December 24, 1994, 11:32 pm
"If they have a friend like Ben... Like Ben... Like Ben..." Taylor sang in harmony. Mackenzie had fallen asleep, he smiled and looked at her. Her arms were atop the armchair she was seating, head propped to it. He put his harmonica down and decided to check on what's happening downstairs. He had notice Zac is onto something but decided not to take any interest in it while Ike was on the couch, playing his video game also mumbling some kind of instruction to Zac who was grunting. The youngest kept on scratching his head but follow lead. It was indeed a good plan.
After 20 minutes of wasting time at the kitchen, Taylor walked back to the tree house to find Mackenzie still sleeping. He walked to her and started shaking her shoulder, "Ken..." he says repeatedly but nothing was happening, he guessed that it made Mackenzie more comfortable in sleeping. It was only 7 minutes till midnight!
"Kenny, wake up!" he shook her harder, "Mackenzie Olivia Cooper!" he shouted on her little ear.
That made Mackenzie's eye widened, eardrums clanging because of his shout, "Aw." She faced Taylor and saw him laughing, she spat him at the chest, "You don't have to do that to me, Tay." She held her almost injured ear, "It hurts."
He laughed harder, "It's not my fault sleepy-head. Let's go down, Mom's calling us."
She grimaced and came down the rope stairs, "It really does hurt Stickhead Taylor."
They both were on the bottom on the tree when Taylor cringed at her while looking at her face.
"What is it?" she asked.
He pointed his finger on her cheek, "You have something on your cheek... right there. Is that a booger?"
Mackenzie cringed and was about to pick it off when Taylor interjected first. He then ate it after smelling it, "Eww, Tay, you're so gross."
He chuckled at her, "It's not booger, okay? I was just joking."
"Then what is it, Booger Eater?"
"I don't know," he shrugged, "but it does taste funny."
She smiled, "Then why aren't you laughing?"
He gazed at her and guffawed, "Was that a joke?"
"Yes, because you're laughing," she smartly concluded.
He wrapped his arms onto her shoulders again, "Impressive. We're rubbing it off you, huh?"
She blushed in hot red at Taylor's manners but hid it. Taylor would never feel this way like she does. He only punctuate her as a bestfriend, and that's that. "Yeah," and also, they're just 12 years old. Boys at these age are so into having fun with games than feelings and girls, "thanks..." she plainly said.
It was hopeless.
The Christmas feast was done and everyone is busy in doing whatsoever. And the fun had start when Taylor grabbed Mackenzie beside the Christmas tree.
"Here," he handed her a violet wrapped box, "open it."
Ken looked at him and did what he said excitedly. When she saw what was inside, she was stunned, it was the Bunny ears headband they saw at the mall last day. She wore it happily and hugged Taylor in so much appreciation. He, too, was staggered but did hugged back. Mackenzie realized what she was doing and pulled away immediately, smiling at Taylor shyly.
"Thanks, Tay."
He nodded slightly, "Welcome. So wher-"
"Look Mom! A mistletoe!" Zac yelled.
The others who were busy turned to where Zac was pointing and gasped. There was a mistletoe above Mackenzie and Taylor's position.
"Ha ha! Would you look at that? Little Taylor's gonna kiss Little Kenny." He turned to Zac and snickered.
"Mom, this is very good opportunity. Why don't we take a picture?" Zac suggested, mischief in his voice.
"We should, honey," Diana commented and held Walker's arm, "at least we know who his first kiss is. Not some random girl on street."
The parents smiled.
Carmen was touched and put her head onto Matt's shoulder, "We definitely should. My Kenny's going to be a girl." She was nearly to tears.
Matt shook his head smiling, "Bet they are."
"KISS! KISS! KISS!" Isaac and Zac yelled. Also Jessica, Avery and Macky.
The two stared at each other, nervous at what was going to happen. Ken blushed again and looked down to avoid embarrassment. This was the most horrifying Christmas she would never imagine (apart from the fact that Tay's gonna kiss her of course- but still!).
"C'mon, Tay. Kiss her." Zac said.
Walker held his camera onto his hand and is ready to take a picture, "Taylor, kiss her. Go. This is a keeper."
"Go, honey," Diana persuaded.
Taylor took a peek at Ken, who's looking at her shoes. He felt pity on Ken for being stuck in this situation. He doesn't want Ken to be always on a condition that the parents and even Zac and Isaac put up to. So, to end the problem, he grabbed her chin and swooped his lips to hers that lasted for 2 seconds. However, he felt like he did it for hour. He pulled away and stared at Mackenzie, nearly crying. He felt guilty, and the look on her face made him do the most offending move he would never do to her, he ran to his room and left the other devastated. Mostly, Mackenzie.
"Wow." Zac.
Since then, they never talked until the time that Christopher Sabec found them in SXSW and got signed in Mercury records. She feared on seeing Taylor on those days. On occasions, she always find a way o not come at their house, even when the Hanson are there, she locks her door never come out.
Subsequently, it was time for the world tour concert and the Hanson were to leave their house. But before they were to go off, they made a final visit on their house. They made a decision to keep the tree house, avoiding it being rotten saying that they weren't sure when they'll be back. And also for Mackenzie's sake, that's what Carmen said. The bus was waiting while they talk, Mackenzie was on her room but she can hear them. Her Mom kept on requesting her to come out but she doesn't want to. She can't face them, especially Taylor.
"Carmen, you should talk to Kenny to come down, the boys are missing her."
Carmen sighed, "I just did before you came but she's too stubborn."
"I miss, Kenny." Jessica.
Avery agreed, "Me, too."
"Well... we all do, but guys, we need to go... we can't be late." Walker announced.
Diana stood, "Yeah, let's go, boys. Bye Carmen."
"Bye."
There was lot of hugging and when Mackenzie heard silence, she knew they were out the door.
"Aunt Carmen, can you tell Kenny that I miss her and I'm soooo sorry."
She heard her Mom said a faint, "Okay."
And it was it.
She shuffled of her bed and made way to the window to see that the Hanson were getting on the bus. On her hand, she held the Christmas present that Taylor gave her and gripped it. She remembered that she never got a chance to give him her present. She rushed to her cabinet, took out a black box and rushed to the stairs. It's not too late! She almost stumble on the last step but managed not to. She finally reached the front door. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and saw Taylor looking up at her room window on the step of the bus.
"Taylor!" She called that she almost squeaked at the last syllable.
He turned to her and was amazed by how fast she had ran and hugged him in seconds. "Kenny?" She pulled away and handed him the box, panting.
"Here."
He was fixated but knew what it was, "My Christmas present?"
"Yeah. But don't open it. I want you to keep it for now and don't open it till Christmas. Promise?"
He smiled, "Promise."
She offered him her pinky finger and he did, too. They pinky promised. They both smiled and hugged again.
"I want you to keep a promise, too." He said.
"What?"
"Don't ever change," Taylor said sincerely.
She looked at him and smiled without breaking the hug, "I won't and so do you Tay. Promise?"
"Promise."
"Can you sing a song for me?"
He smiled and sang 'Ben' once again. Hope she won't fall asleep.
"I really love your voice, Tay. I really do." She said after Taylor's song.
Zac came out the bus and yelled, "So mushy, aye? Let's go, Tay!" And he was gone.
They pulled away, "I'll miss you Kenny." He smiled.
"I'll miss you, too Rockstar Taylor." Again, tears form on the sides of her eyes.
Taylor smiled sadly and swept it away, he put his hands on her cheeks, "Take care of yourself, okay?"
She smiled, "you, too, bestfriend."
And then, he kissed her forehead and walked to the tour bus. They both waved bye and that was when Taylor disappeared and the bus closed the door. It made a small halt in front of the Hanson house when Mackenzie noticed a paper flew out of the window. It flew infront of her and caught it. She smiled while reading the small note, fold it and put it on her pocket, skipping on her way back to their house. The note, memorized on her mind.
Mackenzie, My Little Kenny,
Don't forget me...
I love you.
Yours,
Taylor
Chapter 3 on Progress :)