"Ugh 3 am." Zoe groaned staring at her clock. After prom she showered and crawled into bed, now she's been tossing and turning ever since then. She couldn't stop thinking about prom and that kiss with Wade and then the one on the porch. It made her stomach do summersaults and she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. But what did this mean? Was it the final sign they needed to take their friendship to the next level. Was she just overthinking everything because she was still upset over Hank? Was she still upset over Hank? He was a jerk and Wade was right, he didn't deserve her time or thoughts. She couldn't take all the unanswerable questions up in her head anymore. She got up and slipped on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt over her pajamas and put on her sneakers. She went downstairs, scribbled a note on a piece of paper for Harley in case he woke up and left the house.

Wade was in a similar situation over at his house. He tried to sleep but thoughts of the night wouldn't leave him alone. He got up out of bed and climbed out his window to sit on the roof. He didn't know what drove him to kiss Zoe not once but twice tonight. Yeah she was beautiful, probably the most beautiful he's ever remembered seeing her before. And yeah, he kept wondering if and when he'd ever be able to kiss her again. But what would Zoe say? She's vulnerable right now with the whole Hank situation, so were her reactions tonight even going to be the same when she sees him tomorrow? What if she just wanted to be friends again, like a year ago when he tried to move things in a different direction. Then again, would the two of them even work as a romantic couple? They've been best friends since they were five, would a change be a horrible idea?

"Wade?" he heard a quiet yell from below. He sat up and looked over the gutter. "Zoe?" he asked

"Hi." She smiled nervously "What's up?" she asked

"Well, I'm not sure. You came here." He chuckled

"Oh right." She laughed "Umm, can we talk?"

"Yeah, I guess. Come on up." He told her and pointed to the ladder about two feet away from her heading up to the roof.

"Ok." She climbed and he helped her over the last rung and onto the roof. They both sat back down and just looked at each other.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" he asked already knowing the answer but not the direction.

"Tonight I guess."

"Listen, I'm sorry. I've thought about it, a lot." He started

"No, I want to talk." She interrupted

"Oh ok."

"Remember last year?" she asked

"The whole year? Not everything." He smirked

"Wade." She said looking at him

He smiled. "Yeah, I know what you're talking about. Yes I remember."

"Well um, have you thought about it since then?"

"Every night of my life." He said truthfully and decided to just go for it. "Zoe, I've had feelings for you since that night."

"You have?" she asked shocked

"Yeah, I may have pushed them away, a lot. But they've been there and they scare me."

"I know exactly what you mean. But what about Tansy and every other girl in the town?"

"Why do you think I was with all those other girls, I was trying to get you off my mind, not that it worked. Tansy was just another attempt that failed."

"Wow." She said shocked. "I called Joel, Wade." She confessed

Wade laughed. "No you didn't."

"Yes I did, a couple times."

"When you were yelling at him?" he asked wanting to clarify

"Uh, not at all." She smiled and looked away from him.

"I called Tansy, Zo."

"You're lyin!"

"Would I lie to you?"

"No."

"What about Hank?" he asked

"You had Tansy."

"I broke up with her before you guys even started."

"Technically yes. But I was going to tell you I had feelings for you and then I ran into you and Tansy outside the Dixie Stop."

"You were?"

"Yeah but then I figured Lemon just made up my feelings and also that you had absolutely none for me so when Hank started paying attention to me, I just put all my energy into that. What a waste of time that was."

"I don't think so. Everything happens for a reason. If you never dated him and y'all didn't break up right before prom, I never would have taken you."

"That's true. So what now?"

"Uh." He started. "You uh, have feelings for me?" he asked

"Yeah." She said nervously. "I really do and not brother/sister type."

"Yeah I haven't had those since I almost got to second base downstairs."

"Oh shut up." She laughed and shoved him. They sat in silence after that. Just sitting and staring up at the moon. Zoe took a breath and turned to Wade. "Are you gonna kiss me or not?" she asked

Wade turned to her with a smile. "Come here." He put his hand behind her head and pulled her into him. Zoe inched her body closer and kissed him back. Wade pulled away and smiled at her "That was the best dang kiss that I ever had."

Zoe smiled and grabbed a fist full of his hoodie, pulling him into her. She crashed her lips to his. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her even closer. She brushed his bottom lip and he smiled giving her access. This kiss lasted a bit longer than the one before. Zoe pulled away when air was a necessity and rested her forehead on his.

"Except for that one." He whispered

She smiled at him. "Are we really doing this?" she asked

"Yeah, we are."

"People are gonna freak." He laughed

"Why? Everyone has been telling us we should date since we were like 13."

"Dad started when we were 5 I think."

"He's going to be so proud of himself." She chuckled

"I know."

It was quiet for a minute and then. "The town is going to make a big deal out of it aren't they?"

"Oh yeah." He laughed "You want to keep it between us for a while?"

She nodded. "Our own perfect bubble."

"Yeah, that will be fun." He leaned back and rested his head in his right hand, stretching out his legs. He held his left arm out for Zoe. She gave him a shy smile and leaned back into his welcoming arm. She slowly rested her head on his chest and he put his arm around her. They lay like this for a little bit but Wade felt Zoe was a little tense. "What's wrong?" he asked

"Nothing." She said shifting a little

He laughed. "I know you. That innocent crap isn't going to work with me. Spill."

She sat up and propped herself up on her arm, resting her head in her hand. "This doesn't feel weird?" she asked

"Us lying on my roof?"

"Well, yeah. I don't know."

"Zoe we've laid like that before, many times before."

"I know but now, there are feelings involved, we're together, right?"

He chuckled and leaned up to her, giving her a kiss. "If we're not, we shouldn't keep doing that." he smiled. "But no Zo, this feels right, really right."

She smiled and laid back down on him, finally relaxing. "Yeah you're right, it does." She flung her arm around his stomach and rested it on his chest. Wade rested his hand on her hip and kissed her head.

"You smell good." He said after a few minutes

"What?" she asked with a laugh but not moving from her current position.

"You smell good." He repeated himself

"Well thank you. So do you." She giggled

They laid there and talked for a while but when the sun started to rise Zoe shot up. "Oh my gosh, what time is it?"

Wade looked into his room and read the clock by his bed. "5:53."

"Crap, I have to go. Daddy will be up in like 7 minutes." She leaned over and gave him a kiss. "I like that." she smiled and then climbed down the ladder.

Wade peaked over the edge, watching her climb down. "I'll see you later."

"Bye." She waved and ran off. She got home in record time and quietly entered the house. All the lights were still off so that meant Harley wasn't up yet. She grabbed the note she left off the counter and went upstairs. She was almost to her bedroom when she heard a door crack.

"Zoe?" Harley called

"Hi." She said "Just heading back to bed."

"Where were you?"

"Needed a drink, good night." She rushed into her room.

"Uh ok, so we'll talk about prom when you wake up?"

"Prom was great, so glad I went. I'll tell you all about it later."

"Ok, sleep well." He shook his head and went downstairs.

Zoe went right to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She woke up around 11 and decided she better get up and ready for the day. She got dressed and went down stairs with a giant smile on her face.

"Good morning, again." Harley smiled at her

"Morning."

"How was your night?"

"It was wonderful. I had such a great time and I'm so happy I went. My friends are the best."

"I'm so happy for you. So what are your plans today?"

"Hanging out with everyone I think."

Over at Wade's house, he was also finally making it down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Morning Son, how was prom?" Earl asked

"It was good. Zoe had a great time." He told him

"You're a great guy for steppin up and doin that for her."

"I ruined prom for her once, I wasn't going to let another be ruined."

"You're so sweet." Jackie gushed and hugged him from the side.

"Mom" he groaned

"Oh stop." She swatted at him. "Are you seeing her today?"

"I would imagine so. I see her every day." He laughed

"Alright smarty pants." She shook her head "I can't wait to hear her version of last night."

"And I'm sure she can't wait to tell you. But I have to get to work. I'll see you both later."

"You didn't eat anything." Jackie said and Wade looked at her. "Take a muffin."

"Chocolate chip?" he asked with a smirk

"Of course." She handed it to him as he walked out the back door.

Zoe was walking into down with that same giant smile she's been wearing since early that morning.

"Hi Zoe, what's got you all smiley?" AB asked walking up to her

"Nothing really. Just last night was really great."

"It was. I'm so glad you came. I'm still shocked Wade went to prom. I never expected that."

"Me either." She beamed

"Want to grab some lunch at the Jammer?"

"Yeah, let's go."

They walked in and Zoe immediately looked for Wade. She knew his Saturday shift started at 12:00 and it was already 12:45. She spotted him in the back taking Stanley and Crickett's order. AB led her to a table and they sat down. Wade came over a few minutes later.

"Hello ladies, what can I get you two this afternoon?" he smiled at AB and then turned and winked at Zoe.

They both smiled back. "I'll have the number seven." AB told him. "With a diet coke."

"Alright and you?" he looked at Zoe

"Umm three with a water." She smiled at him

"You got it, I'll be right back with your drinks." When he walked passed he brushed Zoe's back with his finger.

Zoe shivered at his touch and watched him walk away. He turned back and shot her a smile and then looked towards the back room. She watched him put their order into the kitchen and then walk to the back.

"I'm gonna run to the bathroom." She told AB

"Alright."

Zoe got up and walked towards the back room, she pushed open the door and peaked inside. Wade was standing with his back to the door but when he heard it open he turned around.

"What's up?" Zoe asked walking towards him

"Nothing." He shrugged

She eyed him suspiciously. "Then why am I back here?"

"For this." He leaned down and kissed her, breaking away a minute later.

She smiled "This sneaking around thing is kind of hot."

"Yeah, I think I could get used to it. What are you doing tonight? I get off at 8."

"Nothing that I can think of."

"You want to go out?"

"Like a date?" she asked

"Yeah, exactly like a date."

"I would love that." she beamed "You should get back to work."

"Yeah, you need your drinks." He smiled. She turned to leave when he whipped her back around and kissed her again. "Now you can go."

Zoe just giggled and walked out of the room and back to her table.

"You ok?" Annabeth asked

"Oh yeah, I'm fine, long line."

"Alright." AB gave her a smile

That night Zoe was getting ready for her first date with Wade. She was nervous and she had no idea why. She's never been this nervous for a date. She dug through her entire closet trying to find something to wear. She heard a knock on their front door and then voices followed by footsteps heading her way. There was a knock on her door.

"Come in." she yelled from inside her closet.

"Woah." Wade said entering the room and shutting the door behind him out of habit

Zoe peaked out of her closest. "You're early."

"I am." He smiled "And a tornado came through your room?" he smirked

"I don't know what to wear." She whined

He laughed and walked towards her, careful not to step on any of the piles of clothes. He looked at the very few remaining clothes that were hanging in her closet and took a simple green and white sundress off the hanger. "This." He said

"Ok." She smiled and took it from him. "I'll be right out." She walked towards her bathroom and then quickly turned back around. She leaned up and gave him a kiss. "Hi"

"Hi" he whispered back

Zoe came out of her bathroom and saw Wade putting all her clothes back on the hangers and into her closet. "Aww thanks."

"No problem. You look beautiful."

She blushed. "Thanks. Is my hair ok?"

"Perfect." She smiled and started looking at her choice of shoes. "Those." He pointed to her boots."

"That's what I was going to pick." She said slipping into them "Ready." She said

"Great. Let's go."

"Wait, Dad just sent you up here?"

"He always does."

"Oh right, no boys allowed, only Wade and sometimes George." She laughed at her Dad's rule

"I have a feeling that's going to change soon."

"Yeah." She laughed

They walked downstairs and Zoe poked her head in Harley's office. "We're headed out."

"Alright, have fun."

"Any specific time you want me home?"

"Nope, have fun but not too late, church tomorrow." He reminded

"I know." she smiled

"Just the two of you?" he asked

"I think so. Date night for the others." She told him

"Ah yes." He nodded "Be careful." He looked over at Wade

"Thanks, I will." He replied

They left the house and climbed into Wade's car.

"Ya know, I couldn't drove."

"It's fine, then that leaves your Dad without a car."

"That's true. I'll need one of those soon. Maybe that's what I'll tell Mom I want as a graduation gift."

"Ooh tell her you want a mustang or something. Those are cool."

She laughed. "Maybe. So where we going?"

"Figured we'd hit downtown Mobile, see where it leads us."

"Sounds good."

Wade parked the car in the center of town and ran around to open Zoe's door.

"Such a gentlemen." She said

Wade shrugged and shut the door behind her. They started to walk down the street and Wade reached over to take Zoe's hand. She jumped a little when she felt him take it.

"Sorry." He said and went to remove it

"No" she held onto him. "Just took me by surprise."

"I'll ask first next time."

"No." she laughed. "Just some things are going to take a little getting used to."

"I get it. It is a little awkward." He laughed

"I like it." She squeezed his hand and leaned closer to him. "This feels nice."

"Here?" he asked stopping them in front of a cute little Italian restaurant.

"Yeah, this place looks good."

They walked in and got seated a few minutes later. They put their order in and then sat quietly.

"So, tell me something." Wade started

"What?" Zoe asked confused

"First dates are usually about getting to know someone. So tell me something." Wade started

"Umm." Zoe thought. "Is there anything you don't know about me?" she giggled

"I have no idea." He chuckled "It's highly doubtful."

"Oh, did I tell you I got accepted into Vanderbilt."

"You did not. Congratulations. I told you you'd get accepted into every school."

"I still haven't heard from UCSF."

"You're not going to UCSF."

"Wade." She sighed

"No Zoe."

"Wade, we're a couple now, it's going to be even harder to be that much further away from each other."

"I didn't think of that." he paused. "I don't care. We will be fine. There are things called phones and computers and planes. They help people stay connected. You're going to Johns Hopkins."

"What if I'm lonely? What if I make no friends? What if it's too hard? I'm gonna need you."

"Then you call me. You're going to make friends and it's not going to be too hard. You're going to ace all your classes. Zoe we are going to be fine. Nothing will ever tear us apart or keep us from being best friends, I promise." He leaned over and gave her a kiss

She relaxed immediately. "You're right, we'll be fine. I still would like to know if I got in."

"Yeah, I get that. You got into Bama right?" he asked

"I did, got a scholarship and everything. I swear I told you."

"You probably did. That does sound familiar. You got a scholarship from JH too though right."

"Yeah but not as much." She curled up her lip. "No one got a full ride like someone else we know though."

He laughed. "I still can't believe that. I mean other schools offered me money and Bama offered me more than the rest but a full ride just to play baseball. That's insane."

"Well you're insanely good."

"I guess." He smiled

They talked for the rest of dinner about normal stuff. They realized that the getting to know you part of their relationship would be skipped over and so would the meeting the friends and family part. They realized that nothing will change about the way the act or talk to each other except for the kissing and hand holding which got less and less awkward as the night went on. They spent the rest of the night just walking around the city, they went and got ice cream and then around midnight, headed back to the car.

"This was the best first date I've ever had." Zoe gushed on the way home "Thank you for everything."

"It was my pleasure. It was really great."

When they got back to Zoe's, Wade walked her up to the porch. "Thanks again." she smiled

"Anytime, I'll see you in the morning?"

"Yep, bright and early for church."

"Good night Zoe." He whispered and gave her one last kiss

"Good night Wade." She giggled and went inside, locking the door behind her.