"Well, mom and dad couldn't come pick you up because they're both too busy. And I'm the only one of us who can drive, Tay."
Taylor slumped lower into his seat. He sighed. "I know. Sorry, Ike."
Isaac laughed. "You know you just wanted to hit on that girl without Zac and I bothering you. You know you like her," he stated, playfully trying to mess up Taylor hair without success.
Taylor saw it coming and blocked his brother's hand.
Isaac laughed again. "And I, for one, do not blame you."
Zac look at Isaac, then at Taylor. "What girl?"
Isaac looked back at him from the rearview mirror. "That cheerleader chick we were talking to the other day."
Zac strained to remember. "Oh! Ashley?"
"Yeah that's her." Taylor informed with a sigh. He didn't feel like going through the name details right then.
"Oh. Cool." Zac said, then continued to play his Sega.
Taylor pulled himself out of the van. He stretched and scanned the parking lot. He noticed familiar brown hair flying behind a girl who was running towards the locker room doors. Avery and Jessica ran after her. They had been so quiet during the drive to the Gym that Taylor had forgotten they were there. He jumped slightly when he felt a hand grasp his shoulder.
"Chill out Tay," Isaac snickered.
What's wrong with me? Taylor asked himself. He sighed. "Let's go."
Isaac, Taylor, and Zac took their seats on the top of the bleachers. They watched as the cheerleaders placed the mats on the floor.
Taylor kept glancing at the double doors that lead from the locker room to the Gym, waiting for Ashley to emerge. Finally, he saw her come out, dressed for practice. Taylor smiled. "Um...I'll be right back guys," he said and stood up.
Ike laughed. "Okay, Tay."
"Yeah Tay! Go get your groove on!" Zac shouted, jumping up.
"Ike, keep Animal on the leash 'til I get back." Taylor called over his shoulder.
"Damn it Tay I'm a guitarist not an animal trainer!" Isaac laughed.
"Hey!" Zac jumped up again. "I am a human being! I am not an animal!" he pointed a finger in Isaac's face. Then he lowered his voice. "Shh! Ike what are you doing? Are you trying to get me killed? If they find out I'm part human-part animal, they'll take my blood in for medical science! They'll dissect my brain!" he held the sides of his head.
Isaac laughed. "Don't worry about it Zac, they don't need to dissect your small brain. All they'll find is a bunch of nothing."
Taylor shook his head and continued walking. Why me? he walked quickly to where Ashley was standing near the water fountain.
Ashley looked up and smiled. Taylor was coming her way. "Hi!" she called cheerfully.
Taylor returned her smile. "Hey...Ash." he caught himself before he said Dawn Man, she looks good!
Ashley didn't notice Taylor's pause. "How are you?" she asked, tightening her scrunchie.
"I'm great. You?"
"I'm okay."
Taylor leaned down to the fountain, suddenly thirsty.
You know you're not as outgoing as Dawn Kelley's words echoed inside her skull as if she was in a cave.
He finished drinking and looked back at Ashley, whipping the water off his mouth with the back of his hand.
The knot in Ashley's stomach tightened. It's now or never, She walked up close to Taylor, put her hands on his chest, leaned up, and lightly brushed her lips to his.
Taylor was too stunned at first to move, which worried Ashley. She started to pull away, but the shock was gone and Tay wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him and resting his hands on the small of her back. He kissed her again, only more aggressively this time.
Ashley tensed slightly when she felt Taylor slide his tongue into her mouth, however, she didn't break the embrace.
Taylor didn't want the kiss to end, but when she finally pulled away, she was blushing and smiling at him. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what made me do that," she lied. She knew perfectly well what made her do that.
Taylor licked his lips and smiled back. He could still taste his mouth on his. "It's okay. No problem at all." He leaned over and lightly kissed her again, but was interrupted when they heard someone clear their throat. "Ahem,"