After careful consideration of what to do with this the rare chance we had to go somewhere, Ike, Tay, Zac, and I decided on the mall in Roanoke. We were already nearby and this mall was a whole lot bigger than the one at home.
I was busy worrying whether everything was back to normal with Taylor and I. I kept wondering if his huge grin meant anything or if he was just glad that he was announced the 'best bro' or something like that. I couldn't help it.
At the mall, there was a huge indoor carosell that anyone could ride for only one dollar. Zac and I became really hyper and went on it over and over. Each time, we would get inside a small, round, seat that twirls around while you're on. It twirls FAST! By the time we had both had enough, I don't think either of us would have liked it if anyone mentioned food.
Of course, we also had to stop off at the wonderful Disney store, the GAP, Walden Books, and Spencers. Spencers is the coolest store around. It comes complete with lava lamps and awsome lighting and cool stuff found nowhere else. Sounds like an advertisement doesn't it?
We stayed and looked around long enough to have dinner at the mall too. Mostly I hung out with Zac because he was as hyper as I was at the moment. It was pretty easy to stay away from Taylor. Ike fell right behind us while Tay wandered off on his own.
When we finally decided to have dinner at the food cort, Zac and I bought hamburgers and grabbed a table.
"So Zaccy, where are you going once you leave me all alone?" I asked him and squirted some ketchup on my bun.
"Uhbono," he said with a mouthful of food.
"What did you say?"
"I said that I don't know," he repeated after gulping down his big bite.
"You don't know?"
"Yea. I think we might go back to Tulsa or maybe to someplace like New York, I think. All I know is that we get to go home for Taylor's birthday and then we tour soon after. Don't forget about our new album coming out in May (Three Car Garage)."
"New album?"
"Uh..." Zac stopped short before taking another bite. "Ooops. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. It's just a bunch of songs from Boomerang and MMMBop."
"Cool!"
"Make sure you don't tell anyone," he sounded worried.
"Don't worry, I won't spoil the surprise."
"Good," Zac said and turned back to his food. He was about to take his next bite just as a huge blob of mustard landed in his lap. "Ewwwwwwww! Ugh! Gross!" he cried and jumped out of his chair.
"Zac, relax. It's just mustard."
"But.. this is a new shirt! Oh pooh! Hang on Jen, I gotta go clean this up," he said and walked off towards the restroom. I laughed and took a sip of my coke.
"Jennifer?" I heard a voice from above me and looked up. Tay was standing above me.
"Oh, hey Taylor," I greeted him.
He helped himself to Zac's chair and I took a bite of my food. "Good idea," he said and reached back to his table and grabbed his chicken. I looked at him strangely.
"Um, you're sitting in Zac's seat," I pointed out to him with a half full mouth.
"I know."
"Okay... why are you sitting in his seat?"
"Cause I feel like it?" he said in a question form.
"Okay, but don't blame me if he gets mad," I said and helped myself to some fries.
Tay silently munched on his food for a view moments. I glanced over at the bathroom to see if Zac had come out yet. No luck. I wasn't exactly in the mood to sit with Taylor, even though it did feel a tiny bit better to have him notice me.
"Umm... Jen?" he said finally and I could barely hear him over the rest of the crowded mall.
"Hmm?" I asked him.
"Look, about what happened between you and me... you know, the other day? I, like, feel sort of bad about how I've been acting and all..." He stopped and waited for me to respond.
It's about time! I thought and shyly stirred a french fry in my ketchup. I looked up and nodded slowly to show I was getting at what he was trying to say.
"Well, would it be alright if we-"
"-I don't know about the we part, but it would definetely be alright if you got out of my seat!" I jumped halfway to China when Zac suddenly yelled at Taylor out of the middle of nowhere. We both looked over at him and I immediately noticed the huge yellow stain in the middle of his shirt.
I giggled. "What?" he asked defensively and waltzed over to Tay. "Taylor, dear, as much as I love you for a brother, I'm afraid that I can't let you sit in my spot, so would be kind enough to move your rump and let me sit down?" he asked in a polite and proper, yet halarious, voice.
I laughed some more as Taylor stood up. "Here is your seat, sir," he said.
"Why, thank you," Zac said, sat down, straitened his posture, and looked important.
Tay sulked back to his table and sat down in front of Ike. Isaac was taking large sips of his coke while looking at his half-eaten salad, unaware of the events around him. Finally he looked up and noticed Tay's lack of happiness.
"What's wrong Tayles? Have you and Jenny-poos made up yet?" Ike asked him cheerfully.
Tay gave him an annoyed look and went back to eating his chicken. I decided to let Taylor continue to humbly apologize at my feet and went over to his table. "Tay?" I asked to get his attention. He looked up at me. "What were you in the middle of saying?"
He stood up next to me and ran his fingers through his hair. I gave him an innocent smile and waited for him to say something.
"Well... I was sort of wondering if we could sort of... forget the whole thing happened and we could... go back to being friends..." his voice trailed off.
"So you can then go out with Nancy?" I questioned him and crossed my arms. He didn't have anything to say about that.
"No, I... we're..."
"Taylor, I appreciate it that you finally decided to apologize to me. That's what I've been trying to get through to you all this time. I just don't understand... why you suddenly have been interested in Nancy!"
"I... I... I was just trying to make you jealous! That's all," he spit out and then looked away.
I couldn't believe it! I think my bottom jaw had dropped open permantley. "So now you're trying to make me jealous?!" I practically yelled in his ear. I felt everyone in the mall turn to look at us.
Tay blushed. "Jen, please don't start this whole thing over again. Please don't get angry," he pleaded.
"Angry? Who's angry? Not me!" I said, obviously very angry. I wasn't a bit upset. Okay, so I was devistated. But this time, it was my fault. What was I doing making things worse! Tay had just apologized and I yelled in his face! Suddenly, I had to get out of there. I couldn't stand the hurt look on Taylor's face.
"Taylor, I'm sorry too," I said and grabbed the last bit of my hamburger. Then I stuffed it in my mouth and took off through and out the mall.
I looked back and saw Taylor begin to fallow me. "Jennifer, wait! Please, wait for me!" he called and ran to catch up.
"Hey Tay! Are you gonna finish your chicken or can I?" Zac called after him, but Taylor was beyond hearing reach.