Chapter 11:
"So what brought about the makeover?" Mark asked as he set a cup of coffee in front of me. I stifled a groan, not that stuff again!
"Oh, I just felt like a change" I said as I forced myself to take a sip.
He nodded and went to sit down but was interrupted by insistent knocking on the door. He got up to go to open it but before he'd taken a step the person let themself in.
"Yo Marky!" A female voice called. "Whatcha doing?" A girl with dark brown hair and a teasing sparkle in her eyes walked into the room. She looked a little surprised to see me, then grinned. "Well, well, Marky. Who's this?" She smiled at me.
"Vic this is my neighbor Ashley, Ashley this is my sister Vic"
I smiled at Vic "Nice to meet you"
She smiled and took a seat "Oh Marky. Tom needs help. He locked the keys in the car again!"
Mark looked astounded "Again?!"
Vic nodded and Marky- er I mean MARK quickly excused himself.
"So... Are you from New York?" I tried to avoid the awful silence.
Val nodded happily "I live about half an hour from here. Where do you live"
I pointed out the window and across the street "See that window right there? That's my apartment"
Val nodded "The binoculars must be here somewhere" She winked at me and started searching.
"Binoculars?"
"Ever since Marky and I watched Harriet the spy when we were kids he's been addicted to spying on people. And if there's a pretty girl next door well..."
"Thank God only the kitchen faces his apartment" I said with a laugh.
Val looked surprised "Oh, he isn't a pervert or anything. Well he probably told you he's a writer?"
I nodded. He'd mentioned it the other day.
"Well he's always observing people. He's very aware of his surroundings, it helps with his writing."
I nodded "His next written work would probably be about his crazy neighbor who dances while doing the dishes and dies her hair in shades of fuchsia" I smiled.
Val obviously had no idea what I was talking about but smiled too "I do like the hair" She said pointing at it.
I tucked a strand behind my hair "Thanks. I just died it today"
She nodded "Very Cool."
"So.. is Tom your boyfriend?"
She looked shocked "Me?! A boyfriend?! Nuh-uh! I'm allergic to the male species." She winked and grinned.
I nodded. Ooooook
---Michael---
"I'm tired" Melanie whined as she dropped her paint brush and collapsed on the floor.
We'd been painting for an hour now and one wall was almost done.
"Just a bit to go" I said as I pulled her to her feet. "You can do it"
"No I can't." I shook my head then thought of something "Well maybe..." I tried to hide a smile.
"Uh-oh" Michael backed away.
"Promise me you'll take me to Pizza hut for dinner?" I asked sweetly.
"Sure!"
"And promise you won't make any discusting creations with the all you can eat food?"
His face fell "I guess"
"Great!" I lept to my feet with new found energy. "Lets get painting!"
---Josh---
"I think she hates me. La la la la. She hates me" The human dictionary guy was singing along with the music that blasted from the large stereo, as he wrote out something.
"She does" The guy who had answered the door nodded at him. He glared back. "Anyway," He continued "I'm Steve, and Dictionary boy here is John"
John nodded at me without looking up from his book.
"Great. Hi" I nodded "Um, I was just hoping you could maybe turn the music down a little"
Steve shared at me in shock as John's head snapped up, they both peered at me.
"Uh, how old are you?" Steve asked.
"22" I responded feeling a little nervous.
"And you've lost it already" John shook his head sadly.
"Lost what?"
"The appreciation of good, loud, music" They both said in unison.
Help me! I'm living next to a bunch of loonies!
Chapter 12:
|
"So has my man eater sister expressed her dislike of men to you?" Josh asked as he and Tom returned.
"EWWWWW!" Vic said before I could answer "I would not eat one! Yuck! Too chewy! Oh gross!" She clutched her head.
"Yeah anyway" Mark turned to me and raised an eyebrow.
I nodded "Yeah, she mentioned it"
He nodded as he took a seat "She's had this thing against men since she was 7. There was this boy who lived next door, they fought like crazy. He'd dump sand in her hair, trip her up, behead her dolls, pull her hair. The list goes on"
"I knew the college age version of that" I said dryly.
"Did you punch him?" Vic, who had finally recovered, asked hopefully.
"No" I sighed "I married him"
She raised both eyebrows "Bummer!"
I nodded "Yup"
We talked for awhile more until I realized it was getting really late. I said I had to go and made an exit. By that point though I was pretty certain I had made a new friend. In fact, when I'd mentioned to Vic that I was going shopping for some new outfits tomorrow, she'd asked if she could come along. And we'd arranged to meet at a local mall!
I think this is just what I need, new look, new friends, new life!
---Josh---
I negotiated with the two... weirdos next door and they agreed to keep the music at a dull roar, that is if I agreed to drop over and say hi every now and then. I guess they're lonely or something?
As I made my way home I let out a sigh of relief, the closer I got to my house the less I could hear the familiar music of Puddle of Mudd, and the by the time I reached it I couldn't hear a thing!
Mission accomplished!
As I walked into my house I got this feeling someone was watching me, I spun around and glanced over at my other neighbors. I wasn't certain but I thought I saw a window drop back in place as if someone had moved it aside to watch me. Creepy! I thought the place was abandoned!
---Zac---
Tuesday.
Mary-Kate and I only have 3 full days together. I leave on the fourth.
I've pretty much finished packing so I plan on concentrating on her and Anna for the next couple of days.
That is, of course, when I'm not busy with pre-tour and publicity things with the band. Hmmm, when I was 6 years old and decided I wanted this career I never dreamed how much work it would be!
---Ashley---
"No, I like the blue. It really sets off your eyes" Vic said determinedly as she placed the black jeans I'd been considering back on the rack.
"You think?" I stood in front of the mirror and held them in front of me "Aren't they a little plain?"
"Plain is good"
"I guess" I wasn't sure.
"Plus you can have an extra cool shirt. Come on!" She led me over to a display of glittery, bright t-shirts "Aren't they awesome?"
"They're... bright"
She chose to take that as my consent that they were indeed 'awesome' and smiled.
"I think I like that one" I pointed to a black t-shirt with a consistent coat of baby blue glitter covering every bit.
"Good choice" She took it off the rack and handed it to me "Go try them on" She said as she motioned to the changing room.
I obeyed and examined my appearance in the mirror. I very much like what I saw! "I love it!" I squealed as I opened the door to model the attire for Vic
"Perfect!" She said happily.
---Mary-Kate---
I was sitting on the sofa watching Zac playing with Anna. He was crawling around on the floor with her and pretending to be a dog. He'd blow rasberries on her stomach then jump around the room barking. Anyone would think he was insane but she was laughing like crazy.
I smiled, it was so sweet.
---Ashley---
Oh, yeah! I'm pregnant. I almost forgot. Wait, no I didn't. My skin itches. Every inch of me feels weird and now I have the additional joy of cramps.
Want to hear an admission? I've known for a little over a week and I'm still too scared to go to the Doctor.
I don't want to do it alone, but I don't want to tell anyone I'm pregnant cause then I'll have to admit it's true!
---A month or so went by. Mary-Kate was only just starting to get used to being on her own. Zac called her every night. And she sent him pictures of Anna weekly. She and Ashley had been working non stop on their movie. Both girls had particular incentive to get it done as soon as possible---
Chapter 13:
|
---Ashley---
I was awoken early on a Sunday by the ringing of the phone. I groaned. Today was my day off! I wanted to sleep in! Couldn't the world just understand that already?
I reached for the phone but somehow managed to knock my alarm clock off the bedside table and it started going off loudly. "What?! Who's there?" I sat bold upright in bed. So I wasn't quite awake yet.
I groaned again and turned off the alarm clock then picked up the phone "Hello?" I mumbled
"I hate apartment hunting!" Vic's voice proclaimed.
"Vic?" I glanced down at the alarm clock "Why are you ringing at 8am?" So it wasn't quite that early. Not that it mattered, she's very much an early bird.
"Cause I wanted to talk to you. Like I said. I hate it!"
"Hate what?" I really wasn't catching on her.
"Apartment hunting..."
"Oh" I was silent for a moment, then it hit me "You're looking for an apartment"
"...Yeah!" She was using that 'I'm talking to an idiot tone' or maybe it was her 'I'm talking to a half asleep working actress' tone.. Who knows!
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked as I rubbed my eyes. I was finally starting to wake up.
"I just did"
"Oh..." I thought for a moment. My apartments HUGE! It has 3 bedrooms, one of which I use as my studio. And it's definitely big enough for two. Though it did seem claustraphobic when Josh was here... "Well, my apartment a spare room. Why don't you move in here?"
"That's great! Will today do?"
Why do I get the feeling she called me for more then to just complain?
---Josh---
I sighed as I opened the door of my house and walked inside. Another hard, and long day at the office. Almost two months and nothing had changed.
I set down the pile of mail I'd just got from the mailbox. I went and got a cup of coffee then sat down to read it.
I totally forgot about the coffee, however, when I came across a certain white envelope.
The divorce papers.
---Ashley---
"Morning" I mumbled as I walked into the kitchen. Vic had moved in a week ago, the house was extremely cluttered, and I was still getting used to the idea of having someone else in the house. But at least it isn't so lonely anymore.
Vic who was eating cereal at the table eyed me as I poured a cup of coffee "Should you be drinking that?" She asked suspiciously.
"Huh?" Was all my tired brain could come up with as I sat down across from her.
"I read somewhere that coffee is bad for babies" She said seriously, looking me in the eye.
I sprayed my mouthful of coffee, casually of course. Then tried to act calm. I took a deep breath, wiped my face and turned to her "Sorry?" I tried to ask nonchalantly.
"I've been here a week and heard you throwing up every morning. I'm not stupid Ashley"
"I never said you were. But how do you know I don't just have the flu?"
"You don't look or act like you have the flu. You act pregnant" She eyed my clothes "You're taking to wearing baggy t-shirts and stuff. All the clues point to it"
I felt the stong urge to cry. Pregnancy mood swings are the most wonderful things.
"Ok. You cought me" I said quietly.
"Josh's?" She asked equally quietly.
I glared "Of course!"
"Calm down. Have you told him?"
I shook my head and started to cry "I haven't told anyone."
"You won't be able to hide it much longer"
"I know" I whimpered.
And knowing how buddy-buddy Mary-Kate and Josh are she'd probably take it upon herself to tell him if I put it off for too long. And I guess I really should tell him. His child too.
Why did this have to happen?
---Mary-Kate---
"Hey!" I hugged Ashley then Vic who was now her roomate.
Ashley quickly pulled away and picked up Anna "Hey Birthday girl" She said spinning her around.
"K, I got chips and dip chocolate and ice cream and sprite and pizza and-" I reeled off.
Vic took a shopping bag full of junk food from me "Sounds like you've got everything covered." She said with a wink.
I smiled "I just want it all to be perfect"
Course that was gonna be pretty hard since Zac isn't here.
Chapter 14:
---Zac---
The audience screamed and I sighed, the once teenage fans were now in their twenties, just like my brothers and I. But they hadn't exactly grown up. At least in the respect of shutting up long enough to hear the music.
I've been snapping at people all day today. Just really missing Mary-Kate and Anna, Anna's a year old today and I'm missing her birthday! I'm so mad at myself for that.
I just gotta get through this concert and then I can spend the next hour on the phone with Mary-Kate. So just drum already...
---Ashley---
"So how was filming today?" Vic asked Mary-Kate and I as she shot me yet another look. She'd been giving me them all evening. The kind that said 'TELL HER ALREADY' in not so quiet tones.
"It was great" Mary-Kate said with fake cheerfulness. "We're really doing well. I'd say about half the movie done so far?" She looked at me for comfirmation.
"Huh?" I'd been daydreaming.
"Half way done?" She repeated.
"Yeah, about there" Which of course got me worrying if we could get it finished in time.
Mary-Kate smiled and fed Anna some more ice cream.
"Oh! I've got her present, I'll go get it" I said jumping up and heading for my room.
When I got there I walked over to the cupboard where I'd stored the cheerfully wrapped teddy bear. I reached up the back for it and my hand encountered another package. A shoe box decorated in hearts. I sighed as I took it out, I still hadn't got the courage to send it to Josh, nor had I opened it.
For some reason I suddenly felt the urge to.
I closed the door so I wouldn't be disturbed then sat down on the bed. I lifted the lid then took out the parcel wrapped in heart paper. I picked it up. Hmm, quite light.
I took a deep breath and started to carefully undo the tape. Once the present was opened I found a small velvet box. I opened it nervously, inside was a thick silver ring with a heart shaped stone on the top. A little examination proved it to be a mood ring. I smiled, he remembered. I've always loved mood rings, don't believe they tell your mood or anything, but I still think they're really cool.
I took it off and put it on my finger, it immediately went dark blue since it was quite warm inside the apartment. I took it off again and looked at it closely. On the inside there was an inscription.
I put a tear in the ocean the day I find it is the day I'll stop loving you
My eyes immediately pooled with tears, I quickly brushed them away though. Today was Anna's birthday I couldn't cry. I put the ring on my finger and brushed my eyes dry. A quick touch up of my make-up and I was ready to go outside again.
---Zac---
The audience applauded and we waved as we walked off stage. The second I was off I started running for the car.
"Yo! Zac slow down!" Taylor called after me with a laugh. I just shook a hand as I raced outside and got in my car. The quicker I got to my motel room the quicker I could talk to Mary-Kate.
---Mary-Kate---
Anna had opened all her presents (or more correctly I'd opened them for her) She got a mound of presents. Even one from Josh in Chicago. Like I'd told him the day he left San Fransisco, he was keeping in touch. And Melanie and Michael sent a strange dog in a box thing from their store.
Weird
Ashley and I were in the kitchen getting the chips and dip ready. I carried the chips out to the lounge just as the phone rang. Quickly followed by the doorbell.
Ashley walked out of the kitchen with a bowl of dip "I'll get the door, you get the phone" She said.
I nodded and walked over to the phone which was located in the same hall. Ashley walked to the door, dip still in hand and opened it.
Josh had told me he was planning on personally delivering the divorce papers. But the way he told it it was only in the planning stage. I never expected him to do it TODAY!
"Hi" He said. Ashley just stared at him in shock and the dip slipped out of her hands, the bowl falling to the floor and breaking into a thousand pieces.
---Josh---
Guess I should have called first.
Ashley just gaped at me in shock, barely noticing she'd even broken the bowl. Finally she did and bent over to pick it up.
"Hi" I said to Mary-Kate who was down the hall. She smiled and waved as she picked up the phone. I leaned down to help Ashley pick up the glass. She still hadn't said anything to me.
We continued cleaning in silence until a sparkle on her ring finger caught my attention. The mood ring! I'd forgotten all about it! But why was she wearing it?
A little choking squeak from Mary-Kate made me look up quickly. Her face was as pale as paper. She dropped the phone and put a hand to her mouth as her eyes went so wide they looked like they'd pop out of their sockets.
"Mary-Kate!?" Ashley rushed over to her as some girl I didn't recognize walked into the hall with a baby I guessed must have been an older Anna, they grow up so quickly!
"Z-z-zac....Zac" Mary-Kate stuttered as Ashley put an arm around her "He was in a car crash" She finally managed to get out.
Ashley looked up at me and I'm certain my face was almost as white as Mary-Kate's.
Read the Sequel: The First Winter!