Boys

"Zack I'm home" Cody said opening the door and heard Metallica blasting from the TV

"Hey Cody" Zack and Ryan shouted at the same time

"Ry, what are you doing here?" Cody asked

"My gig got cancelled" Ryan said "and my law course finished for Christmas so here I am"

"That's cool" Cody said "have you met anyone?"

"London and Maddie" Zack said

"Zack has a crush on Maddie" Cody said

"I do not" Zack said "I did when I was like 12"

"So if I said she was cute?" Ryan said

"I'd agree doesn't mean I fancy her" Zack said

"So if I wanted to date her?" Ryan asked

"Then date her I don't care" Zack said and then tossed down the TV remote and walked out of the room

"Something tells me Zack still has a crush on Maddie" Ryan said scratching his beard and laughing

"Well your the college major" Cody said "you would know"

"I'm gonna go talk to him" Ryan said walking out of the room and he saw Zack sitting by the door with his head against the wall "you ok buddy?"

"Kinda" Zack said "I don't love Maddie like I use to but it doesn't mean I want you to date her"

"I understand" Ryan said "but she's a cute, funny girl if I wanna date her and she wants to date me there is not really much you can do to stop us Zack"

"I know" Zack said "I just don't wanna see either of you hurt, she's my first proper crush and your my big brother"

"You cannot protect me or her for ever Zack" Ryan said "I had dates in LA with girls and they didn't work out you couldn't stop me getting hurt then Maddie is 18 I am guessing she has had other boyfriends before you cannot watch out for everyone"

"She has but they aren't you" Zack said "I have not been bothered because if they break up I can be her friend if it is a bitter break up she is my best friend and you are my brother I won't stop you but I don't want to be drug into the middle if it doesn't work"

"Ok" Ryan said "who is to say we get together in the first place dude she might find me a dick and say no"

"That happens to other kids" Zack said confidently "not you and me specially me with girls my age"

"Good man" Ryan said "you and Cody stay out of trouble I am going to see Maddie"

Girls

"Maddie what's the matter with you" London said "you have been acting weird all day"

"What?" Maddie said looking up at London "no I haven't"

"You so have" London said "ever since you met Ryan Martin ... ha see you're turning red"

"I am not" Maddie said even though she knew she couldn't change her facial colour "I am just hot is all"

"So you don't have the tiniest crush on him?" London asked her best friend "I know you do Maddie"

"Yes London" Maddie said "if it makes you be quiet I find him attractive"

"What about Zack?" London asked "doesn't he still have a crush on you?"

"Zack doesn't have a crush on me anymore no" Maddie said "I asked him before he went back to school this year and he said he would maybe date me when he was older but he promised the schoolboy crush was gone"

"Well if he looks like that in a couple of years you'll have major competition" London said as Ryan came downstairs and was talking to another employee before walking over to Maddie.

"Can we talk?" he asked