Chapter 4

The knock startled Vega, who was sitting on her loveseat sofa in her living room, near the front door. She hadn't expected him to go to the back door. He never did that before. She quickly checked her reflection in the mirror. Oh gosh, my eyes, I hope he doesn't notice, she thought. Another knock, harder this time, interrupted her thoughts. She tossed her hair up into a quick pony, and opened the door. There he stood, dressed in a tight black shirt and baggy jeans, and blonde hair... short. "Oh my gosh you cute your hair?!" Vega said, shocked. "Yeah, I got sick of the whole 'he's a she' thing, do you like it?" Jordan asked. "But you kept the tail, right?" Vega responded, answering a question with a question. "Yeah," said Jordan, laughing and pulling his rat-tail to the front. "Oh there it is.. umm... do you want a coke or something?" Vega said, now nervous. "Sure, how anything but a Dr. Pepper," said the boy known to the fans as 'Taylor'. "Yeah, I know what you mean, that stuff is NASTY!" said Vega, making a face. Jordan laughed. "It's really good to see you again you know," he said, opening a Sprite. "You too," Vega replied, taking a chug of a Diet Coke. "Now, let's get all this worked out." "Good idea.". The couple sat at Vega's kitchen table sipping their sodas. "Let's just say this then, I forgive you for everything, ok?" Vega began. Jordan interrupted, "And I forgive you for everything too, ok?". They both felt really glad that they had gotten those heavy burdens off of their backs. Maybe we could actually be friends again thought Vega. "So, what have you been up to lately?" she asked, not caring, just not wanting the conversation to totally die. "Well, as you know, Michigan is not our favorite place to play. It seems like no one likes poor Ike here. They booed him offstage when he was playing 'More Than Anything' during the Alby Tour. I had to convince the family that we needed to come here to see the Aerosmith concert that they just had, so we all came! I don't really like Aerosmith that much.. I just couldn't let you hurt yourself like this anymore.. and I needed to see you in person to apologize." he said in one breath. "Well, I'm glad you did, Tay, I really am." Vega said, meaning every word. "You look good... but your eyes look really tired," Jordan commented. "Yeah well after the labor and baby Angie dying - I named her Angie, by the way - I kept on starving myself. I've gained 5 pounds though which is really good for me. Maybe I weigh less that YOU now!" she teased. "I'm not really that thin..." he started. "Oh please Mr. Skinny! You're practically anorexic yourself!" Vega said offensively. "Hey, let's not start with the thin jokes or I could tease you too... but I won't," Jordan responded. "I'm gonna order some food... what do you want on your pizza?" Vega asked. "Everything! I don't care, you pick," he answered. Vega called the local Papa John's and ordered a veggie pizza.. with lots of garlic butter sauce. "Good choice!" said Jordan. "So, when do you have to be back to.. where are you staying anyway?" Vega questioned. "Oh, we're staying in some hotel.. I don't even remember the name.. it's not too far from here. Me, Ike, and Zac are sharing a room, but they've probably already taken both beds so I don't really have to be back any time soon." he said. "You could sleep in my room if you want and I'll sleep in my mom's room," Vega offered. "Thanks but I don't know if either of our moms would go for that," he replied. "K, let's go catch some TV or a vid or something... are you up for some N64?" Vega said, knowing how addicted he was to her stupid Nintendo. He popped in the James Bond game that he always played when he came over. "2 player?" he asked. "No, I'll let you get into practice before I beat you," she threatened. He laughed and threw a pillow at her, but began playing. She watched his face. Wow does he look good with short hair! she thought. It feels so good to finally forgive. He's right. It only hurts me. The doorbell rang to interrupt her thoughts. Vega grabbed a $20 from her wallet and ran to pay the pizza guy, hoping he was cute. "Wait a sec, V, this one's on me," Jordan said, pausing the game and getting up. "No way! It's my house, you're my guest, I'm paying!" Vega protested. "I don't think so hun!" he answered as they raced toward the door, laughing hysterically. They opened the door and Vega's face dropped. "Oh my gosh!" she said as her face went white. She was standing with Jordan's arm around her waist, and standing at the door, was the pizza guy, Jason.