Chapter 3

Saturday morning Zack woke up early, got dressed, went to the store, and came back all before Maddie's shift started. He now was pacing in front of the candy counter. A single red rose in his hand. Waiting nervously for Maddie.

He rehearsed what he would say but everything sounded wrong. He glanced at his watch. He decided right there and then how stupid his idea was. He turned quickly to leave.

"Zack?"

Zack froze where he stood.

"Zack, what are you doing here?"

Zack whipped around and was now face to face with Maddie.

"Oh hi." He cleared his throat and hid the rose behind his back. "Hey Maddie."

Maddie walked behind her counter and switched the closed sign to open. "Hi."

"Um, I was um." his throat was suddenly dry. His mind was blank. "S-So the prom is in a couple weeks." Zack was stuttering. Zack Martin was actually stuttering!

"Yeah, I can't believe how fast the year went."

"Yeah. Me either." Zack cleared his throat again "So um, you ah, you going with anyone?"

"No, not yet."

"It's now or never." Zack told himself

"Maddie, here." he looked down to the floor and handed her the rose. He couldn't remember a single time he was shy till now.

"Oh Zack!" Zack looked up to see a huge smile on her face.

"This is good." he thought "She hasn't laughed at you." he swallowed "Yet."

"This is beautiful. What's the occasion?" Maddie brought the flower to her nose.

"Do you remember three years ago? At your prom?"

Maddie thought for a moment.

"You made me a promise." Zack lost all the confidence he had left when he saw a confused look on Maddie's face.

"You mean... you don't remember?"

"I'm sorry Zack."

Zack's heart sank. He looked back down at the floor.

"That's ok Maddie. I don't remember either."

Zack turned and ran towards the elevator. Embarrassed and hurt he just wanted to hide in his suite for the rest of his life. He felt so stupid.

"Zack wait!" Maddie called after him. She felt a pang of guilt go through her body.

She looked back down at the flower and smiled. Then all of a sudden the memory started to come back to her. Fuzzy at first but then clear. So clear it was as if it happened yesterday.

"I'll dance with you at your prom if you dance with me at mine."

Maddie gasped "I did make him a promise!"

Without thinking Maddie ran towards the elevator just as Mr. Moseby emerged from his office.

"Madeline! Where are you going?"

"Sorry Mr. Moseby! I'll be right back!"

Moseby opened his mouth to argue but Maddie was already gone. He let out an angry breath and turned around.

Maddie banged on the door of the Martin's suite. She still didn't completely think things through. All she knew was she did in fact make a promise and she broke a boys heart. A friend's heart. She wouldn't forgive herself till she set things right.

Carey opened the door surprised at who was standing there.

"Oh Maddie, hi."

"Hi, where's Zack?" Maddie was out of breath from running.

"He's on the couch. Why?" She answered clearly surprised.

"Can I see him?"

"Sure, come on in."

Maddie entered and walked straight towards Zack. He was shocked to see her. And although he was still hurt, he couldn't help but feel happy to see her.

"Hi Zack."

"Hi."

Maddie paused before continuing. "I thought about what you said."

"Oh."

The door to the bedroom opened and out came Cody. Before he could even open his mouth Carey gave him a look that clearly said "Keep your mouth shut."

"I remember the prom. I remember dancing with you. I remember making that promise."

Zack felt a surge of excitement go through his body.

"You do?"

"I do." She smiled at him and took his hand in her's. "And I would be honored if you would be my date to the prom."

Zack couldn't believe his ears. "You would? You really wanna go with me?" He felt like he was 12 years old again.

"Yeah, I do. So will you be my date?"

"Yeah!" Zack practically shouted "I mean, yeah that'll be cool."

"Great." Maddie smiled and slipped her hand out of his grasp. "I better go before Moseby kills me."

"Yeah." was all he was able to say.

Maddie said good-bye to Carey and Cody before leaving.

The second the door shut Cody's jaw dropped and Carey squealed with delight. She started going on about how her little man was going to the prom and annoy motherly comments like that. But Zack wasn't listening, he just sat there staring at his hand. It still tingled from her touch.

Everything else in the room seemed to stop.

Maddie remembered

Maddie asked him to the prom.

Could anything be better then this?