* HEY YA'LL THIS IS A LONG CHAPTER-BUT ITS ONLY THE BEGINNING. IT TAKES PLACE AFTER BURNED BUT I AM MIXING IT UP A LITTLE BIT. ITS MY FIRST CHAPTER BUT I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.*

I was so nervous to be going out with Stark. I don't know why though. He and I have had some kind of connection from the day we met. He had saved my life an I had saved his. You would think that that would make me less nervous. Nope, completely terrified of how it will go. We are great friends and the few kisses that he and I have shared were amazing but, actually going on a real date with him, makes me feel like I've never done it before. All of this was going through my mind while I was getting ready. I had my outfit laid out, with the help of Shaunee and Erin. My outfit consisted of a tight black dress, that wrapped around my neck, black heels, and a silver clutch purse. Along with silver chandelier earrings. Just as I put the last earring in, there was a knock at the door. I suddenly felt a knot and butterflies in my stomach. I just froze, but then I heard a voice say, "I know you're still in there. Just open the door!"

It was Aphrodite and her pushy self. I clamed way down and opened the door.

"Hey Aphrodite, what do you want. I'm getting ready." I said.

"Yeah, I Know. That's why I'm here. I figured you would be freaking out because you're like in-love with Stark. All your loser friends have no idea how nervous you are."

"They might. Maybe they just wanna give me my own space."

"No, they are so oblivious to your love for him and his for you. All they see if that you two are just close. But you and Stark are closer than you and Health used to be. I know you don't like bringing him up, but I had to, to make my point." Surprisingly she actually sounded sincere. That's so unusual for her. She must want something.

"You're right, I don't like to talk about Health but, it's alright. He was a big part of my life and I did love him. But I know you want something, so instead of sweet talking me, just tell me or ask me what you want."

"Fine! I was trying to be nice, but ever since you came back you have been more pushy that before. I want out of this school and since you are pretty much the High Priestess here, I wanna know if Darius and I can go with you and Stark on your date."

"So you mean you're asking me if you and Darius can double with us?"

"Yes!"

"Well for one you know I am not the High Priestess, the Queen is here. You have to ask her, if you're allowed to leave the premises." I explained.

"Yeah, I get that. But you are in training and plus you have it in good with her. So come on, please, just call her room and ask her. I know if you ask she will let us go." Aphrodite was begging at this point and it made me feel good. She and I had become friends after everything that happened, but that still doesn't mean that I got a little pride out of her begging for my help. Even though I know for a fact that if she just asked the Queen to go out, the Queen would let her, I said, "Okay, A, I will ask her. But I can't guarantee anything."

"Thank you Zoey." She sounded grateful, then just as fast as it came, it was gone and sarcastically she said, "And I know you liked to see me beg. Don't worry though, I'll get you back for that." Then she stalked off out of my room and down the hall to her room. I picked up the phone and rang for the Queen's room. When she answered, she already knew it was me. "Hello Zoey, how may I help you?"

"Well, it's not really me that needs help. It's Aphrodite. She wants to go out on a double date with Stark and I."

"Do you wish for her to go with you. It's not really up to me, it's more up to you."

"I know that a little bit, but I still wanted to run it past you. I kind of want her to go."

"Is it because you are nervous?"

"How-How did you know that I'm nervous?"

"I can hear it in your voice, dear. But don't be nervous. I have a good feeling about you and Stark. But don't forget that he is your Guardian."

"I know this. I won't ever forget it, either."

"So, you made your decision and I suppose I helped a little bit. And you may tell Aphrodite, that the next time she wishes to do something, she can ask me herself. She needs not to cower behind anyone. As I hear, she used to be a very vibrate, demanding young lady."

"She used to be, yes. But that changed when she lost her mark, when she saved my friend, Stevie Rae."

"Yes I know all of that. Now go on your date and have fun."

We hung op the phone and at that the same time, there was another knock on my door, but I could already feel that it was Stark this time. Some of the nervousness came back, but not all of it. I took a deep breath and walked over to the door. When I opened it, Stark stood there in nice jeans, with a white dress shirt, vest and tie. He also had on nice white tennis shoes, but from what I could tell they were name brand, K-Swiss.

"Hey, are you ready?" He said first.

"Yeah, I'm ready. But…" I started.

"But, Darius and Aphrodite are going with us." He nodded, then continued, "Yeah, I already know. Darius asked me if it was alright. He also told me Aphrodite was going to ask you."

"She did. Are they waiting for us?"

"Yup, they're in the car now."

We walked down the stairs, out the door, and straight toward the parking lot. The two of them were in a big black SUV, courtesy of the school. We left and went to a private building, where a dinner was already set up. It was in the basement of the church. Stark asked the nuns to help with our dinner, then had to call back and see if they could add two more places.

The dinner went by quickly, which I was grateful for. After we were all there, I got sick of Aphrodite and Darius there. So once the dinner was finally over, we drove back to the school and they finally left us alone. Thank goodness! But instead of going back to my dorm, we went behind the dorm.

"So I enjoyed dinner tonight. And I especially liked that you didn't take me to a fancy restaurant." I told him.

"I figured you would. I'm glad we're alone now though."

"So am I." I sighed with relief.

"What should we do for the rest of the night. The dinner went pretty quick, so it's still early."

"Well, I could thank you." I answered.

"How are you going-" He started, but didn't have the time to finish cause I leaned up and kissed him, gently on his mouth. "Oh so that's how." he breathed.

"Yeah that's how." It wasn't a question but I figured I should answer. We stood there looking at each other for a few moments and then he leaned down and put his lips to mine. Only this time our mouths opened and his tongue snaked into my mouth. I was pressed up against the side of the building, and Stark put his right hand behind my neck and his left hand behind my back. I reached up and ran my hand through his hair, and the kisses got deeper. I swear he and I were kissing for ten minutes or so, until we heard someone clear their throat. At first we didn't pull apart, but then they said, "Am I interrupting?" That's when Stark pulled away by like a foot or so. We both looked to see who had said that. Then it was a little awkward, because the person standing there was Erik Night. "Oh please don't stop on my account."

Stark was such a smartass he said, "No problem." He took a step toward me and was just about to kiss me again when I put my hand on his chest to stop him. Then I looked at Erik and asked witchingly, "What do you want Erik? In case you didn't realize, we want some privacy." I could see Stark raise his eyebrows in that oh-yeah-we-wanna-be-alone kinda way.

"I was looking for you. I wanted to talk to you." Erik responded calmly.

"What did you want to talk to me about? You have had nothing nice to say to me since we broke up. So you have nothing nice to say now, then I don't want to hear it." I said annoyed.

"Can I talk to you privately, please?"

"No, whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Stark." I could sense Stark's cockiness surfacing. But he didn't say anything, which I was thankful for. I didn't need all this testosterone in the air. "So what is it you have to say?"

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I treated you, after we broke up." and right after he said it I heard Stark scoff. Oh I was starting to feel like I thought too soon about testosterone. Erik continued, "I feel like I screwed up with you and before I say this," he gestured toward Stark and I, "I was going to ask if you would try to give me another chance."

Right after Erik spoke Stark began, "What makes you think she would take you back after you called her a slut? You are an asshole and if Zoey wasn't here I would kick your ass!"

"I would like to see you try." Erik countered.

"Yeah…but I don't think you wanna take the chance though. Do you?"

"You can talk the talk but you can't walk the walk. I would hurt you so bad."

"In your head maybe. But I would have you down on the ground before you could say-" I jumped in then. "Hey! Enough of this! If you both don't shut the hell up, I will kick both your asses with spirit!" I wasn't yelling, yet. I glanced between both of them, with my don't-test-me look.

"Sorry." They both said to me.

"I don't need either one of you to be sorry. Just stop being such…GUYS!" I turned to Stark and said, quietly, "Let me talk to him for a minute, alone. You can go wait in my room. I know you can sneak in there." Then I winked and smiled at him.

"Are you sure? I can wait around the corner. He doesn't have to know."

"No. It's fine. I'll be fine. Please." I told him. He didn't answer, he just nodded and walked right past Erik without incident. Once Stark was gone, I focused on Erik. "Listen I don't know why you said what you said, but thank you. I know it took a lot for you apologize."

"Thank you for accepting my apology."

"No, I'm not finished. I've actually hated you, since then. I didn't want to be around you or hear your name or anything. I wanted to forget you. I wanted to forget about being your girlfriend, about all the times we kissed and even that almost time in the tunnel." I paused for a moment, then continued, "Do you know how much I wanted to be with you? I know Heath was a big part of that, but he was never really the reason why we didn't sleep together. You were. Deep down I knew what kind of guy you truly were. And when it was over between us, I finally knew the truth."

"No that's not the real me." He corrected.

"Maybe not, but it is apart of you. And I can't have a guy who is loving and caring and sweet at one moment and then a total asshole the next. It just doesn't work for me."

"Oh and what about Stark?" He asked angrily.

"See-right there. That's my point. You're getting mad over my telling you the truth. Stark has nothing to do with this. And as for you and I now. We can maybe be friends but you and I won't ever be together again. I'm not sorry for saying this but I am sorry for how things went between us. I do miss you in my life, but again we're only gonna be friends. Okay?" Erik didn't say anything for what seemed like forever. Then he finally answered, "Yeah, okay. For now anyway." But before I could say anything he was walking away. I just shook it off and went to my room, where Stark was patiently waiting on my bed.

* MORE TO COME-WILL STARK AND ZOEY ACTUALLY

DO SOMETHING OR WILL THEY WAIT? WHAT DO YOU

THINK SO FAR? LET ME KNOW-REVIEW, PLEASE.*