Searching for Home
by Chelle & Nikki

~ CHAPTER 8 ~

"Hey, Taylor told me you found an apartment the other day." Isaac said to Brianna when she walked into his office to hand him an appointment sheet. "Yes, I did." Brianna answered with a smile. "That's great. I heard the owner got a little personal." Ike said walking over to his file cabinet. "Yeah, it was really weird. I mean she asked where I was from and then how old I was, my parent's names." Brianna shook her head and sighed. "But she seems nice. I kinda got the feeling that she wanted to ask more but I also felt like she thought it'd be too much." Ike nodded as he sat back down at his desk. "Yeah, some people just don't know when to quit." He said. "Maybe she really thought she knew you or your parents." he added. "Hmm, maybe." Brianna agreed. "But it was still weird. It was almost creepy." she said with a shudder, causing Isaac to laugh. Brianna just rolled her eyes and laughed at her reaction too. She walked out of Ike's office and into her own. She hadn't mentioned anything to Taylor but she was sure he had noticed too. She couldn't figure out why he didn't say anything. Brianna hadn't seen it at first but when Sheila started asking those weird questions it finally hit her, the face structure and the freckles across her nose, Brianna knew that they looked a little alike. She had wondered nearly all night and the next day if what she was thinking could even be possible but she had been told her whole life that her mother had blue eyes the color of sapphires and dark hair, the same as her own. Sheila had hazel eyes and brown hair that was starting to turn gray. The rest of the day, Brianna didn't have much time to think about it again. They were busy. Taylor had gone to Austin to check out a band and so the next two days, Brianna worked with Jessica and Isaac mainly. She and Jessica had become friends and Brianna always enjoyed talking to her. They had a lot of common ground because of their work and they liked a lot of the same things.
"Hey Brianna, where did you put that recording schedule?" Jessica asked walking into Brianna's office. "It's in the second drawer." Brianna answered, pointing to her file cabinet with her pen. Brianna was working on an announcement for the local paper about an addition call for backup singers. "Can I ask you a personal question?" Jessica asked, turning back from the door. "Sure, I guess so." Brianna answered. Jessica walked over and sat in a chair next to Brianna's desk. "Well, I was just wondering... I wanted to know, about you and Taylor."
"Me and Taylor? What about me and Taylor?" Brianna asked, looking up.
"What's going on with you two? Are you dating or what?" Jessica asked.
"Or what." Brianna replied with a smirk.
"Come on Bri, I'm serious." Jessica said.
"There's nothing to be serious about Jess. We're friends, that's all."
"So all those lunch dates and apartment hunting this past weekend..."
"Were nothing but lunch dates and apartment hunting." Brianna finished for her.
Jessica smiled. "Alright. It's just that, he's been unhappy for a long time. Ever since Andrea... since they split up. Now, he's happy. He smiles a lot more and he talks about you a lot and how nice and funny you are. We've all seen the way you look at each other and I guess I just thought that..."
"Jessica, Taylor and I are friends. We like spending time together the same as other friends do. I'm glad he's happier but I really don't think I had anything to do with that. Time heals pain and some time has gone by since he and Andrea split. He would be this way even if I wasn't here. I understand your concern but there is nothing more than friendship between us." Brianna said. "Who said I was concerned? I think it'd be good for him to be honest, and probably good for you. But I believe you." Jessica grinned and added, "I have to make some phone calls." She stood up and walked out, closing the door. Brianna sat silent for a moment and then said to herself "My God, what a mess!" She shook her head and went back to her work.

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"Whoa! Hold it, Hold it!" Taylor yelled. "Tay, come on! This thing weighs a ton!" Zac said with a whine. "I got it. Ready. 1, 2, 3... up!" Taylor and Zac lifted the couch up and out of the truck. They carefully made their way up to the door. "Hey thanks guys!" Brianna said with a smile as she stood back, letting them walk past her and sit the couch down. "Man! That sucker was heavy." Zac said straightening up and stretching. "Yeah, but we got it, huh bro?" Taylor laughed and slapped Zac on the shoulder. "Just two end tables and some boxes left." He added. "One end table." Ike corrected walking through the front door. The guys were helping Brianna move into the apartment. She had bought some new furniture for the living room and bedroom. "Hey, whatcha gonna put in the other bedroom?" Zac asked. "I'm not sure. I think I'll probably have it as a guest room so I'll have to get another bed and stuff." Brianna answered. "Right now I'm not gonna think about it." she added. Brianna walked over and looked out of her door to see a lady standing outside by a car. She looked like she was checking the tires but kept glancing back up at Brianna. She'd quickly turn away when their eyes met. "What are you looking at?" Taylor asked quietly. "That lady, I think she's watching us." Brianna and Taylor stood silent for a minute. They watched as the lady kicked at her tires but kept glancing back toward them and then would quickly turn away. "Maybe she's a nosy neighbor." Taylor said as they stepped outside and slowly walked toward Ike's truck. "I don't know. She's creeping me out. I noticed her come out when we started moving this stuff in." Brianna said. "Nothing to worry about, I'm sure. Maybe she wants to meet you and talk but is waiting to see what we do or something. Taylor said with a shrug. "Or maybe she wants to meet you." Brianna said with a laugh. "Hey, maybe I can..." Taylor began but a voice pulled their attention away. "Unca Tay!" A small little girl squealed as she ran up into Taylor's arms. "Hey snicker doodle!" Taylor said, making the little girl giggle. The child was soon followed by a young girl and a little boy. "Daddy! Daddy!" The little boy yelled as Ike walked outside. "Hey buddy!" Ike said scooping the boy up. Isaac walked over to Taylor and Brianna and kissed the little girl. "Hey sweetie." He said. "Daddy!" the girl giggled. "Brianna," Isaac said "This is Kevin and Allison."
"Hi. You know your daddy talks about you all the time." Brianna said. The kids just laughed. "Hey Babe." Zac said joining them all outside. "Hey. I didn't think I'd find you guys. This is a big place." The girl said glancing around. "You must be Brianna. It's nice to finally meet the one that saved Jessica from a total meltdown." Everyone laughed. As they shook hands she said "I'm Stacy, Zac's wife." She said. "Nice to meet you." Brianna smiled. "Where's Lisa?" Ike asked. "Oh, she had to do some grocery shopping and then said she was going to get Zoe from Choir practice." Stacy answered. Ike nodded. Suddenly a voice called from a mini van in the parking lot. "Hello." An older lady got out and walked up to the small group. "Gran-D!" Allison said and wiggled out of Taylor's arms. "Hi honey." The lady said with a smile. She picked up the little girl. "Hi kids. How's it going here?" She asked. "Fine. Mom, this is Brianna. Bri, this our mother, Diana." Diana and Brianna shook hands. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Hanson." Brianna smiled. "The pleasure is mine." Diana replied. "And it's Diana, please." Brianna smiled and nodded. "Well, I just came by to see how you were doing here. This is a lovely neighborhood Brianna. Zoe, my youngest, has a friend that lives down the road and around the corner over there." Diana said, pointing to the right behind the apartment building. "Yeah, Miranda! I forgot about her living around here." Taylor said. Diana smiled and raised her eyebrows and said, "So you boys don't be late for dinner. I have to run." Diana kissed her grandchildren. "Ok, see you in a while mom." Zac said. "Uh-huh. Nice to meet you Brianna!" She called from her car. "You too." Brianna said with a wave. Diana drove out of the parking lot. "Yeah, I better get going too. I have to get some things from the store. Come on kids." Stacy said. She kissed Zac good-bye and Isaac gave each of his children a hug and kiss. "Hey, rugrats!" Taylor called as they started to walk away. The kids stopped and started walking back. Taylor met them halfway and handed each of them five dollars. "Buy yourselves something nice." he laughed. "WOW! Thanks uncle Tay!" Kevin said. "You're welcome, Kevman." Taylor said. "Tank you unca Tay." Allison said. "You're welcome too." Taylor laughed. They walked to the car and got in. "Bye. It was nice meeting you Brianna." Stacy said shutting the back door of her car after the kids were buckled in. "Nice to meet you too." Brianna said. After they drove off, Ike turned to Taylor. "How many times do I have to tell you not to give them money. Let them earn it." He said with a slight laugh. "They did earn it." Taylor replied. "How?" Ike asked. "They're your kids aren't they?" Taylor said. Everyone laughed as Ike narrowed his eyes. "Besides, as if that wasn't enough, look who their riding with." Taylor said. "Hey!" Zac said, "I resent that. Where do you get off... oh hell, she is a bad driver." Zac said throwing his hands up. They all laughed and began to unload the boxes and carry them into the apartment.

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