(5)
“I hate planes, I hate planes, I hate planes, I hate planes I hate-”
“I guess you don’t like planes?” “Gee, how’d you figure that one out little guy?” David smiled shyly. “You keep saying it.” Jaclyn smiled at the adorable little boy sitting beside her. “I have so. I’m Jaclyn but you can call me Jack. What’s your name?” “David. I don’t like planes either.” He paused, creasing his tiny eyebrows in thought. “You have a boys name. I have a cousin called Jack. He’s 10.” “Yeah I do, but it’s only a nickname. Why do you not like planes?” “Because I sometimes get sick.” Ah, airsickness…she could relate with that one. Her father almost always suffered from that. “Why don’t you like planes?” Because they cost too much and aren’t very reliable and not very good for the environment “I don’t like height.” She lied, smiling to herself. “You’re not here alone are you?” “No, I’m with my mommy and daddy and my two sisters. I let them sit together in front of us.” He grinned proudly at his own generosity. “That’s very nice of you. And now you can keep me company too. How old are you David?” He stretched out his right hand. “I’m six. I go to school.” “Yeah? Do you like it?” “Lots. All my friends are there. Are you going to Tulsa too?” “Yeah, to visit my dad.” “You don’t live with your daddy?” Jaclyn smiled sadly “Nah…why are you off to Tulsa li’l buddy?” “To visit my nana. She’s very sick.” The little eyes clouded over. “Aw…I’m sorry David, I hope she gets better soon. Say, you wanna make her a get well soon card? I have paper and crayons with me.” David’s little face immediately brightened. “Sure!”=+=
“Oh dear, what a mix up…” Diana chuckled as Paul told of the confusion with his daughter. He was once again invited to dinner at the Hanson household, before he went t pick up his daughter. “Yeah…I need to pick her up at 11pm. Poor thing had to wait at the airport for about four hours for her flight.” “Hey can I go too?” Zac asked brightly at the prospect of having something to do. Walker shook his head. “I think not, Jack would be tired after her flight and she’ll probably want to hit the sack as soon as possible.” “Aw man…” “Well, you could always crash at my place, I have a spare room. More recording tomorrow anyway.” Paul offered to the crestfallen look on Zac’s face, which cleared up again. He turned to his mother with the most pathetic face he could pull. Diana sighed. “Alright. But only Zac.” She said as the girls opened their mouths. They slumped back at the missed chance.=+=
“Well David, I guess we better say goodbye.” Jaclyn crouched down to the boy’s height. “But I want you to come with us.” He whined, pulling on her hand. She smiled, glancing up at his parents who returned her smile. “That would be really cool, but I have to go because my dad is waiting for me.” “Do you promise to come visit?” Jaclyn patted her pocket where his mother had written down the address they would be staying at. “I have your address right here, I promise.” “Okay then I guess you can go to your daddy.” David sighed reluctantly, wrapping his little arms around her neck. “Bye Jackie” “Bye David, and say hi to your nana for me alright?” “Okay.” Jaclyn stood up. “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Murphy. All my condolences to your family.” “Thank you Jaclyn, you look after yourself too. We’ll see you later.” Jane Murphy smiled.=+=
“She should be here…” Paul murmured as he and Zac walked closer to the gate. “DAAAD!” Paul whirled around at the sound of his daughter’s voice. Zac turned also, and saw a tall girl running towards them like a child half her age, her long blonde hair flying behind her. “Heeey Jackie-o, how was your flight?” “Suckful, but that’s okay, I made a little friend.” “Glad to hear. Jack, this is Zac Hanson, Zac, this is my daughter Jaclyn.” “Hi, Call me Jack. But I am a girl.” She smiled as she stuck her hand out, thinking back to her little friend’s comment about her nickname. “Good, I was wondering that for a second there.” Jaclyn raised her eyebrows “I told you they were gay.” She quipped, looking at her father. “Hey! I resent that. I’m a red blooded male. Trust me.” Zac protested, wriggling his eyebrows. He was starting to like her already. “Don’t wriggle your eyebrows.” Jaclyn commanded, catching Zac off guard. “Excuse me?” “Don’t raise your eyebrows because it’ll only give you wrinkles.” Jaclyn added for affect. “Okaaay…” “Your mother, dear?” Paul asked in amusement. “Like there was any doubt. Oh, and rolling my eyes and sarcasm is very unladylike. Like I care.” She rolled her eyes. Then she grimaced. “Ew, God, you wouldn’t believe what they served on the plane! Rat poison! Of course I didn’t eat it. But David, the little boy sitting next to me, he ate his, my God, the boy has an amazing appetite for a five-year old. We have to go visit him because I promised and his grandmother is sick. He was so cute! Maybe we should adopt? A little five year old…” “You know, the Hansons have a little boy, and a little girl. Three girls in fact.” “Really?” Jaclyn squealed. “God, listen to me, I’m squealing. So your family must be like, huge!” She turned her wide eyes to Zac. Zac grinned and nodded. What an amusing girl…this was going to be interesting… "How did your mother manage with your hair?" Paul chuckled as he walked along side his daughter, eyeing her newly coloured hair. She grinned. "You know mom, kinda freaked a little...screamed a little..." "What bought it up?" "Emma. She wanted a guinea pig and I was just there. Wrong place at the wrong time I guess. Although I don't know...I'm quite liking being a blonde." "Welcome to my world Jack, you'll discover it's so much better." Zac clapped her on the back, grinning.=+=
“So correct me if I’m mistaken…you called and mom answered. You told her that you were off to Tulsa for the holidays so you wouldn’t be home in Florida. And she told you I was going to Paris with her.”
“As far as I know, yeah.” “Oh my God. Oh my God, if she weren’t my mother I’d be cursing her name right now.” Jaclyn frowned from where she sat at the back of the car with Zac. It was pretty amazing how Jack’s mother had lied to Paul, Zac thought. Something like this never happen in his family. But then again, his parents were happy together. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like if they’d separated. “I cannot believe her! I can so not believe her! What a sneaky little lying-” “Jaclyn.” Paul warned. “Aren’t you pissed? I am. I am sooo pissed off with her. I mean, all that driving for nothing! And she lied to you! And me. Well, technically not since she didn’t say anything, but still! I mean, what was she trying to prove? That’s she’s a good liar? Because it worked, I am so convinced that she is the biggest liar in the whole world. Even I never thought she could stoop down that low! And what was the point? I don’t spend time with you, she’s in the city of lurve,” she fluttered her eyelashes, “with Roger darling, and what? God, I need a parent in my life thank you very much. And as far as I’m concerned, and her, if she cares, it’s not like she’s some parent to me for God’s sakes. And Roger, oh dear God, Roger,” she spat with more venom than Zac had ever seen. His eyes grew wide as she rambled on about this Roger’s cigar habits and his social values. As he watched her face turn redder and hands become more alive, he was convinced she was angry. Very, very angry. Paul glanced back at his daughter, turning his head for a second, but enough to see her get more animated. She was genuinely annoyed. “Jack, sweetheart,” he started gently. She ignored him, now moving on to Roger’s precious Mercedes. “Jack, Jaclyn!” he yelled, causing Jaclyn to stop and she and Zac to stare at Paul in surprise. “Yeah?” Jaclyn called meekly. Zac just stared at Paul. Who knew he could yell? Even at the most frustrating times in the studio, Paul was always so calm. “First of all, yes, I am very annoyed at your mother for lying to me, to us. But that won’t solve the problem. Why don’t you just forget about it, and enjoy your stay here while you’re here, and we’ll sort it out later. Okay?” He glanced at Zac, sending him a look of apology at his daughter’s outbursts. Jaclyn sighed. “You’re right, I can’t let her get to me. I can’t let her get to me. I’ll have a good time. I am having a good time. I’ve made three new friends, well who are all boys younger than I, but that’s alright. I’m having a good time, and I shall keep on having a good time. Okay, good, think fun.” She turned to Zac with a bright smile on her face “So, what do you guys do for fun? Apart from all that singing you do.” For the first time, Zac had met someone who was possibly more outgoing and bolder and slightly wackier than he. And she intrigued him, this strange new girl. “Well, we just do normal stuff I guess, video games, sports, this and that.” “Ugh, I hate sports. Well, I love sports, but I hate playing sports. It’s probably to do with me being so damn tall and skinny,” she wriggled her eyebrows at her father who only chuckled softly in return “but I do love to watch. What kinda sports do you play?” Zac shrugged “Soccer, basketball, I guess the normal stuff everyone else plays.” “You ever been rock climbing?” “Yeah, love that. All three of us.” “Me too. What about billiards, you play that?” “Some, maybe…I just fool around.” “Well I’ll teach you. What’s there to do in Tulsa?” “Well, the guys and I used to go and play laser tag when we were younger…we’ve been a little busy lately. We could go do that when we have time off, huh Paul?” Zac grinned a cheesy grin. “If that’s a hint Zachary Hanson, it ain’t getting you nowhere.” Paul replied. “Aw man…” Zac slumped in his seat. “But dad, I’m going to be so booored. I mean, you’re gonna be working and all, and even when you aren’t, I mean, no offence dad, but I’m a 16-year old girl. And as much as I appreciate your company, and don’t get me wrong, your sense of fun and adventure is very, very…exhilarating, but it just isn’t the same you know? Having people around my age is going to be very helpful. It’ll loosen my nerves and who knows? Maybe they’ll turn out to be fun!” “Thanks.” Zac muttered dryly. Jaclyn grinned.“Anytime. So dad, you wouldn’t want to turn into some slave driving evil man do you? I mean, think of all the hate mail we’ll get from the little 12-year old Hanson fans when they find out you’ve worked them to their deaths! So maybe a little time off won’t hurt you. Or them for that matter,” she paused “Please?” Paul sighed, “Alright, fine, you win, we’ll take it easy for a few days or so.” Jaclyn turned to Zac with a proud grin. “Silly putty in my hands.” He returned her grin. “The only thing that’s silly are the grins on your faces.” Paul commented, catching a glimpse of the two teens’ faces. “This is great, I am seriously starting to like you Jack-o. I mean, I’ve known you for less than an hour and you got us free time! The only problem now is Taylor.” “Brother right?” “Mmm hmm. Very, very hard working, very, very serious. He’s a perfectionist, and he’s very good at driving me crazy. That boy is a workaholic.” “Ugh, I know what you mean. Roger, he is the king of workaholics. Wall street geek. The only reason mother managed to drag him to Paris is because she managed to hook him up with some big shot business guy.” “You seriously don’t like this guy do you?” “Hell no, I do not see what mommy dearest sees in him. But hey, they are perfect for each other. Both of them are rich snobs whose lives depend on the country club and its members’ opinions. God, I am so glad you escaped that dad.” Paul chuckled “So am I Jack, so am I.”=+=
“Wow…not bad. A pretty good deal if you ask me.” Jaclyn praised as she looked around the average apartment her father had rented. “Which one’s my room?” “The one at the end. The one before that is the guest room, where Zac will be staying.” Paul gestured. Jaclyn ran to her door, opening it and throwing her things inside. She switched on the light “Cute, very cute.” “I’m sorry it’s so small, but I wasn’t expecting you to be here, we’ll do something with it tomorrow, make a bit brighter.” Paul apologized. “Doesn’t matter. Tonight, Zackie-o and I shall be spending the night in the living room, watching movies and bonding.” “We are?” “Yup. You brought your pajamas right?” “Uh, yeah, something to sleep in.” “Good, go get changed, I’ll go get changed too.” Jaclyn smiled before she ran into her room, closing the door after her. “A bit of a live one isn’t she?” Paul mused , glancing at Zac staring after his daughter with a bewildered look on his face. “Yeah…and here I thought I was the only weird one.” “Oh, she’ll do that to you. She maybe 16 but inside she’s still a child. Of course, there are times when she acts all grown up and quite mature,” Paul murmured, staring at Jaclyn’s door, “much to my surprise.” He cracked a grin. “Well, the rest of them will love her as far as I can tell.” Zac smiled. “She might be a bit too fun for Taylor, but hey, anyone’s more fun than Tay. I’ve had more fun watching Mack and Zoë watch Sesame Street then hang out with Tay.” “He’s just growing up Zac, everyone’s different you know? And once all the pressure and stress of the album is over, he’ll loosen up I’m sure.” “For my own sanity, I sure hope so.”=+=
“So you’re how old?”
“15.” “Brink of adolescence…oh yeah, the tough times.” “Hey, not much difference between you and me.” “Yeah well, just warning you, life can be pretty sucky. But you just gotta deal with it.” “Optimist?” “The bucket is full.” “So you’re an only child? No step sisters, brothers?” “Nope. Anyway, mom and Roger aren’t quite married yet, just engaged. It would be shameful to commit such an act in the fancy , pricey club. The wedding’s in a couple of months or so. I’m contemplating on whether to go or not to go.” “Oh, harsh, why so much hate towards your mother? I mean, yes it’s natural, you are a teen, but you seem cool with Paul.” “Well isn’t it obvious? Dad is fun. He’s cool you know? But mom? God, she is such a snob.” “So you’re not into the whole rich spoilt kid thing?” “No way, the day I’ll succumb to the high life is the day Mmmbop starts making sense.” “It does make sense!” “Oh yeah, really, Mmmbop. It’s not even a word is it? Mmmbop. It’s just plain strange.” “Hey, don’t mock the song, it saved us you know.” “Mmmbop…weird. Oh yeah, and that was kinda depressing.” “What, ‘Weird’?” “Yeah…or was it the other strange one? What’s it… ‘Come to you’?” “‘I will come to you’.” “Eh what’s a word or two? So do you guys still sing your boppy little songs? I’m sorry, I’m not quite up to date with your music.” “Nah, proud to say we’ve shed the bubble gum pop as some call it. What kind of music are you into?” “Not a lot…I’m not a big fan of music. Or is that hurting your song influenced ears?” “Nah, just don’t say that to Tay, he’ll probably take you in to see a shrink or something.” “Oh come on, I’m sure he isn’t that bad, he’s what, 16? 17? A guy’s gotta have a life.” “18, a few months ago. And trust me, he doesn’t have a life. Music is the only thing in his life, the first and most likely only love.” “And this is the heartthrob everyone pines after?” Zac laughed. “Yeah. So the boy is blind, what can you do?” “First of all, we are gonna teach him the meaning of fun. Then second of all, we are gonna make him do something he would never do without your and my influence.” Zac smiled, looking intrigued. “Oh yeah? What’s that?” “I have absolutely no idea. Gotta meet the man first.” “Tomorrow. So, you’ve been living in New York all your life?” “Nah, born and bred in Orlando until the divorce. Then mom dragged me kicking and screaming to New York.” “Literally?” “No. But I didn’t want to leave dad, you know how it goes.” “Honestly, no, but I can imagine.” “Well, I suggest you don’t, it ain’t the best thing in the world. Except in dad’s case, I’m glad he got out of her claws before it was too late. She would have probably bankrupted him or something with the amount she spends.” Jaclyn’s eyes narrowed in disgust. “I can see how much you’re like your dad.” “Glad to hear. Relieved to hear.” “You talk a lot.” Said Zac after a second or two of silence. “Yeah…I get told that a lot.” “So you go to normal school, are you popular?” “I could be. With Roger and mom’s bank account, everyone wants to be my friend. But it’s only me, Sam and Holly, Sam’s girlfriend.” “Is Sam rich too?” “Nah. We’re anti opulent.” Zac furrowed his eyebrows “rich, anti rich. We swipe my mother’s credit cards and cut ‘em up whenever possible.” She grinned proudly. “Pisses her off huh?” “To an extent. Doesn’t do much since she gets new ones anyway, but hey, maybe it’ll slowly drive her crazy and maybe she’ll have a breakdown.” “Private school?” “Public. The only reason I go to a public school and not a private one,” she wrinkled her nose “is because I threatened mom I’d go out and get pregnant. That would bring shame to her name.” “Gutsy. What do you guys do? When you’re not chopping up plastic that is.” Zac laughed. “Well, usually, we just hang out. Well, I sit there pondering the meaning of my existence while Sam and Holly try to eat each other.” Zac cracked up laughing. “Freaky. You should go get yourself a boyfriend, you’re pretty enough.” “Hitting on me are ya? Nah, most of the guys I know are all losers. They only care about themselves and sex. Or else I’m taller than a lot of them.” “You know, if you two weren’t so different, I’d say you could go out with Tay. He is taller than you…then again, maybe not. Maybe Isaac would be a better choice.” Zac mused. “Playing matchmaker are you? No thanks I’m happy as I am.” “I mean, sure Ike’s got the whole sensible, older brother thing going, but he can also be fun too.” Zac pondered, ignoring Jaclyn. His thinking came to a halt when he was hit over the head with a pillow. So the pillow fight broke out between the two new friends.