So sorry about the wait. I had some trouble with this chapter. The updates will get quicker now.
"What is it about a boy with a football jersey on that makes them so cute?" Annabeth asked Lemon, Zoe and Cricket as they sat at lunch.
"The confidence probably but they are adorable." Lemon giggled watching George, Wade, Jake and the rest of the new little league football team sit at their table.
"I can't wait for their first game, but mostly because we'll be cheering. Our outfits are so cute." Cricket squealed
Zoe rolled her eyes "I can't believe you guys talked me into joining cheerleading. Do I look like a cheerleader?"
"Oh Zoe, it will be so much fun plus we get to cheer on the boys." Lemon smirked
"YAY!" Zoe mock cheered
"Don't be such a party popper Zoe. You are going to love cheerleading."
"Oh yeah, I'm sure I will."
Her three friends just shook their heads as George walked past their table.
"Hey girls." George waved
Zoe and Lemon both giggled and waved back at him.
"He is so cute" Lemon smiled and Zoe nodded
"I don't know, Jake is pretty adorable." Annabeth said without taking her eyes off him
"Oh AB, you are the only one who thinks that. He's such a jerk."
Annabeth just shrugged her shoulders "Not to me."
XX
"Zoe, put the book down and get over here. You need to learn this cheer like everyone else." The cheerleading Coach yelled
Zoe rolled her eyes and put her text book down. "Fine" she huffed
"Cricket, quit watching the boys and get in line." The coach then yelled
All of the sudden a football came flying their way and smacked Zoe on the wrist. Zoe screamed out in pain and fell to the ground. Wade and George made a bee line her way and the Coach's ran to her side.
"Zoe, are you ok?" Coach Vicki asked
"No, my wrist really hurt, I think it's broken."
Coach Hayes knelt down to Zoe and gently picked up her wrist and Zoe screamed pulling it back.
"It very well may be broken, we need to take her to her dad."
"Good job George, you broke Zoe's wrist. Maybe you should open your eyes and pay attention where you're throwing the ball. I was wide open." Wade spat
"Kinsella, enough. It wasn't Tucker's fault."
"Fine but I'm going with her." Wade said grabbing her backpack and slinging it over his shoulder
Coach Hayes shook his head but gave in "Fine, let's go." He said and helped Zoe off the ground. He quickly walked over to the assistant coach and instructed him on what to do for the rest of practice.
"I'm sorry Zoe. I didn't mean to hit you. I promise."
Zoe nodded "It's ok George. It' wasn't your fault."
The three of them then made their way to the doctor's office.
"Does it hurt a lot?" Wade asked Zoe
"Yes" she whispered
"Hey, at least if it's broken you won't have to cheer anymore."
Zoe smiled "That's true. I was not looking forward to that."
"I know. You would have looked cute in that outfit though." He smirked
"Shut up Wade." She laughed
"Coach Hayes, Wade, Zoe? What's going on?" Jackie asked walking up to them
"George Tucker broke Zoe's wrist."
"What?"
"Kinsella" Coach said "Zoe here got hit with the ball, it was an accident."
"Oh Sweetie, I'm so sorry." She gave her a gentle hug
Zoe shrugged "It's ok, as Wade pointed out, I won't have to cheer anymore."
Jackie laughed as they walked up to the office door.
"Daddy" Zoe called when she walked through the door
Harley peeked his head out of his office and looked at the crowd coming his way.
"What's going on?"
"Tucker broke Zoe's wrist." Wade said first which resulted in a smack in the back of his head by his mother "Ow" he said rubbing his head
"Honey, are you ok?" Harley asked kneeling down to her level
"No, I'm pretty sure it's broken and it hurts a lot."
"Poor Zoe was in the line of fire of one of Tucker's power throws." Coach Hayes filled Harley in
"I see." He said as he tried to get a better look at the wrist Zoe was protectively covering
"I was wide open." Wade shook his head
"Wade, quiet" Jackie told him
"I was" he finished and Zoe giggled
"Wade, stop talking." Zoe told him and he smirked at her
"Well, thank you Coach for bringing her down. I guess we are headed to the hospital."
"Can I come?" Wade asked looking between his mom and Harley
"Wade, no. There is no reason for you to go."
Zoe looked up at Jackie "Please can he come."
Jackie looked over at Harley now and he smiled "He can come if it makes Zoe feel better. I don't mind at all."
Jackie nodded "Alright, I'll go pick up your stuff from school then."
"Ok, thanks Mom, Dr. Wilkes."
A few minutes later they were in the car on the way to the hospital. Harley looked at Zoe and Wade through the rearview mirror.
"12 years without a major injury, down the tubes." He chuckled
"Blame Tucker." Wade said
"Wade, leave George alone, he didn't do it one purpose. I think he feels really bad about it too."
"Well, he should."
"It still was an accident, so leave him alone."
"Fine" he sighed "What color cast are you going to get?"
"Hmmm, I'm not sure yet. I'll have to see my options."
They got to the ER and waited to be seen. Luckily Harley knew a couple of the doctors so they got in quicker. They took x-rays and found out that it was indeed broken. They got it all taken care of and then casted it.
"Alright Zoe, what color?" the doctor asked showing her the options
Zoe looked over at Wade and he shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever you want, but I would pick green."
"No, I don't want green. I think I want purple." She smiled
"Ok, purple it is then." He smiled and started finishing up. He turned to Wade "Did you do this?" he chuckled
"No, George Tucker did. I was wide open, but no, he throws it to Nass who wasn't even paying attention, then he even overthrows the ball and BAM knocks Zoe to the ground." He explains
"Thanks for the play by play Wade." Harley laughed
"You're welcome." He smiles
"All set Miss. How does it feel?"
"It's alright, thank you."
"You're welcome."
When they were on their way home Wade started digging through Zoe's back pack.
"What are you looking for?"
"A marker."
"Why?"
"So I can sign your cast. I have to be the first."
"Oh, well they're in the front pocket."
Wade pulled out a marker and held out his hand. Zoe placed her arm in his hand and he started to write. Not 5 seconds later, he was done.
Zoe looked at her arm and then at Wade "Wade, really. All you wrote was Wade."
"Yeah, what else do you want?"
"I don't know, something better than just your name."
Wade rolled his eyes and took her arm back and started writing. When he was done he placed her arm down. Zoe read what he wrote and smiled
"I hate you." She laughed
"No you don't."
"What does it say?" Harley asked
Zoe started to read "Wade was the first to sign, he's awesome. Oh feel better."
Harley started laughing "I guess you regret opening your mouth now."
"Kind of" she chuckled and shook her head at Wade, he just winked at her.
"Good thing it was my left hand. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't write."
"I know, you would die if you didn't have homework to do."
"Shut up" she laughed "But it's true, I do love homework."
"You can do mine, I have plenty."
"Uh, no. You have to do that yourself."
"Worth a try." He shrugged
The next day Zoe was more excited than ever to go to school. She couldn't wait to show everyone her cast and have all her friends sign it. When she opened the front door Jesse and Wade were just starting to walk up the steps.
"What are you guys doing here?" she asked
"We figured we'd walk to school with you. See if you needed help." Jesse told her
"Aww, thanks guys. You want to sign my cast Jess?
"You know I do." He smiled and took the pen "Get better soon, love your favorite, sexy, best friend in the whole world, Jesse." He capped the pen
"You did not write that." She laughed looking at the cast. "oh thank god."
"You three are going to be late for school." Harley called from the kitchen
"We're going" Zoe called back "Let's go guys."
Once they got into the school, they split ways. Zoe went to her class and met up with Annabeth and Lemon.
"Oh my gosh, Zoe. It's really broken?" Lemon asked
"Yeah, it is."
"Does it hurt still?" Annabeth asked
"Yeah sometimes, at least it's pretty though."
"Can we sign it?" Lemon asked
"Of course" she smiled handing her a marker
Lemon signed and then handed the marker to Annabeth.
"YAY, but of course the Kinsella's were first." AB laughed
"They're my brothers." Zoe shrugged
"Zoe Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I can't believe I broke you're wrist." George said running up to her
"George, don't worry about it. It's fine and it got me out of cheerleading." She giggled
George smiled at her "Well, I just feel really bad."
"I know but it's all good. Now, are you going to sign it or not?"
"Of course I am." He took the pen from her hand and started writing "There ya go" he smiled at her
"Thanks George" she smiled back and blushed a bit
"I have to run but I'll catch up with you later. I'm glad you're ok Zoe."
"Thanks"
"He is so sweet." Lemon gushed "I don't know if there is anyone as sweet as him."
"Hey Zoe, you need any help?" Wade asked walking past
Zoe smiled "No thanks, I got it. I'll see you in math."
"Oh, yeah. I was just heading that way." He rolled his eyes
"You better be there, we have a test on Friday."
"Whatever." He shrugged and walked off
"Oh Wade." Zoe shook her head
"He's been skipping math?" Lemon asked
"He did on Monday then showed up late yesterday."
"Why?"
"I don't know." She shrugged "But I'm going to find out."
"Good luck." Lemon waved as she walked towards her classroom
Zoe started walking in the direction Wade went in and saw him leaving the building. She jogged ahead and grabbed his backpack with her good hand
"Hold on there Cowboy. Class is this way." She yanked him back
"Ugh Zoe, leave me alone."
"No, why do you keep skipping class?"
"I don't like it." He shrugged
"Well to bad, I don't like gym but I have to go and do that."
"Not anymore" he glanced at her wrist
"Well true but still. What is wrong?"
Wad sighed "I don't get it."
"Don't get what?"
"The work, it's too hard."
"So you just give up? That's not how life goes. You can't just give up when things get tough."
"Well what's the point?"
"How about I help you out after school?"
"You're not going to let me just leave are you?"
"Nope, let's go." She took his hand and led him down the hallway to their class.
"You can let go of me. I'm not gonna run."
"Don't trust you." She giggled as they walked in the room.
"Zoe, Wade you're late."
"Sorry Ms. Neil, I had an issue with my locker and one hand so Wade was helping me."
"No problem, take your seats."
Throughout the class Zoe watched Wade out of the corner of her eye. He looked frustrated but his pencil was moving a mile a minute. She leaned forward and noticed he was drawing a picture on a blank piece of paper.
"Wade" she whispered
He turned around "What?"
"Do your work."
He rolled his eyes but pulled his worksheet out from under his drawing. For the rest of class he stared at it and tried to figure out what to do until the bell rang.
"Saved by the bell." He mumbled and shoved his work in his bag.
"Wade, come up here please." Ms. Neil asked him
He sighed and walked up to the desk. "Yeah?" he asked
"Wade, are you having trouble with your work? I couldn't help but notice that you were doing anything put your work today."
"Nope, no trouble, I'm good."
"Mr. Kinsella." She rose an eyebrow
"I'm gonna help him Ms. Neil." Zoe told her
"Oh, well are you sure Zoe?"
"Yeah, I know what I'm doing."
"I know that but I am the teacher." She laughed
Wade rolled his eyes "I'd rather have Zoe help me."
"Ok. Don't forget we have a test on Friday."
"Oh I know." Zoe nodded
"I know you do. I was talking to Wade."
"He'll be ready." She smiled "Let's go, we're starting today. I'll call my dad from your house."
"I'm going to regret this." He mumbled as she pulled him out of the room
XX
"Hey Mom" Wade called entering the house with Zoe right behind him
"Hi Mama" she yelled
Jackie stuck her head out of the kitchen "Hi Kids, how was school?"
"It was there." Wade shrugged
"It was fun" Zoe smiled
"Does your Daddy know you're here Sweetie?"
"No, can I call him?"
"Of course, you know where the phone is."
Wade threw his bag on the couch and hopped up on the kitchen counter. He went to grab a cookie when Zoe came over and slapped his hand away.
"Hey, what the heck"
"No cookies until you do some of the work. Hi Daddy, I'm over at Wade's I have to help him with math…Ok…yeah I'll be home for dinner…love you too…bye."
"Wade get down." Jackie said walking back in the kitchen "You're having trouble in math?"
"Yeah, it's no big deal though." He reached for a cookie again and Zoe slapped his hand
"What did I just say?"
"I hate you, I really do."
Zoe smirked at him "Let's get to work."
An hour later Wade was half way done with all the work he had to make up.
"Can I have another cookie?" he asked Zoe
"No"
"No, just no?"
"Finish this worksheet. Are you getting it now though?"
"Yeah I actually am. Thanks for helping me, you're a great friend." He smirked
"You're still not getting a cookie."
"You suck as friend." He laughed
"How's it going you two?" Jackie asked
"Good. He's almost done."
"That's good."
That following Monday they got their tests back. When the teacher handed Wade his test his jaw dropped and he turned to Zoe showing her the paper.
"Aah Wade, you got a 100."
"I've never seen one of these before." He smiled "Thanks Z, you're awesome."
"No problem, I knew you could do it."
XX
"So when will you be back?" Wade asked
"In three weeks. I'm so excited for this trip." Zoe cheered
"And then you're coming down to the beach right?"
"Yep, and I'm so excited for that too. Hopefully this year I won't suck at surfing."
"Nah, you were pretty good last year so this year you'll be even better. Plus Mom said since I got a B in math, she signed me up for an extra week of surfing."
"Man! Now I'm jealous. You'll be better than me."
"Well you have to go on your fancy European vacation."
"Shut up or I won't bring you a gift."
"Shutting up." He laughed
"I am really upset I'm going to miss your 13th birthday."
"Yeah but we can celebrate when you get there."
"Zoe, let's go." Harley called from the car
"Ok, I have to go." She gave him a hug "I'll see you in 3 weeks."
"Can't wait." He waved as she climbed into the car