(A/N: Hey guys, sorry about the long wait. I had lost confidence and bad writer's block. But here I am back with another chapter. I really hope you like it. Take care and please review. Love, Ellivia22)

Disclaimer: If I owned Suite Life I would've had made a better season 3. I think it wasn't as good as the other two.

Discovering Love

Chapter 4 Detention

Zack

This better be worth it I think in annoyance as I scrub the top of the blackboard vigorously.

"Don't forget the small speck in the left corner," Ms. Tutweiller says without looking up from the latest romance novel that she's reading.

"Yes Ma'am," I answer.

So far this detention is not going as planned. I've been trying to get some alone time with London, but Ms. Tutweiller won't let us out of her sight. It's as if she doesn't trust us or something. I glance briefly at London. She's staring intently at her textbook. I bet you anything she's reading a fashion magazine instead. Her long black hair falls over her still tense shoulders.

A sudden vibration sound echoes around the room. I figure it's either London or Ms. Tutweiller's cell phone, since mine is in my pocket and the battery is dead. That's what I get for playing games so much on it during class.

Ms. Tutweiller lets out a gasp of surprise. "It's Nick! Maybe he wants me back. I'll be right outside the door, so don't even think about trying to leave." With that she grabs her cell and closes the door behind her. I see her red hair through the window, telling me that her back is to the door. I guess she wasn't kidding when she said that we can't leave.

I grin broadly. Talk about perfect timing. I drop the soapy sponge into the bucket and get down from the small ladder I was standing on in order to reach the top. I grab the desk across from her and pull it closer. She doesn't acknowledge my presence. "London," I ask gently.

No response. She is obviously ignoring me. Suddenly I find myself staring at her lips. She's wearing what looks like pink lip gloss. I suddenly get the urge to grab her and place my lips against hers. Focus Martin I scold myself. You're on a mission.

I look over her shoulder. Indeed she's reading one of her magazines instead of the actual textbook. Probably Vogue. "I like that one," I say, pointing at the long glittery purple dress the model is wearing. I can't help but think how great that dress would look on London.

She slams her magazine shut and glares at me furiously. I can still see the small amount of hurt behind her dark eyes. "What part of 'leave me alone' didn't you understand?"

"I was wondering if you would like to play a game with me. You know, to pass the time until detention is over," I ask quickly.

"What kind of game?"

"It's called Twenty Questions. We each ask the other questions and the other person has to answer honestly. Want to play?"

"You? Answer honestly?"

I place a hand over my heart, pretending to look wounded. A smirk tugs at her lips. "I promise you I will."

"Fine. As long as I get to go first."

"Shoot."

"Why won't you leave me alone?"

"Because I want to be your friend. My turn. What's your favorite color?"

"Purple."

I grin. I should've known that from most of the clothes in her wardrobe. "Green for me. Your turn."

"Why do you want to be my friend?"

"Because I care about you," I answer, trying to ignore her hostile tone. "What's your favorite smoothie?"

"Wild Berry." Before I can tell her mine, she shoots out her next question. "Are you serious about trying to get Maya."

"Yes."

At first it's hard to get any information from London, because she's so hostile. It's not until question ten that she relaxes completely. Even though she's trying hard not to show it, I know she's having fun. Finally I'm starting to learn things about her such as her favorite magazine is Vogue, and the place she would like to visit the most is Thailand. The question we both connected on so far is how we both have the desire to go to college someday."Okay, my turn," London says energetically when we reach question 15. "What's the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?"

My cheeks flush from the memory. "When I told this kid Theo off for insulting Cody. I told him I didn't want to be friends anymore and I had to give back everything he loaned me, which included the clothes I was wearing. So I had to ride the city bus back to the hotel in just my undershirt and boxers."

A couple of giggles escape London. "I can see why that would be embarrassing."

I glare at her playfully. "Okay then, what's you're most embarrassing moment?"

Her laughter dies down and she looks all serious again. "When I got kicked out of high school for the first time. I was just about to finish sophomore year and Daddy was going to come and throw a big party for me. Which would've been awesome, since I hardly ever see my dad. I guess I skipped too many classes. It was so humiliating and the disappointed look on Daddy's face haunts me to this day."

"How often do you see your dad?" I ask in curiosity, not caring if that's considered my next question. I've known London for five years, yet I know little about her family life except her father is very rich and has been married more than a dozen times.

"Last time I saw him was Christmas three years ago. And even then, it was only for a few minutes." Her eyes turn sad. "I haven't seen my mother since my sixteenth birthday almost four years ago. Moseby's practically raised me."

Wow. And I thought the situation with my dad touring a lot and Cody and I being away from my mom was hard. I couldn't imagine not seeing either of them for years. I feel myself connecting with London in even more ways than before. The longer I look at her beautiful dark hair and stunning brown eyes, the faster my heart begins to beat. And the more I learn about the person behind the mask, the more I want to warp my arms around her and kiss her. What's happening to me?

I give her a sympathetic, yet understanding smile. "I only see my dad a couple times a year since he's on tour all the time. And I know what you mean about being a disappointment. Both my parents expect me to get straight A's like Cody, but I never am able to do it."

London returns my smile. She must get the connection we're making too. "My turn," she says after a moment. "Question sixteen. What is your biggest regret?"

I end up saying the first thing that comes to my mind. "Hurting you."

Before I can stop myself I cup her face in my hands. Her brown eyes grow huge, complete shock on her face. I lean in closer. I feel her breath quicken on my cheek. My heart accelerates. Right when I'm about to touch her lips she turns her head, making my lips brush against her cheek. A shock hits me and travels from my head to my feet.

"We should probably get back to work," London says quietly, her eyes definitely avoiding my gaze. "Ms. Tutweiller should be in here any second."

"Right," I say finally snapping back into my senses. I'm in love with Maya, I'm in love with Maya, I'm in love with Maya I repeat over and over in my head. I get up from the chair and head towards the blackboard.

"One last question," I say, turning my attention back to her. She looks at me, her eyebrow raised. Pink patches are on her cheeks. "Will there ever come a time when you'll be able to forgive me for everything that happened last week?"

She gives me a small smile. "I already have."

I feel relieved as I climb back on the stool and scrub the blackboard once more. But the relief is short-lived. Now all I'm feeling is utter confusion. I'm in love with Maya.

But do I still believe that?