You Can't Always Get What You Want (Taylor Hanson)

Chapter 2

Their place was a small clearing in the woods, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It was an hour's drive and no one knew of it except them and a couple of Justin's friends, which had also become of Essence's closest friends.
Every time they came there Essence was surprised anew. A clearing big enough for three cars to squeeze. Trees everywhere, also making it near impossible to find it unless you knew how, ensuring privacy. It was being in nature and letting yourself go in the freedom.

They always came here at night. Surrounded in darkness. Sometimes it scared Essence, because the place was haunted. They had all felt the presence's of the couple who had died there. Car broke down, no food, no contact with the outside world.

With all that, you would think no one would go out there. But what Justin and Essence and their few close friends who came out there knew that most didn't, was that the couple were protectors. As long as you respected them, they would help you if you needed it.

Essence knew her basis of fear was not necessary, but it was still there, underneath the surface, not bubbling up often, but always there.

When Justin parked, Essence immediately went back into his arms, burying her face within the crack of his shoulder and neck, inhaling his cologne.

She was safe within the circle of his arms, everything there was right.

The whole drive there and while he was holding her, his mind was constantly going. He promises her they would always be together, that everything was going to be okay. So now, how was he going to follow through on his promise? There was no way in hell he was letting her go, that this Hanson guy was taking her away from him.

They could run away, he thought, but he didn't want to resort to such drastic measures, yet. He knew without a doubt that Essence would do it, but he didn't want to run away unless it was the only thing left to them.

Thankfully, Essence didn't say one word about what they were going to do. She just leaned against him, letting the peace of the clearing in the night surround her.

But that didn't mean her mind wasn't racing. She was having the exact same thoughts as he was. Ever since her parents dumped this on her, the constant thing that kept occupying her was running away.

Being able to be with Justin all the time, away from the problems, away from everyone. Her parents didn't even really like him because of him dressing goth/punk/metal. They especially didn't like that he had his lip pierced, his tongue pierced, and three piercings in one ear and one in the other. Not to mention he had three tattoos: one of the Grim Reaper on his leg, a sword on his upper arm, and a vampire cross on his back.

They only put up with him because they knew Essence wouldn't leave him. And now she understood why they tolerated him. They figured she wouldn't be with him for much longer.

Well she'd show them. She loved Justin and the time for Taylor having her love was long gone. He was too late.
"I love you Justin, " she whispered into the silence.

"I love you too sweethart," he kissed the top of her head and held her tighter still.

While Essence and Justin were where no one knew, Taylor had arrived at her house.

Karen had embraced him like she would a son and then asked him to wait in the living room while she went to fetch his future bride.

Taylor couldn't wait to finally meet Essence. She had been pointed out to him at the couple Hanson concerts she'd been able to attend, but for the sake of both of them, it was agreed they'd never meet before it was time to tell her about the arrangement.