Chapter 6

Taylor tossed in her sleep. She sighed. She'd been trying to go back to sleep for the past 15 minutes after being woken up by Eric slipping into the tent after a little bathroom break. But for some reason, she couldn't sleep anymore. It was really late; the last time she checked her watch, it was 5 am. She felt wide awake, surprisingly. Her blissful sleep that she was enjoying must have given her a lot of rest, even if it was only about 5 hours.

Her body was squished in between Melissa and Eric, and although she tried kicking the two away from her, they just kept on getting closer to her, till she literally had no space to herself. Finally, she decided that she wasn't going to get anymore sleep- she already slept for 5 hours anyway. She got up, and crept out of the tent with the intention of sitting by the beach, and just watch the ocean as it flowed. But what she saw was a shocker. What she saw was Jackson sitting on the beach, his long legs spread out comfortably in front of him. Now, she wasn't THAT close to Jackson, but last time, when she needed someone to talk to, Jackson was there to listen. They were slowly getting closer bit by bit. Now, as she watched him, she could see that he was troubled. She knew that something was bothering him, if he was awake at this hour. Deciding to be there for him while he was there for her, she walked over and sat next to him.

"Hey," she said softly. "Why are you up still? Did you get any sleep at all?"

Jackson looked at her. "Hi"

He sort of smiled. "Couldn't sleep. What about you? what are you doing up at this hour?"

Taylor shrugged. "same. Eric woke me up when he went for a little washroom break. But yeah, I guess I couldn't sleep after that because I slept for 5 hours already. After all, I WAS one of the first ones to go to bed, remember? Other than Melissa…." Her voice trailed off.

At the word Melissa Jackson stiffened. That didn't go unnoticed by Taylor. She noticed it right away. She didn't say anything, but she started wondering if he wasn't sleeping because of her. Or was it because Eric and Mel were getting closer? She decided to test her observation.

"By the way, do you know what's up with Melissa and Eric? They seemed awfully chummy the other night. I mean, Eric went after her last night…."

As Taylor studied his reaction to her question, she knew instantly what his problem was. She was right: he was upset that Mel and Eric were getting closer. Choosing her words carefully,

She said, "That's your problem isn't it?" Jackson looked at her weirdly.

"What do you mean? What problem?"

Taylor looked at him knowingly. "I'm not stupid, you know. I can tell that this is about her. Isn't it? Guitar boy?"

Jackson smiled at her nickname for him. He remembered the time when Taylor was upset after wrecking the battery charger, and how he had had a nice chat with her about music. He had shown her that he could play guitar, which impressed her greatly.

"well?" Taylor's voice brought him back to reality.

"Sorry," He said. "What did you say?"

Taylor sighed. "You're upset that Eric and Melissa have been getting closer. Is that it?"

Jackson started shaking his head, but the look on Taylor's face told him that it wouldn't be wise to lie to her. So he told her the truth. "Yes. And now, it looks like Eric and Melissa like each other, and it's too late for me to do anything to win back Mel."

Taylor's heart went out for him. She knew what it was like to wish for something that she had before, but took advantage of. Although she was rich and popular, she still sometimes felt all alone ever since she abandoned her one true friend back home, Stacey. All her 'peeps' didn't care for her. All they cared about was that Taylor had money. But Stacey, she looked out for Taylor from the day they met in summer camp. But when Stacey moved to Taylor's school, she didn't really make any friends. Out of fear and peer pressure, Taylor rejected Stacey and stopped talking to her- something she knew she would always regret.

Now, as she looked at her friend, she knew that she had to do something to help him win back Melissa. After all, it WAS her fault that this happened. If she hadn't exploited her "secret crush", then things wouldn't have been so awkward between them, and then Melissa and Eric wouldn't have grown close to each other. She felt terrible.

"Don't worry, Jackson. If there's one thing I know, is that you WILL get Melissa back. I'll help you. If that's what you want." She said, softly.

Jackson looked at her in amazement. "Really? You'll do that for me?" He sounded really shocked. Taylor nodded. "Come on, is it really that hard to believe that I can have my nice moments?" She gave him a playful shove.

Jackson laughed and shoved her back. "Well, thanks Tay. I would appreciate it." He gave her a genuine smile.

Taylor smiled at him back. "Anytime! But, you may want to talk to her and figure out if she really DOES like Eric. Because you may be overreacting."

Jackson turned serious. "Oh, I did ask her. She said that she didn't know."

Taylor inwardly kicked herself. A silence fell.

"Well, you're a great guy, Jackson. I'm sure that she still likes you."

Jackson looked at her, a smile creeping up his face. "Hopefully she does." The two smiled at each other. A comfortable silence fell between them. Taylor really is something, isn't she…but of course she can't replace Melissa. I'm glad I have her for moral support with this whole Melissa ordeal. With her helping me, hopefully I'll be able to show Mel how my feelings have changed. Jackson thought.

From far away, Melissa could see Taylor and Jackson talking and laughing. Her heart sank. "Who was I trying to kid, thinking that Jackson was finally noticing her when he had Taylor around. I was stupid for hoping that he liked her back, finally."

"No you weren't. You were being human." A voice came out of nowhere. Melissa, startled, turned and saw Eric standing there.

"Any girl would have hoped for the same thing, Mel. Trust me, I know! I have three sisters back home. And boy, they're always crying because of guys dashing up their hopes up, so you're not alone."

Melissa slowly smiled. "I guess you're right. I wish that I was prettier, though. Maybe then he would notice me. And like, I thought I was over him, but ever since he went out of his way to speak to me again, BAM it hit me again."

Eric startled her by putting his arm around her. "Mel, you're perfect the way you are. If Jackson can't see that, then it's his loss. You're a very sweet and good person. Don't sell yourself short because one guy doesn't like you."

Melissa stared at him for a moment. He looked so earnest and serious. Melissa didn't know why, but she believed him. She could see that he wasn't lying. He really meant it; she could tell by his eyes. They were solemn. She nodded, and gave him a big hug. "Thanks, Eric. It means a lot to me."

Eric was at first, startled, but he quickly returned the hug. They pulled apart after a moment.

"Could you help me lug water to the fireplace? I'm running behind, and if Daley catches me not doing work, she'll freak." Eric said jokingly.

Melissa laughed. Mission accomplished. She sure looks really nice when she laughs. Eric thought. Eric, stop it. This is Melissa. You're not supposed to like her!!

Melissa nudged him. "Then you better get to work!! Go now. I'll catch up with you in a bit."

Eric smiled. "Okay." He started walking to get the water. Melissa stood still, thinking about what happened. She smiled, thinking of how Eric was being so considerate and sweet. Why am I so worked out about Jackson when clearly Eric is doing a good job of making me happy. We always have fun…. I don't need Jackson if I have Eric by my side. Melissa decided, from then on, to not care if Jackson and Taylor get closer. She had Eric, and right then, that was all she needed.

As the week went on, Melissa found herself in a conflict. She felt herself slowly falling for Eric, but at the same time, although she was trying, she couldn't help but feel jealous whenever Jackson talked with Taylor, even if their conversation wasn't anything unusual. Jackson tried to talk to Mel a couple of times, but Eric was always there, with Melissa.

Jackson was getting frustrated too. He could never find Melissa alone, so he couldn't talk to her. The only way to keep him from growing insane was by venting to Taylor, who had proven to be a great listener. They were slowly getting closer and closer. But of course, his feelings for Mel were still stronger than his growing fondness for Taylor.

Eric, on the other hand, was happy. Ever since he and Mel had that little talk where he had told her how she was pretty and all, they've been getting closer. He felt a growing urge within to punch Jackson whenever he came close to Mel, because he felt that Jackson was just hurting Melissa by rejecting her. He felt like it was his duty to protect her from getting hurt again. Which was why he stayed by her side. Which was why he never let her and Jackson be by themselves.

But at the same time, he noticed that even if they were getting along great, she still longed for Jackson. He could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at Jackson and Taylor talking or conversing. It hurt him to think that even after all that Jackson did to her, she still liked Jackson more.

"oh well," he thought. " I just hope that she knows what she's getting herself into. She's like a little sister to me. If she gets hurt, I get hurt."

Melissa felt irritated. Every time Jackson tried to talk to her, Eric always interrupted. It got to a point where Melissa confronted him about it.

"Eric, why do you keep on showing up when Jackson shows up?"

Eric looked surprised at her question. "Because I don't want him to hurt you again."

Melissa smiled. "I appreciate your concern, Eric, but I think I can take care of myself if I get hurt. Besides, I can't get any more hurt than what I've already been through. Don't worry, big bro. I'll watch out and guard my mind. I won't let him hurt me anymore than he already has."

Eric sighed. "But.."

"No buts, Eric. Look, if Jackson hurts me, you'll be the FIRST to know, and then you can punch him or whatever. But if he's just trying to talk to me, he probably won't say anything hurtful. He probably just wants to get things back to how they were before!"

"Alright." Eric said slowly. But if he gets even a BIT upset at you, come and get me, alright? I'll pound him." Melissa giggled. "Don't worry. I will." She felt so special to have a 'big brother' who cared that much about her. Suddenly, she felt like giving him a hug. So she did.

"Thanks for caring" She whispered.

Eric smiled. "No problem."

any suggestions for me? hahaa, i have NO idea where this is going.. but yeah, if you have any ideas, let me know!! R&R! please and thank youu ) happy holidays everyone!