going through
In my head there's only you now
This world falls on me
In this world there's real and make believe
And this seems real to me
And you love me but you don't know who I am
I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand
And you love me but you don't know who I am
Kelsi listened to the late night radio show that played through the speakers on her stereo. She wasn't tired enough to go to sleep, even with it being a late hour. She didn't want to play her guitar, and she had her song. She hoped at least. All she could think to do at this point was listen to music.
And no matter how hard I try
I can't escape these things inside
I know, I know
But all the pieces fall apart
You will be the only one who knows, who knows
You love me but you don't know who I am
I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand
And you love me but you don't know who I am
So let me go, just let me go (you don't know)
You love me but you don't
You love me but you don't (you don't know)
You love me but you don't know who I am (you don't know)
You love me but you don't
You love me but you don't (you don't know)
You love me but you don't know me
Another AN: The song that was featured in this chapter was Let Me Go by 3 Doors Down. I don't own.
I know I've been begging for reviews lately. I'm not one to resort to placing limits on how many reviews I need before I post another chapter, so I won't do that. But I will swallow my pride and ask to exchange a review for a review. For anybody with an account who reviews this story I will review one of your storys. I'll kiss butt and lie if you want me too. What can I say, I'm addicted to reviews. Push the pretty button please.
There should be one, maybe two, chapters left in this story.