Chapter nineteen:
Zac climbed into the back of the van next to Taylor.
”What’s up?” Zac asked, pulling his portable video game from his backpack.
”Nothing, why?” Taylor asked, squinting out the tinted windows as the van attempted to navigate through the mass of teenage girls.
”You were off tonight.” Zac said, not looking up.
”No, I wasn’t.” Taylor was lying. He had been entirely off throughout the entire show and he hated himself for it. He had been entirely confused about the situation with Jenna and although he had attempted to avoid her all day, he couldn’t keep himself from thinking about her.
”It’s true, Taylor.” Isaac spoke up from the front seat. “You missed a few lyrics of ‘Look At You’.”
Taylor sighed. “I’m just tired, okay?”

“Are you sure you’re just tired, or is it a girl problem?” Isaac inquired, turning in his seat.
Zac snickered.
”I didn’t mean that.” Isaac clarified. “I meant is it an issue with someone you have a crush on or someone who likes you?”
”I don’t have a crush on her.” Taylor said quickly, then added. “Errr… I mean, nothing… it’s nothing, okay? Just forget about it.”

“Are you sure?” Isaac asked.

“More importantly, who is it?” Zac asked.
”No one.” Taylor glared at Zac.
”Ahh… so it is someone.” Isaac mused.
”Look, drop it okay? It’s nothing.” Taylor lowered his sunglasses over his eyes and put his head back against the headrest on the seat. He crossed his arms over his chest, signifying the end of the conversation.
”I’m so glad we’re going back to LA for a couple days. And it's so awesome that Luke is coming to visit for a week... I miss hanging out with Luke...” Zac added.
”Don’t forget about Becky…” Isaac warned.
”I know. There’s so much I want to show her, like the arcade and Bubba’s Burger Joint and the paintball arena…”
Taylor opened one eye and glared at Zac. “Oh yeah, you really understand women!”
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Jenna finished applying the last coat of berry colored nail polish on her toenails.
She extended her legs out in front of her and admired her artwork.
Becky had gone to bed shortly after Zac had came in to say good night to her, and Jenna found herself unable to sleep.
There was an early departure to LA the next morning, and Jenna assumed she could just as well sleep on the bus.
Jenna got up from the sofa and walked out onto the balcony, leaning heavily on the railing.
The city lights twinkled around her, and the distant sounds of sirens and honking horns floated around in the thick city air.
Jenna sighed.
She knew by the way Taylor was looking at her that he liked her.
She’d just gotten out of an entire string of bad relationships, and she was only fifteen. She already felt like giving up on the idea of relationships entirely.
Jenna liked Taylor. He was sweet and charming and sexy… but so was her last boyfriend, and that turned out to be a train wreck.
And to be honest, she liked Taylor better as a friend.
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Christy slowly opened the door to Ike‘s hotel room with the spare key card he’d given her. She was already in her pajamas, but she couldn’t sleep at all. She looked down at her tight tank top and skimpy cotton shorts. Maybe if things went well, he'd notice.
She knew she’d fall right asleep if she was in his arms… she just hoped he wasn’t mad because it was 2:30am and he definitely was not a morning person.
She found her way into the pitch-black bedroom, stumbling over heaps of clothing.
She gently tapped him on the shoulder, being extra careful not to scratch him with her nails. “Baby?”
He and rolled over onto his back “Christy? Are you ok?”
“Yeah.” She sat on the edge of the bed carefully.
“What’s wrong?” He squinted to see her through the darkness.
“Nothing... I just can’t sleep. Can I climb in bed with you?”
He lifted up the covers for her “Climb in, C.”
She climbed over him and laid down, resting her head on his bare chest and tangling her smooth legs with his. She snuggled into his warm body.
He gently brushed her hair from her face and sighed heavily.
He’d never had a girl in his bed before, especially a girl as hot as Christy was. She was completely amazing in every way possible.
His fingertips gently slid up and down her spine. "Why can't you sleep, C?"
"I don't know,” She listened to the steady beat of his heart, "I just like lying next to you."
He smiled. "I like lying next to you too." He wrapped both his arms around her slender body and pulled her closer.
He realized how little they both were wearing. She was only wearing a tight tank and shorts and he was in his boxers. But he was still comfortable and happy to be with her.
She sighed heavily, her eyes fluttering closed.
"Want me to sing to you?"
"Do you mind?"
"Of course not. What song?"
"Anything." She breathed. “I just like your voice.”

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