The next morning, Taylor woke up early despite his late night. He got dressed quickly and ate a Pop Tart before leaving a note on the inside of his parents door, telling them where he would be, and walking out the front door quietly so he didn't wake any slumbering family members. He breathed in the moisture in the air and glided a hand briskly across the slightly damp grass as he walked down the driveway. He made his way across the road, in no particular hurry. He stepped up onto Nell's porch and rang the doorbell, hoping Nell was already awake. As he waited for someone to answer, he checked himself in the glass on one side of the door. His pants looked nice and smooth, not too tight despite the fact that they were leather, and smiled at his reflection. His shirts looked nice, black tee under a white sweater-type, long-sleeved shirt.

He deemed himself nice looking and straightened just as the door swung open and Nell peered out at him, looking a little less than pleasant considering it was nine o'clock in the morning. He smiled at her as she opened the door and motioned for him to come in. He stepped inside and followed her into her living room. She sat down on the couch and looked at him expectantly.

"I was just wondering if you would like to go with me to this place just outside of Tulsa and hang out all day. It's a really beautiful place and it's not that far from here. So, would you?" he put on his most charming smile and hoped for the best. She stood up and smiled at him. She didn't give him any indication of her answer as she left the room. She came back about fifteen minutes later, fully dressed and ready to go. "I'll take that as a yes. Do you want to tell your parents or leave a note or something?" he stood up and followed her to the front hall where she grabbed her jacket from the hall closet and handed him a piece of paper and a pen. "Am I supposed to write a note?"

She smiled and waited for him to start writing. He nodded and looked down at the paper. He began to scribble in his messy handwriting:

Mr., and Mrs. Krontle, I'm taking Nell to a place outside of Tulsa (not too far outside) for the day. We'll be back by seven, I promise. Nell didn't want to wake you up to tell you. If you want anything, you can beep me at 314-1983. Don't worry about Nell, I'll take good care of her. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Taylor Hanson

He handed the note to Nell. She read it, approved, and placed it on a table by the door. Then, she led him out of the house and waited to see what he was going to do. He took her hand and led her over to his four-wheel-drive, parked behind Isaac's Beetle. He opened the passenger side door for her and then, walked around to the other side and got in. He smiled at her as he turned the car on and drove down the street.

He took her to a place his grandfather used to take him when he was younger and needed someone to talk to besides one of his brothers, before his grandfather moved to Florida to retire. The place was beautiful, just as Taylor had said. It was a small oasis type clearing in the middle of a forest. To one side of the clearing there was a small creek that led into the forest. There were wild flowers growing everywhere. And there was enough room for the sun to shine down, gleaming across the clear creek water. When Taylor brought her to it, Nell let out a small gasp of amazement, her eyes shining brightly, before giving Taylor a hug and a kiss on the cheek and running over to sit on the bank of the creek. He smiled and sat down next to her, trying his best not to show that he was worried about his pants getting dirty.

"Do you like it?" She looked at him and smiled. "Me too. My grandpa used to take me here when I wanted to talk to him. He was always a better listener than Ike or Zac. Too bad he went to Florida. I miss him..." Taylor continued to tell Nell all about his grandfather. She seemed to be very interested in everything he had to say. He liked that and continued talking.

Zac woke up at around ten and grabbed some clothes and ate breakfast with the rest of his family. He noticed Taylor's absence and put down his fork. "Where's Tay?" he asked.

"He left a note saying he was going somewhere today. He couldn't say where because apparently, we don't know the place. He said he'd be back by seven, seven-thirty." Diana said as she cut Zoe's pancake into bite-sized pieces for her to eat.

"Weird. I'm going over to see Nell. Thanks for breakfast. It was good." he smiled, placed his plate in the sink, and left the house, hurrying over to Nell's house.

"Good morning, Zac. Nell's not here. Taylor took her somewhere early this morning." Bev said as she opened the screen door to talk to Zac.

"He did? Where'd he take her?" Zac was perplexed by this.

"He didn't say in the note. They left before we woke up. He left this note if it helps you any." She handed him the note Taylor had left. He read it quickly, shock and anger growing in him.

"Thanks, Mrs. Krontle. I have to go." he darted across the street and burst into the house, slamming the door behind him. Isaac, a bit alarmed by the sound of the front door slamming, came to investigate.

"What's wrong, Zac?" he asked as he tried to wipe his hands from the water he had been rinsing the dishes with.

"He's moving in on her! I'm going to kill him! She's mine! I told him she was mine! What does he think he's doing?!" Zac exclaimed before throwing his jacket in the hall closet and storming into his room, slamming every door in his path. Isaac slowly followed, now more perplexed than ever.

"Zac, who is stealing your woman?" he asked, humor prevalent in his tone at the thought of Zac having a woman.

"Tay! He's moving in on Nell! He took her somewhere! For the ENTIRE day!" Zac exclaimed, throwing himself on Taylor's bed (his was already stored underneath) in despair.

"Really? Tay took Nell somewhere and didn't consult you first? That's odd." Isaac raised a brow and looked at his brother's depressive-looking form, sprawled out on his other brother's bed. "Okay, so Tay betrays you and you're laying on his bed? How weird is that?" Zac's head popped up.

"I couldn't exactly fling myself onto your bed! And mine's under there already!" Zac pointed under the bed and frowned at Isaac.

"I guess not. You could have flung yourself onto the floor."

"Too damn hard." Zac grumbled as he buried his head in his brother's pillow.

"You are one strange little man."

"Didn't you figure that out a couple years ago? God, I even knew that one, Ike." Zac gave Isaac a look before burring his face in the pillow again. Diana came in the room, took one look at Zac, and frowned.

"What's wrong with him now? Did Nell stop nodding or something?" she asked, a little more than tired of Zac's never ending mood swings.

"How would I know? She's off with my wonderful brother, Taylor." Zac grumbled.

"Really? That's odd. I thought he said you told him you loved her."

"I did. That's why I'm slamming doors and flinging myself on beds."

"Well, I'll talk to him when he gets home. Don't you even think about it, Zachary. You talk to him and you'll get into another stupid fight with him." she gave him a warning look before leaving the room.

"Don't even think about it, Zachary." Zac mimicked his mother angrily.

"Zac, Mom's right. Don't talk to Tay. Let Mom do it. You'll end up getting really mad and doing something stupid." Isaac said as he scooted onto the edge of his brother's bed.

"Thanks for the support, Ike."

"Zac, I'm serious. You always do something stupid when you're pissed. That's just what you do when you're mad and it's not a good habit. So, don't talk to Tay. Hey, you can give him the silent treatment for awhile." he suggested, nudging Zac's foot. "And take off your shoes before Mom has a fit." Zac sat up and grudgingly took his shoes off before spreading out on Taylor's bed again.

"He'll be wishing I had given him the silent treatment when I'm done with him." he growled.

"Okay, I'm just plain stupid. I forgot to make us anything for lunch. Come on. We'll get something in town, no biggy." Taylor stood up, brushed his pants off while checking for grass stains, and led Nell back to his car. He helped her in and walked around and got inside. He turned the car on and carefully backed out of the clearing and on to the small dirt road that led to Route 44. They drove into Tulsa and Taylor went to a little restaurant up-town. Taylor turned the car off and turned to Nell.

"This place okay?" he asked. She smiled and nodded. His eyes grew wide. Then, a grin spread across his face. �Watch out, Zacky boy! She's mine!' he thought as he helped her out of the car and walked into the restaurant. After they had had lunch, they drove back to the clearing and sat and Taylor talked about various things until it reached about seven and they drove back into town. Taylor took her home and then, went over to his house.

Zac was sitting in the front hall when he walked in the door. Taylor looked at his feet and hung his coat up. "Hey, Zac." he mumbled, making no eye contact.

"Hey. Have fun with Nell?" Zac asked coldly.

"Yeah. I took her to this really pretty place outside of town and we talked all day. It was nice." he smiled a little and ventured to look Zac in the eye. Zac's eyes were icy. Taylor could tell he was very angry. "Look Zac. Don't get mad at me just because I went out with a girl you like."

"And forgot to mention that you were going to do so." Zac stated coldly.

"Yeah, well. I.. you weren't awake when I left the house so I didn't bother." Taylor started to walk out of the room, wanting to get away from his brother. Zac jumped up and quickly pulled him back.

"I don't think so. You're not getting off that quickly. You asked out a girl you know I'm in love with and then, didn't even bother to tell me you were going to do it. What were you thinking? I'd let it slide? I don't think so. You are going down. And don't even think that I won't try to kill you because this is something that is worth killing you for." Zac glared at him and started to walk away.

"What are you going to do? Kill me with a butter knife? Zac, get over it. I asked her out, she said yes, we went on a date. And you know what Zac?"

"What, Tay?" Zac growled as he turned around.

"I do believe I met Nell first. I also believe I was the one to comfort her first. You have nothing on me because guess what, Zac. She started nodding when I ask her questions too. You're screwed Zac. She's mine." he returned Zac's glare before walking proudly to his room and shutting the door behind him. He counted backwards quietly and just as he said "One", Zac burst through the door.

"What the Hell, Tay?! Why do you want her?! What do you have against me that you want to deprive me of the girl I love?!" he yelled at Taylor as he waved his hands around in anger.

"Zac, you don't love anyone but Mom and Dad. You are fourteen, way too young to love anyone but your parents. You just think you're in love with her. You're really just delusional." Taylor said coldly as he sat down on his bed and grabbed a magazine to read.

"Would you two stop fighting?! I don't want Zac running out of the house again. Taylor, I have to talk to you." Diana exclaimed as she came through the door and put her hands on her hips. Taylor's head dropped in shame as he followed his mother into the kitchen. "Taylor, why did you ask out Zac's little girlfriend?" she asked calmly as she sat down with him at the kitchen table.

"Mom, I like Nell too. And they aren't even going out or Nell wouldn't have gone with me this morning."

"You have a very good point there. But, don't you want someone your own age? It's not like you couldn't find someone."

"I don't care if Nell's my age or not. I like her. And Zac isn't really in love with her. He just thinks he is."

"You bring up very good points, Tay. I'll have to think this one over for a few days."

"Why? It's not like you can stop me. You're not gonna change my mind and you and Dad said that you wouldn't restrict who we dated as long as the relationship was clean and the girl wasn't a skin head or something. Nell isn't a skin head and the farthest we've gone is holding hands."

"Yet another good point. Okay, you can do whatever you want with this. Just remember that Zac has feelings and you don't want to hurt them because he's your brother."

"I know. I'll try not to, but he can be so sensitive sometimes."

"So can you."

"That's your genes."

"Is that a bad thing? You have a lot of my genes in you."

"A couple I don't want."

"Like what?"

"I look too much like you. People mistake me for a girl."

"Taylor, they're joking with you because they don't like the music. You know they know you're a boy. And if they don't, they're not worth it." she smiled and ruffled his hair.

"You're right. Did we eat yet?"

"Yes. You missed your father's spaghetti."

"Darn." he frowned before standing up and going over to the refrigerator. "Are there any left over of it?"

"Tay, do we ever have left overs in this house?"

"No."

"Make yourself a sandwich or something."

"If there's any food left to make a sandwich." he smirked and searched in the refrigerator for sandwich meat. He made a sandwich and went into the living room to watch television. Zac sat on the couch, angrily flipping through the channels. When he saw Taylor come in, he glared at him and turned the channels quicker.

"Hey, Zac." Taylor sat down next to his brother and began to quietly munch on his sandwich. Zac didn't say anything. "Okay, I'm used to quiet today. I'll just act like you're Nell." he smiled and watched the people fly by on the television screen.

"Hey, Tay. How was your day?" Isaac asked as he came in and sat in the chair in the corner.

"Great! I had fun." Taylor smiled as Isaac and finished off his sandwich.

"That's good. Zac giving you the silent treatment?"

"Yep,"

"Oh well."

"Yep,"

"At least it'll be a little quieter around here."

"Yep."

"Ike, I'm talking to everyone else, just not Tay." Zac stated as he stopped channel surfing and put the remote on the coffee table.

"Oh, damn." Isaac frowned for a second before turning to the television and watching a couple yell at each other in Spanish.

The next morning, Zac woke up at 8:00 AM sharp, determined to spend the day with Nell. He got ready quietly so as not to wake his brothers. Then, he grabbed a quick breakfast, told Diana (who was already up) where he was going and walked over to Nell's house. He knocked on the door and waited for someone to open it. A tap on the shoulder made him jump. He turned around to see Nell grinning at him.

"Where'd you come from?" he asked, still a little stunned. Nell led him to the backyard. He noticed she was clad in dirty over-alls and an old t-shirt, her hair up in a messy bun. When they reached the backyard, Zac figured out why she was dressed the way she was. There were flats of flowers scattered in various places about the yard and Bev was kneeling over a newly dug-up flower bed, digging a hole to plant a petunia plant in. He smiled, remembering that his mother hadn't started her garden yet. "Is it gardening day today or something?" he asked, a little humor in his voice.

"Zac! You scared me! When did you get here?" Bev asked, grabbing her chest and bolting off the ground.

"I just got here a few seconds ago and can I help you garden?" he asked, smiling.

"If you want to we could sure use the help."

"I'd love to. Mom hasn't started her garden yet but I always help her with it when she does have one."

"Good, then, you're experienced with gardening. Nell will show you what to do." Bev kneeled back down and began to plant again. Nell showed Zac what to do and they began to plant while Zac and Bev chatted about various things.

When Zac came home that night, just a bit more than dirty, Diana just rolled her eyes and sent him to go take a shower and change clothing before dinner.

After dinner, Taylor snuck into the garage with the portable phone, made sure the door was closed, and began to dial Nell's phone number before realizing that it would be useless to call her if she still wouldn't talk. He frowned and put the phone down. Then, he skillfully snuck out of the house so Zac wouldn't see him and walked over to Nell's house. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. Nell opened the door and smiled at him.

"Hey. How are you?" Nell's smile widened. "I'll take that as a �I'm doing great, Taylor.'" he grinned. "So, I was wondering if you weren't busy tomorrow if maybe you'd like to go to the mall or something. Would you?" he bit his lower lip in anticipation. Nell nodded. "Really? Cool. I'll come over and pick you up at around eleven. Is that okay?" She nodded again. "Okay cool. Well, I gotta go before someone notices I'm gone and Zac gets mad at me again. Bye." he leaned over and kissed her cheek before hurrying home. He snuck back in the house and went to his room.

Zac was stretched out on his (Zac's) bed, drawing in a notebook. "Hey Zac." Taylor said as he pulled off his shoes and sat on his bed. Zac eyed him and went back to his drawing. "This is getting old. I like Nell. I asked her out. She said yes. I mean, have you ever considered the fact that she said yes. What does that tell you? She could have said no. But she said yes (sort of) which indicates that she might possibly like someone other than you." Zac just looked at him blankly and went back to work again. "Fine, be an ass. See what I care. I asked her out again and she said yes again. And we're going to the mall tomorrow. What do you have to say about that?" Zac didn't even bother to look up this time. Taylor smiled victoriously and pulled his book out. He flipped to the page that was marked and began to read.

"Would you guys talk to each other? God! You're both getting on my nerves!" Isaac exclaimed angrily as he pulled at his hair. His brothers' silent treatment was giving him a headache. He had spent two days communicating things like �Tay, Zac would like his pillow back.' and �Zac, Tay isn't going to give you your pillow back until you start talking to him again.' and it was driving him crazy.

"Talk to Zac. I'm trying to talk to him but he just gives me evil looks." Taylor stated as he looked up from his book.

"I know that. I just am sick and tired of communicating for the two of you to each other. It's just a stupid girl! I mean, she doesn't even talk for Christ's sake!" Isaac threw his arms up in protest.

"Shut up!" Zac and Taylor shouted in unisons as they both stood up in anger. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Zac, let's just give this up. I mean, we both like Nell. Why don't we just let her decide?"

"Fine. I'm sorry I yelled at you and stuff. And I'm sorry I haven't talked to you for three and a half days."

"I'm sorry I asked Nell out and didn't tell you."

"Okay, now that that is settled, are you going to talk to each other again?" Isaac asked hopefully.

"Yep." Zac stated as he began to walk out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Isaac asked as he watched him leave.

"Kitchen," Zac called over his shoulder, already half way down the hallway. Isaac nodded and turned back to the computer. He didn't notice Zac slip out the front door or hear the door close.

Zac walked quickly over to Nell's house and walked around to the side of the house, knowing her parents weren't home. He peeked in her bedroom window and spotted her on her bed, curled up in a blanket and staring straight at the wall and not paying any attention to Zac who was waving his arms in front of a window. He sighed and tugged at the window, willing it to open. It was unlocked so it easily slid open. He smile in satisfaction and climbed through the window. Nell still wasn't paying attention to him.

"Nell? Hey, what are you doing?" he asked as he sat down next to her small form. She shook her head absently and looked up at him. The instant she recognized it was him, her face lit up in a smile and she grabbed him around the waist in a tight hug. "Hey, what's up with you? What were you doing?" he whispered in her ear as he held her. She just looked up at him, sadness in her eyes. He understood at once and remained quiet, knowing she didn't want him to talk at that moment. He held her for a few more moments before venturing to speak again. "Nell, it's okay. I'm here," he whispered. He couldn't see her face because it was buried in his stomach but he could feel her shoulders lightly shaking and his shirt began to get a little damp. "Shh, don't cry... it's okay.." She sobbed loudly and tightened her grip around his waist. He began to softly smooth down her hair, racking his brain for something comforting to say to her. When he couldn't think of anything, he just held her for awhile.

When Zac felt her stop crying and heard her soft breathing, he gently laid her down on the bed and put the covers over her. Then, he began to sneak back to the window. He heard a faint whimper from behind him and turned around to see Nell awake and reaching for him. He sighed and laid next to her, putting his arms around her for comfort. She squeezed him tight and fell back asleep. Knowing he wasn't going anywhere for awhile, Zac closed his eyes and fell asleep also.

"Walker, have you seen Zac anywhere?" Diana asked Walker as she walked into the living room where he was playing with Mackenzie.

"Um... no. I haven't seen him since dinner. Come to think of it, it has been a little quieter in the past couple hours."

"Hey, Mom? Where did Zac go? He said he was going to the kitchen and he hasn't come back yet and that was two hours ago. Now, I know Zac likes to eat but he can't eat that much and he's not in the kitchen anyway." Taylor rambled as he entered the room by the same door Diana had entered in.

"I was just asking your father that. So, you haven't seen him either?"

"Nope."

"Where could he be?"

"Try Nell's. That's where he usually is." Jessica said as she passed through the hall outside of the room.

"Good idea, Jess..." Taylor went into the kitchen and picked up the wall phone, dialing Nell's number. He waited for someone to pick up but after the eighth ring, he gave up and put the phone back in it's cradle. He frowned and went back into the living room. "No luck. No one was home." he stated as he sat down next to Diana on the couch.

"That's odd. I wonder where he could be."

"Check the tree house." Mackenzie stated without even looking up from his Lego castle.

"Good idea, Mac. Why do all my siblings but me know where I can find Zac? Is that just a gene I got gypped on or something?" Taylor mumbled as he made his way outside to the backyard and climbed into the treehouse only to find it empty. "Okay... great... Where is he?" he mumbled to himself as he climbed back down and wandered into the house.

"Still no luck?" Diana asked as she looked up at him.

"Nope. Where is he?!" Taylor exclaimed, frustrated beyond belief.

"Check Mike's house." Walker said.

"Why did I miss that gene?!" Taylor muttered as he made his way back to the kitchen. He dialed Zac's friend, Mike's, number and waited for someone to answer.

"Hello?" Mike's mother said.

"Hi. This is Taylor Hanson. Is Zac over there? We can't find him."

"Um.. one moment. I'll ask Mike." He heard the sound of the phone being set down and the sound of muffled voices. "Mike says he hasn't seen him for over two weeks."

"Really? Thanks. I have to call some other people so, I have to go."

"Okay. We'll call you if we see him. Good luck."

"Thanks. Bye." Taylor hung up and sighed heavily. He racked his brain for someone else to call. A thought popped up in his mind and he smiled, placing the phone back on the cradle. "Maybe I did get that gene." he muttered as he walked back into the living room. "He wasn't at Mike's but I think I know where he is. I'll be back in a minute."

He walked out of the house and across the street. He began to ring Nell's door bell and waited. No answer. He rang it again, a little longer this time. Still, no answer. He sighed and walked around to the side of the house and peeked into Nell's window. He spotted Zac sleeping soundly next to Nell on her bed. Taylor tapped on the glass of the window and waited a minute. Neither of the sleeping figures moved. Taylor sighed and reached up to pull open the window. It easily slid open and he climbed inside the room. He snuck over to the bed and put his lips up to Zac's ear, a smile on his face.

"ZAC! WAKE UP!" he shouted into Zac's ear. Zac jumped up in surprise and looked around until his eyes rested on Taylor who was laughing hysterically.

"Tay! What are you doing in here?!" Zac exclaimed, jumping off the bed.

"I couldn't find you anywhere so I thought maybe you were over here and you just weren't answering the phone." Taylor stated after calming down a bit. He noticed Nell had sat up and was watching him curiously.

"So you decided to come and get me?" Zac said angrily.

"Yep."

"You are an idiot. What do you want?"

"Were you planning on spending the night here? Because I don't think Bev or Ryan would like it very much if they found their daughter in bed with the boy across the street." Taylor smirked.

"We weren't doing anything. Nell fell asleep so I stayed with her." Zac stated as he sat down on the bed, a little calmer now.

"Yeah well.. you coming home soon?"

"Eventually."

"Strange. I'll tell Mom you're coming home soon. Be back before midnight or Mom will come to get you. Wait, scratch that, she'll send me over to get you. You don't want me back." Taylor gave him a threatening glare before heading to the window. He had one foot outside before changing his mind and climbing back in. He walked over to the bed and before Zac could do anything, he kissed Nell's cheek and whispered good night to her. Then, he left without another word.

Zac glared at him until he was out of view and then, turned to Nell only to find her grinning and holding her cheek where Taylor had kissed it. He scowled and looked away. "Do you like Tay?" he asked bluntly, tired of dancing around the question every time he saw her. He felt the bed creek as she got up and scooted closer to him. She grabbed his hand and made him look her in the eyes. Then, she waved her hand in mid-air, signaling that she did and didn't. This only frustrated Zac. "You know what would make this conversation better?" he asked, trying to hide his frustration. Nell looked at him curiously and shook her head. "You..." he stood up and turned around to look her in the eyes, his frustration quickly turning to anger, "TALKING!" he shouted. Nell crouched back in fear. Her eyes began to fill with tears. "Until you do, I'm going. Call me when you start talking." he said coldly as he began to climb out of the window.

As soon as it was shut, he broke down, sliding down the siding to the grass and whimpering like a small child. "Why did I say that? I'm so stupid." he muttered to himself as he fought to wipe the tears away. They just kept flowing down his cheeks in a hot stream. He sucked in breath after breath, trying to calm down. He wasn't aware of it but Taylor had been hiding in a bush in the back yard, waiting for him to come outside.

Now, Taylor stood up and walked over to his brother, crouching down to pull him into a comforting hug. "Shh, it's okay Zac. What happened?" he whispered as his mother used to do to him when he was crying.

"I... I.. yelled at her! I shouldn't have yelled at her, Tay. I can't believe I did that!" Zac whimpered as he held onto Taylor's arm for support.

"It's okay, Zac. You're emotionally distressed. Come on. You can talk to Mom. She always makes things better." Taylor helped Zac stand and helped him back to their house. As soon as Diana heard the door open, she came into the front hall.

"Zac? What's wrong, Sweetie?" she asked in concern as Taylor helped him over to the couch in the living room. He was still crying and wasn't paying a bit of attention as to where Taylor was bringing him. He was aware that Diana was now holding him and that she was asking him questions but, her words wouldn't register in his mind. "Zac? Why are you crying? Where have you been? Did someone try to kidnap you?! Zac! Answer me!" she snapped in concern. Zac wiped a few tears away as he began to get control back. He sucked in a long breath and exhaled. Then, he turned to Diana and began to speak.

"Mom, I yelled at her. I yelled at her for not talking. I made her cry. I.. I.. think I... I think I was stupid enough to break-up with her." he whispered, trying to stay calm.

"Zac, break-up with who? I didn't know you were dating anyone." Diana brushed hair away from Zac's face and rested her palm on his cheek, a small hint of a smile on her face.

"Nell!" he said as he threw his hands up.

"Nell? Zac, I didn't know you had asked her out yet."

"He didn't. He just thinks he ended their friendship." Taylor stated from his place, standing with his arms crossed on the other side of the coffee table.

"Yeah. How'd you know?" Zac asked as he looked up at Taylor.

"You mumbled it on our way over here." Taylor smiled and rocked back on his heels.

"Oh. Well, I did. I ruined it for us! And the fact that we're leaving to tour in tomorrow doesn't help me at all." Zac whined as he buried his face in Diana's shoulder and began to cry again.

"Why's Zac crying?" Isaac asked as he came into the room.

"He had a fight with Nell." Taylor stated.

"How can you fight with that girl? She doesn't talk!" Isaac looked perplexed.

"SHUT UP!" Zac shouted at him, still in tears.

"It's a long story."

"One I'd like to hear. Shoot." Isaac sat in a chair to the right of the couch and folded his hands in his lap, an interested look on his face.

"Not now. Zac can tell it when he stops crying (if he ever stops crying). Thanks for mentioning the tour, Zac. I have to start packing." Taylor smiled and reached over to touch Zac's shoulder. "Hey, don't cry. It'll be okay. We'll come back from the tour and she'll be all over it and you'll be friends again." he patted Zac's arm and walked out of the room to pack.

Taylor sat on a bench and thought about Nell and Zac and contimplated what he was going to do about both. He'd been there for a couple hours. All of the sudden out of nowhere someone punched him hard in the jaw. He turned around and receved another punch in the jaw. He fell back, onto the ground, as he fell he saw Zac standing behind the bench. Within seconds, Zac had jumped the bench and was stardling him, punching him again and again. Taylor thought he was going to die. Everything hurt. He was too weak to even fight back so he just laid there and took blow after blow, the pain increasing with each one. Finally, after what seemed like years but was probably only a few minutes, Zac stopped and stood up, glaring down at Taylor who was in too much pain to even think about moving.

"What was that for?" Taylor mumbled, struggling with the pain. Zac just glared down at him.

Taylor sat up in bed, sweating like crazy. He panted for a minute before calming down and laying back down in bed. It had only been a dream. He sighed and closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

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