The school year went by really quickly after the first couple of months. Zoe was supposed to go to New York for Christmas and New Year's but at the last minute her mom canceled. She didn't care though; she wasn't looking forward to freezing for the holidays. After the holidays the school year was going even faster and before they knew it, it was over. It was the afternoon of graduation and everyone was at the Kinsella's for Jesse's graduation party.

"I can't believe you actually graduated." Wade teased his brother

"I'm smarter than you little bro."

"Yeah ok, it took you 3 tries to get your permit, took me one."

"Yeah and how's that driving going? Hit any more mailboxes lately? Or was Sargent Jeffries enough?"

"Shut up, at least I didn't hit a person."

"I tapped them, they were fine." The boys both laughed "I'm going to miss you Bro."

"I know." Wade shrugged "I'm very missable."

"Wade."

"Fine, I'm going to miss you too."

"You're on your own to keep an eye on that one. Can her shorts get any shorter?" Jesse asked looking at Zoe across the yard.

"Ugh, gee thanks. I have no idea, she's asking for trouble."

"Who she talking to? Logan?"

"No I think its Tommy actually. I hate that guy."

"Since when?"

"I don't know, he irks me lately." Wade huffed "I'm hungry." He walked off towards the house

Jesse looked over at Zoe who was laughing at something Tommy said to her and he chuckled to himself. "Oh little brother." He thought and went to mingle with some other friends.

"Are you going to be hanging here all day?" Tommy asked Zoe

"Yeah I will be." She gave him a shy smile

"Oh well how about tomorrow? Maybe we could go to lunch or something."

"I would love that."

Tommy smiled "Great, we could head over to the Rammer Jammer right after church."

"Ok."

"Or if you're allowed maybe we could drive to Fairhope, go to lunch out by the pier."

"I'd have to ask my Dad on that one. I can't see why not though."

"Awesome, call me when you know I guess. I think I'm going to head out. I'll see you tomorrow." He put his hand on her arm and gave it a light squeeze which sent chills up Zoe's back.

"Bye Tommy." She smiled and watched as he left.

"Bye Tommy." Wade mocked from behind her

"Shut up Wade." She smacked his arm. "Don't be a jerk."

"You actually like that guy?" he asked in disgust

"Yeah, what's wrong with Tommy? He's never done anything wrong."

"That you know of." He retorted

"Why, what do you know?" she asked beginning to panic

"Well nothing, but he could have."

"Well when you find a real reason I shouldn't like him, you let me know." She rolled her eyes and walked towards Lemon and Annabeth. "Wade's got issues." She said sitting next to them

"Why now?" Lemon asked "Ya know what, who cares. What was Tommy Mackenzie saying to you?"

Zoe turned a light shade of pink. "He asked me out."

The girls squealed. "I didn't even know you liked him." Annabeth said

"I didn't really. But he's pretty cute and really sweet."

"Go for it girl. He obviously likes you. And he's a senior, with a car." Lemon said

"Oh I am. I just need the ok from Dad."

"You need to ask to go out?"

"Not if we were staying in Bluebell but he wants to go to the pier in Fairhope."

The girls squealed again. "Oh my gosh, you have to go."

"I want to, Dad should let me right? I'm almost 16."

"Lead with that. Now what is wrong with Wade?" Annabeth asked

"I don't know. All of the sudden he has this big problem with Tommy. He's a great guy, I don't get it."

"Maybe he's jealous." Lemon teased

"Oh please, don't be ridiculous. He's just grumpy cause Jesse is leaving."

"I do feel bad, they're so close. George is practically celebrating Harry leaving for school. He can't wait until he's gone."

"School and Army are so different though. I think he would be ok if Jess was going to college."

"Probably. How's Mrs. Kinsella taking it?"

"Not well."

"Where is he going again?"

"Ft. Jackson in South Carolina. He leaves in two weeks."

"How long is he there for?" Lemon asked

"He has like ten weeks of Basic Training and then AIT but I'm not sure how long that is. I think he said around 19 or 20 weeks."

"That's crazy." Annabeth said

"What's wrong son?" Earl asked sitting next to Wade on the couch. "The party is out there."

"I know, I'm tired of it."

"Who peed in your corn flakes?"

Wade smirked "No one."

"Liar, you upset about your brother or Zoe flirtin with that Mackenzie boy?"

Wade gave his dad a disgusted look. "I don't care who Zoe flirts with."

"Uh huh, so your brother then?"

Wade shrugged "Sure."

"He'll be fine Wade." He put his hand on his sons shoulder.

"I know, it just sucks."

"Yes it does, but he'll be back. It will be weird without him here huh?"

"Yeah, who am I going to fight with?" Wade finally cracked a smile.

"Well you do a good job of fightin with your Mama and me." Earl nudged him

"Not the same." He huffed

"Well then get yourself a girl and fight with her."

Wade laughed "Maybe Pops."

"That's my boy. Go out there and be with your brother and your friends."

"Alright." Wade smirked

"And find out what that boy wanted with Zoe."

Wade shook his head "I think you could figure out what he wants Dad." He winked

"Hey, don't talk like that about my girl."

Wade laughed as he walked out the door. "Sup Zoe."

"Nothing, you have any more comments?"

"No I'm sorry, just a funky day."

Zoe nodded "I know, he'll be ok Wade."

"I know, but he's still leaving. It's going to suck."

"Why because all Mama and Dad's attention will be on you now?"

"Well I didn't think of that but yeah, damn. That's going to be rough."

Zoe laughed and hugged him "You still have me."

"For now. Mackenzie seems to really like ya."

"Do you blame him?" she said with a lot of sass

"Little bit." He joked

"Shut up, you're so mean to me."

"Well I have to make up for Jesse too now."

"Hey, I'm not gone yet." Jesse came up to them and wrapped Zoe in a hug. "Little Sister I am going to miss you. You better write to me and keep me up to date on this one. Especially the way Mackenzie was lookin at her." He said to Wade

"Oh my gosh, you two are ridiculous. What am I supposed to stay single forever?"

"Uh yeah, until we find you a suitable mate." Jesse told her

"Oh please, like I would ever consider anyone you two would suggest."

"Well that is just mean." Jesse said acting insulted "I won't find you any hot army guys."

"Oh no, I'll take a couple of those. Something about a man in uniform." She winked

"Well, maybe I'll have to bat you away when I come home."

"Oh ew, gross, never."

Jesse rolled his eyes and then hugged her again. "I'm going to miss you. Please don't do anything stupid with any boys that come your way."

"I won't, I promise."

"I'll make sure of it." Wade smirked

"Watch him too. Don't let any Nikki's come around again."

"Never ever ever again." Zoe said shaking her head

"I think I learned my lesson the first time." Wade scowled. "I'm tired of hearing about it too. Y'all have made mistakes, I don't bring them up every chance I get." He snapped and turned on his heel and marched into the house.

Jesse hung his head "Oh man, what is up with him?"

"He's hurting." Zoe said and ran off into the house. He wasn't downstairs so she ran up to his room. He was face down on his bed. Zoe walked in and climbed in next to him. "Wade."

He lifted up his head and then turned on his side. "Sorry."

"Its fine, I know this is tough for you. I won't bring up Nikki anymore, I promise."

"No, I shouldn't have gotten so upset. It's just a…"

"Funky day?" she finished "I know, he'll be back Wade."

"Yeah and then he'll be gone again and who knows where they're going to send him. He can't just come home whenever he wants in the Army. I can't just go visit him." He sat up and looked at her.

"Once he's done with basic and AIT, he comes home for a week or two leave and then once he has an official assignment and he's on base, you can go see him anytime."

"Yeah well what about when they send him off to war or somewhere where he might not come home?" Wade asked as his eyes began to well.

Zoe didn't know how to answer that, she just pulled him into a hug. "I don't know Wade, I don't know." She pulled away and Wade leaned back on his headboard. Zoe followed and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Growing up sucks."

Zoe sighed. "Sometimes, but in a couple years, we can drive and go wherever we want, whenever we want."

"Very true, but you'll be off at your fancy doctor school."

"Ugh, you are unreasonable today, we have three years before that happens. Plus you'll be off being a baseball star somewhere."

Wade finally cracked a smiled "Yeah that is true. Star shortstop for USC."

"I can't believe you want to go across the country from me." She shook her head in disbelief

"You could come with me, Johns Hopkins isn't the only medical school. We could go to USC together."

"Or you could pick a school on the east coast like Maryland or Georgetown. How am I going to survive 3,000 miles away from you?"

"You won't. You will be miserable for years."

"Unfair." They stayed quiet for a couple minutes and then Zoe picked up her head. "Shall we get back to the party?"

"Yeah I guess." He hopped off the bed and held his hand out for her "Maybe we can steal a beer or two."

"Good luck with that. The Dads are guarding those very well."

"Worth a shot." He winked and slung his arm around her shoulder as they walked down the stairs.

"I want no part of this."

Once they walked outside quite a few people turned and looked at them. "What?" Wade asked

"Where were you two?" Jackie asked

"Upstairs, talking, why?" he asked

"Just wondering, no one could find you."

"My room isn't a black hole, all y'all had to do was walk up the stairs."

Everyone just turned and went back to their conversation. "What was that about?" Zoe asked

"I have no idea, that was really weird. I'm getting a beer." He said

"I'm going that way." She pointed to the opposite side of the yard the cooler was on

Wade was wrist deep in the ice when he heard "Wade Kinsella get your hand out of cooler and back away from the beer." Earl yelled

He pulled his arm out and hung his head. "Sorry, thought it was the soda one."

"Idiot" Zoe laughed "I told you it wouldn't work." She handed him a soda

"Had to try." He shrugged "I'll get passed them one day."

"No you won't and if you do, they will find out. Our Dad's aren't stupid. Remember that time we stole cookies from the cupboard when we were seven and they knew the minute they got home?"

"Um yeah but we had chocolate all over our faces and we puked a half hour later."

Zoe busted out laughing "We've had some good times."

"I've enjoyed them." He smiled and they both went and sat down with their friends.