(8)
Jaclyn slipped out of the room without Isaac or Zac noticing. Amazed she was able to do so, her mind going back to her lanky form, she grinned, looking for the basement.
“Basement…basement would be at the bottom…now to find the way to the pit.” She mumbled. “Jack? Need any help?” a voice offered, startling her. She turned around. “Almost had a heart attack…um, yeah. The basement?” Diana pointed to a door a few feet away. “Just go through that door. Aren’t the children in the kitchen?” “Yeah…but Taylor’s in the basement, apparently. I’m just going to get him.” Diana smiled, having been told of her son’s attitude to the girl. “That’s very nice of you Jack.” Jaclyn smiled as Diana strode away. She was such a nice woman. What she wouldn’t give to have a mother like her instead of that cow back home. Then she turned to the door with a grimace. “Mission…strenuous.” She sighed before turning the doorknob. A staircase going down greeted her and she slowly stepped down them. When she reached the bottom, there was an entertainment system, and a couple of couches on one side, and the boys’ musical equipment on the other. She had to admit it was pretty impressive. But it was pretty dead in the room as far as she could see no sign of life anywhere. Yeah like the boy’s the life of the party anyway. A soft mumbling met her ears. Frowning, she gingerly took a step towards the talking couch. “Stupid…totally stupid. Jealous, yeah my ass. Stupid…” “You know…self mockery is kinda bad for one’s mind.” Jaclyn said as she sat down on the table across from the couch. Taylor sat up in surprise, and his eyes automatically narrowed at the sight. “Really. I’m sure you’d know.” “Actually, maybe to your surprise, no. I don’t find the idea of spending my spare time drowning in self criticism very appealing.” “Really. Who said it was self criticism anyway?” “Either way, you’re not quite the happy little boy you should be.” “Who’s the judge?” “Just my opinion, sorry for sharing.” Jaclyn shrugged. This was going to be hard. “Why are you here?” “Because I don’t know about you, but personally, I find ice cream hard to stay away from. You don’t know what you’re missing.” She sang like a little child. Taylor held back the little smile threatening to escape. He couldn’t give her the satisfaction. “Well, personally, I can and I do.” “You know, this is all your fault.” Jaclyn pouted, crossing her arms and falling beside him on the couch. Taylor sat up and stared back at his accuser in confusion. “My fault? How?” “You’re a stubborn jackass who doesn’t know how to have fun. How old are you? " “18.” He grunted. “Exactly.” She grunted back. Taylor rolled his eyes and sat back again. “Well maybe you should grow up and act your age. How old are you?” “16. Why? What’s so bad about having a little fun while you can?” “Well what’s so bad about taking things a bit more seriously?” “From what I’ve heard, from various sources I am not prepared to reveal, your case is not just a bit, but massive. Loosen up you know? Have fun every once in a while. Or have you forgotten?” “No I haven’t forgotten.” Taylor shot back. “Then what’s the damn problem?” “Why should I tell you. You of all people?” “Because I’m willing to listen. And usually strangers are better to talk to.” Jaclyn reasoned. “And while we’re at it, what’s your problem against me? If I recall correctly, you had an attitude long before you actually met me.” “Don’t worry about it.” “I could…but it concerns me so maybe I do have a right to know.” “You’re invading my privacy.” “Yeah but I’m in it.” “Are you always this annoying?” Jaclyn grinned. “Nah, just to jackasses.” “Funny.” “Yeah, maybe something you should try.” “Look, get off my back alright, first dad, then Ike, and now you. Just, just leave me alone.” Taylor exploded suddenly, throwing Jaclyn back as she stared at him in surprise. Weren’t they making progress just now? She blinked a couple of times, as if to adjust to his outburst. She then stood up, slapping her hands on her thighs and looking into his eyes. “Fine. I was only trying to help, only trying to make things better. If you can’t even acknowledge that, then I guess you’re not worth my time.” She shook her head, turning and walking towards the stairs. Taylor opened his mouth, willing for his voice to help him, to call out her name and explain. But nothing came out, and he only stared as she climbed up the stairs , closing the door gently behind her as she exited. “Only you Taylor Hanson, only you.” He groaned, his head finding their way once again into his hands.=+=
“Your brother has a problem.” Jaclyn grumbled as she flopped down on the empty space beside Zac on his bed. Isaac sat across from them on a desk chair. The younger ones were preoccupied with a video downstairs, and Jessica was spending the night at a friend’s.
“How long did it take you to realize that?” Zac asked, looking bewildered. “What’s he done now?” Isaac frowned. Didn’t their little talk have any effect on Taylor? “Oh nothing, except be a stupid, boring, stubborn, uptight, pig-headed, stingy, miserable jackass.” She spat, her lower lip pushed out for effect. “Gee, I picked that up a long time ago, and only in a second at that. Or two.” Zac looked down at her in mock disapproval. “You talked to him?” Isaac questioned, meeting her eyes. “Mmm. Asked him what his problem was and he told me to get off his back. I was only sitting there.” Isaac grinned. “Exactly what I said to him.” Jaclyn raised a brow. “What? Get off his back?” “No, that I was only sitting there.” Zac smirked. “I am so relieved to hear that…the question is though, were you just sitting there?” Jaclyn hit him on his arm as he cackled, and Isaac only rolled his eyes. “Grow up Zac.” “Anyway, I gave him a chance and he threw it away like a used Kleenex. Jerk.” “Don’t let him get to you, he’s just stressed about the album and everything. Teenage angst you know?” Jaclyn scoffed. “Yeah, boo-hoo, I’m going through puberty, everybody stay the hell away from me.” she mock whined, while glaring at an unspecified space. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” Zac reasoned practically. “Guess not…but he didn’t have to yell at me. I didn’t do anything!” she cried out in self-defense. “And no one said you did. Just, maybe it’s a good idea to stay away from him for awhile.” Isaac smiled kindly. “Trust me, that’s number one on my things to do list.” She creased her brows as she heard her father calling for her. “Well, that would be my cue to leave,” she jumped off the bed, and stretched. “Farewell gentlemen,” she glanced at Zac uncertainly, then corrected herself “Farewell gentleman,” she looked at Isaac. “Later madman.” “That’s Mr. Madman to you missy.” Zac grinned as he and Isaac followed her down the stairs.=+=
“So what did you think?” Paul asked, glancing at his daughter as he drove to their apartment.
“Well…apart from jackass, they were all pretty awesome. I love the Hansons.” She beamed, turning to her father. Paul smiled in defeat. “Language Jack, language. So what’s the story between you and Taylor?” “I was hoping he would tell me…but I guess not.” “You talked to him?” “Tried too. The guy is too stubborn for his own good.” “Give it time, he’s just stressed.” “So I’ve heard. It better be quick because my patience is wearing thin.” “Studio?” he questioned, referring to the earlier argument she had started. “What? It was only a comment, and the truth at that. And Zac and Ike looked very relieved and thankful. I was doing the people a good deed. Plus, I was nice to him to the last what, five hours before that incident. And he did nothing but send me a gazillion of the glares of the devil.” “Look I don’t know what’s going on, and I don’t even know if I want to know. But I suggest you sort it out because you are going to be spending quite awhile together.” Paul lectured. “Tell it to the man. Maybe, if you’re lucky, he’ll listen. I’ve got Zackie and Ikie anyway.” She grinned happily at the mention of her newfound friends. Paul mouthed the two boys’ new nicknames in disbelief as his daughter burst into a fit of giggles.