A/N: Alright, this might be my only other update this week. Lots of holiday decorating starts tomorrow. Thanks for all the support! I think you'll like this chapter (even without in person Zammie moments).

Chapter 36

"Yes." Macey just stared at me with unreadable eyes.

"Well kind of. I'm not really sure. There was kissing." Her eyes widened and she started pacing like a wild animal.

"Oh my god! Cammie! How could you not tell me? When did this happen?"

"Um I guess a week ago." She froze and looked at me with wild eyes.

"Oh my god! It's one of the guys? How the hell did this happen? I can't believe this!" She paced again then stopped. "Which one?" I took off towards the dressing room again and closed the curtain on Macey.

"Cameron Ann Morgan! You get your ass out here right now! You are not going to get away from this!" I grabbed my phone and typed a quick message.

So we might have a small problem.

I waited for Zach's response but a hand had an iron grip on my ankle and I was sliding across the wood floor.

"Macey! Let me go!" She kept dragging me until I was in the middle of the room and she stood over me.

"Who is it?" Her were sharp as a knife.

"Fine it is one of the guys." My phone buzzed on the ground beside me and we both looked at it. In an instant we were both moving. I rolled towards it and there was a knee on my back.

"Ow! Macey!" She grunted as we both reached as far as we can.

"Good thing your dress is red. It will hide the blood that's about to be spilled." Her hand was closing in so I went for my last ditch effort. I stuck my tongue out and licked her elbow. Her hand had a hold of the phone but she made a disgusted face.

"Ew! Cameron!" I kept squirming under her weight and I saw her eyes scanning the screen.

"It's Zach?!" I tried to keep my cool.

"Why would you think that?" She gave me a disappointed look and flashed my phone at me.

"I don't know maybe the text, 'What? You miss me too much?" would make me think that." I stopped fighting and laid on the ground.

"Yes. It is Zach." There was still a fire in her eyes.

"I told you! I freaking told you that he liked you and you liked him! Why the hell didn't you tell me? Don't you trust me?" Her voice cracked at the end and I knew she was holding back tears. She was feeling neglected and I had to stop it.

"It's not anything you did. Of course I trust you but we haven't told anyone. Except my mom." She narrowed her gaze at me. "I promise that's the only person I've told."

She collapsed beside me and took a deep breath.

"Macey I didn't keep it from you to hurt you. We just… I just wasn't ready to tell anyone. I'm wasn't sure what it was and I wasn't ready to tell everyone if I didn't even know we had a relationship to tell." She looked at me, her eyes still an icy blue but they were starting to thaw.

"Then why are you telling me now?"

"Because I couldn't hide it anymore." Her eyes lit up and she smiled.

"So you are together?" My breath hitched in my throat and I wanted to cry. I wanted to know how he felt. I wanted to tell him that I thought we were worth the risk. At least that's how I think I feel.

"I'm still not really sure what we are." She squeezed my hand and gave me a sympathetic smile.

"He would be insane to pretend you were just friends." A broken laugh escaped my mouth and she squeezed my hand again.

"How about this, you help me choose a dress for this party, I extend an invite to Zachary and you can figure it all out then."

"Thanks Mace but he's up in Maine." She gave me a look that told me it was a stupid reason.

"Well ask him anyway. And send him a picture of you in this dress to add an extra incentive." She winked at me and helped me off the ground.

"If he can't come, you at least get to show him what he's missing."

She dusted off my dress and Iris brought in a selection of dresses like two girls wrestling in the middle of the store was completely normal. She surveyed each and nodded. They headed towards the dressing room but she didn't follow.

"So tell me about this kiss."

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"So now we have caterers, dj, props, a dance floor and we have our dresses. I think the only thing left is the guest list." I shook my head and reached for some popcorn.

"That's not a problem. You just need to tell a few people of the ever exclusive McHenry New Year's Eve party and we'll have our guests." She put a checkmark on the list and picked up her phone.

"On it. Between me and Preston we'll have plenty of people." She put her phone down and focused back on the movie we were watching. But not for long.

"Have you told anyone else?" I paused from eating my popcorn.

"Nope. You're the first."

"Ooh. What is Bex going to say when she finds out?" I shuddered at the thought.

"Well I didn't want to tell anyone until we were all together. But I guess I'll have to tell her and Liz now."

"She'll probably be so pissed she'll fly here tonight." I cringed.

"Maybe I should wait just a little longer. Let her enjoy the rest of her holiday." She gave me a pointed glare.

"I'll tell them all after we've talked." I held my hand up in the air. "Scouts honor." She gave a decisive nod.

"Good. Have you asked him to the party yet?"

"Nope. Not yet." She had a sneaky look on her face. "What's got you looking like that?"

"Oh no reason." She smiled down at her phone. Wait. That was my phone!

"Macey!" She finished typing and then gave the phone back to me. I looked at her message she sent to Zach.

I have a gift for you. Come get it New Year's Eve.

I saw the picture below it and my jaw dropped.

"Macey! I would never talk like that!"

"Then he will know it wasn't you. I was just getting the ball rolling." I waited for the three little dots telling me he was replying but it didn't come.

"Oh this is not good. I have to call him."

"Oh no don't do that. That's not what I wanted at all." I flipped her off as I left the room.

Come on, pick up!

It kept ringing and each time my heart raced faster. I heard the other line pick up.

"Zach! I didn't mean to send that. That wasn't me that was Macey! Oh yeah, Macey knows now. So don't read the message, that wasn't me!" I was met with silence.

"Zach?" He coughed uncomfortably.

"Damn, I sure wish I was in Lillytown right now." I blushed and laughed.

"It's Roseville."

"Seriously Cam. You look amazing in that dress. I just want to be there right now." I felt my cheeks go flush.

"Well speaking of that, would you be able to be here for New Year's Eve?" I held my breath waiting for his answer.

"God Cam, you know I wish I could be." I released the breath I was holding. I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up and part of me knew he wouldn't be able to. I mean he was ten hours away!

"Yeah I was just checking. Macey wanted to make sure I asked."

"I want more than anything to be there. And see you in that red dress." Even on the phone he gave me shivers.

"I'm sure Jonas's family will be happy to see you."

"Yeah… they're going to have to wait one more day to see me."

"And why would they have to wait?" He sounded hesitant but it must have been good.

"I'm staying with Joe one more night before heading to Jonas's." I felt giddy for him. He hasn't even told me any details but I could tell he was happy.

"That's great Zach. I'm sure he's happy."

"Well he's happy to know I've met this great girl."

"So you've told him about me, huh." I heard his laugh fill the line.

"Well I wanted to tell someone and he was the best to tell. He's really happy."

"And are you really happy?"

"I'd be a hell of a lot happier if I could see you, but overall yeah I am." The pit in my stomach felt heavier.

"I'll see you when I get back to school. Then I'll tell you all about this party you missed."

"Don't go wandering up to a pool table filled with guys at this party." I gasped.

"Now when have I ever done that?" I forced a laugh.

"Seriously Gallagher Girl, have fun but be careful. You know how drunk guys can be."

"I'll be fine Zach. You know I can handle myself." He took a deep breath.

"I know, but a guy always gets nervous when his girl looks hot as hell and he isn't there to tell all those drooling idiots to get lost." The pit turned into butterflies.

"So I'm your girl?" He was quiet for a moment.

"I don't know. I kind of thought you could be." I bit my lip.

"What does that m-"

"Hey Gallagher Girl, Joe is calling. I'll talk to you later, okay." I groaned internally. What is that supposed to mean? Is he calling me his girlfriend? Is he waiting for me to say something? Why are boys so difficult?

Macey leaned on my door frame and crossed her arms.

"So is lover boy coming to the party or not?" I tried my best not to frown.

"No he's not. He's too far away and he's supposed to be staying with Jonas." She shrugged.

"It's his loss. I doubt that he would have as much fun with Jonas."

"It's fine Macey. I didn't think he would be able to anyway." I swallowed the feelings eating away at me and forced a laugh. "I'll be better off by myself for this party. Someone has to keep a watchful eye on you."

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The day of the party was freezing. I regretted getting the short strapless dress that I still felt like I couldn't pull off. The only saving grace was the pair of lace tights Macey had for me. She said it made me look even sexier but I just thought it stopped me from shivering.

The party was in full swing now. I saw some guys throwing a vase back and forth.

"Hey put that down!" One of the guys caught it and held it limply in his hand. His jaw was on the floor as I ripped it from his hand.

"Stop throwing breakables!" I handed him one of the plates Macey wanted to break instead. "Here."

"I uh… I uh… I uh…" I slapped him on the back of the head and he shook his head.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" He blurted it out and I slapped him on the back of the head again before walking away.

I was having about as much fun as I did the year before. Searching the party for one face. And then I found it. Well sort of, I guessed it was her face but it was fused with another. I pushed my way through the bodies and tapped Macey on the shoulder. She detached her lips from Preston's and looked at me irritated.

"What?"

"This party is getting out of hand. I already had to take three vases and clean up five spills." She gave me an easy grin and grabbed a drink from the counter behind her.

"Here, drink this and let loose." I grabbed the drink but held it in front of me.

"I'm fine. I don't need to let loose." Preston rested his head on top of Macey's.

"I think you do. Have a little fun. This is a party and I know you can have fun at parties." I shook my head and walked towards the empty fireplace. I checked my phone hoping to see a message from Zach. He hadn't really talked to me at all that day. I was starting to think he decided I wasn't going to be his girl.

"Fancy seeing you here." I didn't want to look up. I knew that voice, even if it was slightly slurred.

"What do you want, Josh?" He sat down next to me and his leg was close to mine.

"I don't know. You were sitting here all alone, looking sad. It kind of reminded me of last year." Last year. I wanted to punch him in the face. So much has changed since last year and I was mad.

"Yeah well this isn't last year. I'm not with you, you're with DeeDee and right now you're treating her a lot like you treated me." His face dropped and he gripped his beer bottle tighter.

"I'm sorry Cammie. I'm not a very good boyfriend right now. DeeDee is mad with me and I didn't know who else to talk to." He looked up at me and I could tell he was torn up. A lot more than I've ever seen him.

"And you think talking to me is going to make it any better?"

"Yes… no…. I don't know. I just remember I used to always be able to talk to you." His eyes looked clearer when he looked at me. That look used to give me butterflies, but now I was still bitter.

"Did we? I don't really remember us talking that much." He smiled and pressed his knee against mine.

"Yeah, I guess not." I scooted away out of his touch.

"Don't do this. You don't want to make that mistake. She will never forgive you, trust me." His eyes clouded over again and he took another swig of his beer.

"Maybe the real mistake happened a year ago." I shook my head.

"That wasn't a mistake. You're happy with DeeDee." He straightened up and looked off into the party. "So happy that you're actually transferring to Georgetown for her." That information was a loaded gun and I just pulled the trigger. He stiffened and cleared his throat.

"How did you know that?" I rolled my eyes and stood up to walk away.

"It's a small town Josh. Word travels pretty fast." He stood up too.

"Cammie."

"Don't follow me Josh. That would be a mistake."

I pushed through the party until I made it outside. I reached for my phone and dialed Zach's number. I just wanted to talk to him. Every ring I felt my chest tighten even more. By the time it went to voicemail I felt tears pricking behind my eyelids.

"Hey Zach. Um happy New Year. This party kind of sucks and I just wanted to talk to someone. So call me back or something. Bye." I took a deep breath. I had to go back to the house, I was freezing out here. But I waited one minute longer, hoping for a returned call. When it seemed it wasn't going to come I composed myself and turned right into someone tall and warm and smirking. His arms wrapped around my waist and he kissed my forehead while my mouth was still gaping open.

"Happy New Year, Gallagher Girl."

Shoutouts:

Anna Banana: I know about time right? I love writing from Zach's POV and seeing how he thinks so I'm excited to do some of that

Lylilunapotter: Yes it was a small nod towards book two. I love the thought of Cam in a red dress when she thinks she can't pull it off. And of course Macey had a small riot about it.

4EverAGallagherGirl: I guess we'll have to see what happens at this party

Cheerra12: I know I'm as big a Tabby shipper as the next, but I felt like with all the normal ships already in there it was time to mix it up. Yes I adore their relationship but Townsend really isn't in this one. The only mention is when Zach says he's a pilot in England and has another family. Love them together but not for this story. Check out my one shot series for some Tabby in the Valentine's chapter.

Zammielover101: Thank you! Like I said, I'm a big Tabby shipper but not for this story. I don't know, I'm already including so many other unofficial relationships in this one I didn't want to over do it. (You won't be seeing any Joe and Rachel either in this one)