Chapter 11

"Hi Zack, it's, uh, Maddie again. This is my third call and I was just wondering if you got my other calls. Um, please call me back when you get this message."

Maddie flipped off her phone and carefully placed it back in her pocket. Guilt and fear began to consume her.

Was he mad at her?

She wasn't 100 sure why, but that thought really bothered her.

"Hey Maddie."

Maddie's heart leaped at the sound of the familiar voice. She spun around fast enough to give her whiplash.

"Oh, hi Cody."

"It does wonders for my self esteem when people sound that disappointed to see me." Cody grinned in a joking matter as he rested his elbows on the candy counter.

"I'm sorry. It's just that..." she wanted to give him a good reason without bringing up Zack, but she knew that would be practically impossible. "You and Zack sound a lot alike."

"Well, we are twins. We tend to have a lot of things that are alike."

Maddie gave him a small smile, "Good point."

"Speaking of Zack." Cody figured that since she brought him up, this would be the perfect opportunity to find out what had happened. "Were you hoping to see him?"

Maddie forced out a laugh, "Of course not. Why would I be hoping to see him?"

"I don't know. Maybe it was the way your face lit up when you thought you heard him that gave me the hint." Cody grinned knowing he had her cornered.

Maddie could feel her cheeks began to burn. She knew she could give him an excuse to get herself out of this sticky situation. But she was to emotionally drained to think up a clever enough excuse.

"It's just that, he hasn't returned my calls, and I guess I'm just worried."

Cody's grin faded. "He hasn't returned your calls?"

Cody couldn't believe it. He never knew a time that Zack didn't take the opportunity to talk to Maddie.

"No, he hasn't." Maddie put her chin in her palms in defeat.

"If you don't mind me asking, did something happen between you two?"

"Yeah actually, this guy I know came and asked me out, Zack got really upset, and now we're not going to prom together."

Cody felt a surge of grief for his brother. This was probably the most devastating thing that's ever happened to him.

"That's awful."

"I know, I know. I feel like a horrible person."

"Don't. It's not your fault. Zack would hate himself if he knew how you felt." Cody placed a comforting had on her shoulder in hopes that it would make her feel at least a little better.

"Thanks Cody, that means a lot." she smiled at him in gratitude.

"Your welcome." Cody returned that smile and turned to leave when he heard Maddie's grinning voice.

"You and London are going to have such a great time at the prom."

Cody turned back and grinned at her before darting off to the elevator.