The Town Plaza

Alex

That's it, buddy. I was gonna go easy on you before, but now... May God have mercy on your soul, 'cause I'm sending you straight to Hell.

I quickly, but gently, snatch Taylor away from Sam and try my best to ignore what he said about "doing things only he knows about." Disgusting creep. That's definitely not something you say in front of her parents.

I lead everyone to the part near the slight waterfall and make sure Sam sits in the spot I want, the ground squishing as he does. I suppress a smile as a look of disgust comes over him.

"Oh...I probably should have warned you... People aren't always as considerate as expected when taking their dogs for walks," I say, "They don't pick up after they..you know. Sorry."

Taylor

I stay as close as I can to Alex, not wanting to leave his side. I watch as my mother tip toes through the grass and my dad just tromps through it like there is no tomorrow. Caleb walks behind me and complains on how slow I am going. “If you want to go faster, do something about it.” I say.

“Okay, you asked for it.” He say he pick me up and throws me over his shoulder ,laughing, and runs. I see Alex laughing behind us.

“You are so embarrassing. Now I know why I did not miss you.” He says. He put me down and I walk back to Alex. “Is you brother this embarrassing?” I ask him.

Alex

I smile and laugh as Caleb and Taylor have their fun, taking her hand once she returns.

"Jason? Eh...It's more like the other way around," I say, "I make it my job to make his life miserable."

Taylor

I laugh as he takes my hand. “This is the prefect spot.” Alex says. I smile and lay out the blanket.

“Aw this place is so beautiful. Taylor you pick the most wonderful outings.” She says. I cannot help but laugh at my mom.

We all sit down expect Sam. “Here Sam you can join us. Sit there.” Alex says pointing.

Sam

“Oh how lovely we have a waiter for our lunch. Shows us our seats and everything.” I say. I roll my eyes and sit down.

Alex

We sit down and I sit in between Taylor and Sam, not wanting him next to her at all. I set down the basket and swing my elbow back nonchalantly, slamming it into Sam's jaw. He falls backwards into the water and I suppress smiles and laughs.

"Oh my god!" I fake shock, "I'm so sorry! I didn't see your face back there!"

Taylor

My mom and dad stand at the edge looking over. Alex and I stand there to. I start to laugh a little. His arms are flapping every where. He manages to get to the side of the lake were he fell in. His arms reach out trying to grab something. He grabs my ankle and pulls me in. His hands force my head under the water. I try to swim up for breath, but he forces me under the water. I come up for a split second and scream as loud as I can. “Help!” I breath in as much air as I can. His fingers dig into my skin and he kicks my back and he pulls me back under.

Alex

He pulls her under and I swear, kicking my shoes off and diving in after her. I shove him back, or try to. He doesn't let go. I ram my fist into his chin and send him backwards, stealing Taylor from his grip and bringing her up for air.

Taylor

Suddenly Sam falls back and lets go and a hand grabs me and pulls me up for air. It's Alex. I fill my lungs with air and he carries me out of the water. “Tell my parents we are going to get dry and meet them for dinner please.” I say to Alex.

He nods and tells them. The taxi cab arrives and her sets me in the car and jumps into the other side. I can hardly sit up, so I lean heavily on him. “I am sorry this was such a horrible day. I did not know this was going to happen.” I say to him.

Alex

I surface with Taylor and hold her close, away from Sam.

“Tell my parents we are going to get dry and meet them for dinner please," she tells me.

I tell her parents and help her out of the water, hailing a cab. I place her in it and scoot beside her. She leans against me, shivering, and I wrap my arms around her.

"I am sorry this was such a horrible day. I did not know this was going to happen," she apologizes.

I flash a smile and kiss her forehead, which tastes weird because of the lake water.

"Don't apologize, Tay. Neither of us could have possibly known that any of this was to happen," I tell her.

When we get back to the hotel Alex climbs out of the car and helps me out. He puts his arm around my waist to support me. We head up the elevator and into my room. I see my parents bags were brought to my room. I see my brother's bag and open it. “Here you can borrow some of Caleb's clothes. There is a shower down the hall. I will use the one in my room.” I say.

He nods and we both go in different directions.

20 MINUTES LATER

I go into my closet and grab a pair of soft shorts and a T shirt. No intentions of going in where for the next hour or two. Alex walks in with Caleb's clothes on. We both plop on the bed and I lay with him.

Alex

We arrive at the hotel and I help Taylor upstairs, the both of us soaked from head to toe. She lets me borrow some of her brother's clothes and points me in the direction of the shower. I nod and clean up, changing and heading back out to her room. We plop in the bed and lay together, sighing.

"Well, today was eventful," I state, twining my hand with hers and looking at her.

Taylor

Our foreheads meet. “He made me look so bad in front of my parents. He made me look like a slut and a stupid one at that. Then he touches me and pulls me into a lake. This was just not my day.” I say. “You are the only thing that made it worth getting up this morning. Thank you for saving me.” I say to him.

Alex

I smile and kiss her, rolling over to set my arm beneath her head.

"Anytime, Tay," I tell her, "And if he ever touches you again, say the word and I'll kick his a*s until he's too sore to sit down."

Taylor

I laugh and kiss him back. “No that would be to easy. I could kick his a*s. Sure that would be fun, but we need something much worse. I want my parents to hate him. They think he is a perfect little angle. I think it is time to change that.” I say. “Then we can kick his a*s.” I say

Alex

I smile and kiss her again, "I love the way you think, Tay. You read my mind."