Title: Sweeter Than Candy

Author: Gamer Girl 3000

Category: TV Shows - The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Rating: K - K+ (hopefully)

Genre: General/Romance

Main Pairing: Zack/Maddie - ZackxMaddie

Summary: Zack is now sixteen and Maddie nineteen. He still harbors feelings for her, and can't seem to tell her how greatly he loves her. So Zack decides to go with Cody's idea and become Maddie's secret admirer.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or any of its characters. But I do own this story.

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Sweeter Than Candy

Chapter 2: Love, Your Secret Admirer

Zack inhaled deeply, surrounded by absolute silence except for the sound of his heart beating rapidly inside his chest. Releasing the held breath, he stared absentmindedly at the piece of blank white paper in front of him as his grip tightened on the red-inked pen. Zack's hand soon trembled as nervousness washed over his body. He attempted to concentrate on rhyming words, but found he couldn't.

C'mon, I can do this, he told himself quietly. If I don't do this, I'll have to confess in front of

her! He took another heavy breath to calm his insides.

He closed his eyes and plunged into deep thought. Think of Maddie, Maddie, Maddie... Concentrate on her... Think about why you like her... Think of her gorgeous face, of her beautiful hair, of her perfect personality...

Zack reopened his eyes as words began to flow to him. He willed his hand to stop shaking and it obeyed him--just like that! He grinned as ideas filled his mind. "This isn't so hard after all," he muttered as he began to write on the paper.

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"Here you go, ma'am," said Maddie Fitzpatrick as she handed the kind woman her pack of gum and change. "Enjoy, and thank you very much!" She smiled as the woman walked away.

"Hi, Maddie!" a familiar voice called to her. Maddie turned to see her best friend, London Tipton. As always, the spoiled hotel heiress was wearing something fashionable and eye-

catching. "Do you like my new outfit?"

Maddie looked her friend up and down. "It's absolutely wonderful!" she exclaimed cheerfully as London walked over to her. "Where'd you get it? How much did it cost?"

"Oh, Maddie, what does it matter? You wouldn't be able to afford it anyway," London replied. At this, Maddie frowned. "Mint, please."

Maddie rolled her eyes and handed the princess her daily wintergreen mint. "So, what's up?" she asked, once again cheerful.

"Not much," answered London. Then she smiled. "Except that I have a date with the cutest, coolest--"

"And he's rich, isn't he?" interrupted Maddie.

A look of shock took over London's face. "Y-you know him, Maddie?" she queried.

The candy counter girl blinked. "No, it's just that rich boys are your favorites to date."

"Well, what I can say?" London smirked. "I'm attracted to rich people." She paused and turned around. "Oh, there he is! Hi, Steven!" London strolled over to a young man with straight brown hair and green eyes, leaving Maddie alone.

"Lucky London," she sighed, watching the two leave the hotel. "She always gets the cute boys..."

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"Done!" Zack declared, reading his now-finished poem to assure himself of no mistakes. He needed this to be absolutely perfect. Deciding it was fine and error-free, he stood up and left the bedroom. "Hey, Cody!"

Cody turned around from his TV show. "I'm guessing your poem is done?"

"Yep," said Zack, clearly proud of himself. "Wanna hear it?"

Cody closed his eyes and sighed. Raising his eyelids, he said, "Yeah, sure. Besides, I need to

check if it's good enough to even be given to Maddie."

"Okay, here it goes." Zack took yet another deep breath (his third today) and straightened the paper. He opened his mouth and began,

"I saw you today,

And I feel the need to say,

That you were the most beautiful in the room,

You were more gorgeous than a rose in full bloom.

This love was inside me for years,

And it's not ending any time near.

I love you so much that it hurts inside

To see you with somebody else at your side."

Cody was silent for a moment.

"What do you think of it?" Zack asked, staring at his brother expectantly. When his younger twin didn't reply, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Cody? Cody?"

He finally spoke up. "It's certainly mushy..." Cody began.

Zack furrowed his eyebrows and scowled. "Mushy? That's all? Mus--"

Cody grinned and added, "But it's sure to make her happy. You're not bad at poetry, you know."
A smile returned to Zack's face. "Dude, this is only one poem, and you're already saying I'm a good poet? Well, thanks."

Cody continued, "But I think you need to sign it. Put 'Love, Your Secret Admirer' at the end."

His older brother nodded and picked up the pen again, quickly scribbling what his brother just advised him to write down. "Here," he said, handing the poem over to Cody. "I really appreciate it."

"Yeah, yeah, I know..." Cody grabbed the paper and muttered under his breath, "I already know."

And there's chapter two! I'm sorry if the chapters are so short. I really am sorry... But, anyways, I thank the people who were kind enough to post a review! Reviews really encourage me to write more! Thanks!

Oh, what the heck, thanks for even bothering to read the story! THANKS SO MUCH!!! (Okay, now I'm over-thanking...LOL) Until next time!