My first SLOD story! I'm sorry, it's kind of depressing but the already explored, yet perfect love triangle between Cody, Bailey and Zack is preference of mine. This is for both Zailey and Cailey fans, though it's DEFINATELY leaning toward Zailey.

So enjoy!

By the way, this story is inspired by Elliana's 'Just One of the Guys'. As my favorite Zailey story author, thanks Ellie!

-MEGGEM

ZACK'S POV

He couldn't look at her.

He couldn't bear to gaze at her, when his twin was in the room. Feelings of jealousy and anger would overwhelm his excessive persona and eventually, he'd break down crying; running away, claiming his eye was just watering. His brother, the ever oblivious, wouldn't notice a thing. But she would. And she'd be troubled. That's not what he wanted.

He couldn't stand her.

He couldn't stand the farm girl, all-good, nature loving smile she had. It was only a reminder she was too good for him. In fact, his brother didn't deserve her either. She was perfect- a brave, intelligent, kind soul, who stood up to him when others didn't and listened to him when others walked away. The only consolation, the only salvation to his frightful nights, was maybe she didn't feel the same way. That no one would have to hurt, but him. Because in his mind, he knew she couldn't stand him either.

He couldn't touch her.

He couldn't touch her, both literally and figuratively. His hands sat limp when she walked by, only moving to tousle his hair or mess with the smoothie machine. Anything that might take away the longing- anything to push away tabooed thoughts. His mind couldn't reach hers. He couldn't understand the strange, mathematical phrases she'd repeat, or the complex science answer she'd got right, but he knew he'd failed at. Yes, he'd make fun of the nonsense or act plain stupid or even disregard the past three minutes at best. He'd still be on his computer late at night, searching the term so he could actually talk the next time it came up.

He couldn't talk to her.

He couldn't communicate with the girl he loved, he couldn't tell her she looked nice or that he believed the things she said. He could only mutter an insult about something where nothing was wrong. He could only talk about himself and the girls he'd gone out with recently. She'd shake her head and walk away, leaving him with an emptiness that was covered up by a shrug.

He couldn't understand her.

He couldn't comprehend what was happening in her mind; why her eyes flickered to his brother's after an inside joke. Why her hands constantly stroked her hair, or played with the cute pig Porkers. Or why she'd lie outside on the deck, watching the stars, completely unaware of his stalking ways. Why she looked upon him with a pity that made his heart throb every day.

Worst of all, he couldn't have her.

She wasn't his to look at, touch, talk to, understand. She wasn't his to love. She wasn't his to think about night after night. She wasn't his.

The thoughts tormented him relentlessly, adding to his giggly, stupid personality. That was the only way to cover up the fact her and his brother's face floated before his eyes even when they weren't there.

He couldn't have her.

So why did he decide to help save the whales and enjoy every minute that she sweat on him? Why did he make a bed for when they were lost at sea, or vouch for her sense of direction instead of Cody's? Why did his eyes follow her when she left the room? Why did he playfully banter with her on the new, when he knew there was no possibility?
There wasn't a way out. There wasn't an escape route.

He had dreams of Bailey leaving his brother or that Cody would leave her, having him be there to pick up the pieces.

These thoughts filled him with dread.

But they also filled him with hope.

I don't want to write anymore because that would ruin the one-shot. But there might be more Zailey stories to come. R&R :)

-MEGGEM