“Cut!” Kris laid her head against the headrest of the white mustang convertible, with no roll bar. The no roll bar made her completely uneasy. “That’s a wrap! Thank you everyone! Go home!” David yelled.
“That’s it? We’re done?” Kris asked.
“Yup. Done deal. We don’t have to do another thing.”
“Yes!!” She grabbed Zac’s wrist and looked at the time. “And it’s only 3 o’clock! We’re so good.” They jumped from the white mustang convertible with no roll bar to the blue mustang convertible with a roll bar, and felt so much safer. They all automatically put on their seat belts, and Taylor drove away. Almost immediately, Misty and Kris fell asleep.
Taylor drove home, every once in a while looking over to Kris. His little attention test proved a lot. He didn’t know her as well as he thought, and she didn’t listen to him. She didn’t look at him the same way as she did with people she’d actually listen to. Maybe it was just the timing, maybe it was how much pain she was in, or maybe it was just him. Something was missing in their relationship, and he knew exactly what it was. It was the friendship. He wasn’t friends with Kris. At all. He had never been friends with her. It was always a relationship between them, or they didn’t talk.
They were horrible at being friends. Everything that was in a friendship wasn’t in their relationship. There was times that they acted like it, but they knew they weren’t.
And it sucked.
When Taylor pulled up to the hotel, he tapped Zac, who was drifting. “Help me with the girls.” Zac got out as Taylor did. They both looked at the two sleeping girls.
“You get Misty, I’ll take Kris,” Zac said.
“Why?”
“Cause Misty’s lighter! She’s shorter and smaller than Kris.”
“I can carry Kris up to our room.”
“No you can’t.”
“Are you saying that I’m not strong enough to carry my own girlfriend?” Taylor asked.
“Yes!”
“You’re right.” Taylor glared at him. “I hate it when you’re right.”
“Better start working out, bub. You gotta get as buff as I am.” Zac flexed. “I am pure muscle.”
“There’s no one to impress here. The girls are asleep.” He put his arms down.
“Oh, yeah. I forgot.” Taylor reached and picked up Misty, then went to the building.
“Taylor! Throw me the keys, you forgot to put the top up.” Taylor reached in his pocket and threw his keys to Zac. Zac caught them, then got behind the wheel. He started the car and put the top up before grabbing Kris. She put her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, like he’d carried her around like this thousands of times before.
“Taylor?” she asked, slightly waking up.
“Nope, it’s Zac.”
“Oh, okay. Hi Zac.”
“Hi Kris. You’re tired. Go back to sleep.” Instead of doing that, she opened her eyes.
“Why are you carrying me?”
“You fell asleep in the car. I’m carrying you upstairs.”
“Why isn’t Taylor carrying me?”
“Cause he’s a loser and he’s not strong enough to hold you.”
“Sure, make me feel fat.”
“You’re not fat. You’re nowhere near it. Taylor’s just really weak.”
“Oh.” She adjusted her head against his shoulder. He walked into the building. “You’re really buff, you know that?”
“Yup,” he said, but still blushed. He headed over to the elevator. Kris closed her eyes, but didn’t go back to sleep.
“You’re so modest too.”
“Of course.”
“Taylor said I’m lucky to have such a good friend like you. He said he’d love to have a best friend like you.” Zac turned redder.
“You shouldn’t be saying that, you’re making my face look like a tomato.”
“Well it’s true!” she said. “Are we gonna stay friends forever? Even after I break up with Taylor?” Zac stopped, lucky at the elevator, so he didn’t look like a fool. He looked down at Kris.
“You’re going to break up with Taylor?”
“That’ll never last. Me and him aren’t even friends, we’re just in a relationship together. Sure, I love him and all, but we’re just not destined to be together.”
“When do you think you’re going to be doing this?” He pressed the button for the elevator, extremely nervous. He was the last person she should be telling this to.
“Soon.”
“How soon is soon?” he asked.
“Maybe before I go back home.”
“Kris, I don’t think it’s such a good idea for you to be doing this so soon. He’s just thinking he has you back. If you break his heart now, I don’t know how he’s going to feel. But I do know it’ll crush him.”
“He doesn’t care.”
“Yes, he does.”
“Then I’ll wait.”
“You know you’re just telling me this cause you’re half asleep.” Kris lifted her head off his shoulder and looked in his eyes.
“I’m completely awake, Zac.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I need someone to listen to me. I don’t know what he’s looking for in a relationship, I don’t know what his plans are for the future or anything, but I do know that I don’t want to be with him forever. If we keep on doing this, we’re just going to end up married, and I don’t want that.”
The elevator door opened, and Zac walked in. “I wanna press the button!!!” Kris said, startling him.
“Okay, okay.” She pressed the button and smiled. “Are you sure you’re eighteen?”
“Yes I am, I just happen to have an inner child.”
“A very loud one.” The doors closed. “He’s not going to like this. You’re going to crush him.”
“But, Zac, if I stay with him, it’ll be like I’m playing him. Like I know I want to break up with him but I’m just staying with him cause I don’t want to hurt him. I don’t want to do that.”
“I don’t know what to tell him.”
“Well what about you and Misty? You’re not going to last forever. You’re not even fifteen yet.”
“I don’t like to think about that. I don’t want to think about the future. I know I love her now and that’s all that matters.” Zac smirked. “And when we do break up, note I said when and not if, I’ll be alright.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Misty can be a bitch sometimes.”
“I guess she can. But she’s a major sweetie.” The doors opened.
“Go back to sleep.”
“Okay.” Kris put her head on his shoulder again and closed her eyes. It didn’t take her long to fall back asleep. She was out by the time Zac got to the door. He opened it and went inside. Taylor was already asleep on his bed, so Zac gently laid Kris down next to him. He walked into the bathroom and bumped into Misty.
“What’re you doing up?” Zac asked.
“I woke up on the way up here. I figured I might as well brush my teeth before I go to bed.” Zac looked in the main room, then shut the door. “What are you doing?”
“Can I tell you a secret?” She nodded. “Whatever you do, do not let Taylor know.”
“Okay…what?” She started to brush her teeth.
“Kris wants to break up with Taylor.” The toothbrush fell from her mouth and in to the sink. “Good one.” She quickly finished brushing her teeth, letting what he said sink in. After she rinsed her mouth out, she turned to him.
“Why?”
“She’s saying that he’s looking for a long term relationship, and she feels if she doesn’t break it off now, they’ll end up married.”
“They’re not going to end up married, not the way they’re going. They’ll break up before they get married. Like normal people, not because she doesn’t want this right now.”
“I don’t get why she’s doing it either.”
“I think I have a clue though.”
“What?”
“Well,” she said, leaning against the wall, “Taylor is your brother. She knows you have a big mouth; everyone knows that. You can’t keep a secret if you life depended on it.”
“Yes I can!”
“And that’s why you told me this, right?” Misty asked. He gave her a look. “But seriously, if there is the chance that you would tell someone and Taylor found out, she gave an excuse that wouldn’t hurt him that much. Sure it’d hurt him, but the reason he has for her breaking up with him won’t hurt him more. I think I know why she’s breaking up with him.”
“Why?”
“Cause she’s in love with someone else. And I can be you anything it’s Brian.”
“She’s going to break up with Brian, though.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean she still isn’t in love with him. The only reason she’s breaking up with him is because he beats her. And the only reason he beats her is because he doesn’t want to lose her to Taylor.”
“True.”
“I bet when you guys leave town, he’ll stop.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. And if we come back, he’ll just start up again. If he sees this making the video, and they’re still together, he’ll do it again. That’s why she needs to get rid of him.” Zac sighed. “Okay, we’re done talking about this. I feel bad talking about her.”
“Well, yeah, she’s your best friend. I would feel bad too.” Zac opened the door, looking outside. Taylor and Kris were still asleep on the bed. He smiled, at least they didn’t hear anything. Misty walked out and went into the bed, not bothering to change. Zac brushed his teeth, still feeling a horrible pang in his heart. Over both Taylor and Kris. He felt horrible talking about her, and even worse when thinking about her and Brian. He felt horrible about Taylor…Zac knew something Taylor didn’t. If Misty ever said something, and he knew she would one of these days, Zac would have let Kris down. He knew he shouldn’t have said anything.
When Zac finished brushing his teeth, he took off his shirt and looked at it. Maybe tomorrow he’d wear a wifebeater.
Kris woke up and looked around. Zac was up, but Taylor and Misty were still sleeping. “It seems we’ve got lots of time together lately,” she said, getting up. She looked down at herself. “And I’ve wrinkled my clothes.”
“Well duh, you didn’t change,” Zac said, turning around. “And we have had our quality time for the week.”
“Yeah.” She looked at him. “You’re wearing a wifebeater.” He looked down at his white wifebeater.
“I’m trying it out for today. If I like it, I’ll continue to show off my sexy bod. If not, screw it.”
“Sexy bod my ass.”
“No, my ass.” Zac slapped his butt. “You know you love it.”
“Grrr.”
“Are you mad at me?” Zac asked. They laughed. You’re gonna to have to mention that you told Misty, Zac thought. He couldn’t say anything. Kris would never tell him anything again. But you still have to mention it. You know you can lie to her. “I told Misty.”
“About what?” Zac glanced at Taylor. “What?!”
“I had to tell somebody, and I feel awful, and you have to tell her not to tell anyone, but I just had to say something. I’ll understand if you don’t trust me anymore and never want to say anything to me ever again but I had to tell her because I’m the worst person with secrets and it was just eating away at me and I’m really, really sorry, Kris, will you ever forgive me?”
“Breathe!” He took in a breath, then looked at her, skeptically. Kris smiled. “Just don’t do it again.”
“I won’t!” She hugged him. “I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay, Zac. I kinda knew you were going to tell her anyway. That’s why I said it was cause I didn’t want the long-term relationship.”
“So that’s not the reason?” Kris shook her head. “I knew it! It’s cause you love someone else, right?” Kris took a step back.
“How did you know?”
“I didn’t. I know now, though.” Kris put a hand through her hair, holding her breath.
“Do you know who it is?” Zac nodded. She bit her lip.
“It’s Brian, isn’t it?” She let out her breath and put a finger over her lips.
“Shh, alright? I don’t want anyone to know.” She looked over at Taylor. He was still asleep, but Misty was waking up. They waited in silence for her to wake up. When she did, they were both looking at her.
“What?”
“He told me you know.” Misty nodded, then looked at Taylor.
“Yeah, I do.”
“We’re not going to talk now. Later.” She nodded again. “I’m gonna take a shower.”
“Loser, I wanted to get in there.”
“Well come on, you can take one with me.” Zac’s eyes grew.
“You people actually do that?” he asked.
“It’s called a bathing suit, Zac. You put a bathing suit on and two people can take a shower together,” Misty said, grabbing hers out of her bag. Kris grabbed hers and they both walked into the bathroom.
“You’re going to change together in there?”
“One of us goes in the shower and the other one stays out of the shower. We don’t look.”
“I want to be a girl!”
“We’d let you join but you’d have to be naked,” Misty said.
“Why?”
“Cause that’s the rules.”
“I don’t want to do that.”
“Then don’t. Bye.” Kris closed the door. A few minutes later, Zac heard the shower running. He wrinkled his nose.
“That’s not fair.” He sat on the bed, waiting. Taylor was snoozing away, but he wasn’t snoring. That was strange, he always snored. Even in the lightest sleep… ”Holy shit you’re awake!”
“Damn,” Taylor said. He sat up.
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not long.”
“What’d you hear?”
“What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.”
“Then I heard nothing.” Zac gave his brother a look. “When Kris gets out tell her I need to talk to her.”
“You know, don’t you?”
“Know what?” Taylor asked, smoothing his hair.
“I know you know!”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. But it’s none of your business.” Taylor walked out onto the balcony. Zac silently cursed at himself, and didn’t let up until Kris and Misty walked out of the bathroom.
“Kris, Taylor wants to talk to you.” Kris stopped.
“Why?”
“He knows.”
“What?”
“I don’t know the details, I didn’t say anything. Go find out.” Kris covered her mouth with her hand and looked at Misty.
“I didn’t want this to happen!” she whispered. “I didn’t want this right now.” Tears poured out of her eyes. She wiped them away, and settled herself before walking out onto the balcony. Taylor was facing the view, so she couldn’t see his face. After shutting the door, she spoke. “Hi.”
“Fuck you.”
“Fine then, I’ll just leave.”
“Isn’t there something you’re supposed to do first?” he asked, his voice breaking. “Hmm? I know, I found out last night. I heard Zac and Misty talking in the bathroom. I didn’t want to believe it, not at all. But when I heard you talking to him this morning, I just crumbled.”
“I didn’t know guys could do that?”
“Well they do and I did.” He sniffed, then wiped at his face. She didn’t move. If she saw that he was crying, she’d break down immediately. “Is it true? You’re breaking up with me because you love Brian? That’s a shitty reason, you’ve loved him this entire time.”
“No, it’s not true.”
“Then what? Who?” Taylor asked, finally turning around. She saw the tears on his face and immediately started to cry. She put her hand over her mouth and began to sob. “No! Don’t! Don’t just start crying to avoid the question. Do you really love someone else?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Then who? Goddammit tell me who!” He got up, slamming his fist against the table. It made her sob harder. “Stop crying! You have no reason to cry! You are the one breaking up with me. You are the one who is in love with someone else. Why are you doing this to me, Kris? Why are you making me suffer?”
“I never meant to have you suffer. Please…”
“Kristina, tell me who. You just avoiding the question for some reason I don’t know, and it’s pissing me over with every passing second. Tell me who you love. Who is so important that you have to break up with me?”
“Zac.”
Taylor stared at her blankly for a few moments. “What?” he whispered.
“I love Zac.” A fresh set of tears rolled down his face.
“Oh-Oh my God.” He held onto the railing of the balcony and slowly lowered himself to the ground. On the last foot to go, he just let himself drop onto the floor. “Oh my God.”
“Taylor, I—” He put his hand up.
“Don’t say anything. Just leave.”
“No, Taylor…”
“LEAVE!” She turned around, still stunned that she told him, and opened the door. She closed it behind her, softly, then looked up at Zac and Misty. Misty… Shit. Taylor was definitely going to say something in a fit of rage, and it would hurt Misty. Kris looked at Misty, with an apologetic fact that Misty didn’t understand. She will, soon enough.
Then she looked at Zac. He was confused, completely confused. She bit her lip and ran out of the room. She ran down the hall and to the elevator. She pushed the button and waited. “Dammit come on!” she screamed, slamming her hand against the panel. “Come on!!”
Back inside, Taylor got over his shock and ended up in a fit of rage. He opened the door, picked up the nearest object and threw it against the wall. He looked at Zac. “I fucking hate you!” he screamed.
“Me? Why?”
“Cause you’re everything I’m not! You’re sympathetic and you’re nice and you listen well! You’ve connected with her in a way I know I never will, and she loves you for it!”
“What?”
“It’s not Brian that’s she loves, it’s you! She loves you! You are the reason we broke up.”
“No…no! It’s Brian.”
“Kris loves you, Zac.” Zac shook his head. “Well you better go after her! If I can’t have her, I want you to take care of her for me.” Zac looked at Misty, who was smiling.
“Go get her.”
“Kristina!”
Kris looked over from banging her head against the door of the elevator. She saw Zac walking towards her. “Oh God he told you.” She put her hands over her face, beginning to cry again.
“I love you.”
She froze.
Kris felt her hands being taken away from her face. She looked up, finding herself staring into his beautiful caramel eyes. Her eyes followed his down to their linked hands, then back up so they were staring at each other again.
In one liquid movement, he pressed his lips against hers. Her heart fluttered before she could respond, but made up for it. His arms slid around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She felt her body pressed against him, but didn’t even think about protesting. His kiss was familiar, but sweeter. She noticed the feelings that were there, that didn’t exist with Taylor. They didn’t exist with anyone else. Just him.
He pulled away from her lips, but didn’t let go of her body. “What about Misty?”
“I don’t care about Misty.” He looked into her eyes. “It’s you Kris. It’s always been you.”
“I’ve loved you since the first day I met you.” He smiled. “You were always so suave, so collected. I’ve never met someone as laid back about themselves as you are.”
“Yeah, but that was when I was old. You should see me now.” Kris grinned.
“That’s why you’re so wonderful. You’re witty.”
“I know.”
“And modest.”
“I love you.”
“I love you.”