Thanks once again for the reviews. I really enjoy writing these stories, and I hope you guys enjoy reading them. Plenty of reviews and without further ado…
Reality
Taylor lye awake in bed, looking outside of her window, which was so affectionately bringing in some early morning summer breeze. It had been a couple of weeks since her father made his grand exit, and the pit in her stomach was just as big as the hole in her heart…like the night he left. She had been cried her self out, now all that was in her was extreme anger mixed with slight depression, but she had to be strong. Just because she had stop crying didn't mean that her mother had…Taylor could hear her mom at night, audibly showing her lament over the loss of her husband to another woman…a woman who she assumed was her family's friend, but turned out to be something entirely the opposite.
It pained Taylor to see her mother in pain, and to realize there was nothing she could do about it. Even though she wrecked her brain constantly there wasn't any solution to fix this problem. Her father created this mess and he should be the one to fix it. The sudden ringing of her phone brought her back to reality; she reached over and looked at the caller i.d., noting that Chad was really starting to annoy her.
"Danforth, can you give me a break?" she said picking up the phone at once.
"No McKessie, I can't….get the hell up, you're going out today…with me of course" said Chad smiling through the phone.
"And to what do I owe this honor" said Taylor sitting up.
"The fact that I love you like a sister, well something like a sister, because we've done some things that brothers and sisters don't do but, I digress" said Chad, while Taylor could do nothing but shake her head in the telephone, "Chad out with it" she said impatiently.
"Look I just wanted to take you out for brunch, you've been holed up in that house for the past two weeks, and it can't be good for the psyche Tee Cup. So go shower up, get some clothes on and were going out".
"Chad I don't think that's such a good idea…." stuttered out Taylor.
"Um um, it's not up for debate Taylor, I'll be there in twenty and you better be ready" he said, hanging up the phone immediately.
Taylor closed her phone and rolled her eyes. She let out an earth shattering scream that she felt pulse through her whole body. It was something she had been holding in for quite sometime.
"Taylor what's wrong!" yelled her mother charging through her bedroom door. Taylor could tell her mother was visibly shaken and immediately felt guilty.
"I just felt like screaming mom, sorry if I scared you" she said sincerely.
Her mother relaxed instantly and walked out the room, closing the door behind her. Taylor had noticed that her mom couldn't be in the room with her for more than five minutes without leaving. She stopped looking at Taylor in the eyes and just kept her distance from her as much as possible. Taylor knew it was because she favored her dad more than anything. I mean it wasn't her fault that she looked like the man that betrayed her mother, why should she have to pay penance for the mistakes of grown adults.
Taylor decided that Chad was right and she needed a change in scenery. She got ready and record time and headed downstairs to meet Chad. She noticed that her mom was in front of the t.v., but it was more like television was watching her. Her mom was totally in another world. She walked in front of her mom to get her attention, "Mom…Chad asked me to hang out with him today…is it okay if I go" asked Taylor quietly.
"Yeah Taylor its fine, just make sure you come back" said her mother sternly, while looking at Taylor in the eyes for the first time in a long time.
"I will mom….I promise…I won't ever leave you" said Taylor. She bent down and gave her mother a light peck on the cheek and hugged her, her mom didn't respond to her affections so she let her go. She grabbed her jacket and walked outside, just as Chad pulled up to her house. Taylor rushed to the car and hopped in, "Hey Chad" she said a little happily. She was more excited than she had planned on being.
"Hey beautiful…how you feelin?" he questioned concernedly.
"Uh better than I thought I would…I guess this was a good idea after all" she said smiling at Chad.
"That's good….and how's your mom?" he asked.
Taylor's eyes darkened slightly, "Not to good but I really don't want to get into all of that right now…honestly I just want to enjoy the ride" she said quickly.
"No problem…I figured we go to Pete's Diner downtown for brunch" said Chad pulling out of the parking space and driving down Taylor's block.
Taylor nodded her head and turned to the window to look at the passing scenery. Chad took this as his cue to turn the music on and let her be. Chad was just happy that Taylor was here with him, after the blow up a couple of weeks ago it took him forever to get in contact with her because she kept ignoring his calls. Finally he had had enough and went to her house to make sure she was okay. He had to do the same with Troy; the outcome was a little different though. Troy wouldn't even open up the door, and when Coach Bolton did open the door, he was told in no uncertain terms not to come back for quite sometime. It kinda scared Chad, he had never seen Coach Bolton look so bad, it was like he was living with no soul, and when he saw Troy behind his father, and he didn't look any better.
Chad pulled up to Pete's and helped Taylor out of the car. Since the weather was so nice, he decided they could enjoy brunch outside at one of the private tables. Chad was determined to get Taylor talking…and the best way to do that was to make sure her stomach was full, and in a public place, so she wouldn't embarrass him to bad. "So what do you want" he asked pulling her seat out and beckoning her to sit.
"Um…what's good here" she questioned.
"Everything…but I'm partial to the burgers" said Chad seating himself down and taking a menu.
"Do they still serve breakfast" said Taylor, really not in the mood for burgers at all.
"Breakfast it is" said Chad. He called the waiter over at once, and they both placed their orders. "So what do you have planned for the rest of the summer" asked Chad as he squeezed some lemon into his water.
"Nothing much really, I was thinking about getting a job, but my mom put an end to that. She said the only thing she wants me to worry about is school and being a teenager, especially now since this is junior year" said Taylor subconsciously playing with her straw. "Matter of fact that's the longest conversation my mom and I have had these past couple of weeks".
"Seriously" said Chad looking surprised.
"Yeah…it's like after that first night when we both realized he was gone, she kinda has went inside of herself…if that makes any sense. She very rarely talks to me and when she does she has a hard time looking me in the face" said Taylor quietly.
"Well…I guess I can understand her not wanting to, Taylor you look a lot like you dad" said Chad just as quietly.
"He's not my dad anymore Chad, and I don't care if I do look like him…I'm nothing like that man" she said angrily.
"I'm not saying you are anything like him…you're not selfish, and you don't hurt people on purpose. What I'm saying is that you guys favor in looks, and there's nothing wrong with that and it's totally not your fault…and what's all this nonsense about him not being your dad anymore" said Chad taking a sip of his cola.
"It's not nonsense Chad…it's the truth. He walked out on us, and he disregarded his responsibilities as the man of our family to go run off with another woman…Troy's mom none the less. Which makes me think they've been cheating with each other for years Chad, you know how long the three of us have been friends and have known one another" said Taylor angrily.
"For a long time…but he's still your dad…and I know it doesn't seem like it now but I believe he still loves you" said Chad quietly.
"Love…he still loves us…what part of he walked out on us don't you understand! You don't show love that way…you don't hurt your family the way he has!" yelled Taylor. "He made a choice…he loves Troy's mother more than me and my mom…obviously he wants her more than us and he loves her more than he ever loved us…there is no turning around from that!" said Taylor angrily, throwing down her fork on the table, which skidded off of the table and onto the ground. Taylor crossed her hand over her chest and angrily wiped the tears away from her face. "It sucks Chad" she said quietly.
Chad walked over to Taylor and wrapped her up in his arms, "I know it sucks Tay…but you have to understand that none of this is your fault" said Chad trying desperately to console Taylor. "Your dad has made a bad choice…not only has he made a bad choice, he wasn't man enough to stick around for the consequences" said Chad angrily himself. "I just want you to know that I'm here…and you're not going through this alone. I can't say I understand what you or Troy is going through but I will try my best to be the friend you deserve…if you let me" said Chad quietly.
The waiter quietly bought out their meal, and Chad nodded his appreciation, "I know all this drama has made you hungry" said Chad, "C'mon girl let's eat" he said kissing the top of Taylor's head. Chad handed her a napkin so she could wipe her face from the tears, they said their grace, and dug in. Taylor didn't realize how hungry she was as she completely demolished her meal. "Goodness girl…all that crying has made you an eating warrior" said Chad jokingly.
Taylor rolled her eyes but couldn't help but to smile, "Chad you're always making those lame jokes" said Taylor.
"And yet you always smile at them…so I must be doing something right" said Chad taking a bite out of his massive burger. "So since you can't get a job...how bout we just hang out like we use to for the rest of the summer" suggested Chad.
"Sounds good to me…I…I just have to make sure my mom is okay, before I leave to do whatever. Chad I'm really worried about her…like I know I can get through this but I have to be strong enough for both of us" said Taylor with a mouth full of food.
"That's a lot of pressure Tee Cup" said Chad seriously.
"Yeah I know…but what would you do if it was your mom" asked Taylor sincerely.
Chad thought for a few seconds, "Probably the same thing…I guess while you're worried about your mom, I can worry about you" said Chad with a genuine smile.
"Ah, Chad you spoil me" said Taylor smiling.
"Tis true my friend. You finish up here and I'm gonna go pay the bill" said Chad standing up, "I'll be right back".
"Alright", Taylor continued to eat the rest of her meal while she watched the small shops across the street, noting that there was a book store she really wanted to go to. It really was a beautiful day outside, the weather was perfect which was a rarity here, it was always too hot. She knew that life sucked right now but if she took the time, to really still appreciate the beauty of life, that things would work themselves out through the pain.
"Taylor?!" she heard someone call out her name. She turned around and saw a mess of brunette hair run straight to her. Gabriella excused herself through other patrons and she ran up to Taylor and gave her the hardest hug ever. "Oh my goodness Taylor, how have you been!" said Gabriella.
Taylor really couldn't respond, because Gabriella was squeezing the life out of her, "I'm…fine…but…you're…killing…me" stuttered out Taylor.
"Oh sorry" said Gabriella releasing Taylor, while looking sheepish. "I didn't know you were that strong Gabriella" laughed Taylor, it was the first genuine laugh she had in quite some time.
"Guess I've been working out a little too much" smiled Gabriella, "but seriously Tay, how have you been?" she asked concernedly.
Taylor sighed a little, "I've been okay…I guess…I don't know…I guess I've just been" she said quietly taking a seat.
"I know I suck for not being there" said Gabriella, taking Chad's vacant seat.
"Honestly I haven't really thought about it…too much other stuff on my mind" said Taylor.
"It's just I've been trying to help out Troy" Gabriella started to explain, "I guess you can say he's just been, himself. Matter of fact you and him have that same look" said Gabriella.
"And what look is that" asked Taylor confused.
"Like…like something is broken inside of you…I see it in your eyes, just like Troy's" said Gabriella grabbing Taylor's hand, "this situation blows chunks but it will get better Tay…you're heart will heal and in time you will move on" said Gabriella.
"It's not my heart I'm worried about…it's my mom's. She's the one that's really suffering" said Taylor a little upset.
"But so are you Tay…and its nothing wrong with feeling down in the dumps" said Gabriella.
"I guess it's a mixture of feeling down in the dumps and being very angry. I'm so pissed at my dad Gaby; I don't know what to do. Sometimes I just want to scream…and I actually did this morning" said Taylor.
"You have the right to be angry Tay, just don't get lost in your anger and let it consume you…I'm trying to work with Troy now, and he is letting this experience turn him into a not so nice guy…he's definitely not the Troy I fell in love with. He is angry all the time…not one moment where he isn't happy" said Gabriella sadly.
"Well his mom did leave…I don't know, some how I think your mom abandoning you is so much more worse than you dad doing it" said Taylor hunching her shoulders, "I can definitely sympathize with him".
"That's just it, he doesn't want sympathy or anything…he just wants to be angry…all the time, and it's turning him into a person I don't like much. That's why I'm hoping our time out today will help him change his mind on how he's handling it" said Gabriella. "I just want him to understand that he has the right to feel whatever…but he is gonna have to move past this and forgive or he will regret it in the future".
"Gabriella…" said Chad with a surprised expression on his face, "What are you doing here?" he said pulling her into a hug.
"Uh…I'm actually suppose to be meeting Troy here, I finally got him to come out of the house" smiled Gabriella politely.
"Oh…same with Taylor over here, she finally let me kidnap her" laughed Chad. "How's Troy anyway, I tried to check on him, but got completely blocked by him and his dad" said Chad.
"Not to good Chad…he's just not himself" said Gabriella.
"I know I'm not myself Gabriella, you don't have to go tell the whole world" said Troy angrily, surprising the life out of the unexpected trio.
"Troy…I wasn't trying to tell them anything…I…."
"I asked her how you were man, I hadn't seen you in a couple of weeks and I was worried" said Chad quickly, cutting off Gabriella.
"I'm fine alright!" yelled Troy rudely. Gabriella sighed heavily and closed her eyes praying that Troy wouldn't blow his top in public; there were already a couple of people starring at their table, looking annoyed.
There was an awkward silence between the quartet, as Troy was shooting daggers with his looks at everyone, especially Taylor. "Look Troy I was just concerned" said Chad moving in to give Troy a hug.
"I don't need your concern or your pity, like I said I'm fine" said Troy, shoving off Chad's hug. Chad looked at the guy that was like a brother to him, he honestly didn't know who this Troy was, but instead of starting an argument he decided it was time for him and Taylor to be on there way.
"Okay…well Taylor and I will be going now" said Chad quietly. He held out his hand to help Taylor out of her seat so they could go on with there day.
"Yeah well good riddance" spat out Troy nastily.
"Troy!" said Gabriella with a shocked look on her face.
"What the hell is your problem Bolton!" yelled Taylor. She had had enough of Troy and his stank attitude.
"You're my problem Taylor, you and that shit-hole family you come from!" yelled Troy.
"Oh my gosh" gasped Gabriella. Chad tried pulling Taylor away from the impending argument, but she was definitely a lot stronger than what she looked.
"My shit-hole family, have we forgotten that it was your whore of a mother who was fucking my dad!" screamed Taylor.
By now people where starring at the teens with shocked expressions on there face. Even people walking by the diner were starting to slow down to spy on the commotion.
"You know what fuck you Taylor. FUCK YOU!" screamed Troy, while Gabriella was trying with no success to pull him away. "I should punch you and your throat for talking about my mom that way…your father is the one who pulled her away, she wouldn't have left me if it wasn't for his convincing!" screamed Troy as tears starting rolling down his cheeks.
Taylor went to attack Troy, but Chad pulled her arms before she got there. "Let me go Danforth!" she yelled. "Maybe if your father was fucking her the way he was supposed to, she wouldn't have left. Or maybe she finally realized that she had a bitch for son and couldn't take it anymore!" screamed Taylor as Chad lifted her off the ground and flung her across his shoulder. "Damn it Chad, let me go!"
"No more than the bitch your father reproduced…I hope you and your family rots in hell!" screamed Troy after her.
"Yeah well I'll see you and your bitch ass mother there" screamed Taylor as Chad threw her in the car. Chad ran to the driver's side, started the ignition and zoomed out of the parking spot.
"Damn it Taylor! I can't believe you did that…I really can't believe the both of you" yelled Chad hitting the steering wheel. Taylor was in the passenger's seat visibly angry, her chest was moving up and down from her rapid breathing and tears were streaming down her face at a steady pass. "Fuck him Chad! Fuck him, his mother, and my bastard as father…fuck em all" she spat out.
"You don't mean that Taylor" said Chad angrily.
"Don't tell me what I mean Chad! I know what I'm saying…screw them all! I don't need him….I DON'T NEED HIM!" screamed Taylor. "I can make it on my own…just me and my mom, we don't need Kevin Adonis McKessie ever again!" she cried out. She sank down in her seat and cried like a toddler. Chad pulled the car over to the side of the road; he got out and walked over to the passenger side. Opening the door he pulled Taylor out and embraced her in a tight hug as she let out all her anger and frustration.
Meanwhile back at the diner, the manager asked politely for Gabriella and Troy to leave. Troy didn't put up a fight he just turned around and stormed off…Gabriella ran after him as tears were forming at the corner of her eyes. "Troy wait!" she yelled. He continued to storm in the direction of his truck as if he never heard her.
"Troy!" she said as she ran around in front of him and blocked his way. "Gabriella move!" he yelled as he pushed her lightly to the side.
"Who are you?!" she screamed.
"What do you mean" questioned Troy as he turned around suddenly.
"Exactly what I said…who are you right now? You threatened another female back there Troy…and you cursed at her like she was some common girl on the street…the Troy I know and love would have never done anything remotely that despicable…no matter how much he's hurt that his mom walked out on him" said Gabriella as the tears finally fell upon her face.
"Her father stole my mom away from me!" screamed Troy as his own tears released themselves from his eyes.
"That's right Troy…HER FATHER…not her. Taylor had nothing, absolutely nothing to do with that. And her father didn't steal your mom…SHE LEFT! It's high time you start accepting that and dealing with it. Because you being angry and mad at the world is not gonna work….I swear Troy if you keep this behavior up, there is no way were gonna make it!" screamed Gabriella. She walked away from Troy, only glancing back in disgust and hurt.
Troy watched as Gabriella walked away, he knew he was wrong for blowing up at Taylor like that…but why should he care about her feelings or anybody's feelings for that matter, if nobody ever cared about his….especially his own mother.