two thousand one hundred and eighty nine days later
Two thousand one hundred and eighty nine days later, Zack Martin stood in front of his bedroom mirror, taking in his appearance. He had always assumed that on this particular day, he would feel like a fool. That he would think back to the night he had danced with Maddie, think back to a promise she never even vowed to, and feel like a utter fool.
His hair maybe needed a little trimming, but then again, he liked it long. So had Maddie back then. She of the golden tuft and blue eyes. She who still was the only one for him, although he knew it was different for her.
In the reflection he scanned the interior of his dorm, which he shared with his room mate slash brother. It looked exactly like a male dormitory should look like—clothes strewn everywhere, magazines lying around, CDs piling up. Of course, that was his own side of the room. Cody's looked meticulous, naturally. Not a lot had changed since the Tipton days.
Back then when they had also shared a room. When life seemed to consist solely of video game arcades, homework and hanging out at the candy counter. A lot had happened since then. Not just school and high school. Something else, something bigger. Life had happened.
And where was Maddie now?
Where was he now?
Before his eyes, his own reflection disappeared and images of Maddie took its place.
Maddie laughing, Maddie crying, Maddie singing; Maddie babysitting, Maddie selling candy, Maddie dancing. Maddie, Maddie, Maddie.
How could he even attempt to love any other girl?
His thoughts were rudely interrupted when the adjoining bathroom door flew open and Cody stepped out. He stared at his half naked brother, then yelled: "Geez, don't tell me you're still not ready! We're already running late! Mom is so gonna kill you!"
Zack didn't react at first, then he said, still in a contemplative mood, "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"
His brother's eyes widened, "You ask me? This is your wedding!" But when Zack didn't say anything to that, Cody resigned. He was, after all, the sensible one. He made a step toward his twin, took him by the shoulders, looked him straight into the eyes, "Do you love her?"
Maddie Fitzpatrick, how do I love you...? How can I love anybody else?
He looked into the mirror again, but Maddie had vanished from it. There was only Zack Martin in black briefs. He told the reflection, "More than my own life."
"Then get the hell into that tux and move it, man." Cody rolled his eyes, "You better hope your future wife is running late, too, or Mom won't have a chance to kill you, because you'll be dead already."
Zack took the white tuxedo from his bed and got dressed in a hurry. Before they left the room to rush to the church, he turned to his brother once more, "You know, I never thought about that, but Martin is the perfect last name for her."
Cody grinned, "Maddie Martin. Like it was made for her."
"That's because I was made for her."
"Not if you don't get moving."
"Then what are we waiting for?!" He gave a caveman yell and ran down the corridors like crazy, his brother following suit. This was, after all, the happiest day of his life.
the end