(A\N: Sorry about the wait. I was gone on vacation for two weeks. But now I'm back and ready to put up another chapter. I really hope you like it. Please review. Love, Ellivia22)
Disclaimer: Suite Life is not mine :(
Discovering Love
Chapter 7 The Plan
Cody
"I don't like this plan either," Bailey says as she glances at the paper I'm writing on.
I sigh, ignoring the chatter of the other students in the library. Bailey has said that about my last three ideas. I still love her more than anything, but patience with my ex girlfriend is running out. I wonder what flaw she's going to point out about this plan.
"What's wrong with this one?" I ask.
"It's not going to work."
I slam my pencil on the desk. That has been her reason the other two ideas too. "I know that's not the reason. Why are you so against my ideas? Don't forget I came up with the plan to win you over and it worked."
"Yet your plan for the 'great date in Paris' ended up backfiring on you."
I glare at her. "The only reason it backfired is because you were off smooching with Jean Luc!"
Hurt and anger flashes in Bailey's eyes. We glare at each other. I suddenly feel a pang in my stomach, forcing me to focus. Zack is feeling worse. The both of us need to concentrate if we're going to be any help.
I sigh. "Look, Bailey, Zack's so distraught over losing London. I'm starting to worry about him. If we're going to try to help our friends we need to focus on them instead of our problems with each other. We need to work together."
Bailey lowers her eyes. "You're right."
I hold out my hand, which trembles slightly. "Truce?"
She takes it. A warm sensation spreads all the way down my arm. I had forgotten how her touch makes me feel. "Truce."
We stare at each other in the eyes. Bailey's eyes are full emotion, yet I can't tell what she's thinking at the moment. Is she thinking about me? After a moment we let go of each other's hands and go back to working on getting Zack and London together.
I pick up my pencil again. "Okay, seriously, what's wrong with my plan?"
"Well, locking Zack and London in a closet seems like a good idea, but we wouldn't be able to act on it until next week. We can't wait that long. I think I have a better idea if you'll hear me out."
I can't help but smile at the look of determination on Bailey's face. She's so cute. I decide to give her the benefit of the doubt. "Okay, shoot."
Bailey grabs the piece of paper that is in front of me. She draws a line under my carefully drawn plans. I move close so I can see what she's going to do. My heart starts to pound. It's been a while since I've been this close to her. It takes all the restraint that I have to not put my arms around her.
"How about we do a more direct approach. If what you're saying is true and Zack truly loves London, then we have to help him convince her."
"How are we going to do that?" I ask.
"Well, I was telling London about this restaurant in Lisbon. Have you heard of Cervejaria de Trindade?" I nod. I heard it's really good, but had never been there myself. "Maybe I could convince her to go on a 'blind date' to get her out of the cabin. But it will be with Zack instead."
"Don't you think she'd suspect it's really with him?"
"Not if I convince her that I'm just as angry at Zack as she is."
"Okay." I catch another flaw in her plan. "But when London sees Zack she probably would just run out." I argue.
A devious smile spreads across Bailey's face. "Not if I 'accidentally' let it slip to the press that she's there. London isn't about to make a scene when the paparazzi are around. She'll have to stay and listen to Zack."
"You're prepared to lie to London?" I ask.
Bailey looks slightly guilty. "I know I shouldn't, but the fact that she's suffering so much has become unbearable. I'm willing to do anything to make things right. Besides, once she gets together with Zack, she'll hopefully forget my lie."
The idea slowly starts to grow on me. If Zack gets the opportunity to pour his heart out, London might listen. "You're right, Bailey. That is a good plan. Just one little thing."
"What's that?"
"We should be there to intervene just in case things turn ugly."
She nods in approval. "Good thinking." Her eyes widen as she realizes what this could mean. "You mean, like pretend we're on a date."
"Yes! I-I mean no," I say quickly. I feel heat in my cheeks. "We're just keeping an eye on our friends. So it's not technically a date. That is, if you're up for it."
Bailey shrugs and gives me a beautiful smile. "Why not? We've gotten this far without killing each other. I suppose I can survive another day."
"Great! We'll launch the plan this Sunday." I rise from my chair. "Come on. Let 's go tell Zack our plan."
After a moment of hesitation she follows me out of the library. I hold my breath briefly. I hope this plan works, otherwise I'll never hear the end of it.
Bailey
Ten minutes later, Cody and I arrive outside Zack's cabin. My heart thuds in my chest. I haven't hung out with Cody this much since the break up. I can't keep my eyes off his slender build, wavy blonde hair, and sharp blue eyes. Has being around him again aroused feelings that I've been trying to ignore? Should I make amends and try our relationship over again? I'm not sure. Besides there's still the obstacle of Olympia Lawrence.
Cody knocks on the door. "Zack?"
"Go away," comes Zack's muffled voice from the other side. I raise my eyebrow. That's not like him.
"It's me, Cody,"
No response. Cody opens the cabin door and motions me to follow him inside. Almost immediately I understand Cody's worry about his brother. And I thought London was bad.
Zack is leaning against the pillows on his bed, his arms and legs sprawled out wide as if they were limp. His eyes are open, yet show no emotion. By the looks of him and the faint tear stains on his face, he looks absolutely devastated.
"I told you not to come in here," Zack mumbles.
"Since when do I listen to you," Cody says lightly, obviously trying to get his brother to smile. No luck.
Cody joins Zack on the bed. I sit at the end of it. Cody glances at me. I nod in encouragement. "So listen, bro. Bailey and I have come up with an idea how you can win London back."
Zack stares at us, his eyebrow raised. " You guys came up with a plan together?"
"It's true," I say as I enter the conversation. "Cody and I have a plan. We're sure that it will work."
He doesn't look convinced. His pale face is hard. "Why should I trust the word of two people who are still having issues with each other? What do you two know about mending a broken friendship?"
Cody and I glance at each other. Zack does have a valid point, which is unusual for him. Silently we send signals back and forth on who is going to speak next .
"You're my brother and London is our friend," Cody says, squeezing Zack's shoulder gently. "You two are so important to us that Bailey and I have put our differences aside to help get you guys together."
I have to ease my conscience. "You do love her, right?"
Zack looks at me straight in the eye. For the first time I notice that his eyes are bloodshot. He looks dead serious. "More than anything."
Satisfied I nod to Cody, who proceeds to tell Zack the plan. My attention turns not to the plan that is being discussed, but on the younger of the Martin twins. There is no point denying that I'm still in love with Cody. I'm just not ready to forgive and forget the incident in Paris just yet.
I put Cody out of my mind for the time being. Right now the main thing is getting Zack and London together. Once we're done talking to Zack I have to do the hardest part of our plan: telling a white lie to London to lure her into our plan. I hope she doesn't hate me for this.
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