The next following weeks were filled with practices and avoiding Vince's phone calls….and going to the park with Chase.

They met there usually twice a week, sometimes to practice lines and sing songs from the play. Mostly, they would talk about all sorts of things. From the one, lonesome sour key on Lola's piano to something as simple as snow. Even though they had both been living in New York for almost 7 years now, snow was still a wonder to them.

Chase's breakup with Zoey was always an avoided topic, along with Lola's relationship status with Vince.

They also avoided talking about the night of the first run-through, something they both wanted to forget. Something that was a faint whisper for years was suddenly had pulsated through Lola's veins. A thought that had been pushed to very corners of her mind had bubbled to the surface. He had seen her in a new light for the first time, and had just broken up with his girlfriend a few days earlier. Chase's feelings were plain and simple: he was scared of these new thoughts that popped into his mind every time he saw her. Unfortunately, Lola's thoughts were more jumbled.

Although she usually acted like her usual self around Chase, inside she felt awkward and shy, like a middle schooler with a crush on the best friend she's known forever. It hurt her inside she couldn't like him because she had a boyfriend and he had just broken up with Zoey. Enough said.

One day she met him at the park, she saw him on the swings. She sat down, and they swayed a little, back and forth, silently. When they usually met at the park, they always had something to talk about. But the silence wasn't awkward or uncomfortable, weird enough, but instead, peaceful. Lola dragged her feet, the fresh snow making a crunching sound. He soon followed suit, and for some unknown reason, she started giggling.

He broke the silence, "What?"

"I don't know," she said, and smiled at him.

And he started laughing too.

After the laughter died down a few minutes later, she said, "Jeez…we act like we're still in PCA."

"Yeah," he chuckled a little, "I guess we kind of do. I like it, though."

"Why?"

"Zoey…we haven't acted like that in ages. Kinda sad, really," he said, while looking down.

"Well, we all have to…grow up sometimes," she choked out. Why was that so hard for her to say?

"That's why you're one of my best friends. While everyone else is busy growing up and moving on, I know you'll always be there for me. You were from the beginning, and I think you always will be."

She felt touched, and soon, she could taste salty tears, "Thank you," she croaked.

He wrapped his arms around her wordlessly, and she did likewise, sobbing into his shoulder.

They stood there for what seemed for hours, and she finally wiped her tears away and said, "It's hard for me cry, you know that. And when I do, I'm always acting. This was real."

"Wow…uh…" he said awkwardly, not knowing what to say back.

She quickly kissed him on the cheek. He looked stunned, "What was that for?"

"Just really touched about what you said, I guess."

"Well I got to…um, you see," he cleared his throat, "I have uh…some stuff to take care of…you know, for the show."

She could feel the fake smile and words forming on her lips, "That's fine. I have errands to run. See you tomorrow for practice, Chase."

"Yeah, practice tomorrow. Later, Lola," he said, walking at a very fast pace away. As soon as he turned his head and walked away, she felt the corners of her mouth curling into a frown.

Why? Lola thought, slumping down, arms crossed against the jungle gym, Why does it have to be like this?

XCholaX

Chase's phone starting ringing, and he flipped it open, "What the hell?" the unmistakable voice of Michael screamed into the phone.

"Uhhh…everything ok, Michael?" he said timidly, almost afraid of the reply.

"I should be the one asking you if everything's ok! Why didn't you tell me Zoey broke up with you?!" Chase winced. He was so busy over the past few weeks. He meant to call Michael, but he got so caught up in the play, he forgot.

"I meant to…I'm sorry, but I've just been really busy these past few weeks for the play, and I just kind of…forgot."

"F-f-forgot? Forgot that the love of your life broke up with you?" he spluttered.

"It's…complicated." He said simply but sincerely, "Things have been complicated since the break up."

"Complicated? Ok, ok! Just tell me already! What happened? All Logan told me was that Zoey broke up with you. More details would be nice."

"We're just not the same anymore. We have different priorities, and I guess in the end, we just don't function well outside of PCA."

"I know that. I just never thought…" he trailed off.

"Yeah," he said softly.

"Look, sorry I yelled at you. Guess I was just mad that you didn't tell me first thing. You okay about the whole thing?"

"Sorry about that. And…uhh…" he panicked. What should he tell him? He isn't okay? That could make him worried. He's fine with it? That makes him sound like he doesn't care. He took a candy wrapped lying on the table beside him, and crackled it against the receiver, and after a minute, he shut the phone.

He sat down in his shabby green chair. On the little table next to him, was a picture of all of his friends at PCA, the day they graduated. He couldn't help but look at Lola's breathtaking smile. No…he couldn't be feeling this way. It just wasn't possible. He had just broken up with Zoey, and this was no time to start getting into a relationship again so quickly. What would all his other friends think? His eyes drifted over to Zoey and lingered…what would Zoey think?

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Yay! Another chapter up! Hate to say it guys, but the story is almost complete! Only about 2 or 3 more chapters left. In the meantime, R&R?