Zac must have had an early flight because when I came home from school he was sleeping on my bed. I set down all my bags and went to take a shower to rinse off the chlorine from swim practice. He was still asleep when I got out so I shoved him over and curled up next to him, falling asleep almost instantly because of the hard practice I had had.

When I woke up, Zac was awake and watching television. He looked down at me and grinned, "You're awake!"

"Yeah.. How was your flight?"

"Okay... there were a couple of fans on the plane and they wouldn't leave me alone so I went to sleep to block them out."

"Smart you."

"I try.. Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything."

"Okay. Sheila mentioned something the other day that kind of took me by surprise. She told me that you and Tay were kissing. Which made me laugh. I mean, you and Tay hate each other, right? But then, I started thinking how Tay's always calling you and stuff and I started thinking maybe she was telling me the truth. She wasn't, was she?"

I froze, not expecting this. The last thing I wanted to do was lie to him but I couldn't tell him the truth. He'd probably hate me forever. I decided the best thing to do was lie even though I felt guilty doing it. "No... of course not..." I didn't look at him as I said this, afraid he would be able to see in my eyes that I was lying to him.

"That's what I thought." I could tell from his voice that he was just the slightest bit skeptical and I could see why seeing as my voice was a little shaky and I wasn't looking it him.

"I'm gonna go check my mail, okay?"

"Sure, I think I'll go back to La-la land. I'm so-o-o-o tired."

"Goodnight." I stood up and began to leave the room.

"�Night.." He laid down and closed his eyes. I could hear his familiar snores within minutes. I slipped out of the room and into the spare room where the computer was and picked up the phone, not intending to check my mail at all. I dialed the Hansons' number, praying to God that anyone under the age of twelve (well, frankly, I was hoping Zoe would) answered so I wouldn't have to explain why I was calling Taylor. It was the one Hanson sibling I dreaded talking to.

"Hello?" Jessica said in a snobbish sort of voice.

"Hi, Jessica, is Taylor there?"

"What do you want?" She was just so charming (YEAH RIGHT).

"I want to talk to Taylor."

"You hate Taylor."

"So?"

"Well, he's busy right now... I'll have him call you back later.. Maybe." I heard someone move in the background.

"I am not.. give me the phone." It was Taylor. "Hello?"

"I can not believe you. You're such an dumbass!" I exclaimed softly so as not to wake up Zac.

"What'd I do? I've been being a good boy for once."

"For once.. Whatever, why did slut-girl tell Zac? Hmm?"

"He's not pissed, is he?"

"I told him it didn't happen."

"I don't know why Sheila told him. I haven't been cheating on her. I've been hanging out with my guy friends."

"Woah.. you have friends?"

"Watch it."

"Sorry, I'm just a little pissed."

"Did he believe you?"

"Yeah."

"Then, what's the problem?"

"I don't feel comfortable lying to him.. He's my best friend."

"Don't worry about it. He's my brother and I do it all the time."

"Yeah but you're always fighting with him. He trusts me. I don't want to lie to him."

"He's not going to find out so what does it matter?"

"I just don't like it."

"Would you rather tell him that when he thought we were fighting, we were really making out?"

"We kissed, that doesn't constitute �making out'."

"What would you call the broom closet then?"

"Don't ever bring that up again."

"Whatever you say."

"So, you didn't cheat on her?"

"No. I didn't get a chance."

"Then, why'd she tell?"

"I don't know. This is Sheila we're talking about. She could have any number of motives. She could hate you because she knows I lo�- always fight with you. Or maybe she hates Zac for some unknown reason. Or maybe this is her little way of getting back at me for cheating on her so many times.. I have no idea."

I was alarmed for a second, not by the fact Sheila had it out against me (I knew that). I was alarmed by what I thought he had been about to say. "What were you going to say?" I asked rather quickly.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, nevermind.. I have to go. This is costing me."

"Okay, bye." I hung up and went to bed, shoving Zac over so I could sleep. I was too tired and confused to bother with waking him up and telling him to go to the spare room. My dad wouldn't care anyway, we weren't doing anything.


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