Chapter 21

Again, I don't own any of these characters

To Bailey's surprise, the first couple of nights of studying actually went really well. The four of them had actually made it through quite a bit of information already. And to top things, Zack had actually been on his best behavior and seemed truly serious about his efforts to improve his grades. It had really floored her when he suggested they take advantage of the later curfew on Friday night to get in a couple extra hours. Maybe Cody was right, Zack really was trying to improve himself. She wondered if Cody had been further right in that Zack really had an interest in her cousin, Cassie. Part of her worried that the old Zack could return at any minute and could hurt Cassie. On the other hand, she knew how happy she was to have Cody in her life, she didn't want to hinder anyone else from experiencing the same thing.

She hoped that everyone could know what it felt like to have that one person in their lives that allowed you to be yourself and embraced all of your quirks and your faults. Bailey sighed. She truly did feel blessed. However, that did present an even bigger problem for her. Their anniversary was coming up fast, and she still had no idea what to get Cody. Walking on to the sky deck, she saw Zack working behind the Smoothie Counter. Bailey had an idea. Who better to know what Cody would like than his own twin brother? Bailey marched up to the counter and took a seat.

"Hey, Bailey...What can I do for you?"

"Zack, I need your help with something."

"(smiles) I see my new studiousness has paid off...You're already coming to me for help."

"(rolls her eyes) Not exactly. I need your help with Cody."

"What's my younger brother done now?"

"No, nothing like that. (pauses) Our anniversary is coming up, and I'm still stuck on what I should get him."

"(laughs) You already take pity on him and actually date him."

"Not funny, Zack...I'm serious. I want to get him something really special so he knows how special he is to me."

"I think you've come to wrong place for advice then. I've never had a relationship last long enough to get to any type of significant anniversary, let alone a year."

"Do you have any idea what he has planned for me?"

"(smiles) I might."

"Can you give me a hint?"

"Sorry, no can do. Cody threatened to shave me bald while I slept if I said anything."

"(sighs) Thanks for nothing..."

"What are you worried about anyways? Whatever you get him, he's going to love it. I mean, look at some of your previous gifts to him...a laundry rock? Seriously? And let's not forget that microscope slide with the thing with two heads..."

"You think so?"

"I know so. I'm the one that had to hear him go on and on about whatever that thing was and how much he loved it."

"(smiles) Well, he's always getting me great things too...Like those one of a kind earrings."

"(pauses) Yeah...(thinks) Wait a minute, isn't there like a list out there that says what you are supposed to give on anniversaries? You know like gold and silver?"

"Oh yeah...(thinks)...but the one for the first year is paper..."

"Perfect...You can write him one of those cheesy poems like he writes for you."

"Those poems are not cheesy! I love them."

"Exactly why he would love one from you."

"Look, is there anything from you two growing up that was really special to him that I could try to recreate or something?"

"(thinks) Well, there's Blankee, but I'm pretty sure he still has that in his room here..."

"Gee, Zack...Thanks."

"You're missing my point. Like I said, as long as it comes from you, he's going to love it. Maybe you could make him something?"

Bailey sits and thinks. "You know, Zack...you may finally be on to something there..." An idea pops into Bailey's mind. "I know just the perfect thing to do...Thanks, Zack!" With that, Bailey gets up and runs off.

Meanwhile at the S.S. Tipton's Jewelry Store

Cody is at the counter having a discussion with the man standing behind the counter. Cassie is walking past the store but stops when she sees its Cody inside. She walks up behind Cody without him noticing her. The salesman hands Cody a slip of paper.

"Just write down what you want the inscription to say and give it back to me when you're done. Now, if you excuse me, I have other customers."

Cody pauses to think when Cassie interrupts him.

"Finding anything interesting?"

Startled, Cody turns around to find Cassie smirking at him. "Ummm...Cassie."

"What brings you into a jewelry store, Cody? I'm guessing something you don't want Bailey to know about right now..."

"(sighs) You're right. I'm just getting an inscription added to the anniversary gift I've bought her."

"(curious) What did you get her?"

Cody opens up the velvet case and shows Cassie the silver locket. "Think she'll like it?"

"Its gorgeous. I'm sure she'll love it."

"I hope so."

"Don't worry about it."

"(smiles) You know. Its good to see you and Bailey getting to know each other."

"Yeah, she's actually pretty cool."

"(smirks) Well, I could have told you that..."

"(laughs) Yeah, but something tells me you are a bit biased..."

"(laughs) Guilty as charged."

"(pauses) You're probably also pretty biased in regards to your brother as well."

"(smiles) Some days..."

"I can't figure your brother out. All I heard is that Zack was this big prankster, yet that's not what I've seen at all."

"Trust me, Zack is still a prankster...I've been pulled into enough of them." Cody pauses to think. Here is his chance to talk Zack up to Cassie. "But Zack is a lot like an onion, there are a lot of layers to him."

"(laughs) Is that a nice of way of saying Zack has multiple personalities?"

"(laughs) Some days, it seems like it, but he doesn't. Zack is a fun loving guy, but he does have his serious side as well. He's been there to bail me out of trouble when I needed him."

"He says you do the same for him."

"I guess that's just part of being family. Sure, we may completely drive the other up the wall sometimes, but we're always there for each other when it matters."

"(nods) Let me ask a question."

"Shoot."

"Why doesn't Zack have a girlfriend?"

"I don't think he's found the right one yet. I love my brother, but it will take someone special to be willing to see the guy deep down inside."

"What do you mean?"

"Right now, Zack is like a wild dog. He needs someone who is willing to tame him. Someone willing to do the work and reap the rewards. And I know that person is out there somewhere for him. I look forward to finally meeting her."

"You really think so?"

"(smiles) I know so. You don't spend your entire life with someone and not get to know them really well. Zack has a lot of potential in him. Its just a matter of him harnessing his skills and abilities for the right things."

"Well, I should be going. I'll see you later for studying."

"See you then."

"And Cody, I know Bailey will love her gift."

"I hope so."

"(smiles) And tell Zack you did a great job of talking him up..." With that, Cassie leaves the store as Cody stands there with his mouth open in disbelief.

To be continued...