AN: Hey guys, thanks so much to everyone that reviewed last chapter. I know it's been a month, lol, but hopefully this chapter is worthy of that time off. A lot happens in this chapter, and the same can be said for the next one after this. There will be character deaths…and that's just a warning.

Mellerties- Probably won't be the best idea for Nicole to move in with Jordan, because she will find out the truth about him, and the closer she is to him, the harder it will be.

Eric- Wow, you've read it all in a day. I've got to say I am honored. Thanks 'playa' lol.

DKNY- Yep, the italics last chapter was to a song called "Scratch" by Kendall Payne, sometimes I get a little carried away with putting lyrics into my stories, lol.

Once again thanks to everyone that reviewed, because I know I don't update as often as I should, but I appreciate you all for sticking with me, and continuing to let me know what you'll think:)

Disclaimer: I don't own Zoey 101, only my OC's


Chapter 28- Kiss Me Deadly

Zoey knocked on Chase's door. She stepped back when it opened, but instead of seeing Chase she saw Michael. He seemed to have been hoping that she was someone else so he gave her a disappointed smile. "Hey Michael,"

"Yeah, hey Zo," He gave her a disheartened wave and then opened the door wider so she could come in.

"Thanks," Zoey closed the door behind her, and sighed to herself when she realized that Chase wasn't back yet. She then looked around the room. Wow, it was actually clean, and oddly enough it didn't smell like…a boy's room, stuffy, disgusting, and like the trash hadn't been taken out in a month. Zoey then glanced towards the trashcan. Say it wasn't so; Michael had even taken out the trash. Zoey focused back on him. Michael usually wore comfortable tee-shirts and shorts, but tonight he was dressed up. He had on a nice button down shirt, with a pair of khakis, and he was wearing cologne too. She smiled to herself when she realized that Michael had gotten ready for Skyler. How cute was that?

Sensing that Zoey was looking at him, Michael turned to her. "What?"

Zoey shrugged, "You look nice,"

Michael sighed, "Yeah, whatever, it's just something I dug up from the bottom of my closet."

"Yeah, sure,"

"It is!" Michael protested as he draped his arm around his computer chair and looked back at Zoey. He realized that it was futile denying his motives when he noticed the disbelieving look on Zoey's face. Michael scoffed and then ran his hands over his short hair. "Damn, you got me alright. I hate these types of clothes. I mean why would any guy want to wear a button down shirt when he could just toss on a tee-shirt and call it a day?"

"Because he wants to look nice for the girl he likes,"

"I do not like her,"

Zoey smiled to herself as she sat down in Chase's computer chair. She glanced at his computer desk and couldn't help but to notice a couple of pictures he had tacked to the wooden frame. Most of them were of her. Zoey's cheeks flushed with warmth as she looked away. "Skyler is pretty,"

"Pretty! Are you kidding me? That girl is fine, smokin', sexy as hel…" Michael eye's widened when he realized that he had an audience. He quickly composed himself by turning around to focus on the College Algebra book in front of him. "I mean she's aight,"

"Aight," Zoey repeated with a roll of her eyes.

Michael nodded and then closed his College Algebra book, "You think she likes me?"

"I thought you didn't like her," Zoey tested with a playful smile.

"I don't,"

Zoey shrugged, "Well then I can't help you,"

"All you have to say is yes or no,"

"But you don't like her so it doesn't matter,"

"Okay, fine, fine, fine, I like her. You satisfied Brooks? Why do women have to be so difficult sometimes?"

"I think so,"

"Really?" Michael asked with wide eyes. He scooted his chair closer to Zoey's. "Does she watch me when my back is turned, laugh at my jokes, or give me a 'damn that boy is fine' look?"

"What is a 'damn that boy is fine' look?" Zoey asked obliviously with a shake of her head.

"You know when a girl sees a guy and then she's got to watch him."

"Oh," Zoey said with a grin. "Um…I don't really pay attention to the way Skyler looks at you, sorry Michael."

Michael sighed, "As long as she's diggin' me that is all that matters."

"I guess so," Zoey said as she looked towards the pictures on Chase's desk once mote. As her eyes searched around the contents on his desk, she saw a black notebook hidden underneath his senior English book. Zoey tilted her head to the side. She had missed the notes on Macbeth last class, so maybe Chase had them? She picked up the dreadful senior English book and then placed it aside. Zoey then opened the notebook.

The first page was blank, so she flipped to the second. This book didn't have anything to do with Macbeth, school, or even English for that matter. It looked like it was personal, something like a journal. Zoey glanced over her shoulder at Michael, who was now paying pinball on his computer. She bit her lip as she looked back at the notebook. The light from overhead spilled down onto the paper, and illuminated the neatly written cursive on the page. She shouldn't read this, because it was a violation of Chase's personal thoughts. Just as she was about to close the notebook, Zoey caught her name on the top of the third page. Her interest now got the best of her as she started to read more.


"She's been in the bathroom for a long time, how long does taking a pregnancy test take?" Dakota asked as he hoped down from his top bunk.

He paced around his room, and then he rested his eyes on Skyler. She sat on the bottom bunk with a 'girly magazine' in her hand. Feeling as if now was the prefect time to try and get a little closer to her Dakota sat down. He leaned over her shoulder and then pretended to be interested in an article about kissing boys.

"Maybe I should go in there and check on her?" Skyler said.

Dakota clenched his jaw as he watched Skyler. She glanced up towards the ceiling with her beautiful brown eyes, and then pushed aside her bangs which had latched onto her long eyelashes. Her skin was clear, and a soft, subtle shade of brown. He smiled to himself. He wanted her.

"Dakota?"

She was looking at him now, and her mouth was moving. But he couldn't hear her because he was focusing on her lips. Skyler was wearing some kind of shimmering lip gloss, and he wondered how it would taste if he kissed her lips. He snapped out of it when he felt Skyler touch his arm. Dakota cleared his throat and then looked down at the floor. His shoulder length sandy brown hair fell in his face and he was thankful for that.

"Dakota?"

"Yeah?"

"You're right Dana has been gone for a really long time, I think I should go and check on her," Skyler stood up, but Dakota reached out and grabbed her arm. She looked back at him in surprise.

"I…um…just give her some more time. She'll come back when she is ready,"

"I guess, but…" Skyler sighed and then shrugged to herself. "I don't even know if she is still in the bathroom, it is just like to Dana to run off on her own."

"We'll give it five minutes okay," Unconsciously Dakota's thumb massaged Skyler's skin. When he realized what he was doing he let go and then placed his hand flat down on the bottom bunk.

Skyler sat back down next to him. She picked up the magazine and then looked over the 'kissing article' once again.

"You're really interested in that article aren't you?"

"Not really, I'm just…um." Clearly lost for words Skyler flipped the page.

"Are you going out with that Michael dude?"

"Why?"

Dakota clenched his jaw. He rested his back against the back of the bed, and then crossed his arms. "I was just wondering because you're always with him, I mean he seems like a pretty cool guy and all, but…"

Skyler closed the magazine, "But what?"

"Oh nothing,"

"He is a cool guy,"

"I didn't say he wasn't," Dakota passed Skyler a half smile and then started to draw imaginary circles on the dark blue comforter. "I was just wondering that's all,"

"But Michael and I aren't in a relationship,"

"Do you want to be?"

Skyler turned around quickly and looked back at Dakota suspiciously. As she thought about her answer she ran her hands through her long raven hair, and then flipped it off of her shoulders. "You are very nosy Dakota Reese,"

"I can't help it,"

"I do like Michael." Skyler glanced down at her watch. "Five minutes have passed I'm going to go and check on Dana,"

"One more question," Dakota said coming a little closer.

"Okay?"

"What do you think about me, do you like boys like me?"

"A little out of line don't you think?"

"I'm clearly not Michael, but I'm just curious to know what you think of me."

"I don't know, because you haven't given me much to think about," Skyler stood up, and so did Dakota. "You can't go into the ladies room with me,"

"I know, but can I give you something to think about?"

"Dakota, I should check on Dana…"

"I'm a pretty confident guy, so when I want something I go after it."

"Your last name is Reese, and you are Logan's cousin so I'm not the least bit surprised."

"And I usually like multiple girls at a time,"

"Logan Reese all over again," Skyler reinforced. "Now can I go…"

Before Skyler could finish Dakota leaned forward and pulled her into a kiss. She was caught off guard, and her first instinct was to push him away, but the way Dakota kissed her seriously took her breath away.

But she liked Michael.

Dakota leaned in deeper. His lips were soft.

But she liked Mi…but Dakota was a good kisser. How often did he do this? Kiss random girls, well probably often. Skyler placed her hand against Dakota's chest and tried to push him away, but he reached for her hand with his and held it. She couldn't get away from him, and right now at this moment, she wasn't sure if she wanted to get away from him.


Dana sat down on the bleachers looking out at the dark field. The sky was dark and angry as if a tornado was about to sweep through, but she didn't care. Thunder crackled above, loud, angry, ear piercing rumbling, but she didn't move. Her sneakers felt as if they were glued to the cold tin stands, and her arms were permanently wrapped around her shaking body. She was cold, but she didn't want a sweater, and she didn't deserve one. There was no getting out of this situation. This wasn't like the time when she had been sent to jail with Logan, or the time when they had gone to Tijuana, there was no 'get out of jail' free card now. She had gotten her chances. Each time she screwed up her life worse than before, and now her dumb decisions had decided to come back and bite her in the ass.

She had cried so much already, that she didn't think she was capable of shedding another tear. All she felt was empty and numb. How could she be pregnant when she felt so normal? How could there be another life growing inside of her? Another life that was just as big a part of her as it was of Logan. Dana looked down as she bit her trembling lips. Logan could go on with his life. He could still go to college if he wanted too, and no one had to know that he was having a baby, because he didn't have to walk around with a swollen stomach. He didn't have to be looked at as if he was part of some sad statistic about pregnant teenage girls.

Even though Dana had just found out today that she was in fact pregnant. She knew what would happen if she did in fact keep this baby. She would be miserable for the rest of her life, stay like this forever, empty and unfeeling.

She was pregnant.

Dana's shoulders shook weakly as she thought about it. Pregnant. The thought needed to sink in more, maybe she wasn't crying because she was trying to find a way out of it. She cried at the thought of keeping the baby, but if she could find a way out, then maybe she could be okay. How could she get out of this?

Dana closed her eyes. An abortion, but she didn't believe in them. They were so wrong. At least she thought they were wrong. But she had never been in the situation where she had to choose between an abortion and having a baby.

Reality was starting to set in again. It was so cold, and cruel. She had a choice she had to make. If she wanted to keep her parents acceptance, and love then she had to have an abortion, but it was against everything she believed in. Dana placed her shaking hands over her eyes as she felt the urge to cry again.

What was she supposed to do?

Shivers shot up her spine. She squeezed her eyes shut as the feeling of disgust washed over her. Crying didn't make anything better, but all she could do now was cry. She slowly drew breath after breath in and out of her mouth as her hands dropped onto the bench. She was trying not to cry again, but the breakdown from realization was inevitable.

She clenched her jaw, and her feet nervously tapped on the stand. Tears slid down her cheek, but she was holding back the sobs. Another life was growing inside of her, a baby that she didn't want. Babies were blessings, but as a seventeen year old senior in high school with hopes and dreams they were a curse.

A curse!

Not able to hold it in any longer. Dana cried harder than she ever had before. Her shoulders heaved weakly as she sobbed loudly. Tears rushed down her cheeks, and tortured cries escaped her mouth as she fell apart. She was shaking so much, so uncontrollably, so weak, and fragile like.

She would cry until this was over. Dana placed her hands to her eyes as she tried to wipe away the tears, but then her hands dropped. Because she was going to cry no matter what, and she couldn't see herself getting her act back together anytime soon.


Realizing that a bad storm was on the way, Logan decided to cut lacrosse practice short. His gym bag was hanging on his left shoulder, and his lacrosse stick was slung over the right. He hadn't performed up to his standards, because he had been so worried about Dana. Logan clenched his jaw as he thought about the scolding looks his coach had passed him. He really couldn't afford to mess up his game in lacrosse, because lacrosse was all he had going for him next to his looks. His grades sucked, and even if his father bribed some good college into letting him in, for the first time in his life Logan wanted to feel as if he earned a spot in some college. Because after some thinking, he was almost positive that he did want to continue his education. Not necessarily because he wanted to learn more, but instead because he wanted the college experience, which seemed like a step up from PCA.

A raindrop fell from the sky and landed on Logan's cheek. He looked upwards and scowled when he realized that a deadly assault of rain would probably fall before he got a chance to get back to his dorm. But Logan took off running anyways; he ripped across the field, his cleats dug into the slightly saturated grass, as he dashed towards the stands. Logan thought he saw someone sitting at the top of the bleachers, so he looked towards the figure that sat alone. It was a girl.

"It's about to rain, can't you see that?" Logan yelled somewhat obnoxiously.

The girl looked up.

Logan's mouth dropped open in surprise. It was Dana. He had been trying to talk to her all day, but she had avoided him. Logan stopped running and then started to make his way towards the bleachers. Dana had been acting a little off all day and he knew that something was wrong with her, but he wasn't sure what. Logan placed down his gym bag and his lacrosse stick in front of the bleachers and then walked up the stairs towards Dana. She was crying.

Logan's eyebrows dropped low over his eyes. He wanted to reach her, and find out what was wrong. Although he didn't feel as if what happened in Tijuana was his entire fault, he would lie and say that it was if that would appease Dana.

Angry black clouds covered the dark purple sky, and rain was starting to fall. But Logan didn't care. The rain was cold against his skin, and starting to soak through his tee-shirt. He shivered, and his teeth began to chatter. Logan watched as Dana stood up, fearing that she was going to make a run for it, he started to run up the stairs. Two at a time, the stairs were slippery and wet, and his cleats didn't have the best traction, but he had to reach her.

"Go away Logan!" Dana screamed at the top of her lungs.

"No," Logan ran up the stairs, Dana tried to move away from him but Logan reached out for her arm.

The rain started to fall heavier blinding them both. Lightning streaked the sky, angry, violent bolts of electric charged energy.

"You've been running from me all day!" Logan yelled over the sound of the rain, lightning and thunder.

"Don't touch me!" Dana yelled back at him.

"Just let me in," Logan begged as he brought his mouth close to Dana's ear. "I've never gave a damn about anyone this much, so don't destroy that…"

"Just shut up!" Dana cried. Her face twisted into pain and disgust as she looked back at Logan. Her hair was matted to her face, and her eyeliner was starting to run, creating black streaks down her face. "Everything has to be about you. Well you know what…everything is not about you. I HATE YOU LOGAN!" Dana shivered violently as she shook her head. She was now in between forcing a smile and crying her eyes out.

"You don't hate me," Logan repeated sadly.

Dana quickly wiped away her tears. Even though the world seemed to be ending around them. She had now blocked out the lightning, thunder, and the rain. All she could see now was Logan. He looked sad, but she knew that he didn't care deep down. He wasn't the one that was pregnant. He still had his life. "I do hate you," Dana shook her head as she looked back at him in disgust. "You don't give a shit about anyone but yourself!"

"If that's true then why the hell am I talking to you right now?" Logan asked trying to stay calm.

It looked as if a tear had fallen down Logan's cheek as well, but Dana refused to believe that Logan would cry over her. The only time she believed he would cry was if his hair wasn't perfect, or his tan was uneven, he was superficial, and a mean and hateful person. He probably wouldn't even care if he knew that he had gotten her pregnant. She just wanted him to get away from her, before she had another breakdown, which felt like it was on the way.

"I've told you how I've felt before…"

"You've lied!"

"Dana," Logan reached out to place his hands on Dana's trembling arms, but she struck out and smacked him across the face.

With the added pressure of the rain on his skin, and her hand, the smack stung like he had been punched instead. Logan's head jerked to the side, and he nearly lost his balance on top of the rain soaked bleachers, but he managed to steady himself.

Dana placed her hand to her side, and then looked away as she started to fall aprt again.


"I can't believe you talked me into coming to this party," Meadow said to Austin with a hidden sadness.

Austin smirked as she picked up a beer off of the table. "You were sitting on your bed with a carton of Edy's ice cream, a spoon the size of California, and every single fixing known to man kind, you looked pathetic so I thought I would take you out."

Meadow placed her hands against the table and then looked around the small frat house a couple of miles away from PCA. Being that the last time she had slept with a frat guy she got an STD, she was going to behave herself tonight.

"So what did that Sawyer guy say to you anyways?" Austin asked as she flirtatiously waved to a built guy in a football jersey.

"Nothing,"

"Sure he said something,"

"Look, I just don't want to talk about it," Meadow pointed out.

"Bitch,"

Meadow looked away in anger and hurt. "I want to leave,"

"Then go,"

"Um…hello, we came here with one of your friends. I can't just walk back to PCA,"

Austin shrugged. She took a long swig of her beer and then passed it to Meadow. "Have some, because you really need to loosen up, I mean seriously, go find a guy or something."

"I just want to leave okay," Meadow said crossing her arms.

"Fine, I'll go find David, but this is the last time I'm taking you to a frat party." Austin growled.

Meadow watched after Austin, a couple of seconds later Austin came down the stairs with David. He was obviously drunk. Meadow crossed her arms. Great, their designated driver was drunk, and it wasn't like she brought her license with her, so she couldn't drive.

David swung his arm around Austin's shoulders and then kissed her on the cheek. "Mmm, you smell good,"

"And you don't, so how about you don't kiss me again. She wants to go home,"

David drunkenly glanced at Meadow, "Already?"

"Yes, but can you even drive. You're drunk." Meadow pointed out.

David smirked as he took the beer out of Austin's hands and took a sip. "And stoned, but don't you worry, I'm always the designated driver at wild parties like these, and I haven't lost no one yet,"

David made a move to hand the beer back to Austin but she held her hands up in the air. "You think I want that back after your lips have been on it? Keep the beer and get your keys,"


"My parents said that the sooner I come back home the quicker that it will be for me to start at my new school," Quinn exclaimed excitedly as she started to pack. She primarily focused on stuffing her clothes into her suitcase so she wouldn't have to look at Jack. He seemed crushed about the news, and Quinn was crushed as well, but right now she couldn't let her feelings get in the way, because science had always been her dream. And now here she was with exclusive rights to get into one of the best academies of science for the remainder of her senior year.

"What about the rest of your belongings?" Jack asked quietly.

"Oh, I can pick those up late butterscotch crumpet."

"Don't call me that,"

Quinn stopped packing, and then placed down the small jar of baby food that she was about to lower in between her socks, and Albert Einstein pajama bottoms. "What?"

"The nicknames, you should stop, because I guess since you're leaving I have to face that." Jack stood up. He sighed as he looked back at Quinn. "I should leave,"

"Jackie Poo," Quinn said as she lowered her eyebrows over her eyes.

"Quinn, please just stop!" Jack exclaimed desperately. He tried to get towards the door, but Quinn quickly grabbed him by his arm. "Let me go,"

Quinn turned away from her packing and pulled Jack towards her. "Don't write me off like this, I'm about to leave,"

"You're writing me off," Jack pointed out. His eyes were red and puffy as if he had been crying when she hadn't been looking. "I'll just make this easier for us both, and say goodbye right here,"

"I never planned on saying goodbye," Quinn said as she pulled off her glasses.

"Of course you didn't, because I guess I never meant as much to you as you did to me,"

"Don't say that."

"Well it's true!" Jack exclaimed.

"No it's not,"

"Why not? You're leaving, and you haven't even looked at me since we found out that you had been accepted into that school."

Quinn looked down. She blinked as she felt tears fill her eyes. She hardly ever cried, because she thought it was a waste of the body's water and salt, and not to mention it was a sure way to get dehydrated. Quinn shook her head, when she realized that she was about to go into scientific mode in order to run away from her feelings for Jack. "It's always been hard for me to love you,"

Jack clenched his jaw. "Is that why it is so easy for you to leave?"

Quinn shook her head as the tears fell down her face, "My mind is programmed to think about science, my very being exists in order to find some cure for some disease that no one has been able to discover, or some way to get chimpanzees to talk fluently, but this…" Quinn motioned between her and Jack, "No matter how many times I give you nicknames, or even kiss you, I will never get used to this, because I'm not used to love,"

"And neither am I." Jack said as he raised his chin. He wiped away his tears and then searched Quinn's eyes. "I was insecure and uncomfortable until I met you, I felt as if I didn't fit into PCA, and that I never would. But Quinn you made this place feel like home, you were different from everyone else here, and you didn't care. I loved you, and I thought that you loved me…but I guess you never did."

Quinn closed her eyes. She wasn't sure how else she was supposed to prove to Jack that she did love him so she leaned forward and kissed him. Her hand slipped behind his head, and she trailed her fingers through his dark brown hair.

They pulled away seconds later.

"I always planned on going to the science school, but I never planned on leaving you behind. I'm still going to take classes at PCA on Saturday's but during the week I'm going to be at the Science Academy…" Quinn bit her lip as she reached for Jack's hand. "I couldn't just leave you behind."

Jack stared at Quinn for a little longer and then he wrapped his arms around her tightly. She hesitated at first and then Quinn rested her chin on Jack's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him. "I see that now, I don't know what I would do if you did leave me forever."

"And I don't know what I would do either, Sure I love science, but after you came around I realized that science wasn't all there was to life,"

Surprised Jack leaned away from Quinn and studied her.

"Well science is a big part of life, but it isn't everything." She gave him a shy smile and then broke free from his arms. "I have to hurry up so I can catch my train, my cab was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago. If he doesn't come soon then I'm going to miss my train, and nervously pack away my bed, lamp, and everything else!"

"I'll drive you," Jack suggested.

"You have a car?" Quinn asked in surprise.

"Yeah, one that I never use," Jack kissed Quinn on the cheek. "I'll get you to your train on time,"


Michael had left about three minutes ago to look for Skyler, and he had asked Zoey to call him if Skyler came. So Zoey waited for Skyler as she continued to read Chase's journal. Almost every single page was filled with some flattering comment about her. Zoey placed her hand to her cheek as she read Chase's description of her as an angel. Why couldn't she do any wrong in his eyes? The last couple of days she had been horrible to him, but yet Chase still obviously liked her. The door opened, and Zoey quickly closed the notebook, but she didn't think she had been fast enough.

"Zoey?"

"Chase," She said with guilt.

He closed the door behind him, and then looked back at her and then at the notebook.

"How did dinner go with your parents?" She asked quickly.

"Good, I guess, but…" Chase's eyes widened when he realized that Zoey had been looking at his journal. "I…did you read that,"

"No," Zoey bit her lip. "I mean…kinda, um…yes,"

Chase winced painfully. He had a tendency to overreact when it came to Zoey, but he needed to find a way to control himself, because he couldn't go into hysterics now. His cheeks were now started to blush with an embarrassing shade of red. Of course she knew that he liked her, but now she knew all of his thoughts. She knew how he truly felt deep down inside. He wanted to turn around and run for the hills, but he couldn't bring himself to leave.

Chase was soaked from the rain, and he was tempted to turn on the heat in his dorm and then strip off his clothes, but he had two problems with that desire. First of all Zoey, was blocking him to the heater/AC controls, and he definitely wasn't going to strip down in front of her. So he was just going to freeze for now.

"I was wrong and I really shouldn't have…you're shivering." Zoey completely ignored her apology and quickly went over to the closet. She pulled a towel off of the back of the closet door which she suspected was Chase's. Zoey placed the towel around his shivering shoulders and then wiped his hair, and then his face.

"Um…this is Michael's towel," Chase said.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine," Chase said as he walked towards the heater. He turned it up full blast and then looked outside at the rain which was coming down heavily, he couldn't see anything. Chase glanced at his journal once again, Zoey probably already thought he was pathetic, and now that she had seen his journal what did she think now?

Chase looked down. It was about time that he got it through his head that Zoey loved Sawyer. The only time she ever kissed him was out of pity, or else under the influence of some odd science experiment that Quinn cooked up.

"Did you really go to dinner with your parents?" Zoey asked.

"I…no I didn't."

"Are you okay?"

Chase nodded, "I went to the doctor,"

Zoey's mouth dropped open, "But you're okay right?"

She sounded worried like she honestly cared. Zoey walked towards him, and Chase backed up against the heater. He smiled nervously when his sneaker clanked loudly against the metal exterior.

"I'm not going to hurt you; I just want to make sure that you're okay."

"I know, because you wouldn't even hurt a fly." Chase clenched his jaw as he looked down. "The doctor did some tests on me, but it's uh nothing serious,"

"What is it?"

Chase watched as Zoey came closer. He flashed back to the night at her party when she had been so eager to kiss him, but that night she hadn't been herself. There was a lust and passion in her eyes that obviously wasn't her. But this was her in front of him. Her deep brown eyes registered love and concern. This was his Zoey. Well not his Zoey, but the girl that he loved. "I'm…anemic,"

Zoey nodded, "So you've been low on iron?"

"Yeah, but I'm going to be okay,"

"I'm so glad," Zoey smiled back at Chase. She tilted her head to the side as she looked back at him. "Thank you,"

"Thank you?"

"For all the kind and sweet things you wrote about me. I know I had no business reading them, but Chase I'm glad I did. I really needed that." Zoey laughed to herself emotionally as she reflected on Chase's words. "Can I?"

"Can you what?" Chase asked as he sat down on the heater.

"Can I hug you?"

Chase felt his mouth start to grow dry. Allowing Zoey to hug him would definitely be inappropriate. Not only was he wet, but he had a towel draped over him that wasn't even his, and…okay he couldn't think of anymore excuses. Chase nodded slowly. He closed his eyes as Zoey wrapped her arms around him. He breathed in the scent of her perfume. She smelled like magnolias, the state flower of Louisiana. And her hair was now tickling his cheek, golden strands of hair that smelled like Herbal Essences. Chase felt his heart rate increase as Zoey slowly pulled away from him. He wished that they could stay like this longer. But it was time that he woke up and faced reality.

"Whoever she is, will be extremely lucky to win you,"

"What do you mean? I'm not dating any one."

"I know, but one day you will be. Any girl that doesn't see how lucky she is to have you has to be an idiot." Zoey's cheeks burned with a tinge of redness as she thought about herself. "Okay, so I guess I'm that idiot."

"You're not an idiot," Chase defended.

"Yes I am," Zoey sighed to herself as she looked back at Chase. "I'm the biggest idiot of all, I'm sorry that I used you Chase."

"I don't feel used so you don't have to apologize to me,"

"But I do because…"

"Zoey," Chase placed his hand against Zoey's cheeks. Usually he was so timid and shy so his actions surprised him but he wasn't going to pull back. "I know that you'll never feel the same way as I do, but I can't blame you for that, and I don't…I understand that you love Sawyer and…"

"I don't love him, at least not anymore."

Chase swallowed down a lump in his throat.

"I just…" Zoey reached for Chase's hand and then entwined her fingers in between his. "In your journal you said that you're not worthy of me…but that's completely twisted and untrue, because in reality I'm the one that's not good enough for you."

"You're better than I'll ever be," Chase said quickly as he stood up.

Zoey stared back at him in disbelief, "You should hear yourself,"

Chase blushed self consciously, "I know…I sound like an idiot."

"No," Zoey affectionately tapped Chase's nose.

Chase looked down at her hand, and then looked back at her. "All I know is that no matter what you do or say, my opinion of you will never change. I know that this year has been really hard for you so far, but despite it all you're still the same Zoey, that smiles at my jokes even when they aren't funny, and always puts herself before others…"

"Not lately,"

"But no matter what you're still you. The same beautiful girl, with a slight country accent, big brown eyes, and…" Chase realized that he was rambling so he closed his mouth. The way that Zoey was looking back at him now made him nervous. Chase swallowed down a lump in his throat as Zoey touched him tenderly. Both of her hands rested against his cheek, and her gaze was so distracting like a magnet that he couldn't tear his eyes away.

Zoey brought Chase's face closer. His cheeks were red and flushed as she pressed her hands a little harder against his skin. All she wanted to feel right now was Chase's lips against hers. He was so good, and perfect. Here she thought Sawyer was the perfect guy for her, when Chase had been right there for her the whole time.

Chase's lips remained still at first, and then he allowed himself to relax. He gripped onto the vent that he was sitting on tighter and got lost in the feel of Zoey's lips against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and Chase felt himself falling backwards…against the window.

The rain pounded down against the glass. But he ignored the rain.

Zoey pressed her hand against the window in order to keep herself from falling into Chase. Her knee rested in between his legs, until she moved her leg slightly, and then Chase's hand was on her lower back pulling her closer.

For the first time she didn't feel like this was wrong. It was so right…so right.


"Just get in the car and stop complaining Meadow!" Austin nearly screamed.

"I don't want to drive with him!" Meadow yelled back.

"Then walk your ass home!"

Meadow's eyebrows furrowed low over her eyes as she stared back at Austin with the most hateful expression that she could muster. She bit her tongue when she realized that she was too exhausted to get into it with Austin right now. Without another word Meadow lowered herself into the car. Austin sat down next to her.

David started the engine up front, "Dude, this isn't even my car,"

Austin leaned forwards, "Then whose car is it?"

"My roommates, he just left his keys on the table and I borrowed it." The drunken college student explained. He turned around and then touched Meadow's leg, "Don't you worry I'm…" He burped loudly.

Meadow reached for his hand and then slammed it against the passenger's seat, "Don't effing touch me,"

David grinned at Austin, "Someone's got their panties in a twist I see,"

Austin glanced at Meadow and focused back on David. "I don't know what her problem is, and right now I don't really care so can you just drive?"

"Sure thing," David shifted the car into drive and maneuvered the car unsteadily out of the parallel parking space. He then shot down the road, revving the engine, at an unbearably fast speed.

Meadow gripped onto the door handle.

"Slow the hell down!" Austin scolded.

David rolled down his window. "Don't worry I got it,"

"Put up the window, it's raining you idiot!" Austin screamed again.

"You know what just let me drive…"

"I'm getting wet," Austin complained.

David turned around completely to focus on Austin. His eyelids were dropping lazily over his eyes, and he was so out of it. "Look just let me…"

"Watch the road!" Meadow screamed in horror.

"Oh the…"

Meadow's eyes opened wide in horror, and she screamed when she saw the collision ahead of time. Another car coming towards them, the light had been red but David had went right through.

Austin was screaming as well.

The next couple pf seconds passed in a blur. David was turning the wheel frantically, with all of his might, he was trying to avoid the collision, but it was obviously inevitable. The two cars rammed into each other and the piercing sound of metal woke up the night. Meadow was jerked forward roughly. She wasn't wearing her seatbelt but the passenger seat in front of her kept her from falling forward. She was thrown up against the seat, and she groaned in protest when her chest started to ache.

Meadow cried and screamed as the car continued to spin.

The glass shattered up front.

David was yelling and then everything went quiet.

Her red hair covered her face preventing her from seeing. The car was still spinning, she felt sick, so sick, and in the air she smelled the bitter scent of blood. She was bleeding.


A couple seconds before.

"I'm so glad you're not leaving me Quinn," Jack said to his girlfriend.

Quinn smiled, "I know toaster strudel,"

Jack laughed, "Are you hungry are something, because all of my nicknames have been food items,"

"I guess my brain is unconsciously sending me waves," Quinn giggled and then placed her hand to her stomach. "Well I guess I am a little ravenous," She rummaged around in her pocket and then pulled out a packet of jelly beans. She ripped it open and then offered Jack one. "Beanie?"

"Yeah," Jack accepted the jelly beans and then popped them into his mouth. He turned down the radio and then looked at Quinn. "Is it okay if I visit you sometimes during the week?"

"I would love that,"

Jack smiled to himself, "Me too, because I know PCA will get lonely without you there. I mean Nicole and I are still friends, but I don't see her as much as I used too, and I don't want to go back to being lonely."

Quinn squeezed Jack's hand. "Don't worry, the second you start to feel lonely I'll either visit you, or you can visit me. And that's a promise."

Jack looked at Quinn for a while longer, and then mouthed in her direction, "I love you,"

"Me too,"

The light turned green, and Jack looked away from Quinn so he could drive. His windshield wipers fought the rain, and his tires skidded slightly on the puddles of rain. His eyes focused on the road in front of him.

In the blink of an eye, Jack felt Quinn grab his hand. He looked towards her in shock.

"Quinn, what…"

He was slammed against the wheel. Jack's breath was ripped from his lungs. His eyes widened in fear, when he realized that an asthma attack was coming on. He tried to steady the wheel, but the panic, and the uncertainty from being hit was sending him into alarm. The wheel was spinning.

Jack gripped the wheel with white knuckles. But he was too weak to steady the car. He gagged, and gasped for air. But his attempts were futile. Quinn was trying to help him, but she couldn't. Jack felt as if someone was strangling him. Tears cascaded down his purple cheeks as he tried to breathe.

He needed his asthma inhaler, but he couldn't get to it. The inhaler, the car, the inhaler. Jack's hands shot up to his throat, Quinn was screaming next to him. He couldn't breathe…this time he really was going to die.

The car skidded until it couldn't steady itself any longer, and then it was in the air. Like some horrible roller coaster ride, both Jack and Quinn were being flipped upside down. Bloodcurdling screams filled the night adding to the havoc, of the screeching tires, rain and the sound of metal colliding.


Nicole knocked on Jordan's door. She had her suitcase around one shoulder and her make-up bag around the other. Jordan came to the door a couple minutes later. He was only wearing a pair of Abercrombie and Fitch boxers. Nicole smiled to herself. She liked those boxers on him, and he looked just like one of those models in them.

Jordan tiredly wiped his eyes and then yawned, "I'm sorry Nicole,"

"It's okay, were you taking a little nap," She closed the door, and then placed down her suitcase and makeup bag next to Jordan's computer desk. "You look so cute."

Jordan smiled as he laid back down on his bed. "I should've put on more before I answered the door, I'm sorry Nicole,"

Nicole giggled, "Don't apologize for looking so sexy, with a capital se…um…forget the rest, feeling a little loopy. It must be all this disgusting rain, the weather is so gross outside," She placed her hand to her mouth thoughtfully and then shook her head at the window. "This weather is not conductive to studying at all. I have a test in my extra slow math class, and I can't study with this!"

Jordan sat up and then propped his pillow up behind his back. "I'm good at math, and I like it,"

"Math is disgusting," Nicole said with a cute grin.

"Then I'll try and make it more appetizing…" Jordan bit his lip. His cheeks grew a little red, "I um…bad choice of words. Where is your math book Nic?"

Nicole let out a puff of air, "Oh that heavy thing, I left it at my dorm."

"Nicole?"

Nicole walked over to Jordan's bed and then sat down next to him. She couldn't help but to smile when she realized that his sheets smelled just like him. It probably wasn't the best idea for her to sit down on his bed, because it felt like there was something in the air. Something that made her want to get a little closer to Jordan. She tapped her leg nervously as she tried not to look into his pale blue eyes. Her heart was beating fast.

Jordan sat up and wrapped his arms around Nicole, and then rested his chin on her shoulder.

Now he was too cute. She couldn't resist.

Nicole turned her face slightly and then looked back at Jordan. He puckered out his lips towards her.

"Kiss,"

Her cheeks grew warm, "Kiss," She repeated. Nicole wrapped her arm around Jordan and then turned to face him. She pressed her lips softly against his, and he fell backwards onto the bed. Nicole lowered herself down onto his chest. She was just going to kiss him, nothing else, but…

Jordan trailed his hands through Nicole's hair, "I love you,"

"I love you too," Nicole said. She felt her face starting to grow warmer as Jordan's lips traced the skin on her neck, his mouth lingered there for a while. She giggled, and then placed her hand underneath his chin, so he could kiss her lips once again.

They kissed for a couple of minutes. Each kiss was filled with more passion. Nicole had to pull away breathlessly as she looked back at her boyfriend, "We should stop before we…"

"Yeah," Jordan clenched his jaw as he looked away.

"I mean, I want too but…" Nicole pulled her hair off of her shoulders as she looked back at Jordan, "But then again I don't,"

"We won't do anything you're not ready too," Jordan said with a warm smile.

"Have you?"

"Have I what?"

"Had…" Nicole wrinkled her nose, and then looked around the room embarrassed. "Had sex?"

"Um…"

"You don't have to lie,"

"No, honest truth,"

"Why not?"

Jordan's eyebrows lowered over his eyes, "I just…I don't know,"

"Okay," Nicole looked back at Jordan for a while longer. She kissed him on the forehead and then rested her nose against his. "I'm pretty sure we've had this conversation before but you know hoe forgetful I am. Have you thought about us um…" She giggled nervously, "Doing the deed?"

"No,"

Nicole looked back at Jordan in surprise.

"Oh I mean…I um…yeah," He said quickly.

Nicole crawled off of him and sat down on the other side of the bed, "Let's change the subject, what's for dinner?"

"Nicole, I didn't mean to insult you. You know that I love you." Jordan said pulling her hair off of her shoulders.

"I know, I just…"

"Help, someone help!" Someone screamed from outside.

"What's going on out there?" Jordan asked in shock. He quickly got up and Nicole followed after him. A bunch of students were outside their dorms watching something.

Curious to see what all of the commotion was about Nicole and Jordan broke through the crowd.

Nicole placed her hand to her mouth in horror. The sight in front of her was so horrible that all she could do was cry. What happened to him? Oh god, what happened! Tears rushed down her eyes as she watched him stumble. He was looking for help but no one was helping him.

Cassidy stumbled uncertainly. Each new step was more uneven than the one before. He was bleeding, bleeding badly. His eyes were both black and blue, and his lip was busted open. Deep cuts littered his face, and then he started to cough up blood.

Girls screamed.

Nicole saw him falling. She ran forward. Jordan quickly went after her.

Cassidy fell forwards, but Nicole caught him in her arms.

"Call 911!" she screamed frantically.