Chapter 7

Noah had refused to tell Zack anything of his idea which, if he did say so himself, was pretty good. They arrived at the Tipton a little before 7. Maddie was no longer at her post so Noah called her. Before she answered however she emerged from the employee lounge looking extremely tired.

"Morning sweetie" she said half asleep as she approached them. "Long night?" Noah asked with a smirk.

"You have no idea...So has Max gone yet?"

"Just about now her flight should be taking off" he said looking at his watch. Zack walked in front of him.

"Speaking of planes and airports...What's this great idea of yours?"

"How about we head up to your suite, I think your mom might need to hear this" Sighing Zack led the way to the elevator, followed by Noad and a slightly confused Maddie who was complaining about not being able to go home to bed. When they arrived at the suite Zack opened the door quietly making sure that everyone was awake. Carrie was sitting, still in her PJ's at the table drinking coffee and Cody was making breakfast.

"Hey Zack...and Maddie and Noah" Carrie said confused suddenly realising that she was still in her night clothes. "What are you all doing here?"

"Don't ask me, ask him" Zack said pointing at Noah. Maddie was already falling asleep on the table top before Cody walked over with a cup of coffee for her. Zack had returned with food and was alread eating before Noah had the chance to speak.

"So Noah...What's this plan of yours?" Zack questioned again. Gathering himself he started talking.

"Well you know how Max's birthday is on Wednesday right? Well I was planning to surprise her by driving down to the comp and I was wondering if maybe you guys wanted to come? Maddie too of course" Maddie, know that the coffee was kicking in smiled.

"That's a great idea, Noah. Why couldn't I have a brother like you?"

"Dude that's an awsome idea!" Zack said and Cody was agreeing but Noah but up a hand. "There are 2 conditions...well on for you Cody"

"Wait why do I get 2?" Ignoring him Noah looked at Carrie.

"Obviously both boys need your permission to go..." She looked at her 2 baby's. Cody just seemed like he wanted to have fun but Zack's eyes were downright begging her to let him do this. Smiling she got up and pinched Zack's check "How can I say no to that face?" both boys high fived and cheered but again Noah stopped them.

"Ok so we know Cody's going...But Zack has 1 more condition..." Zack's just stared at Noah as if he was crazy before Noah said "So Zack do you accept the condition...Are you coming with us?"

X

Max sat in her seat on the plane, cursing herself for forgetting that she was afraid of flying, not that she would ever tell anyone. But as the plane slowly started to move she slightly panicked. She closed her eyes and hoped that if anyone was looking at her that they would think she was trying to sleep.

"I didn't know you hated flying?" said the voice beside her. Without opening her eyes she simply said "I'm not Derek, I am trying to sleep" but her voice shot up as the plane took off from the ground. Taking deep calming breaths she still refused to open her eyes.

"Max...MAX!" Now she opened her eyes and looked at him angrily "What?"

"I'm loosing feeling..."he said pointing to his wrist which she hadn't realised she had grabbed in her panic. Apologising she quickly let it go and watched as he rubbed his wrist "Baby"she mumbled under her breath, causing him to give her a skeptical look.

"I'm the baby? You're the one who's afraid here not me"

"So I don't like flying, shoot me!" she said sitting back into her seat.

"What else don't you like?" he questioned trying to start a conversation as she closed her eyes again. Her response was quick and simple "You!" and with that she pulled out her iPod and turned the music up, drowning out the hum of the engine.

Unfortunatly for Max this flight was not going to be quick and carefree. About a third of the way through the flight her battery died on her iPod and huffing she put it back into her backpack. She now sat there figeting and tapping her fingers on the arm rest. Smiling at her nervousness, Derek tried again to ingage in conversation with her to distract her but she tried again to ignore him. However a little over nothern Mississippi the plane hit terbulence and then Max really started to freak. An announcement from the pilot confirmed the dsruption and all were told it would be over soon. Not soon enough for Max. Her breathing picked up and she started panicking.

"Max...Max look at me!" Derek said taking her hand. At any other time she would have pushed him away but she was scared and for the most part he really seemed to care. "Max take a deep breath and close your eyes ok? Do it"

She followed his lead and closed her eyes. She tried to ingore the rocking around her and focus on breathing. After maybe 5 minutes the plane calmed down and stopped shaking. "You can open your eyes now Max" Derek said. She did hesitently and sighed gratfully. Noticing he was still holding her hand she quickly removed it before settling back into her seat. Before looking away she said a simply thank you.

"Don't mention it. I'm here to help" he said before putting his headphones back in and closing his eyes. Maybe he wasn't so bad, Max thought.

X

"So you're telling me that I can't come to Texas with you unless I promise that when I get there I what? Spill my guts to Max?"

"Um...yea pretty much" Noah said sitting down next to Maddie. She was smiling thinking this was a great idea. Carrie too thought it was a good idea though only Cody voiced his approval. "That my friend is brillient!" he said patting Noah on the back. "Why thank you I think so too" he said smugly.

"Wait a sec guys..." Zack said puting his head in his hands trying to organise his thoughts "There is a reason why I haven't told Max I like her..." Maddie cut across him "Because you thought that she didn't like you but now you know she does so what's the proplem?"

"But I need to prepare for something like that I mean you guys all say she likes me but has she voiced this to anyone of you guys or is this all speculation on your part?"

"Wow Zack you know what speculation means?" Cody said with a smirk which didn't fail under Zack's glare. "Has she said anything?" he pressed. No one answered and he took the silence as his answer. "Exactly what happens if I tell her and then she DOESN'T feel the same way and I have not only made a complete fool of myself in front of her but it would make our friendship weird!" he said taking in a breath.

"Zack she does feel the same way" Noah said "I know my sister trust me she likes you"

"But..." he was loosing this argument and he really didn't want to. "So are you coming to Texas or not?" Cody asked placing a hand on his brothers shoulder.

"What do I even say? How do you even bring up something like that?"

"Well you will have plenty of time to think in the car...it's a 2 day drive from here to Texas so..." but it was Mattie turn to interupt. "2 days with 3 boys in a car, no uh! Stay here and I'll be right back!" and with that she left.

"Mom please tell me you don't agree with them" Zack begged looking at his mom. She however smiled- the smile that told Zack he wasn't going to like what she was about to say. "Sweetie I do! You like Max and I know you'll be miserable if you don't tell her and like I said before Max is a good looking girl and she wont be single for long"

She rubbed his check before getting up and making her way to the bathroom leaving Zack with his twin and Noah. "I really have no choice in this do I?" he said defeated. Both smiled and shook there heads. "Uh I can't believe you're making me do this! My own brother!"

"It's for your own good bro" Cody said.

At that moment Maddie came back into the suite "There all sorted" she said with a smile.

"What's sorted?" all three boys asked at the same time.

"I called in a favour from London. We will no longer be DRIVING to Texas by FLYING in style" she said with a smirk.

"What did you do for London to make her owe you?" Cody inquired.

"Oh just faked chocking so London could 'save me' so she could talk to a guy" Maddie said quite relaxed. "So when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow actually. It turns out that London's dad is one of the sponsers for the Comp and London needs to be there for publicity reasons...Seriously we should know by knowthat London's dad practically owns everything!" the twins nodded in agreement.

"So Zack are you coming?" Maddie asked. He looked up and sighed "Yes Maddie, I'm coming!"