Episode 21

"Movin' on Up"

I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.

Wait...In this story, I created some of the characters, so I will actually own them.

Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.

And as to the ones I create, who they are is up to me, so...

Boston

When Zack returned to work the following Monday, Moseby was happy that Zack had secured copies of both of his transcripts already. Even more so, Moseby and London completely agreed with Maya's suggestion that Zack apply to more than one business school so he could increase his chances of getting admitted somewhere. They encouraged him to take his high test scores out for a spin and see what they could do. And as proud as everyone was of Zack for how well he had done on his test, London felt an extra dose of pride. After all, she had been the one to give Zack the kick in the butt that jump started his rise. While she had had high hopes that he would do a good job, even she couldn't have foreseen just how well he would end up doing. In the span of two years, she saw her friend go from misery to now being a success in both his professional and personal lives. And while London was so happy for him, it didn't hurt that she knew the better he did, the better it made her company look. But she did remember something else Maya and Moseby had said - one step at a time. So, that whole next week at work, neither London nor Moseby minded that Zack was spending a couple of hours of each day filling out applications to various graduate business schools in the area instead of doing real work. If he was successful getting his MBA, then technically, it would help the company, and they had no problem signing off on those hours for his class.

And by Friday of that week, Zack had successfully completed close to ten applications, had written numerous essays and updated his resume as accurately as possible while still using colorful language to fluff it up. Of course, Moseby had reserved the right to review them and make suggestions for changes to be made before any of them would actually be put in the maill by the first of March.

On that same Friday, London made another stop by Moseby's office to check on the application progress.

"I know he did well, but do you really think Zack has a real shot of getting into some place like MIT? Even I know that its one of the best..."

Moseby shrugged. "I don't know. It would depend on what they focus on the most. If its on test scores, he's in good shape. If its on scores and college work, he has a shot. If its based on his cumulative academic career, well..." He paused and smiled. "You never can tell what will happen with these things. I mean, just look at what happened with Cody. One small screw up somewhere can cause havoc. But after how well I heard he and Bailey did on the MCAT, I don't think those two will have any problems getting in wherever they want to go. Back to Zack though, I always knew he had potential, but this is more than I ever could have imagined. While MIT might be a long shot, I don't think he'll have any problems whatsoever getting into BU or BC. Especially, BU. I think they'll want to hang on to their own..."

London just shook her head and laughed. "Just think...I had to pull some strings to get him in to BU in the first place. Now, they might have to fight off other schools just to hang on to him..."

"Well, they do have one big thing going for them in that Maya is there too. Zack's already told me his preference is to stay there so he could stay with her. But, she's telling him to shoot for the moon too." He paused and laughed himself. "Heck, I've even thought about telling him to give Harvard a shot too, but then I remembered that incident with the president's daughter..."

"Unfortunately, I don't remember too much of that. That stupid hypnotist had me acted like Bailey for a while. Talk about a nightmare!" London paused and sighed. "Don't tell her I said anything though, but I wish she and Cody could get into medical school at Harvard. I miss having those two around." She paused, shook her head and laughed. "I know its impossible because of that stupid president, but could you imagine how crazy it would be if Zack ended up at Harvard Business School and Cody and Bailey somehow ended up at Harvard Medical School? I mean, I'd be happy for them, but it would be so wild. Those two little twins that I remember moving into the hotel would be at the best business and medical schools in the country..." London smiled. "Its just shows you what all can happen in ten years..."

Moseby chuckled. "Imagine how weird it would be for me. The two hooligans who once caused me so much trouble about to tackle the worlds of big business and medicine. And I know they're both going to do big things some day. And what's even crazier, one of them is about a year away from getting married, and its kind of unsettling that I'm not surprised at all."

London grinned. "I know. That ship brought together several couples. Them, Maya and Zack, Woody and Addison and even you and Tut. But I've got a big surprise for Cody and Bailey when they get back to Boston in a couple of weeks."

Moseby shook his head. "I don't want to know anything about that. I still remember you telling me about the surprise you and your father had for them regarding their letters of recommendation. I'm surprised you didn't give them heart attacks!"

She laughed. "Awww...Come on, Moseby."

He sighed. "No thank you. Now lets get back on topic here. There is something else we do need to discuss regarding Zack. While talking about what he is going to do after he graduates is nice, we have to make sure he is going to graduate first."

London frowned. "I thought you said his grades were actually pretty good."

"Oh, they are. But you remember me telling you that he needed some international experience to satisfy a class?"

She paused to think. "Oh yeah, I do remember that now."

"Add that to the fact that he's now a second semester junior. Zack only has a year left to satisfy that requirement, and I'm completely out of ideas for what he could do for it..."

London paused to think. Suddenly, she got an idea and began grinning. "You know what? Maybe I have an idea..."

"I'm all ears if you do..."

She leaned in close and whispered her idea to him. "So, what do you think?"

Moseby could only nod. "Well, that certainly could work...if BU will go along with it."

London smiled again. "Well, I'll just leave it to you to make a phone and make sure they do, Moseby."

He sighed. "Thanks, London. I appreciate that..."

She stood up and grabbed her purse. "Okay, I'm off. I'm supposed to be meeting Todd here in a little while. We're going shopping!"

Moseby smiled at her. "Speaking of which, you two seem to be going strong."

She smiled again. "We are. Things are going pretty well for us. I'm really happy, Moseby."

"I'm glad to hear that. And speaking of people I've seen come a long way in ten years, I'd rank you right up there with the twins on that list."

"You really think so?"

He grinned. "I know so. London, these past few years, you've really blossomed in to the fine young I always knew you could be. You should be incredibly proud of yourself because I know everyone else is too. No one more than me though."

"Thank you, Moseby. That means a lot to me coming from you."

"Good..." He chuckled. "Now get on out of here and go meet Todd. Maybe it will soon be my turn to return the favor and plan a wedding for you..."

London just looked at him. "Moseby, you know I love you to death, but, no..." She laughed. "I have no desire to have the theme of any wedding of mine be knees socks and pocket hankies."

New Haven

It was now Friday, February 28th, and everyone only had one week of classes left before they would finally be on spring break. And at Yale, that meant Cody and Bailey were done with their classes for the day by eleven o'clock that morning. While the countdown was now down to only one week before their break, they still had a lot they wanted to get done before then as their second week of spring break would be spent in Boston working on schoolwork. So, late that morning, they had a plan of switching out their books, going to grab lunch and then hole themselves away in their secret study room in the library. As they were cutting through the main floor of Berkeley North heading to the stairwell, they were deep in discussion about what all they needed to get done. And as they crossed the lobby, they heard their names being yelled. Stopping and looking around, they began searching for who had called their names when they saw the Berkeley College Master trying to flag them down.

"Oh, hey Master Chun. Did you need to talk to us about something?"

He nodded. "As a matter of fact, I do. Something has come up fairly recently that I need to discuss with the two of you. Actually, I need to speak with both of your roommates about it as well, but I just happened to see you two passing by. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

Cody shrugged. "Yeah. We can squeeze you in. We're done for the day, but its still a little early for lunch."

Master Chun smiled. "Good. Please follow me over to my office. For certain reasons that you'll soon understand, I'd rather not do this out here in public where someone might overhear us..."

Bailey and Cody both shrugged and followed him to his office, but for the life of them, they had no idea why he would need to talk to them as well as Gertie and Tapeworm without anyone else finding out about it. And once they all got to his office and Master Chun closed the door and locked it behind them, their curiosity grew even more. When he took his seat in his chair behind his desk, Cody and Bailey sat down across from his desk.

"So, Master Chun...what's up?"

He grinned. "Well, have either of you two ever heard of Bernard Geddleman?"

Bailey nodded. "Yeah, he's the guy who developed that new income tax software that's become extremely popular in the past couple of years. Its pretty much put the other programs out of business because its so user friendly."

"Yeah, it so easy to use, we bought a copy of it for our friend Kirby last Christmas. We think he'll be able do to his own taxes for the first time ever this year..."

Master Chun nodded. "Exactly. Well, what you might not know is that he's just recently sold his program and his company to one of his competitors for a little over four billion dollars..."

Both of their eyes went wide in surprise. "Wow...good for him!"

Master Chun laughed. "I know, right? Now, the reason this is relevant to you guys is that Bernie is an alumni of Yale and, specifically, of Berkeley College. In fact, this is where he met his wife, so he has a warm spot in his heart for this place. And now, he wants to give back to it..."

"Is he giving the college a gift or something?"

Chun grinned again. "Oh, you could definitely say that! By getting that much money, he knows he's going to have to pay taxes on it. So, to avoid giving as much of his new money to Uncle Sam as possible, he's giving us a rather large check that he can write off as a charitable contribution. And by large, I'm talking well over eight figures..."

Both Cody and Bailey were happy to hear that. "Well, good for the college then too!"

"Tell me about it. He wants us to add all new free laundry facilities, a brand new gym, brand new equipment like ping pong tables, foosball tables and pool tables for down in the game room, an brand new arcade down there too, and he even want us to add our very own movie theater down in the basement. Things will look a lot differently around Berkeley come next year..."

Bailey paused. "That all sounds great, but what does it have to do with us specifically?"

Master Chun smiled again. "I was just about to get to that part. It seems ol' Bernie has put another stipulation in with his donation. He wants Berkeley to be the best and most admired college on campus. He wants the other ones to be insanely jealous of it."

This time Cody spoke up. "We would like that too, but again what does that have to do with us? And why all the secrecy?"

He chuckled again. "Patience, I'm getting there. His idea is that the seniors here in Berkeley have the nicest rooms on campus and the country - even better than the brand new ones over in the swing dorm. So, as soon as school finishes in May, work crews will come in to completely begin to renovate the third, fourth and fifth floors here in Berkeley North."

"Oh..." Bailey stopped to think and then slumped her shoulders when she realized what that meant. "I get it now. You're saying our rooms won't be there for us next year."

"No, not how they are now. Instead, there will be twenty four super double suites on the third and fourth floors as well as ten super quad suites on the fifth floor. There would have been twelve, but there wasn't enough room for them within our present structure. So, there will be two additional doubles on the fifth floor that will be even bigger than the ones on the floors below it. An architect has already been paid to draw up plans. Every one of the new suites will have the largest bedrooms on campus as well as having even larger common rooms with their own little kitchenettes with built in microwaves and refrigerators." He smiled again. "And the biggest perk that no other college on campus can offer, each suite will have its own private bathroom. We really will be the envy of every other college on campus. We fully expect to be inundated with people requesting to be assigned to Berkeley!"

Hearing all of that, Cody and Bailey were really blown away. "That sounds amaxing!"

Master Chun laughed. "I know, right? No longer will we face losing our seniors to Boyd Hall, or the Swing Dorm as most of the students call it."

"I imagine so. Modern conveniences while still being able to stay here with its prime location. I bet those will all go fast in the room lottery."

"Ordinarily, I'd agree with you. But with the changes, we did have some unforeseen complications. Namely, those students who already live in those places like the four of you. Ordinarily, they would be allowed to use squatter rights to keep their rooms, but their rooms will no longer be there."

Cody sighed. "Which means we have to go back and fight for new rooms in the lottery again."

"So you see the big problem we have. You guys have done nothing to even remotely warrant losing your rooms. Normally, we wouldn't have this problem as those rooms would normally be held by seniors, so we wouldn't have to worry about squatters. But somehow, you two and your roommates lucked out after your freshmen years, and your two current rooms were still open."

Bailey spoke up. "So, what happens to us now?"

Master Chun smiled. "Well, fortunately, you four are the only ones that are adversely effected. Every other room on those floors is currently occupied by seniors. So, we're going to do the fair thing here. The four of you will move to the front of the line and get the first choice of the new rooms."

Bailey sighed in relief. "Oh thank goodness!" She paused and smiled. "I mean...that sounds good to us. I'm sure Gertie and Tapeworm will feel the same way too..."

The master laughed. "I would imagine so...if that was all there was to it..."

Cody frowned. "There's even more?"

"Well, as these suites will all have their own private bathrooms, we don't have to worry about having guys and girls floors anymore. So, we're going to be offering the same option that they would over in Boyd Hall..."

"You mean...?"

Master Chun nodded. "Exactly. The suites will all be gender neutral. Meaning, two people of the opposite sex can choose to live with each other if they so choose. Normally, we don't encourage people who are in a relationship with each other to do so..." He paused and smiled. "But its no secret around here how much time you two do spend with each other as it is, and I already know how well you're both doing. So, in your case, I wouldn't have a problem with you two choosing to live together if you wanted."

Bailey just grinned and turned to Cody. "That's sounds amazing! I'd be all for that!" She paused when she realized something. "What about Gertie and Tapeworm though?"

Master Chun spoke up again. "Actually, both their grades are just fine too, and we wouldn't have a problem if they chose to live with each other too. But whether they would want to do that is up to them..."

Cody nodded. "You're right. We'll talk to them later. We'll do whatever they are most comfortable with..."

"Good, well, just let me know what you all decide to do before we hold the housing lottery the first week of April."

Boston

That same Friday afternoon, Zack and Maya were having lunch together after their morning classes and before she had to head off to work. As for Zack, he was done for the day, so he was free to do whatever he wanted. He had finished all off his applications bending Moseby's approval as well as all of his homework from that week. So, he was thinking of heading home and playing some video games on-line with Woody. Of course, after his week, he thought a nap first sounded good. Maya, however, didn't seem to share his enthusiasm about how he was going to spend his afternoon.

"So, are you really going back to your place to take a nap and then play video games?"

He smiled. "I'm thinking about it - I've got nothing else I have to do."

She just looked at him. "Oh, I'll give you something to do if that's what you need!"

"Like what?"

"Well, I have a list of things I needed to pick up before next Friday like sunscreen and aloe." Maya paused and grinned. "Actually, I have a few other things you can pick up for me too while you're at it..."

Zack shrugged. "Sure, I can do that. There's a drugstore just down the street from the Tipton. So, it shouldn't take me more than fifteen minutes. Just make me a list."

Maya just kept grinning as she pulled out a piece of paper and began writing out a list for him. And when she was done, she just handed it to Zack without a word. He began scanning it, and it contained usual things like shampoo and deodorant. But when he got to the bottom of the list, his eyes went wide in surprise.

"Y...y...you really want me to pick up some...some...feminine hygiene products for you?"

She just kept smiling. "Sure. Its no big deal, is it?"

He paused. "Well, no...I've just never bought any before. What if I get the wrong...kind?"

Maya laughed. "Well, I wrote down exactly what I want. So, get exactly what's written there! If the place you go to is out, go to another place. And if you have any questions, you can call me..."

Zack sighed. "Fine." He shook his head. "Well, that's it. The next to last sign that I'm in a full fledged, serious relationship. Cody warned me this day would come, but I didn't believe him. But he was right..."

Maya kept laughing. "I think everything will be okay..."

"I guess..."

She paused. "Wait a minute...what's the last sign?"

He slumped his shoulder. "Cody told me at some point, you'd get mad at me for something that I did in one of your dreams. He told me last summer that Bailey was really upset at him because he had gone hunting with her Dad in one of her dreams. Supposedly, he came back carrying five dead ducks and was really proud of it. Cody said Bailey even cried about it even though he hasn't come close to going hunting once in his entire life. To make her realize that it was just a dream, he even told her than he had raised a baby hawk when we lived here years ago. Still, it took her several hours to forgive him even though he hadn't really done anything. Fortunately, by the next day, she was able to laugh about it and apologized to him. But, still...that's kind of weird."

She laughed. "I imagine so. And I'll let you know if you do something on one of my dreams to tick me off. Anyways, back to what we were talking about, its good that we get this taken care of today. We're going to have a really busy day next Friday."

Zack smiled. "What's this 'we', Kemosabe? I'll be chilling out next Friday afternoon waiting for you to get off work..."

Maya rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me. If I'm lucky, I'll be done with work by 5:30, so we'll have to wait until then before we can get on the road. That will put us getting into New Haven by about 8:00. After getting some food, it will be close to 11:00 or 11:30 by the time we get to Marcus' place in New York. And, we have to be up early and at the airport for our 11:00 AM flight." She shook her head. "Why are we flying out of LaGuardia again instead of Logan?"

"Because Mr. Tipton doesn't want it to be traced that we flew out of Boston. Besides, Woody and Addison have it worse than us. They are flying from Toledo to Chicago on Friday night before staying at a hotel near the airport before getting on another plane at about 6:00 local time the next morning so they can meet us at LaGuardia by 10:00 in the morning."

Maya sighed. "True, but why are we stopping in New Haven on the way? It seems like it would be quicker to head on straight to New York."

Zack smiled. "Easy. Marcus only has one extra parking permit for the garage in his building. Tapeworm is going to pick up his Mom's minivan this weekend, so we can all head to New York in it and park it there. Meanwhile, we'll use his Yale parking pass, and my car will be safe and secure in the parking garage there."

She shrugged her shoulders. "That does make sense...I guess."

"It'll all work out. You'll see."

She smiled. "Yeah, it will." She paused. "And since you have so much free time this afternoon, I have another suggestion for you..."

"What's that?"

"I noticed that other day that you've yet to unpack your shorts and t-shirts from our trip to Miami. I really think you should do some laundry..."

New Haven

That same afternoon, Cody and Bailey returned from the library after finishing up the research for both of their final papers in their seminar classes. If all went well, they would have outlines for them both done by the next Friday, and they would be ready to begin writing them when they got back from the Caribbean. Of course, they couldn't help themselves, and every so often, they'd stop working to discuss the bomb Master Chun had dropped on them that morning. And when they finally returned to Cody's room when they were done, Gertie and Tapeworm were sitting back on the futeon and taking it easy.

"Hey guys..." Tapeworm paused and couldn't help himself. "Did you two actually leave the dorm today?"

Cody rolled his eyes. "Yes, we were over in the library doing research thank you very much." He paused himself. "Actually, its good you're both here. We have something we need to talk to you two about."

"Sounds serious..." Tapeworm checked his watch. "Hope it doesn't take too long though. Mom, Dad and my sister are coming down tonight to take us out to dinner. We're making the car switch tonight."

Bailey smiled. "It won't take that long. We just had a very interesting conversation with Master Chun earlier today that affects all of us."

Gertie spoke up. "Is everything okay?"

"Better than okay. You see..." And Bailey and Cody explained everything to Gertie and Tapeworm that they had learned that morning.

And like Cody and Bailey had earlier, both of their eyes went wide too. "Whoa! That sounds awesome!"

Cody nodded. "Yeah. All the perks of the swing dorm without having to leave Berkeley."

Bailey continued. "And we just want you both to know that we are cool with anything. I mean...I know you guys have started spending some nights together, but if you two aren't ready to live together, we completely understand."

Gertie paused to think. "Yeah, I guess that would be something to think about. But I'm sure you two are ready to start living together though..."

Cody smiled. "Well, after next summer, we'll be living together full time as it is. So, like Bailey said, it doesn't matter to us either way. We're willing to do whatever you two are comfortable with..."

Tapeworm turned to Gertie. "Maybe we should give it some serious thought and discuss it. I mean...no offense to Cody, but it might be fun to live with you." He grinned. "And you're definitely much, much cuter than he is..."

"Thanks, Man..."

Bailey laughed. "You two take your time as we have plenty of time to think about it. Master Chun said we had until the housing lottery in early April to tell him what we want to do. Even if we did keep the current arrangements, I don't think things would change much more than what they are now..."

Gertie nodded. "True. And we could still all be neighbors either way, so we'd still see each other all the time."

"Well, how about this? You two are going to be sharing a room down in the Caribbean over spring break. Why don't you two see how that goes for a week? Maybe it will help you guys decide one way or another if you think you're ready for that next step."

Tapeworm and Gertie looked at each other and nodded. "That does sound like a good idea..."

Boston

That next Friday, Zack finished his last class before spring break and was waiting at his and Maya's usual table waiting on her to show up. He checked his cell phone and noticed she was about ten minutes late. He just grinned to himself as it would soon be his turn to get on her case about not being there on time. However, just as he was about to call her, she ran up and sat down next to him.

Zack just smiled. "To borrow a phrase from you...you're late."

She tried to catch her breath. "I...have...a...very...good...reason...too." She stopped to take a deep breath. "I just found out that my last class I was supposed to teach this afternoon has been canceled. So, I can be done at the fit&rec center by four."

Zack paused to think. "Okay...are you already packed?"

Maya nodded. "Yeah, I am...for the most part. Why?"

"Give me the key to your dorm room, and I'll stop by, finish packing up for you and then have my car already loaded. Then, I can be waiting outside the fit&rec center at four o'clock. You can hop in the car then, and we'll hit I-90 right there."

She grinned. "Good idea! We can be in New Haven by 6:00 that way."

"Yeah. I'll give the Codester a call and tell him we'll be their early. We could be in New York by nine or so. I'll give Marcus a call too and tell him to expect us sooner."

Maya was excited now. "Its finally here! This time tomorrow, we'll be in the Caribbean!"

Zack smiled. "Yeah, we will. Just make me another list of things you need me to still pack for you."

She laughed. "You sure you want me to make you another list? I don't think you liked my last one too much...

He just gave her a look. "I just don't want to get blamed if I forget something..."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." She paused. "How about this instead? Lets skip lunch then so I can go show you where everything is I want to take..."

"Skip lunch? But I'm hungry!"

"You can get something when you get back to the Tipton. Come on, lets go..." She winked at him. "Besides, you do want to make sure I packed that bikini I told you about, right?"

Zack paused as visions of that flooded his mind. "Food, Shmood. Lets go!"

New Haven

That afternoon, Cody and Bailey were in the library finishing up their outlines for both of their papers. And as they were doing that, Cody's phone began vibrating. So not to disturb Bailey, he stepped out of their secret study spot to take the phone call. Five minutes later, he walked back into his room with a smile on his face.

"That was Zack. Change of plans. Maya is getting off work early, so they should be here by about 6:00 or 6:30."

Bailey nodded. "That actually works out well. We can all grab dinner in the dining hall here then before we get on the road then. That will save us all a little money to spend later."

"Good call. Though, London said the place was all inclusive, so we can buy nicer souvenirs then."

She laughed. "This whole trip still seems crazy to me, but I'm not going to complain."

"Me either." He checked his laptop. "Well, I'm done with my outlines here. How close are you?"

"Done here too. I say we head back and make sure we have everything packed. We still have time to do a last minute load of laundry if we need to."

So, both packed up their laptops and books and left the library. Heading downstairs, they found the tunnel they needed and finally came out underneath Berkeley North. Since they were already in the basement, they stopped to check their mail. And to both of their surprises, both of their mailboxes were crammed full of letters.

"Cody! I have a bunch of letters from medical schools! That was quick!"

He nodded. "Same here. Lets head up to my room and we'll see what all we have exactly."

Once they did, they opened all of their letters. And to their surprise and delight, they were all from medical schools they had applied to wanting them to schedule interviews over the summer.

Bailey laughed. "I guess we should start making phone calls to set up visits then, huh? Looks like we are going to have a busy summer, Sweetie."

Cody was reading the last one he had opened. "Or sooner. I have one here that wants to see me in a couple of weeks. If I can meet with them by March 17th, I can be considered for early admission."

Bailey was looking at hers too. "Yeah, I have one that says the same thing too." She paused. "But March 17th is the Monday after we get back from our trip." She paused again. "Wait a minute! Is yours from the same place as mine?"

They compared letters together and smiled at each other.

"Well, I guess that answers that last question we had..."

"I know. I knew things were different there now, but a small part of me was scared that I was wasting my time applying there..."

"Well, as they say, time heals all wounds and grudges..."

Cody smiled. "I guess so...and this works out perfectly because we'll already be back in Boston."

The both grabbed their phones and dialed the number on the letter. And at the same time, they heard the same opening line.

"Harvard Medical School Office of Admissions..."

To be Continued...

AN: My apologies if my editing for this chapter sucks. I have a bad head cold that is reeking havoc on me right now.