Disclaimer: I do not own The Suite Life of Zach and Cody or any of its characters.

Author's Note: So, I am writing a Suite Life fic because I absolutely love the Suite Life and this will totally be a Zach/Maddie and Cody/London story. However, it will take place a while in the future.

Prologue

The day of my high school graduation was a day I could never forget. The day was supposed to be all about me and my twin brother, Cody. Of course, it was more about Cody than me anyways because he was going to be valedictorian and then go off to Yale, while I was graduating at the top of the bottom third of our class and was lucky to get into the local community college.

But, I decided a couple days before graduation I was going to make my night all about Maddie. Maddie, who had graduated three years ago, was going to Sarah Lawrence and was coming on one of her rare visits to see Cody and I graduate. Anyways, I decided that would be when I told Maddie how I really felt about her.

So, I began to ask people for some advice, and not a single one of them was very helpful. Cody asked me if I remembered all the times I hit on her when we were younger, which of course I did. I told him that I felt differently now, was more mature, and really did care for her. My mom told me not to get my hopes up, because Maddie was three years older than me, and that makes a big difference. My response to that was that it didn't make as a big of a difference now that I was almost a high school graduate. My dad just kind of looked away and mumbled something about other fish in the sea, to which I protested that I did not want other girls, I wanted Maddie. Mr. Moseby was the least helpful, telling me that Maddie was way too smart for me. I did not have a reply for this, because she really was too smart for me. The most encouraging, but still not helpful, was London, who told me the whole thing was adorable.

But, I decided to trek on anyways, I was so sure that she would return my feelings, no matter what everybody else thought. So, the day of graduation came and I knew that she was coming to see mostly me, whereas everybody else was worrying over Cody.

"Hey Zach, you ready for this night?" Maddie asked gently as she joined me outside of the Tipton. We were leaving for the school shortly and I had decided to come outside to get a breath of fresh air.

"Sure," I shrugged, "this night doesn't mean as much to me as it does to Cody."

"I don't believe that," Maddie chided me, "this is just as much your night as his."

"Nah," I shrugged again, "it's his time to have the spotlight, since I always took it from him when we were kids."

"You've really matured," Maddie smiled at me as we just looked at the view.

"Thanks," I smiled back at her, "Maddie, look, there's something I want to discuss with you."

"Zack! Let's go," Carey Martin yelled at me as her, Cody, London, Esteban, Arwen, and even Mr. Moseby stepped out of the hotel to join us on our big night.

"Moseby! I didn't know you cared," I poked fun at him and watched him stiffen up.

"I do not care in the least bit, I am just happy to see you two hooligans leave my hotel at last," Mr. Moseby said formally, but I could see a small smile on his lips.

"Come on Maddie," I encouraged her as I held open the door of the passenger side of my car so that she could get in. A few seconds later, Cody and London joined us in the car and we were ready to take off.

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After most of the festivities were over later that night, I was sitting on a park bench across the street, knowing that my perfect moment had probably already passed me by.

"Zack?" Maddie questioned as she approached my park bench, "I was getting ready to leave and I wanted to find you to say good-bye."

"Bye," I half-heartedly attempted a smile at her.

"What? No hug?" Maddie smiled, "Come on Zack, I thought you were a ladies man."

I smiled as I got up to give the girl of my dreams a good-bye hug. As I was hugging her, I realized that I had planned this night to tell her, and there was no way that I was going to let it be ruined

"Maddie ….," I said, somewhat hesitantly, "there's something I have to tell you."

"Okay Zack," she smiled her gorgeous smile at me, "what is it?"

"Ever since I have known you, since the first day I moved into the hotel, you knew I had a crush on you," I started, Maddie smiled again.

"Of course I remember," Maddie giggled a little, "you were so cute."

"Well, after a couple of years, I stopped trying to ask you out. You were older, smarter, and generally too good for me," I continued in a rush, "but, Maddie that doesn't mean I stopped having those feelings for you. They were always there. They are still there."

"Zack," Maddie began, but I interrupted her.

"Just let me finish before you talk," I said, "I know that I am still three years younger than you, and you still are too good for me. But, I would do everything I could to make you happy. All I'm asking for is one date. I still like you Maddie."

"Are you done?" Maddie quietly asked.

"Yeah," I said, looking hopefully at her. She timidly smiled at me.

"Zack … I'm sorry," Maddie shook her head, "I only see you as a friend. A good friend, no, a great friend. But, I just can't return these feelings you have for me. I'm sorry."

"Oh," was all I could manage to say.

"Zack …," Maddie started again, I couldn't stand to hear the pity in her voice, so I interrupted her again.

"No, its okay," I shook my head, giving her a weak smile, "I'll be okay. I'm used to rejection by you."

"Are we okay?" Maddie asked, nervously.

"Of course," I gave a broader smile, "we'll always be friends."

"Good," she smiled, giving me a brief, awkward hug, "I really do have to go."

I watched her walk off before sitting back down on the park bench. I was so stupid. I should have known that she would never feel the same way. She was too good for me. Everybody had been right. I had never been so humiliated in my life.

"This sucks," I stated, not wanting to move from the park bench.