• Chapter 3: Apologies
    I walked to Taylor's street and rang the doorbell when I reached her house. I sighed. Today was so not what I was expecting. I rang the doorbell again after seeing no response.
    "Coming." She said. I heard her turning the lock and the door opening.
    "Listen, Taylor- Ah!" I flinched at the green thing that stood in front of me.
    "Ugh! So immature." The green thing said. It was Taylor.
    "W-What the f happened to your face?" It looked as if Shrek had barfed all over her. (Oh God, that's disgusting.) I shook my head and pushed the thought away.
    "Well duh. I'm wearing a mask so my skin doesn't break out."
    "And you dare open the door with THAT blob on your face? Who knows who could be here. Gosh." I think my mind was way to disgusted by it because for a moment I thought that green slob was oozing and pulsating and... "Oh God. I'll come back later." I said already down the steps of her porch.
    "Aww c'mon, Jay." I looked back. BIG mistake. She was peeling the thing off. PEELING IT OFF!!! Oh gross. I felt my pizza building up inside. I made a run for it as soon as I turned. "DIDN'T YOU COME HERE FOR A REASON!!!" I stopped but didn't look back. I wasn't going to but she was right. I did come to apologize.
    "Tonight... come to my place." I said loud enough for her to hear. I heard her okay and made my way back home.

    * * *

    I was on my mother's office. It was six, and I was searching for my next book on her bookshelve when I heard the doorbell ring. "Taylor..." I whispered then sighed. It wasn't going to be a long talk. (Just say you're sorry and be done with it, Jason. No need to panic). I jogged down the stairs and opened the door.
    "Woah." Taylor was... beautiful, aside from the slight redness on her face. Her hair was loose with a yellow flower pinned to it and she wore a matching yellow sun dress. It seemed silly and out of place but she still looked dazzling.
    "So..." She said.
    "Oh uh come in."
    "Nah, it's cool. I'm fine here. Just say what you have to say." She snapped. My brow shot upward.
    "So wait... you got dressed up as if you were on some Victoria Secret Spring Edition and you're not even coming in?" It was harsh, I know, but c'mon, you gotta be yanking me, right?
    "Um no... FYI I'm going on a date." If this were some movie, this is the part were the scratched disc sound effect comes along and I go like: "Waah??"
    "What? On a date? With who?" She smirked. She tapped my chin and I closed my widely opened mouth.
    "I'm going to the movies with Bailey." Bailey my a**.
    "Bailey. You mean Bailey James? The gorilla?" She hit me on the shoulder and clicked her tongue.
    "He's not a gorilla. He's pretty sweet, ya' know." She dug her hand in to her handbag.
    "Sweet? That thing? He could be... H-Hulk Holgan's long lost child for all we know." I shrugged. "You can't go on a date with him."
    "Who are you to tell me with who I go out with?" She asked and raised a brow.
    "I am your friend." Oh schizznit. I did not just say that. My eyes grew wide and so did a smile on her face.
    "YESSS!!!" She clapped. "I can't believe I actually caught that on tape. Ja jaa!" She pulled a pocket size tape recorder from her handbag and pressed pause.
    "You didn't."
    "I did." She played it again. "Sweet? That thing? He could be Hulk Hogan's long lost child for all we know. You can't go on a date with him---- Who are you to tell me with who I go out with?--- I am you're friend- YESSS! I can't believe I actually caught that on tape. Ja jaa!" I felt betrayed. But I guess I deserved that after what I did to her. But still, I didn't do it on purpose.
    "You know what, Taylor? That wasn't funny. I just wanted to apologize for what I did today because at least I have the guts to do so EVEN if I didn't do it on purpose so, I'm sorry and watch your step on the way out." I slammed the door on her face. I remembered instantly how much I hated her for beind who she is. Why can't she just move and bother some other twelve-year-old? I sighed and flicked off the lights.

    I took a shower and stayed up until I heard mom's SUV go up the drive way. I went to take a leak and when I came out my mom was in her office fixing some papers.
    "Hey mom." I said as leaned against the door frame.
    "Hey handsome, how was your day?" Handsome? Do moms still say that? They do? But isn't that supposed to be for what, when she's fixing your tie before the prom? Whatever.
    "It was... busy, I guess."
    "Got my memo?" She smirked from behind her desk. I chuckled.
    "Yeah the coffee thing." She stood up straight.
    "You know I don't like the idea of you drinking coffee."
    "I know, mom." But hey, it's part of the image, ya' know. If I want to show off as independant, what better scenario than me leaning agaisnt a counter at six am with a steaming coffee mug in my hand, eh? Yeah, thought so.
    "I mean, I know it's cool and all. Makes you look mature and grown up-y but tea is also good." What the schnitz? Did she just read my mind? "Also, did you say hi to the Damen's next door?"
    "Uh yeah, his daughter came over actua- Wait," I looked up. "How do you know the Damen's?" Mom gasped and then chuckled.
    "Ookay, you got me. I noticed how interested you were on the book I gave you and when I found out he was moving next door, I asked them if they could 'help me out'." She smiled. "So how did it go? Is his daughter fun?"
    "Uh yeah, well... she's cute but she's kind of clueless." I shuddered at the memory. Totally fooled by her cover... but damn, she's cute.
    "Hmm... well, the preparations for your party at Wendy's are---" My mom stopped, chuckled, and then began laughing.
    "Mom, what's wrong?"
    "Did you just--- did just hear that---" She laughed her last breath and inhaled again. "Party at Wendy's---"
    "What the-- oh I get it. Tsk, mom, that's so lame." I chuckled and threw a paper at my airless mother. "Sheesh, get a life."
    "Hi welcome to Wendy's. May I take your order? No, I'd like to keep it." Another wail of laughter and I closed the door leaving with my mom's sanity and sense of humor. Still, there's something about the laughter of a mid-aged woman that makes it so distinguishable.

    I yawned and hid under the covers of my bed as I drifted into the open seas of the fifth cloud. I dreamed of Hulk Holgan, his son, Bailey "Hulk Jr." James, red-head Wendy and a whole lot of coffee. Nice one, mom.