Summer was drawing to an end. Zoe was excited to be headed back to school. Some of the excitement had worn off on Wade. He found it crazy that he was looking forward to his last year in school. Zoe had yet to talk to him about college, she found it easier to wait and see what schools she would get in to. Wade knew that Zoe was applying to schools out of state. He really did want the best for her.

The first few months of school flew by for them. Wade actually studied and got his work in on time. He had no classes with Zoe so far but he found Meatball in all of his class so he was still pleased that he could cause trouble. As for Zoe all her free time was spent doing work and extra credit. Her grades this year meant everything for her.

"It's a shame you didn't get voted on the homecoming court." Zoe shrugged. She really didn't care about being homecoming queen. She really wasn't missing out. She still got to go with Wade. Her dress was a coral strapless dress with chunky stone trim on one side of the ruched sweetheart bodice. The straight skirt has a tendril detail that gives it that gorgeous flowy look. She paired the dress with silver pumps. Wade wasn't found of the color or the fact he had to wear tux but he did it for Zoe.

"I don't need a crown to be happy," Zoe replied going back to her worksheet.

Homecoming was special and Zoe would cherish the memories with her friends. She was happy that Lemon and George had won homecoming king and queen but Zoe was happy just to be wrapped in Wade's arms on the dance floor. Wade was happy to actually spend time with Zoe that didn't involve school work. He missed spending time with her but he knew how important this was to her.

Winter break was approaching fast and Zoe would be spending it with the Wilkes clan. Wade had got news that Jesse would coming home. Over the months things had gotten better between Wade and Jesse. Wade did keep writing to Jesse and one day Wade had got a letter in the mail from Jesse.

"Things are good between you guys than?" Zoe asked picking at her salad. They had made a compromise that Friday and Saturday nights were their date nights.

"It seems like it. We've talked on the phone a few times. I can't wait to see him again. We've had a such a close childhood that it sucked when he ignored me," Wade replied sitting his burger on his plate grabbing a fry.

"I know," Zoe replied gently squeezing his leg under the table. Wade took her hand in his placing a soft kiss to the back of her hand.

"What's going on with you?"

"My dad's been pushing me about forgiving my mom. He says she only did the right thing for not only her but for me as well."

"Are you? I really couldn't imagine how screwed up I would be without my mom. We all know how sucky it was for her to abandon you the way she did, but you can't exchange her for someone better." Zoe kissed Wade's cheek.

"I realize that now. I have to make it work with her if I want any form of relationship with her."

"I know it's gonna be hard with you here and her in New York but you'll manage." Zoe looked down at Wade's words. She had to tell him before she couldn't say anything to him until it was too late.

"About that, Wade." He gently squeezed her hand in his seeing her nerves come out. "If I get accepted into John Hopkins, that's where I'm gonna go. I don't want anything to change between us but this is my dream school."

"I can't be mad at you for that. I wish you would've told me sooner about this. I wasn't going to hold you back. I want you to be happy and if John Hopkins is what you want, I wont hold you back," Wade assured her. "I just can't believe you thought otherwise. Does my promise to you mean so little to you?" Wade asked getting up to go pay for their meal. Zoe sniffled blinking away the few tears that wanted to spill out. That wasn't the case at all. His promise meant everything to her, she just hated making him upset. "You ready?" Wade asked a few minutes later. Zoe nodded getting up and following behind him.

"Wade, you mean everything to me, you really do. Your promise means the world. I was scared, I have a right to be scared about things. 4 years is a long time to be away from each other. Things are going to change and we can't help that."

"That's the thing, Zoe. It's not just 4 straight years. You'll be back during Summer vacation, spring break, winter break and holidays. We can make this work."

"I don't doubt that we can, it's just gonna be a challenge and I'm not gonna be able to make it back every time I have a few days off. Long distance is hard and I don't want you to get bored of me."

"Let me be the judge of that, Zoe. We'll figure things out along the way. I'm scared to. But we both need to have faith and believe that we can do this." Zoe nodded wrapping her arms around his waist. Wade pressed his lips against her forehead. "I love you, Zoe."

"I love you too, Wade."

From that everything between them were good. Instead of going out to celebrate New Years with their friends they went off on their own and spent it amongst themselves. It wasn't to be rude but they didn't wanna share their moment with anyone else. They had spent very little time together over the break, they didn't wanna be interrupted.

"Once you're gone, we wont be able to do this," Wade spoke up breaking the silence. Him and Zoe were walking around town square after the New Year's celebration had fizzled out.

"Not all the time but when we're together we will be able to do a lot of things," Zoe replied with a mischievous smile on her face.

"You promise?" Wade asked pulling her closer.

"Maybe," Zoe replied. Wade started to tickle her. Zoe squirmed against him in a fit of laughter trying to get away from him. "Ok, ok, I promise," Zoe got out between laughs. Wade stopped tickling her kissing her head. Zoe moved into his side catching her breath. Zoe realized that if she left she wouldn't get these little moments with Wade. But she couldn't stay just for that. They could always have moments. This was her career on the line. How was she really suppose to figure out what school she wanted to go to when she had so much to factor in?

Winter had vanished leaving Spring in its wake. That left Zoe hard at work. Everything had to be perfect. She couldn't find enough time to study.

"Are you ever just gonna relax and enjoy the last few months of High school?" Wade asked sitting down on Zoe's bed. Zoe turned her attention from the book in front of her to Wade.

"I need to ace everything, Wade."

"You will, Zoe. You know all this stuff forwards and backwards. You need to let your brain rest too. We can go get some ice cream and enjoy this beautiful day." Zoe sighed thinking about it. "It's spring break, Zoe. You don't need to waste all your time in your room studying. Come be social." Wade didn't give Zoe a chance to reply. He shut her book and pulled her out of the house.

"She lives," George joked seeing Wade and Zoe join them at the Rammer Jammer. Zoe shot George a look before turning her attention to Wade.

"You said we were going to go get ice cream." Zoe crossed her arms over her chest.

"Gee we are going with our friends. Have you forgotten about them?" Zoe rolled her eyes at Wade's questions. "Now if you're done pouting let's go have some fun." Wade pulled Zoe into his body dropping a kiss to her head. "You really do need to relax and have some fun. Senior year is already half over with. The next few months are gonna fly by."

I wanna say I'm sorry if this chapter was a bit confusing and hard to follow along with it being rushed. I need for their Senior year to be over and this seemed like the best way to do that without skipping over everything.