“Hey Mich, where’s Kris?” Zac said, after walking into the dorm room at Stanford. It was a few weeks later, and Zac decided to drop by. They were in Los Angeles for about three days, and he took his off time to come and visit Kris. But when he got to the dorm, she wasn’t there.
“She went to the doctor.”
“The doctor?” Zac asked, taking the liberty to sit down on Kris’s bed. “Why?”
“She’s had some kind of flu or something the past few weeks and she’s worried about it cause it won’t go away. So I sent her to the doctor to check it out. She should be back soon.”
“Oh, okay.”
“How are you guys doing? Why did you come and Taylor didn’t?” Michelle asked, with a slight smile. Taylor had kept his relationship with her over the phone, and now that they were close by, she was expecting to see him soon.
“We each have a different day off. Today’s mine. Taylor’s off tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll stop by; it’s all he’s been talking about since we arrived here. He was just upset cause he couldn’t come with me to see you.”
“Aww…”
“I know. He really likes you, Mich.”
“More than you like me?” she asked, grinning.
“Yeah! I don’t like you at all.” She rolled her eyes. The door opened and a flustered Kris walked in. The first thing she saw was Zac sitting on her bed.
“Hey, honey,” he said. She threw her keys at him. He moved out of the way and the hit the wall with a loud thud. “Ahh! What?” She walked over and smacked him. “What did I do?”
“I friggin hate you. You are the very last person I want to see right now.” She hit him repeatedly with a magazine that lay on the edge of the bed. He grabbed it out of her hand, trying to keep it away from her. She was beating him up pretty damn well.
“Why? I didn’t do anything!”
“I’m pregnant!!”
He looked at her blankly, letting it register. Then he handed back the magazine and she started hitting him again. “I cannot believe you did this to me!” She stopped hitting him and collapsed onto the bed, her head falling in his lap. “I don’t know what I’m going to do!”
“Don’t worry, Kris. We’ll make it through this. I don’t know how, though.”
“I am not keeping this child. I am giving it up for adoption. I can’t have a kid right now.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Zac said. “Is that what you really want to do?”
“Yes. I can’t keep it. The both of us have too much going on right now to raise it. You’ve got your career, you’re travelling everywhere all the time. I’ve got this plus my job. I can’t put a kid in there.”
“Can we discuss later? When you’re further along?” Kris put her hands over her face.
“I just cannot believe this. I don’t want to have this happening to me. I don’t want to discuss it, I don’t want to be further along, I don’t want a child!”
“Kris, there are things you can do about that,” Michelle said. Kris looked over.
“Are you suggesting that I have an abortion?”
“Not suggesting, but it an option.”
“No, it is not an option. As much as I don’t want a child, and I’m going to have hell going through with this, it still has a right to live.”
“Okay, sorry I mentioned it.” Kris sighed and looked back up at Zac.
“What are we going to do?”
“We can’t make a decision right now. As it is I can’t stay with you for very long right now. I have to get back soon. It’s two hours to get back to L.A.”
“I have to go back with you. I need to tell Taylor.”
“Taylor? Why?” Zac asked, watching her get up. She ran her hands through her hair.
“I know if you tell Taylor, he’s going to have a lot of questions that you can’t answer.”
“Kris, why do you have to tell him at all?”
“What am I going to do? Not tell him, and when he sees me he’s going to wonder why I’m as big as a house. ‘Oh Kris, what happened to you? Are you all of a sudden getting really fat?’”
“Like he’d ever mention something like that.”
“Still, I have to tell him. I’m coming back with you. There’s no point in you driving two hours to get here, say hello, I love you, goodbye, then drive two hours back. I hate quick visits, so I’m going back with you. I’ll go with Taylor when he comes here to see Michelle.”
“Or Michelle could come with us,” Zac said, looking over to Michelle. “How bout it, Mich?”
“Sure, I’ll go.”
“Okay, the two of you could take the train back down.” Kris nodded. Zac leaned against the wall. “I just don’t like you telling him.”
“Oh, you’re just uptight about my whole situation with him.”
“You shouldn’t have a situation with him.” She started packing a few pairs of clothes. She knew she wouldn’t be there for more than two days, but she packed more than two outfits anyway. Mich packed too, but quicker than Kris did. Zac watched, his mind somewhere else. Of course, she has to come with me, tell Taylor and all hell just might break loose.
Michelle found herself driving Zac’s car, Kris and Zac sitting in the back, talking. She’d offered to drive, actually, knowing the two of them had a lot to talk about. She was aware of Kris’s lack of ability to drive and talk at the same time, and that day she’d just found out that Zac had the same problem.
She glanced at them through the rear-view mirror. They were just so perfect together, but they had it set in their minds that eventually they would break it. Michelle knew immediately who Kris would leave Zac for. And it would be Kris leaving Zac, not Zac leaving Kris. Kris would leave him for Taylor. Taylor and her would get together and ruin Michelle’s relationship with him.
But they’re so perfect together, why can’t they just get married and get it over with? They’re already going to have a kid together. And neither of them is strong enough to give it up for adoption. I know that. They’ll end up having to raise the baby together. I know why they won’t get married. She’s in love with my Taylor, and Zac knows it. I know it. She just doesn’t know it yet.
She sighed. In the back, Kris and Zac had stopped talking, and now Kris was lightly crying into Zac’s chest. He was holding onto her, trying to soothe her as he rubbed her back. Michelle immediately felt bad for her. She was going through so much at once. She’d just found out she was pregnant and had no time to let it sink in before she saw him. Zac being there wasn’t the best thing that could have popped up. It would even have been better if Taylor was there. At least Kris couldn’t be angry at Taylor. She didn’t sleep with him. She slept with Zac and now there was a price to pay.
The two hour car ride went by very slowly. Michelle was about ready to take a nap when they arrived at the hotel. Kris had fallen asleep, but Zac had been staring out the window the entire ride. They hadn’t said much to her, and barely anything to each other. Even though they had a lot to discuss, it was too much, too quickly.
“Kris, wake up, we’re here,” Zac said. He knew it was a lost cause. She wouldn’t wake up until they were inside the hotel, close to the room.. “Okay, I tried.” He got out of the car and picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist and her arms going around his neck. He found it amusing that she responded to him like that, yet she wouldn’t wake up enough to walk. At least, not at this point. He figured all these times she probably was awake; she just didn’t want to walk.
“Gimme her bag,” Zac said, holding out his hand.
“No, I got it. You’re carrying her.”
“I feel like I’m carrying my little sister around instead of a twenty-one year old.”
“Well, she can be a little kid at times. Are you okay carrying her upstairs?” Michelle asked. “There’s really not much I can do about it, but I thought I’d ask.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. She’ll wake up before we get in the room, though. She always does.”
“So you’ve done this before?”
“Numerous times.” Michelle smiled. “Let’s go.” They walked into the hotel. Zac, of course, got a few looks from the personnel (they didn’t like the fact that he was carrying a grown woman through their hotel). Michelle followed him around, not knowing at all where she was going. They reached the elevators, and luckily found one on the ground floor. Michelle wanted to get to sleep; that drive was too much for her, and she’d been tired the entire day.
“I have the room to myself, even though I’ve got two beds. I’m sharing one with Kris; Taylor might come in and sleep with you.” Michelle gave Zac a look. “I don’t know why he does it. He just doesn’t like knowing his girlfriend is sleeping alone. He always does it.”
“That’s great to hear.”
“It’s not like he does anything with any of them. Another reason is he really doesn’t care to sleep alone.”
“He’s not a virgin, is he?” Michelle asked.
“Almost.”
“Huh?”
“He’s only had sex once. And that’s with Kris. His only serious relationship was with Kris. He’s not the type to do very many people.” Michelle smiled. “Just don’t say anything. I don’t want him knowing that I go around telling people about his habits.”
“I won’t say anything.”
“So if he mentions he wants to sleep with you tonight, don’t freak. He just wants to actually sleep with you, not have sex with you.”
“Okay.” The elevator opened and they walked out. Zac looked down at Kris, as she stirred.
“Wake up, baby,” Zac said, lightly shaking her. Kris turned her head and looked up at Zac. “Hi.”
“How many times have you done this for me?”
“How many times have you fallen asleep in the car?” Zac said. “Come on, wake up. I know you want to talk to Taylor before you go back to sleep.” She yawned and let go of him, dropping down to her feet.
“I enjoy being carried around by you. It makes me look taller than I am.” He rolled his eyes. “Plus, you’re buff enough to carry me around.”
“Of course I am. I am a buff machine.” He flexed his arm. She smiled and kissed him. “Taylor’s room is right over there. Michelle and I will get settled in and see how you’re doing in a little bit.”
“Okay.” Kris walked over to the other room. She knocked on the door and poked her head in. “Hello?” Taylor walked out of the bathroom, clad in nothing but boxers, and jumped to see her there.
“Kris!” he squeaked. “What are you doing here?”
“Watching you walk around in your boxers.” He gave her a look and grabbed a robe. He put it on and walked over to her. “Someone buffed up.”
“Yeah, I’ve been going to the gym with Zac.”
“Gym?” Kris asked. “Lifting weights? You realize bodybuilders have to stuff their pants with socks when going on shows.”
“Shut up. Why are you here?” he asked, sensing the worry and fright in her. It was a thing he was good at; telling what emotions were going through her just by looking at her eyes. It was one of the few things he could do and Zac couldn’t. But then again, Zac always knew what mood she was in just by knowing how she reacted to certain situations.
“I have something I need to tell you, and I figure it would be better if I said it than having Zac tell you. You might have a few questions that he can’t answer, and I can. It’d probably be better if the both of us were in here, but now that I’m here I’m just going to say it.”
“What? What’s wrong?” She took in a deep breath.
“I’m pregnant.” Taylor’s face fell, and he didn’t even try to cover the hurt expression on his face. He took a moment to let it sink in. He thought up a few questions he wanted answered. “Yes, Zac’s the father.”
Instead of asking anything, though, Taylor put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. She allowed herself to cry. “I don’t what I’m going to do. Even if I am old enough for it not to be a disgrace, I’m still clueless on what I’m going to do. I want to give it up for adoption, but Taylor, I’m not strong enough to give up a child. I have all these new emotions running through me; I don’t know what they are. I just wish this never happened.”
Taylor lifted her chin. She looked up at him, her eyes connecting with his. “Everything is going to be alright. I know it is, because I know you are strong enough to make it through anything. Zac’s there for you, always. As much as I hate seeing you have a child with anyone besides me, he’s there for you as the father. And I’m going to be there for you, when he isn’t or when he’s not enough.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “What do you mean, me having a child with anyone besides you?”
“I always figured it would be you and me who had a family,” he said. “I’ve always wanted you to stay with me, but I’m learning to accept that we won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You’re not going to stay with Zac forever? You’re having his kid…” She shook her head.
“I’ll come around. I just have problems right now.” Taylor smiled and kissed her forehead. She took in a shaky breath, and found his lips on top of hers. She responded, not thinking about anything or anyone but him. The kiss grew more intense, their tongues dancing together, just like they had years before.
“Hey, are you guys…” Zac said, walking into the room with Michelle. He saw, clearly, Kris and Taylor making out. “Oh my God!!”
Kris pulled away from Taylor, looking Zac in the eyes. They glossed over, and he ran away.
“Zac!!”
Kris ran out of the room, nearly running over Michelle. She stood in shock, staring at Taylor. Taylor cursed and fell into a chair.
Zac! Zac wait up!” Kris yelled. Zac stopped and turned around.
“How could you, Kris? How could you do this to me? I can handle a kiss between friends, I can even handle that kiss you two had before, but I cannot handle you making out with him!! You’re supposed to be mine, not his. You’re supposed to love me and only me. Don’t go playing two people because you can’t choose. Do it right here, right now. Either pick me, pick him, or go back home with no one. I am NOT going to share you with anyone, and I am most definitely not going to share you with my brother!!” Zac screamed, tears rolling down his face.
She’d never seen him cry.
She’d known of him crying, she might have heard it, but she never, ever, saw him cry. The emotions spilled onto her. She backed away, putting her hands over her mouth.
“No!” Zac yelled. “You can’t cry! You have no reason to cry! You are a cruel, selfish bitch! You don’t care who you hurt, who you step on, as long as you’re happy, nothing else matters! You are so beautiful that you have men flocking around you so maybe they could get a taste of you, even if it takes stabbing me in the back while you’re doing it. You don’t care about me, you never cared about me! You were just obsessed with the idea of more than one person being in love with you. I hate myself for ever loving you, because I knew from the very beginning that you were going to do this to me. I knew from the first time I met you that you were trouble. But I continued to tell myself that if I ever got you, you’d stay with me and only me. That’s why I kept you and Taylor away from each other. I knew if you were around him, you’d forget all about me. I know he’s more important to you than I will ever be. I am your best friend, Kris. As much as I hate you right now, I AM your best friend. I know you more than anyone else does. And I always will. When we get through this, I will always and forever be your best friend. I will not always and forever remain your boyfriend. That’s why I want you to choose right now. If you can’t, I don’t want to be with you. If you choose him, more power to you, but I will know my relationship with you was just shit. If you choose me…I don’t know what I’ll do with you.” Zac wiped at his eyes, trying to maintain some dignity. “Who do you choose?”
“You.”
The answer was so quick, yet so unsure, that it caught Zac off guard.
“I’ll need some time to figure out if I believe you or not.”