Taylor raised an eyebrow contemptuously.
"Oh, c'mon Marty, give him a break." Jade answered.
Marty was a pretty big guy. About the same height as Taylor but a bit more muscle. Taylor was pretty sure he was a bit older than him too. Marty walked over and poked him hard in the chest.
"Gotta have a woman fight ya battles for ya huh? I don't like pansies."
"I can fight my own battle. But I choose not to." Taylor replied.
He was beginning to wonder about Jade's friends.
"You're just a wuss." Marty retorted, pushing Taylor away.
"You're just a knuckle-head." Taylor found himself replying. "All muscle and no brain."
That remark came with the reward of a punch across the face. Taylor just looked at him, and surprised all of them by punching Marty back. Marty took one look at Taylor after the punch hit his stomach, and for a second Taylor was sure he was gonna die. Then Marty laughed.
"You're not half-bad Hanson." He said, almost approvingly. "Coming to the party this Friday?"
"Yup." Taylor replied, trying to show his relief at not being pulverised.
"Cool."
"You smoke?" asked another of Jades' friends - Tom - holding out a packet of cigs.
"Uhh, no."
Tom just shrugged and continued passing them out. Jade took one as well.
"You sure?" Marty asked. "But then, you are a little Hanson-boy aren't ya? Wouldn't want your mommy to catch you smoking."
Taylor just let the comment pass. Time and time again it had been reinforced about the danger of smoking - especially to a singer. That type of thing could wreck your voice. It would not do to give in - or get into a fight. Deep down, however, Taylor knew he should just leave, but he liked Jade too much.
**********
Mark was just pressing her down on the couch when the heard the doorbell ring. He sat up, motioning for her to keep low and quiet. Then he opened the door.
"Mark? What are you doing here?"
"I live here Cassie."
"I know that. But you were supposed to meet me after school remember?"
"Oh, sorry. I forgot. I have all this homework I have to do -"
"Can I help?"
"No!" Mark almost shouted. "Uhh, it's just, requires concentration. And my dad is really pushing me to get good marks."
"Oh."
Mark reached over and kissed her cheek.
"Sorry, babe. I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah, okay." Cassie sighed, then - hoping to get some results, she continued. "I guess I'll ask Zac if he wants to come with me instead."
"Yeah, why not? He'd probably like it."
Cassie looked at him for a moment.
"Uhh, yeah. Well, see ya."
She left, disappointed. For some reason he seemed to be avoiding her. She might have put it to the arrival of the Hansons, but they had only come back two weeks ago, and this had been going on for months.
"Don't you think you should break it off Mark?" Jess asked.
Mark glared at her, and slapped her across the face.
"Don't tell me what to do!" he exclaimed, as the tears sprung to her eyes.
Then his tone changed and he sat next to her and put him arm around her.
"I'm sorry sweetie." He said. "Lifes' just been really hectic for me lately."
Then Mark started kissing her again.