These words I'll never say

These words I'll never say

I'm tugging at my hair. I'm pulling at my clothes. I'm trying to keep my cool I know it shows. I'm staring at my feet. My cheeks are turning red. I'm searching for the words inside my head.

Zoey was standing in front of Chase. She wanted to ask him to go to prom with her. She couldn't find the right words. She was standing in front of him pulling at her tee-shirt and tugging at her hair.

Chase said "Zoey I'm going to be late for class. If you have something to ask me just say it. I just got back to PCA. I don't want to spend an evening in detention my first night back. Wait Zoe why don't we just talk later. What ever you have to ask me must really be making you nervous."

Zoey stared at her feet. She hoped her face wasn't as red as it felt. She was trying to keep her cool but she knew it showed. She searched for the words to tell him that it was ok with her but she could only nod her head.

I'm feeling nervous trying to be so perfect because I know you're worth it. If I could say what I want to say I'd say I want to blow you away. Be with you every night. Am I squeezing you too tight? If I could say what I want to see I'd say I want to see go down one knee. Marry me today yes I'm whishing my life away with these things I'll never say.

After dinner that night Chase came to Zoey's dorm. Quinn and Lola were asleep because it was the middle of the night. Zoey didn't care though she opened the door after pulling on her bathrobe.

Chase said "Zoey why don't we go on the roof so we can talk privately. I know you have a question for me but I have a question for you also."

Zoey shook her head after locking the door and grabbing her key. When they got outside and had climbed the roof of the boys' dorm Chase took Zoey's hand. Zoey sat down and gave his hand a squeeze.

Zoey said "Chase I was wondering if you wanted to go to prom with me. It's cool if you don't I'm sure I could just go with Fire Wire."

Chase said "Zoe why wouldn't I want to go to prom with you? I – that is you're the nicest girl at PCA. I'll pick you up at seven and afterwards you'll spend the night in my dorm. Is that alright with you Zoe?"

Zoey said "yes Chase that's perfect! I love you and I'll see you in the morning."

Zoey climbed into her bed she was just about to lay down when she heard a girl scream "I believe this is a single bed!"

Zoey turned on her light and saw Dana in her bed. She hugged her friend and told her "I'm sorry I almost squished you but I'm really tired and I have a date with Chase."

Dana said "the Chase Matthews the one who wrote the play so he could kiss you Matthews. I leave for two semesters and then he asks you out."

Zoey said "I asked him out so I need to get some sleep."

Dana climbed out of the single bed and said "I'll sleep on the floor you need the bed."

Zoey turned out the lights and went to sleep. In the morning she found Chase sleeping outside her door. She shook him and said "did you sleep here all night? Did Logan and Michael lock you out?"

Chase tried to stand up and said "ouch my back! I don't think I can go to the dance tonight. I'm sorry Zoe you must think I'm the worst."

Zoey said "here lean on me let's go to the lounge. I'll get us some coffee and I'll rub your back."

It doesn't do me any good it's a waste of time. What is it to you what on my mind? If it's not coming out we're not going any where. So why can't I just tell you that I care? What's wrong with my tongue? These words keep slipping away. I stutter I stumble like I've got nothing to say.

Zoey sat with Chase's head in her lap. Chase had fallen off the roof after Zoey had gone back to her dorm. The nurse told her that he needed to stay off his feet for the rest of the day.

Zoey tried not to show her disappointment but Chase could tell she was upset and it made him feel worse. Zoey tried to smile when she asked "Chase do you want anything?"

Chase said "yeah I want you to stay right here beside me. I also want you to stop hiding how you feel about missing the dance."

Zoey said "I'll go get you some ice and a heating pad. I'll be right back don't move Chase."

As soon as Zoey was out of Chase's sight and earshot she let the tears fall down her cheeks. She was going to tell Chase she loved him at prom when they played his favorite song. Now that was ruined and Chase would never know how she felt.

She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and got the heating pad and ice pack. Then she ran back over to Chase. Chase moaned but didn't open his eyes when she asked him to shift his position. Zoey supported his back while he moved his legs. Then she plugged the heating pad in and put it under his shirt.

The heat eased Chase's pain enough for him to open his eyes. He smiled at her and said "Zoe thanks for giving up prom night to take care of me. Last night I was trying to say something. I was just afraid that you didn't feel the same way. Now that you're sitting here putting a heating pad on my back and missing your prom I know that you do feel the same. Zoey I love you so much."

Zoey didn't know what to say. This was so unexpected but it was also very wonderful. She felt tears forming in her eyes. She stuttered "Chase – I don't know what to say – this is wonderful. I think I could love you too."

Chase smiled and tried to hug her. Zoey remembered his back and told him to lie down. Then she realized it didn't matter if there were other things she couldn't say to him. The only thing that mattered was the fact that he knew she cared about him.

Chase said "Zoey do you still want to follow the other part of tonight's plan. Just because I can't dance doesn't mean you and I can't spend the night in my dorm room."

Zoey said "Chase we'll follow the plan we'll just sleep in my room so you don't have to climb stairs."

Chase sighed and said "Zoey my back is getting too hot could you switch to the ice."

Zoey switched to the ice pack and told him to go to sleep. Chase closed his eyes and went to sleep. When he did wake up again he was in Zoey's dorm room.

Zoey was in her night gown and she threw Chase a pair of shorts to sleep in. Chase went into the bathroom to change