Dork Diaries: Next Generation

Boy, Oh Boy

I throw my book down on my bed and decide that if I can't drive to Taylor's then I'll walk.

I know that this is ridiculous, but I feel like I've been taken back in time to the stoneage. Mom and Pop-pop grounded me and took anything besides the flat screen in my room. They took my car, my phone, my iPad. And just to mock me, they gave me a ten-dollar Top Up phone from 7-eleven to keep in contact with me. The only source of entertainment I actually have is my 3DS XL, and all I ever do on that is watch Netflix.

I ring his doorbell five or six times. My patience is running thin after walking a good 45 minutes in 87-degree weather.

After a few seconds of waiting, a shirtless Taylor with disheveled hair and flannel pajama pants opens the door, squinting his eyes.

"It's 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and you're still asleep?" I laugh.

"It's been like three weeks since Jessica tricked you, and you're parents still don't believe it wasn't you who posted the video?" he retorts.

Ouch. Little touchy there, big fella.

He rubs his eyes and runs a hand through his hair. He steps to the side to let me in. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm grumpy."

"I don't blame you. I just popped up out of nowhere without calling you, but I'm bored and grounded and I have nothing to do. I was hoping I could do something with you." My eyes rake over his torso. It's still bare... and very muscular, might I add.

"Wanna go upstairs and watch a movie?" I nod. I wonder if he's aware that he's completely shirtless. Is he really that comfortable around me to just walk around like that without a care in the world, or is his brain not awake for him to notice?

It doesn't help that all of his movies are on Netflix. Or that his natural scent is intoxicating. Or that he sits so close to me, with his strong arm pulling my body to his. I kiss his cheek, and my lips linger there to make him aware that maybe I don't just want to watch a movie.

Taylor looks down at me, eyeing me just like I did not long ago. He smiles and gives me a peck on the lips before choosing a comedy. He doesn't see it, but I roll my eyes. How in the world does he just peck me on the lips? Not that I want to do much, but the small kiss was a big let down.

A few minutes into the movie, I snuggle impossibly closer to Taylor and run my hand down his chest and rest it near his waist.

If this doesn't work, I don't know what will.

He interlaces our hands together and kisses my knuckles. I inhale sharply to keep from groaning out loud.

This is getting ridiculous. Why can't you see that I want to kiss you?

"Earth to Taylor, is my boyfriend still in there? I've obviously been trying to make out with you since I got to your front porch, but you keep rejecting me," I say, not at all keeping the frustration out of my voice.

He laughs a little and kisses me sweetly. It's slow and gentle and it ends too soon, so I straddle him and pull him back to me.

"Brandy," he whispers before I could kiss after I finally catch my breath. He puts his hands on my shoulders to keep me from kissing him again. "I have to tell you something, okay?"

"Ugh, really? I mean, I would love to hear whatever you have to say, but it can't wait?"

He shakes his head, and for the first time since the beginning of the movie, I actually see that his face is like a puppy dog getting scolded by his owner.

"Tay, what's wrong?"

*~*~*~*

I stomp all the way home with tears in my eyes that weren't worth going down my cheek. I didn't dare let one fall. He's not worth it. I breath harshly through my nose, and I clench down on my teeth so hard that I feel they might break from the pressure.

I go to my room. I don't cry. I don't wallow. I sit on my bed and stare aimlessly at my flat screen hung in front of me.

He wouldn't touch me. He wouldn't kiss me like he used to– all because he gave it to Vanessa instead. He cheated on me. Taylor cheated. And the fact that I'm trying to be emotionless about it makes it even worse. I was going to tell him that I loved him and that he was the one to finally break down the walls that I built up. But he's not. Well not anymore. Now he's just added more and more emotional bricks to my walls. They're solid and thick. No one's gonna hurt me again, and that's a promise.

*~*~*~*

"Just get in the car, Princess. I'm not asking you again," Josh warns from his shiny sports car.

"I'm not interested, Josh. Go screw a bimbo or something; you're causing a scene," I say again for what seems like the millionth time. Everyone is watching, and no one necessarily wants to help me. But to be honest, if I were them, I wouldn't want to help me either. I'd be afraid that someone would somehow bring up a video I didn't know about and share it on YouTube.
"If I have to get out of this car, Brandy, just know I'm going to mess up your precious hair." I know he'd do more than just mess up my hair. "Mess up my hair" was secret code for "I'll make sure to hurt you in any way I can."

Before I make my way to the car, Erin comes running out of the school by my side.

"Please take me with you. Taylor won't stop crying about how sorry he is for hurting you, and I need to get the hell out of here," he says harshly in my ear.

I gesture towards Josh's car.

"Who is this?" Josh asks.

"Erin this is Josh, the guy who doesn't know how to take a hint. Josh, this is my bodyguard. He doesn't take much of a liking to guys that make me uncomfortable. I didn't get one until after the video went viral, and if you leave me alone, I won't need him for long."

The color in Josh's face drains, but he keeps his stoic expression. "Fine. Just get out."

"Gladly." I blow him a kiss, and Erin steps out of the car, opens my door, and helps me out of the car like I'm some star on the red carpet.

Josh speeds out of the school's parking lot, almost running a kid over.

"Bodyguard? You do know that I have to follow you around now, not that I have an issue with that?" Erin jokes.

"Only when Josh is around. Then you have the freedom to do whatever you want. C'mon, let's go eat."