Chapter 10: Confusion is Contagious

The Max

Zack walked into the restaurant that had been his hang out for all his years of high school. He had plotted some of his craziest get rich schemes, been to some of his most memorable parties, and had shared in the company of his closest friend in this place.

The Max.

They had saved it from foreclosure too many times to count. Max, the owner, had been a helpful guidance throughout the years with his magical spin on things. It was a place to sit back and enjoy the happier things of life.

It felt good to Zack to come in here again to share a meal with his buddies. Sure, he had come in here a couple of times throughout college, but it took on another significance knowing that the whole gang was in town.

Zack walked further in and saw Slater and Screech at their usual booth. He made his way over and took his spot at the table.

"Hey Preppy, you better watch it. You're going to blind someone with that grin you're sporting," Slater remarked taking a look at his friend.

Zack's grin widened as he realized that he was guilty as charged of Slater's accusation. He was sporting a rather wide grin. He had been sporting a grin ever since the end of Screech's birthday get-a-way. For the past four weeks Zack was feeling pretty darn good.

"What," he asked innocently as he picked up a menu, "I can't be happy to have lunch with my buddies?"

"Well, sure you can Zack. The burgers at The Max have always been amazing," Screech agreed enthusiastically.

Slater shook his head.

"They're good, but not that good Doofus," he replied looking at Screech. He then turned his attention back to Zack.

"That grin isn't about beef it's about beauty, and I do believe her name is Lisa," Slater finished.

Zack rolled his eyes as he kept his gaze on the menu in front of him. He wasn't reading it, knowing it by heart after all these years; he just didn't feel like making eye contact with A.C.

"Slater, the summer has been fun so far. I don't have classes to worry about and I get to surf as long as I want. That's plenty to keep a smile on my face," Zack said.

"Okay Zack, thing is, you're not at the beach surfing for as long as you want. You're at the theaters making out to a movie with Lisa, or you're at a sports game making out with Lisa, or you're at the mall watching Lisa try on dresses, or," Slater went on before Zack cut him off.

"You know Slater, stalking is illegal in all fifty states," Zack interjected.

"Don't flatter yourself Preppy, I'm getting my info from an inside source," Slater replied.

"I'm guessing Kelly. I'm not the only one having a great summer for various reasons," Zack shot back.

Slater simply shook his head.

"It's not like that Preppy. We're just hanging out. I still hang out with Jessie too. Unlike you, my lips have stayed to myself for the past month," Slater replied.

Zack's grin grew wider as the waitress came to take their orders. Was he that obvious, he wondered to himself. Sure, he and Lisa had decided to stay seeing each other past Screech's birthday vacation, but they were having fun. Zack was simply enjoying her company. So what if that meant he was enjoying it nearly every day. It's not like he called her every night for hours. He only did that every other night. Can't a guy just enjoy some dates with a beautiful girl?

"You guys act like I've never dated a girl before. Lisa and I like each other, we're hanging out. What's the harm," Zack said in a matter a fact tone.

"No harm Zack, as long as you don't hurt her. Remember, I still know Tae Kwon Doe," Screech answered pointedly.

"I'm shaking in my boots," Zack replied back sarcastically.

"So how is everything in paradise," Slater asked as he drank from his cup that the waitress had set down.

Zack let out a sigh as he thought back on the past couple of weeks.

It was hard to describe really. It all felt like a slow moving whirl wind that he couldn't really press the pause button on. He really didn't mean to hang out with Lisa almost every day for the past month. To his dismay, he was finding that he really couldn't help himself.

He and Lisa had been close growing up in Palisades. Yet, in the past four weeks he realized that she had grown a whole new layer in the four years since graduation from Bayside. She had studied biology and had a real knack for the sciences. Every day it felt like he was learning something new about her, and some way in the process about himself. He never knew that he'd find biology all that interesting. Yet, he had a feeling that Lisa could make any subject interesting when he would lay his head on her lap and listen to her speak.

Unlike many of his conquest before, he didn't just need to make out with Lisa. He felt like he could sit and talk to her and that could be enough.

Yet, he knew that wasn't really enough.

He couldn't stop touching her. In some way he always needed to have a hand connected to her anything. Be it a shoulder, a leg, her stomach. He got some comfort in that he knew. Every time she smiled he wanted to lean over and kiss her, in hopes of getting a taste of that energy she always beamed.

"Earth to Preppy, Earth to Preppy," Slater called out to a dazed Zack.

Zack shook his head and focused back on his friends.

"Oh, this is worse than I thought Screech," Slater said shaking his head in Zack's direction.

"I'll say. I specifically asked for extra ketchup," Screech replied clueless as to what Slater was really referring to.

Slater looked over at his curly haired friend for a moment, then back at Zack.

"You would think after some years he'd grow out of this," Slater simply stated.

"Nope. Geekdom is forever," Zack replied.

"Anyway, what I was referring to was how bad Zack has it for Lisa," Slater went on.

Zack quickly put down his drink and looked at A.C with an amused expression.

"I have it bad? Seriously Slater, I think having all this sun after a couple of years in Iowa is getting to your brain," he finished as he took a fry from his tray.

"No Preppy, you're playing it cool, but I think you may be finally falling. All the signs are there," A.C answered.

"Maybe he has a point Zack. You've been going out with Lisa for a month now and haven't even taken another girl out, called another girl, or mentioned another girl," Screech said.

Zack looked at both of his friends with a pointed stare.

This was ridiculous, he thought. What planet were they on? Did they not realize who they were talking to? He was Zack Morris. What they were suggesting was out of the question. He knew better than that.

"I'm having fun guys. We all are. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. The only reason I'm not seeing another girl is because I'm pretty busy with other things besides dating," Zack said in a matter a fact tone while obviously avoiding his friends' eyes.

"Like what, the proper tan line," Slater shot back.

"I'll have you know that tanning is serious business," Zack replied trying to put on a serious face.

"Oh, let up on him Slater. Zack can't help it if he's becoming a fool in love," Screech joined in.

"Yes true Screech. Before you know it, Zack will be holding Lisa's purse around the mall saying 'yes dear, okay dear, coming dear', "Slater laughed out.

Zack looked at both of his friends as they seemed to laugh at his expense. A sense of uneasiness washed over him. He and Lisa were dating for a month. He didn't care how great it was to hang around her, or kiss her, or to simply look at her. He was indulging. That's all there was to it. It would be a cold day in Hades before Zack would be falling for anyone but his reflection in the mirror.

Falling in love was the kiss of death for a social life. Before you knew it you were beat for the other person. Say good bye to partying and the simple things. Falling was just that- falling into social oblivion.

Zack knew better.

"I hope you guys are having a good laugh, but it's all for nothing. I'm not falling for Lisa. In fact, I could go out with any girl I wanted to. I'll make another date in the next couple of days," he spoke out before he could catch his words.

At this remark his friends stopped laughing and looked over to him.

"Hey Zack, we were just kidding. Don't go messing up a good thing because we're taking shots at your huge ego," Slater said becoming slightly serious.

Zack just waved his hand. The seed had already been planted. All he wanted to do now was change the subject.

"Forget about it, let's talk about something else. How is the Elite gym Slater," he asked.

"It's cool. I can take you guys by after we finish eating," Slater replied.

"No can do," Zack answered.

"Gee, busy again this evening," Slater said as a mischievous smile crept back on his face.

Zack shook his head as he realized he had set himself up for this one.

"Yes," he replied through gritted teeth.

'With what Zack," Screech asked innocently.

"Lisa and I are having movie night at her house," Zack mumbled out.

This made Slater laugh.

"Aww, you guys are having a movie night," he said in an exaggerated female tone.

"I have to go. I'm going to be running late messing with you two beef heads. Catch you later," Zack said as he put some cash on the table and headed out of the door.

"Denial is not just a river in Egypt," Slater said looking after his friend as he left out.

"I'll say," Screech agreed, then he went on, "and tomatoes grow in California, so they can stop being stingy. Waitress!"

Palisades Mall

Lisa and Kelly walked into the food court as they placed their bags on the floor and their trays on the table.

Lisa was happy to have the day off from the hospital and was very happy for having a chance to indulge in some retail therapy. She had enjoyed the afternoon out with Kelly as they shopped for new shoes and anything else they could convince themselves that they needed. Jessie had been busy at her job today and had to take a rain check.

The past couple of weeks had been great for Lisa. Being in the hospital again had taken on a whole new meaning for her. While in high school her parents had pressured her into volunteering, but now it was something that she craved.

It was giving her a further glimpse into her future. She definitely liked what it was looking like.

She couldn't complain too much about her present either.

That had a great deal to do with being back in southern California with her friends, and also a certain handsome schemer named Zack Morris. If someone had told her months ago that she'd be in this situation she would have laughed at them. Yet, here she was, dating Zack, kissing Zack, and enjoying every moment of it.

He called her every night. Sometimes just to talk and other times to see if she wanted to go for a late night drive. He would listen to her go on longer than she should about science, and he wouldn't complain. Sometimes they would just sit and talk, and it was nice.

The kissing helped as well.

The kisses from the beginning had always been nice, but as of late they seemed more intense than ever. Maybe it was Lisa's mind playing tricks on her, but she felt something more flowing out from Zack through his lips. It was forceful for lack of a better word.

It probably matched her own emotions. She thought about him constantly throughout the day. Lisa had to admit that she was pretty happy.

"So you hanging out with Zack again tonight," Kelly asked as she took a sip of her juice.

An uncontrolled grin came across Lisa's face.

"Yeah, seems like it. We're going to watch a movie," Lisa answered.

Kelly gave her friend a mischievous look.

"You too have been going pretty heavy ever since the trip. I'm starting to think this is more than just casual dating going on," she said.

Lisa rolled her eyes.

"Don't go there girl. Zack and I are hanging out. It would be foolish to think I'm going to get any more of a commitment from him any time soon," Lisa answered.

"But you want one," Kelly observed.

Lisa looked up at her friend a little taken aback by her question.

Did she want to? Was she hoping that this would eventually turn into something more? These questions confused Lisa; she wasn't very sure what she wanted aside from being in Zack's company.

"I don't know. Maybe," she answered truthfully.

"That might be a hard sale with Zack Morris," Kelly said.

Lisa nodded her head solemnly.

"I know. That's why I'm just taking it as it comes. We're getting close, and besides, he doesn't seem to be seeing anyone else," Lisa reasoned.

"True," Kelly agreed, "that's pretty significant for Zack. Have you made a rule about seeing other people?"

Lisa laughed out loud. Going out with Zack wasn't really a business venture, so she hadn't gone over any rules and regulations.

"No. I just assumed that we wouldn't. I mean, why would we? I mean, we're not exclusive but," Lisa's words trailed off as paranoia washed over her.

She felt Kelly's hand reach over to her own.

"Don't worry about it Lisa. From what I see, and from what Slater tells me, Zack is pretty smitten with you. No worries," Kelly finished.

Lisa let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. She guessed that she had come to care more than she realized.

"Thanks Kel," she replied, then noticing her friends words, "from what Slater tells you eh," she questioned with a smirk.

Lisa noticed how Kelly began to blush.

"You caught me Lisa. Yes, I have been hanging out with Slater," Kelly admitted.

"I want all the juicy details," Lisa replied as she leaned in with intrigue.

"It's nothing worthy of Page Six Lisa. We've just been hanging out. We haven't even kissed. He still hangs out with Jessie too every now and then," Kelly explained.

"Does that bother you," Lisa asked.

"Yes," Kelly replied quicker than she meant to. "I mean, no, not really. They're friends too. We're all friends. One great big Brady bunch," Kelly finished.

Lisa laughed at her friend's sarcasm.

"You want more from him though," she asked.

Kelly looked down at her salad.

"Yeah, I do," she whispered out.

"Why don't you tell him? Kelly, you and I both know that men are not mind readers. You have to spell it out for them," Lisa said.

"You're right Lisa. I just don't know what can of words I'd be opening. I'd have to tell Jessie too, and that could be dangerous," Kelly answered.

"You'd be doing the better thing to sort this out with Slater now and tell Jessie, than to keep going on with this thing you and Slater have and having Jessie figure it out for herself later," Lisa concluded.

Kelly nodded in agreement.

"You're right. I think I'll talk to Slater tonight. He just texted me about going out tonight," Kelly said.

"Sounds like a plan," Lisa beamed.

"So what are you going to do about Zack," Kelly asked.

Lisa let out a sight. Was there anything to do?

"Zack and I are having fun. Everything should be fine as long it stays simple," Lisa reasoned.

"And as long as he doesn't screw it up," Kelly quipped back.

"Why would he screw it up," Lisa wondered out loud.

"Two reasons Lisa; he's male, and he's Zack Morris," Kelly finished taking a sip of her drink.

Lisa nodded her head. Her friend definitely had a point.

A/N: A chapter to set up the next batch of events. Reviews are love