Where We Begin

Chapter 26 - Give Him A Chance To Talk

Sept 14th, 2002 - Taylor

Getting ready for the party Saturday night, I was still fuming over what Busta had said at the bowling alley. It would have been one thing to say it to just me, but since he did it in front of all our friends, I was completely embarrassed. And if things haven't been clear, I don't do well with embarrassment.

Busta tried calling me all morning, but eventually gave up when I refused to answer. I wasn't ready to talk yet. I didn't even know what to say. He is so special to me, which is why this hurts so much. He was my new start, my second chance, but I still ended up crying myself to sleep last night, wondering why boys had to ruin everything by always making it about sex.

Brandy came over to "get ready", but she was already decked out in a short black tube dress, red lips and her hair blown out straight. "Do I look at least 18?" she asked when she came into my room.

I had to laugh to myself. Last year, Brandy had dated an older guy, so this was a question I've heard from her more than once.

"You look hot. I still don't know what to wear," I pouted. My hair and makeup were pretty much done, but I was still in my kimono robe.

"Well your closet has a better selection than most major department stores, so I'm sure you'll find something," Brandy said. "I'm dying to know, has Busta apologized yet?"

"No. But I haven't really given him the chance."

Brandy frowned. "Why not? Are you going to be fighting all night?"

"Before we got to the bowling alley last night, Busta and I were making out and the next thing I know, we're fighting. He threw it in my face that at one point I was ready to lose my virginity to Kit. I don't know where that came from. Then, even though he hurt my feelings, I tried to let it go and have a fun night with him. And it blows up in my face. It was like deja vu back to dating Kit," I said. "I'm not fighting tonight. I'm going to be your wing woman. I want to dance and drink and hopefully look hot doing it."

I got up and went into my walk-in closet and started rifling through dresses. Brandy came and leaned in the doorway.

"The last time you guys fought like this, it was when you first met. Remember, when Busta was acting like a jerk and you were kind of being a jerk back and it was all because he was keeping his feelings to himself? Maybe you should give him a chance to talk, like last time," she suggested.

I looked at her. "I think he made it pretty clear what he's upset about. Even if he says sorry, it's still disappointing that he got so angry about it."

My hand landed on a plastic dry cleaner's bag towards the back of the closet, and I took it down to see what it was. My heart jumped. It was a sparkly red garment, that I had only worn once, for barely two hours.

"Brandy, look! My birthday dress," I spun around. "Should I?"

"Oh, hell yeah," Brandy nodded.

My phone started ringing, but I was in the middle of changing, so Brandy answered.

"Hello, Taylor's room." She paused. "Ummm. Hang on."

I walked out the closet. Brandy had her hand over the receiver of the phone.

"So, it's Kiki. Obviously Jake is driving her and Busta, but they want us to go with them in one car."

"What, they don't trust us to get to Long Beach and back on our own?" I grimaced.

"No."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, whatever."

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