Kylie sat, letting the warm summer rays beat down on her already tan skin. She pulled her sunglasses over her eyes, and started to sing along to the song that was on the radio. " ... I wont be your obligation, I wont be your Barbie doll, I wont be your portrait of perfection, to adorn your wall... " She closed her eyes and tried to catch up on some sleep.
"You don't look too busy."
She slowly pulled her sunglasses down her nose. "I am though, sweets."
"Are you too busy to come swimming?"
"Well I don't know. I was planning on tanning for a while. Its pretty relaxing." she said
"Yeah, but you know how much I would love it if you'd come... please?"
"Mmm... no." She placed her sunglasses back over her eyes.
"Come on Ky, I'll... clean your room."
She pulled her sunglases down again to look up at him. "Nope."
"I'll clean your room for the next week. How about that, huh?"
"No."
"Okay, fine, I'll set you up on a date with Ike."
Kylie sat straight up. "What?! Why would you do that?"
"I'm joking, Ky. Just come over and go swimming with us, please?"
She laid back down and sighed. "Fine, Taylor, you win. Just give me a few more minutes here to catch some rays."
"Man Kylie, you sure do play a mean game of marko polo." Zac commented as the four teens were drying themselves off after a fun couple hours in the Hanson's pool.
"Yeah, that I do." she said, wrapping her towel around her waist. She grabbed her sun tan lotion and sunglasses, turning towards Taylor. "You coming over?"
"Sure. Guys, tell mom and dad where I am. Be back later."
"You two behave yourselves!" Isaac called after them as they began walking nextdoor.
"Mom, Dad?" Kylie shouted as her and Taylor entered through the backdoor of her house. There was no answer. "Guess they're not here."
Taylor followed her up the stairs and down the hall to her room. "Oh, a new poster I see." he said once they entered her room.
"Yeah, mom got it for me when she went to New York last week."
"Is that all she does? Well, I don't mean to sound like she's never around you know, and that... uhh, nevermind, I'm just gonna shut up." Taylor sat down on the floor and leaned with his back up against her bed.
Kylie laughed. "Its okay Taylor, I know what you mean. And yeah, it kinda does seem that way. Last time she went to California she came home with 200 dollars and told me to go spend it somewhere on Rodeo Drive. Uhh... yeah right! Like I'm ever gonna go there! And even if I did, 200 dollars wouldn't buy me much."
"That's true. That place is so expensive."
"I think she was drunk then, so that helps explain a little." Kylie layed down on her bed, so that her head was laying of the bed, right next to Taylor's shoulder. "I wonder how many dots there are on my ceiling." she said, staring up.
Taylor looked up. "I haven't the slightest." he said "Why don't you try to figure it out."
"I might. But not now. Not when my favorite *pal* is here!" she hit him in his shoulder with her head. "Ow, that kinda hurt."
"Oh, poor Kylie, hurt her head, yet again." Taylor leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Better?" he asked
"No, but thanks for trying."
"Hey, anything or my favorite *pal*!" he mocked her
Kylie gave him a sarcastic smile, then sat up on her bed. "Oooohhhh, I think I got up too fast. God, my head is really having a hard time right now."
Taylor laughed and stood up. "Poor, poor Kylie. Always the - " he was cut short by the ringing of the phone.
"I got it." she said, reaching over to her nightstand and picking up her clearish - blue cordless phone. "Hello? Oh, hey mom... no, just Taylor's over here... yeah we went swimming earlier... what? You're where? But mom... yeah, yeah, I know... fine... yeah, bye."
"Where are they now?" Taylor asker her as he sat down next to her on her bed.
"Hawaii."
"Hawaii?!"
"Yeah. And you know what makes me mad? They didn't even *tell* me they were going anywhere. They were probably just sitting out on the beach and thought, 'oh yeah, Kylie's at home. She might be wondering where we are. Hmm... where's my cell phone?'"
"Come on, Ky, calm down. You know you can stay with us." Talor placed his arm around her as an attempt to comfort her.
"That's not the point!"
"Well, I know, but - "
"No! Taylor, don't you get it?" she asked him
"Apparently not." he answered
"They don't even want me! I know that sounds childish to say, but its true! They do this all the time! They're always gone on trips, whether its buisness or pleasure. Why can't they just stay home for a couple days in between trips? Gee, I don't know, maybe their *daughter* would like to see them at least once every three weeks!"
"You know what Ky?"
Kylie laid her head on his shoulder. "What?" she sighed
"I don't know why they do it. I know that if I had a daughter as pretty, as smart and as fun as you, that I would *not* abandon her like they abandon you."
"Well, thanks Taylor, but I really don't think that's gonna make them come home, or even stop traveling so much. They're used to it."
"I know. But look on the bright side! You've always got me!"
Kylie laughed and punched him in the arm. "Yep, I've always got you, Tay."
"Need some company?"
Kylie turned around and looked up at the person behind her. "Sure, Taylor." It was about three o'clock in the morning and since Kylie couldn't sleep she decided to head down to the den to watch some tv. Taylor sat down beside her on the couch. She grabbed the blanket that was around her and wrapped Taylor up in it too. He slid his arm across her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked
"No, guess not."
"Yeah, same here."
Kylie stared at the tv, most likely not paying attention to what was on there. Taylor saw this, and decided to ask if something was wrong. "Ky, is anything bothering you?"
She kept her eyes focused on the tv for a few moments before turning towards Taylor. "Well, yes, but I don't feel like talking about it right now."
"Kylie - "
"I know what you're going to say, and don't worry, I'll come talk to you about it when I feel like it. But right now, I just want to sit here. So please, just sit here... and hold me."
Taylor leaned over and gave her a soft kiss. "I love you Kylie." He pushed her head down so it was laying on his shoulder. "Now get some sleep, cutie."