Summary
Cody and Zack attend a pharming party, where teens abuse prescription drugs. Someone that Zack and Cody don't know dies due to overdose. Tapeworm almost dies, but recovers. Will these events be enough to convince the twins to stop going, or will Zack continue to go despite the many risks?
Contains "Get Out Alive" by Three Days Grace. CAUTION: Contains drug use. Couples include Zack/OC, Barbara/Cody and Tapeworm/Max.
DISCLAIMER: The only characters in the story I lay claim to are the ones who did not appear in the series (my original characters), and I claim the plot. Song lyrics are not mine, they are Three Days Grace's.
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Chapter One – An Invitation to Disaster
"Zack, are you looking forward to your first day of high school?" Cody asked, excitedly. They were riding on the bus to school. "I know I am!"
"Whatever," Zack replied, nonchalantly.
"I'm looking forward to all of my classes! Algebra 2 is going to be awesome!"
"Nerd!"
"So, what are you looking forward to?"
"Getting out!"
"Isn't it going to be interesting to meet all the new kids?"
"What new kids?"
"Some of the kids who will be going to Chivers High School went to a different middle school than us."
"Cool. More girls to date!"
"Is that all you think about? Girls?"
"And parties! We're going to go to some killer parties his year, or at least I am!"
"You know… You should really focus on your schoolwork. It's more important, you know."
"Huh?"
"Colleges will see your grades from high school. If you want to actually get into college, you may want to actually try to do well in high school."
"Whatever."
"Oh, and about those "killer parties": We have got to make sure there's parental supervision at them."
"Whatever."
"Zack, crazy stuff goes on at some high school parties! We're not in middle school, anymore. We've got to be careful!"
"Whatever," Zack said, pulling his iPod and earbuds out of his backpack. "Can you leave me alone? I wanna listen to music!"
"Fine," Cody replied, pulling a book out of his backpack. "I'll just read!"
"You do that."
Five minutes later, Cody took off one of Zack's earbuds and said, "Turn down your music! It's too loud. I can hear it. You're going to damage your hearing!"
"Whatever," Zack replied, fiddling with the volume on his iPod.
"How can you stand those earbud thingies? They drive me nuts. I can't use them."
"Whatever."
Later on… Zack, Cody, Barbara, Tapeworm and Max were sitting together at lunch. Tapeworm and Max were sitting next to each other. They had been dating since the fourth of July, when Tapeworm had finally gotten the courage to ask her out. Cody and Barbara were sitting next to each other, across from Tapeworm and Max. They had been dating since spring of their eighth-grade year. Zack was sitting next to Cody.
"Well, this isn't awkward," Zack said, sarcastically.
"What?" Barbara asked.
"This," Zack replied. "You're dating Cody. Max is dating Tapeworm. I'm the only one here who is single. It's kinda awkward."
"Feeling like the third wheel, Zack?" Tapeworm asked, laughing.
"More like the 'fifth' wheel!" Max said, jokingly.
"Haha. Very funny," Zack said, sarcastically.
"Dude, you're not the only one who's felt like they were the third wheel!" Tapeworm said. "Might I remind you I've only been dating Max since this summer?"
"Your point?" Zack asked.
"Last year, there was a few days when for whatever reason you and Mad both weren't at lunch," Tapeworm replied. "I sat with Cody and Barbara. I definitely felt like a third wheel."
"Oh," Zack said.
"Don't worry about it, brother," Cody said. "Being single isn't that bad. Plus, on the bus this morning, you were excited about all the new girls at school this year."
"Oh yeah," Zack replied, smiling. He was thinking of Coraline who sat in front of him during geography. She had long black hair and dark green eyes. Usually Zack went for the blondes, but there was something about Coraline. She was beautiful and funny. She also seemed slightly mysterious.
"Thinking of someone already?" asked Cody, teasingly.
"Huh? What? Uh, no," Zack said quickly.
"Right…" Tapeworm said, sarcastically.
"Who is it?" Max asked.
"Uh… No one," Zack said, nervously. "How was everyone's day at school?"
"Changing the subject?" asked Barbara.
"Hey! Are you Zack Martin?" a tall, red-headed kid asked Cody.
"No. I'm Cody, his twin brother. That's Zack," said Cody, pointing to Zack.
"Oh. Hello Zack," said the stranger. He had ear piercings in the shape of fangs. He was wearing a grey hoodie and dark blue jeans with holes in them.
"Uh… Hi," Zack said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Seth. I'm a freshman," Seth replied.
"Oh," Zack replied. "Nice to meet you."
"Word has it, you're the coolest guy in your grade," Seth replied. "Which is why I am inviting you to a party my friend Blaine is having this weekend. It's goin' to be a killer party!"
"Sweet! Can I invite these guys to come?" Zack asked, gesturing to Cody, Barbara, Tapeworm and Max.
"It depends. Are they cool?" Seth asked, with a snobby attitude.
"Kind of," Zack replied.
"Alrighty then," Seth replied. "They're invited!"
"Are Blaine's parents going to be there?" Cody asked.
"Uh… Yeah…" Seth replied, smirking. "It's at 8:00pm, by the way! I'll give you the address of Blaine's house later." He walked away.
"So… Who's going?" Zack asked, excitedly.
"I can't," Barbara replied. "I already have plans. Have fun, though."
"I'm game," replied Tapeworm. "Max, you going?"
"Nah I already have plans, too," Max replied.
"I'm going," Cody said.
"Alright then. I'll tell you guys the address later…" Zack said.
"Why don't we just meet at the hotel before hand and ride our bikes there?" Cody asked.
"Sounds good to me," said Tapeworm.
"Alright then. Regardless of where Blaine's house is, we should meet at a specific time," Zack said. "It doesn't matter if we're late."
"Right," Cody replied. "7:45, everyone?"
"Sounds good," Zack and Tapeworm said in unison.