Hello my loyal, no not loyal, royal readers. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't writing up these stories. Anyway, I would like to take some time to tell about where I stand at my stories and at what other projects I've got going on.

With my stories, the ones I have out are the ones I'm solely going to focus on, but I have a Troyella that I'm writing in times when I'm stumped. It's based off a book called "Bound" and hopefully in about a couple weeks, it'll be coming out. This one is going to be slightly different than what I normally do. It's going to focus on the tradition of the Chinese culture of binding the girl's feet and how painful it is. Gabriella refuses to get them bound, so she is basically bound to be neglected and die alone, but what happens when a certain someone starts taking a liking to her? Well, like I've said, I hope to have this story out soon.

Some of you may have read my other story "How Can They Not Tell" right? Well, the sequel to that is coming out soon, just as soon as I finish the video sequel to it that I have on youtube. Oh, little advertising bit, I have a youtube account and if you want to check out some of my Troyella/Zanessa vids, check my profile, I'll have it up soon.

Last thing, I'm thinking of changing my penname into something a bit more original. So soon, my penname is going to be: kittyKAT. I'm just telling you all now, so you don't find a new chapter by this person and go 'Who the heck is this?'

Umm, I think that is everything, so on with the story!

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CHAPTER TWO

"Tay, what's your child's name?" Gabriella asked, rocking the doll in her arms. She loved the idea of being a parent one day and this was just her kind of project.

"I don't know," Taylor answered, glancing at the doll that was lying on the table, "My partner and I haven't decided yet. And with the amount of brain cells he has, I don't think we'd ever be able to name it. Anyway, what's her name?"

"Katerina. It's such a lovely name. Troy picked it," Gabriella cuddled the baby closer into her arms, cooing at the sheer enjoyment she was getting out of being a mother.

Taylor rolled her eyes, but not at Gabriella, at the fact that her partner probably wouldn't put in as much effort as creating a name for their child. Looking at the toy lying on the table, face-down, she picked it up as it began crying.

"That's not Katerina, is it?" Troy cried, appearing instantly by Gabriella's side.

"No, it's our child," Taylor bitterly replied, "Troy, where's Chad?"

"Who's calling for me?" Chad paraded in, a cocky smile on his face and a childish gleam in his eyes.

"I did. Are you going to put your share in this project?" Taylor said, standing up and rocking up and down, trying anything to get the simulator to stop crying.

"Oh, it was you?" Chad took a seat next to Gabriella. He seemed more interested in her child than his own.

"Are you going to help me?" Taylor desperately pleaded, the doll crying louder than ever.

"Just give the thing to me," Chad flatly said, taking the weeping doll out of Taylor's hands. "Where's it's binky?"

"It's binky? I would've never thought of that!" Taylor scrambled through her purse, digging and digging until finally pulling out a light blue binky that had a piece of hair stuck to it. She quickly pulled it off and handed it to Chad. "Here!"

Chad kindly placed the binky into the baby's mouth and started cradling it in his arms, gently rocking it from side to side. Everyone stared at him, an astonished expression plastered on their faces. Chad nervously looked up because he could feel the eyes on him and meet all their looks.

"What? You've never seen somebody take care of a baby before? Why don't you all stare at Gabriella?" he said, pushing the toy back into Taylor's arms. He met all their glances, his wild hair flying as he quickly turned his head.

"How did you know how to do that?" Taylor spoke, breaking the few minutes of uncomfortable silence.

"I've got a little cousin. He's still young and he comes over a lot. I help take care of him when my mom and my aunt go out on one of their shopping sprees," he looked around again, meeting more surprised looks, "What?! Can't a guy care for his cousin?"

The bell rung, signaling the end of the period. Troy and Gabriella swiftly left, heading to their free period musical practice, leaving Chad and Taylor alone. As Chad got up, Taylor stopped him.

"Listen you've got to give your share in this project!"

Chad looked at her, disgusted at the fact that she thought that he was going to do any work. "I already did my share. I just got the thing to shut up."

"This isn't a thing, Chad. It's our child, it's our project, it's our grade!" she yelled, trying to drill the information through the thick skull hidden under his bushy hair. "And we've got to do this for 3 weeks! I'm not doing this alone."

"Okay, okay...First things first, I have no interest in you, so don't get any ideas." Chad took a seat and looked up at her, taking the doll from her once again.

"Ew! Who said that I would have any feelings toward you?" Taylor responded with a wrinkled nose. The thought of her liking this lunkhead basketball boy made her shiver with disgust.

"So, we won't fall in love with each other?" he replied, gingerly taking the binky from the simulator and placing it on the table.

"It's agreed. No infatuation," Taylor answered, stuffing the binky back into her bag. She reached over and took the child from Chad's arms.

"Infatu-what?" Chad dumbfoundedly said, turning toward her.

"Never mind...so, what is his name?" Taylor questioned, tenderly cradling the baby in her arms.

"About Chad Jr.?"

"No way are we naming our child after you..." she answered, scoffing, "What about...Albert?"

"Albert? That's such a...nerd name. No way is my kid going to be named Albert."

"Well, come up with something better."

"Okay...okay...just give me a minute," Chad retorted, placing a finger on his chin.

Taylor silently giggled to herself. She could picture all the gears that were covered in cobwebs finally starting up again.

"You know, I like the name Corbin."

"Corbin?" Taylor said, taking it into consideration. "Corbin..." she looked at the baby, "Okay, I'll settle for Corbin."

"Cool! Now that we've got that over with, I'm going to get a bite to eat. Take care of our child," Chad said, slinging the backpack over his shoulder and walking out the doors. Taylor was going to object, but saw it pointless to do so.

"Oh, one more thing, I won't be here tomorrow, so keep my baby safe," Chad stated, poking his bushy haired head back in before slamming the door shut, the sound echoing throughout the entire room.

"Yeah, I'll keep your baby safe for you for sure. It's all part of my grade," Taylor thought, gathering her books that were scattered across the table and placing them into her messenger bag. "And everyone knows how important grades are to me." She placed the bag over her left shoulder and carefully took the child into her right arm. With her heels clicking as she walked to the door, she took one last look at the time and pulled open the door, softly shutting it as the traveled down the hallway.

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Not much of a cliffie this time. But they'll be coming soon. I'm just letting you enjoy them while the non-cliffies last. Will Chad and Taylor ever sort things out and learn to cooperate? Find out in the next chapter!

With much love,
KAT