Pairing: C/J broken up, mention CZ

Timeline: sometime after Chasing Zoey

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"James, I need to apologize."

"There's nothing to apologize for."

Zoey shook her head, trying to decide how to phrase what she needed to say.

She already had discussed it with Chase, and they had agreed. She needed closure with James. Chase returning to PCA had reinforced something that had been at the back of her mind all semester.

She had used was empty, missing part of her, and James was her weak attempt to fix the hole that Chase had left that day she decided to leave for England.

Had she realized that earlier in the term, she could have done some sort of damage control. Nothing like giving someone a necklace and saying 'I love you' just to get dumped and seeing her with someone else that same night.

"Look, James. I'm sorry. I really am." Zoey took a breath."I really did like you, and I really enjoyed our time together. I just- "

"It's okay Zoey, I'm not upset." James said, smiling a little. He was hurt, but he understood. He loved Zoey, and if she loved Chase they way he loved her, he knew what she needed to do to be happy.

"I don't understand why you aren't angry."

"Zoey, I talked to Chase. I talked to everyone. I know why Chase was in England, I know you came back from England to be with him. You love him. That's enough reasoning for me. I just want you to be happy."

The two embraced briefly before Zoey reached into her pocket, pulling out the gold chain with the heart pendant.

"I know you told me to keep this, but I just can't." Zoey handed the necklace back to James. "I don't feel right having this."

"I understand."

James stood up, smiled, and left. Zoey could see the pain in his eyes, but she could not let that get to her. She got her closure with James. He knew the truth.

The truth made things messy, but ultimately withholding the truth made things worse.

Zoey had had enough with secrets.

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Anyone new here: I'm Sarah and I've been in this community since 2014.

I stopped writing because of a lack of interaction and lack of new Zoey content. HOWEVER, with the case reuniting, the All That episode airing, and the music video, I feel it is my duty to make sure that I contribute new content here.

If you would like to see any of my old stories continued, leave a review or PM me to let me know where to focus my efforts.

Anyone new to the community in the last year or two - Hi! Shoot me a message if you want.

- Sarah