Happy Monday! This chapter wraps up this part of the story. Ever since the first chapter was written, this is how I always pictured this story to end.

A big thank you to everyone that has reviewed, followed and liked this one.

Please stick around for the sequel Three Little Words which will be posted once I get a few others finished. The first chapter is finished for it, and it'll be worth the wait, I promise you.

Enjoy!

"Come on Zoe, tell us how Graham asked you," AB urged as they look through the racks of formal dresses for prom that's a month away.

"It wasn't anything special. He didn't rent out the school marching band," she teased, looking at Lemon. It had been a whole show, after school when it happened. It was sweet and romantic as George requested they play their song. The school marching band didn't disappoint.

"George can be rather romantic when the occasion calls for it," Lemon smiled, her blush slowly going away. "How did lover boy ask you?" Lemon asked, pulling out a peach-colored dress, giving it a once over. Just as quickly she put it back on the rack and kept looking.

"It really wasn't anything special," she sighed, looking at a navy blue dress covered in fake diamonds. "He walked me home and asked if I wanted to be his date for prom. I said yes," she shrugged. Would she have liked to be given flowers? Sure, but it wasn't necessary. She's happy to go to her senior prom with her boyfriend.

"It's still cute," Crickett stated looking at a floral dress. "Who's going to go first?" She asked. She's beginning to think it'll be faster if they all focus on one person instead of doing it individually.

"You can go first, Crickett. We can all pick a dress out for you and go from there," Zoe commented.

With four dresses ranging from style and color, Crickett headed into the dressing room as the other three kept looking for different dresses in case she didn't like any of the four she's trying on. They kept note of the dresses they thought would be good either for themselves or for a friend. No one had a set style or color they wanted for a dress. Figured it'd be easier to keep all their options open. They didn't want to be disappointed if they couldn't find the perfect dress in the style or color of the dress they wanted.

"Girls, I don't think this dress is me," Crickett stated, looking in the full length mirror. The dress was a full lace sleeve pink ball gown dress with some white embroidered flowers on the skirt of the dress.

"It looks cute," Zoe commented, "I do think you're right, Crickett it's not exactly you," she said.

"What's going on with Wade?" Lemon asked, once Crickett headed back to the changing room. Zoe frowned, not understanding what her friend was going on about. "He seems more withdrawn lately, curious to know why?" Lemon went onto explain.

"He seems fine to me," Zoe shrugged. She couldn't pinpoint Wade acting any different than he always does. She figured if he is acting different it has everything to do with it getting closer for him to take that step into enlisting. "Crickett that is the dress," Zoe commented, happy to have the change of topic from what's going on with Wade.

"Really?" Crickett asked, using the full length mirror to look at her reflection.

Crickett really likes the way the dress looks on her. It's a deep red spaghetti strap, sweetheart, floor length, flowy dress. The top part is rouched, the fabric falling loose as it flows down her body.

They all agreed that it's the dress for Crickett. After hesitating for a few seconds Crickett gave in and agreed that it's her dress. As she went to the dressing room to change, they started to look at dresses for Annabeth.

It took AB longer to find the perfect dress. When they thought they had a winner, AB would decide that there wasn't enough lace, or the dress had too much beading, there wasn't enough sparkle, or it was too Glam for their prom.

"Lemon's not wrong," Zoe sighed, as they try to convince AB the dress she has on is the one. "Add a diamond necklace and the earrings, and it will be perfect," she stressed to her friend.

The dress in question is a full length sleeveless deep v-neck dress with an open back. The bodice and the sheer tulle is filled with floral embroidered appliqué. The bodice is a rich purple color, the waist is white and as it goes down the dress it darkens to the same rich purple.

Annabeth wasn't quite sold on the idea, but wanted some time to think it over and to let Lemon try on the dress she was certain was the one. When Lemon looked for her dress and dresses for her friends, kept coming back to the same dress, repeatedly. It had to be fate.

Lemon's dress is a thin spaghetti strapped daffodil yellow, princess dress with a square neckline. The back of the dress is crisscrossed with a yellow ribbon. White floral lace decorates the bust. The same white floral embroidered appliqué fades down the skirt of the dress.

Lemon needed no one to tell her it's her dress. Her friends did say how beautiful she looked in it, and she had to agree. She'd find a way to wear the dress again because it's too pretty to only wear once.

Zoe was much like AB. She'd find a dress she liked on the hanger but once she put it on, it didn't have that wow factor. Or she didn't like the way a certain style of dress looked, or the way a color clashed with her skin tone. Zoe was ready to give up when she saw one last dress that might be the one.

A smile lit up Zoe's face as she looked in the mirror at her reflection. The mint green off the shoulder high low lace dress was perfect. There's a reason why this one was the last dress, because she had to be worthy of the dress. It has a stunning off-shoulder shawl neckline. The lace of the flowy skirt stops above her knees in the front and falls to below her knees in the back.

"Wow Zoe, this is your dress," AB gushed.

"Just like that one is yours," Zoe said pointing to the dress AB still was indecisive about. "Trust your friends, you looked stunning in it," she assured her. "But if you want a different dress, we can keep looking," Zoe told her, not wanting her to feel pressured into buying a certain dress if she wasn't sure about it.

"No, no, the dress has grown on me," she sighed, pulling her bottom lip into her mouth to bite. "Maybe we try it with some jewelry," she commented.

"Yes we will," Lemon said, taking a look at the necklaces they have, while AB headed back to put the dress on. It didn't take long for Lemon to find a very sparkly choker style necklace filled with gemstones.

"I was being silly," AB laughed, enjoying the way the necklace helped bring out the dress and make it the perfect combo.

"You kind of were," Crickett nodded. "But it's your prom dress and if you don't like it, you have every reason to be silly."

"If you want a different dress we can look, you don't need to settle for a subpar dress. We want you to love your prom dress the way we love ours," Lemon stated.

"Don't be ridiculous, I love it, and it's me. The dress is perfect," AB gushed. "I didn't see the bigger picture. We're good," she assured her friends. She does like her dress, and she doesn't want her friends to think she's settling for a dress when that's not the case.

Zoe wiped her red puffy eyes, looking at the perfect dress she found weeks ago for prom, hanging up on her closet door. Her tears kept rolling down her face as her sobs subsided. Who goes around and breaks up with someone hours before the biggest dance of a young girls' life? Her now ex-boyfriend is the only one she knows. Prom would start in an hour, and she wouldn't be there to celebrate the night with her friends.

Her parents tried to check on her. Giving her words of encouragement, telling her it would be okay. She stopped listening to them after the fifth time they checked on her. She wasn't some stupid teenage girl, she knew at some point they'd break up, she figured it would be after graduation, before they went to their respective colleges. Turns out she was wrong.

"You can go away," Zoe said, hearing the soft knock on her bedroom door. The thought of going to prom to face her peers after her breakup is starting to look better with all the times her parents think they need to be checking on her. It's starting to get to the point of ridiculousness.

"Is that how we talk to our best friends?" Wade asked, slowly pushing the door open.

"No, you can come in," she told him, looking down at her bed, trying to figure out how he heard about her situation. "What are you doing here?" She asked, taking a deep breath wanting to keep her sobs away, because just thinking about it makes her want to start crying her eyes out.

"I saw Graham leave not that long ago and with him in normal clothes instead of dressed up, I put it together," he shrugged, sitting on the bed by her. Zoe nodded, leaning into him. "I'm not going to tell you that things will be okay, because it's heartbreak and that takes time to heal," he shared holding her close, ready to protect her from anything else bad that can happen to her.

"No?" She asked. "Then why are you here dressed in a tux?" She asked, not noticing how the vest and tie match her mint green dress. "Won't your date be mad that you stood her up?" She asked. Zoe didn't know who Wade was going with to Prom. He never said, and she knows that he's had a few offers.

"The only date I have in mind is the one looking like a hot mess," he stated. He had no desire to go to prom. Why should he? Once he realized his feelings for his best friend, he told himself that he wouldn't do anything to hurt her. And if that meant burying his true feelings for her, he'd do just that. But with Graham out of the way, he's free to act upon those feelings to an extent, he's not about to get too deep before they take two very different paths.

"You can't be serious?" Zoe asked in a huff. She can understand why her friend wants to take her, but Wade isn't one for dances since they got older, and she's sure he has a date, she thinks.

"Why can't I?" He asked right back. "I'm not going to let you miss out on the night you've been talking about for years," he stated. "I want you to have fun memories when you look back on your senior prom and not sad memories. Graham has ruined enough for you, I won't let him ruin this," he explained. "What do ya say?" He questioned. He thought about adding a point to make her agree to go with him, but that was the last thing he wanted. Forcing Zoe to go to prom wasn't an option.

"What do I say to what?" She asked, giving him a coy smile.

"For wanting to be a doctor, you can be kinda dense," he teased. Zoe rolled her eyes, giving him a shove. "Will you be my date for prom, Zoe?" He asked super sweetly.

"You'll do," she teased getting up, a genuine smile on her face.

"Dang right I will," he smirked, standing up. "Take your time," he stated, walking to the bedroom door. "Only the best looking show up fashionably late," he winked, exiting his friends room shutting the door behind him, letting her get ready.

"I don't know if going is good for her?" Candice voiced in a hushed voice, not wanting her voice to travel, except Wade heard it, and he cringed.

He thought about not coming to Zoe's rescue, and letting her have the night and weekend. That's not what she needed, and if it was what she needed and wanted, he wouldn't have made her do anything she didn't want to do. Instead, he would have stayed with her and kept her company, letting her know that Graham is a jerk and any guy would be lucky to call her his. For the night he believes that what she needs is to go have fun with her friends and forget for the night about her broken heart and let it start healing.

"That's where we differ, because I believe it'll do her some good to go have fun," Harley stated, giving his wife a pointed look. "We will suck it up with whatever she decides to do and be happy for her," he warned, catching sight of Wade.

"She's uh getting dressed," he nodded, feeling awkward to have witnessed the fight between his doctor and his wife. "I would never force Zoe to go, if she didn't want to," he shared, wanting them to know he wasn't forcing Zoe to go with him.

"We know that," Harley nodded. "Make sure she has fun tonight," he offered with a small smile. He wants his daughter to have fun and reflection something other than Graham.

"I'll make sure of it," Wade easily agreed. There isn't much else he wants for Zoe than to have fun and forget how big of a jerk Graham is. He guesses he can see the upside in breaking up with Zoe before prom, so she won't have the pictures to show her how her boyfriend didn't even want to be there with her.

"I don't see how going to the dance the night the guy you've been in love with for the past 4 years breaks your heart will do any good, when he'll be there himself," Candice scowled.

"I'll do my part in keeping Zoe away from Graham if he does show up," he promised his best friends parents. He didn't even think about Graham showing up anyway. He's not certain, but he likes to think that Graham won't be showing up. And if he does, it's not Zoe that needs to be kept away from him.

"Don't hurt her more than she already is," Harley quietly warned, hearing his daughter coming down the steps.

"Never," he promised, turning to look at his date for the night. He was close to dropping his jaw on the floor, as it is, he's left speechless at how stunning beautiful she is in her mint green dress.

"Sweetie, you look beautiful," Harley said, walking to her to pull his daughter into a hug.

"Thanks Dad," she smiled, hugging him back.

She didn't want to waste time getting her hair just right, so she left it down, adding a few curls throughout. Her make-up wasn't anything over the top, it's very subtle. Her shoes are a nude beige stiletto heel, rhinestone embellishments add some sparkle.

"Look at you Zoe," Candice sniffed. "We need pictures!" She excitedly said, dashing off to find the camera.

"You're lucky I was able to find a suitable corsage at the last minute," he teased, opening the plastic box.

"And it even matches," she pointed out. "How'd you know?" She asked.

"Zoe, I've seen your dress, it's not like you hid it," he chuckled lightly.

"Just for that, I'm going to poke you with this pin," she teased, carefully taking the boutonniere out of its plastic container.

They had to wait for Candice before they place the corsage and boutonniere on the respectful host. Unlike what Zoe said, she didn't poke Wade and if she did, he didn't say or pull a face. They were forced to take all sorts of pictures, even went to the Kinsella house for more pictures with Jackie and Earl.

Zoe had more fun at prom than she thought she'd have after the way her day went. Wade has been her rock through it all. He always made sure she was having fun. Their friends wanted to ask why she was with Wade and not Graham, but Wade being Wade, refused to let their friends ruin Zoe's night. When they started to ask, he'd sweep her off her feet, and they'd dance. It wasn't just the fast-paced songs they'd dance too. It was the slow songs.

It was torcher for Wade to dance with Zoe while holding her to him. When they danced it was easy to see that his feelings had only grown for her. As much as it hurt to know that they couldn't be anything other than friends, he relished in his feelings for her. The timing is off, but their future is wide open.

"Thank you for this, Wade," she smiled, leaning against him as they swayed to the song being played.

"Anything for you, Zoe," he shared. He has yet to lie to her, well not since they have become friends. Back when she first came she had hurt his feelings and he wanted to do the same. Little Wade had been a petty little boy.

"You can't mean that," Zoe stated, shaking her head.

"Why can't I?" He asked, feeling mad that she would write their friendship off that easily. "Don't you know that I would do anything for you? You're my best friend Zoe, you should know what you mean to me," he stated.

"Obviously," she stated. "That's not what I meant," she sighed, coming to a halt in their little dance. "You mean to tell me that you'll drop everything if I ask?" She asked him.

"Yes, because I care about you, Zoe," he stressed. "Are you telling me that you wouldn't do the same for me?" He asked.

"Of course I would," she responded, without a single thought about her answer.

"Then why can't you believe I'd do the same for you?" He asked, wanting to keep his anger over something so stupid out of his system. Zoe's been through enough today and the last thing she needs is for him to get mad and ruin her prom for the second time. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself.

"I can," she nodded, giving him a smile. "I'm sorry for doubting you," she apologized. "What I am not sorry about is making you take more pictures," she smiled sweetly at him.

"Lead the way," he sighed.

Zoe gathered their friends as they headed to the designated area set up for pictures. They did a few group shots ranging from serious to silly. All the girls took a few together in various poses. Wade took a picture with George their backs pressed together in a mock serious pose. When they were done goofing off Wade and Zoe took a few together. Neither one finding the typical date poses, Wade's arms wrapped around Zoe, to be awkward.

Lemon found her chance to ask Zoe all the burning questions running through her head about why Zoe wasn't here with Graham, when Zoe excused herself to use the restroom. Lemon went with. She'd fill Crickett and AB in later as they were in the middle of the dance floor having fun.

"Tell me, Zoe," Lemon said, looping her arm through her friend's arm, as they walked to the furthest girl's bathroom, as it would be empty.

"Tell you what Lemon?" Zoe asked with a sigh. "What is it you really want to know?" She asked, a feeling of sorrow washing over her at what her friend wants to know.

"I want to know why you showed up with Wade as your date, when you were supposed to come with Graham, who is nowhere to be seen," Lemon stated, pushing the door to the girl's bathroom open. They checked to make sure they were alone before Zoe said anything.

"I don't see why I would show up with my ex for," Zoe replied, trying to remain harsh towards her now ex to keep the tears at bay. She didn't want her make-up to be ruined and to have red puffy eyes for the rest of the night.

"What do you mean ex?" Lemon asked in a huff. "You guys were together just yesterday!"

"And tomorrow we'll still be broken up," Zoe stated. "What day it is makes no difference," she snapped out. Zoe took a deep breath, her friend doesn't know what happened, and she doesn't deserve to have her anger pointed towards her. "He broke it off hours before prom, Wade swooped in and saved the night," Zoe explained, leaving it at that because she really needed to use the bathroom.

Lemon remained quiet until they stood at the sinks washing their hands. "How'd Wade know about your breakup?" She asked, using the mirrors to look at her friend.

"He saw Graham leaving my house after the breakup," Zoe explained the only explanation she was given. She believed it because Wade wouldn't lie to her.

"I think I know what's been wrong with Wade lately," Lemon smirked, as they left the bathroom, headed back to the main part of the dance.

"Please do share with the class Miss Breeland," Zoe giggled, curious to know what Lemon thinks is making Wade act different because again he's been the same Wade he's always been to her. She's been good at knowing when something is off with him, and she doesn't see it.

"Wade Kinsella is in love with you Zoe Wilkes," she stated with a smug smirk on her face.

"That's the most bizarre thing I have heard," Zoe retorted. There is no way Wade likes her more than a friend. Surely he would have said something, right?

"It might be bizarre, but it's true, Zoe," Lemon stated, pulling her friend to a halt. "Who is the one to always save the day for you? The one you can count on? The one with a certain day of the week set aside just for him?" Lemon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We're friends," Zoe huffed. "He's my best friend. What's so wrong with being there for each other? To have a day where we can catch up?" She asked.

"Nothing of course, unless you have feelings for him," Lemon inquired.

"My feelings for Wade are strictly platonic. He is nothing more than my friend, and he is not in love with me," she hissed, storming off.

It can't be possible for Wade to like her more than a friend. He hasn't acted any different around her. And surely she would have noticed if his feelings changed for her over the years. Their friendship is the same. If anything changed it would be that they grew closer and their bond is stronger than ever. It didn't matter how many times Lemon whispered she was denying it under her breath, didn't make it true. She wasn't denying anything.

"Everything okay?" Wade asked, leading her back to the dance floor.

She doesn't know how he can read her so well. She can read him, but she still has trouble in doing so. Yet Wade always knows when she needs him and how to make her smile. He knows how to melt any worry away. It amazes her that he does know her so well. It also makes her feel guilty that she can't do the same for him.

"It will be," she nodded. She's not going to worry about anything Lemon said, whether she believed it to be true, which of course it wasn't. "It's nothing, really," she assured him. She'd be insane to start a talk about what Lemon thought in the middle of their classmates. If she decides to ever tell Wade about it, it will be done so in private. As it is a private matter.

"It's nothing, just walked through the door," Wade grumbled out. "We can stay or we can go. The option is yours, Zoe," he told her, keeping her from seeing her ex-boyfriend. He's glad to note that he looks horrible for what he has done.

"Can we go?" Zoe asked in a whisper. By now everyone at prom knew what happened. There's not a whole host of reasons as to why she didn't come with Graham. And it will only be worse now that he is here as well. She's had a blast this far, and she doesn't want any drama with Graham to ruin her night worse than he already has.

"I know just the place," he smiled, pulling her through the throng of their classmates to the exit far away from where Graham stood. It was for him more than Zoe. He's certain Zoe would be able to handle herself, he's the one that would need to give Graham a black eye.

Not once from the school to the dock did they let go of their entwined hands as they walked through town. It was comfortable and nice. There was something about it that felt right. And for a fraction of a second, she had to wonder if what Lemon said to be true. Were there feelings beyond that of friendship with Wade? Is he in love with her? It's nearly impossible and crazy to think like that. They're friends, so of course they know each other better than anyone else. Saturdays is the one day that's always been theirs. It's what helped create such a strong bond.

"We can sit here listening to the crickets and the frogs for all I care," he told her. "You can tell me what's got you all up in that pretty head of yours," he offered. "Either is fine with me," he shrugged.

"It might be nothing, but it's just something Lemon said," she shared, wrapping her arms around herself. She wasn't cold, just finding a way to protect herself with whatever came next.

"What's that?" Wade asked, slipping his jacket off to place it around Zoe's shoulders. He knows how Lemon can be, and he wants to comfort Zoe of whatever it is that Lemon put in her head.

"It might sound stupid," she told him, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.

"You can share. I won't laugh nor will I think it's stupid," he assured her, pulling her hand into his lap to hold. He doesn't want to push past a certain boundary as he wants her to get over Graham in her own time and because he has feelings for her. And he doesn't want to ruin their friendship.

"It's just that Lemon has been watching you and trying to figure out what's going on with you," she explained, turning to look at him, her bare leg brushing against his slack covered one as she moved. "Been asking what's going on with you and I haven't noticed anything wrong with you," she went on to explain.

"That's because there is nothing going on. I don't know what Lemon thought she saw, but it wasn't anything," he stated, shaking his head, happy to have the moonlight being the only source of light, because he doesn't know how well his face stayed neutral through what he said.

"That's what I thought," she told him. "Then she told me what she thought is going on, and it's made me think," she sighed, her gaze dropping to where he held her hand in his lap.

"I can only help ease your mind if you tell me what she told you," he said persuading her to tell him what's on her mind. "I do want to know what Lemon thought," he shared.

"She said that you're in love with me, that's the craziest thing you've heard, right?" She asked, her focus still on their hands resting in his lap, afraid to see the reaction on his face, feeling him tense slightly was enough for her.

"I think," he started to say, deciding to change tactic, letting himself relax. "Why do you think it's crazy?" He asked instead. He wants to know where her head is at before he even thinks about confessing his feelings towards her.

"Because we're friends, best friends at that," she stated.

"Friends fall in love all the time. My parents are a great example of that. They were able to build a stable and strong foundation to their relationship by being friends first," he stated, growing nervous that he might have to push his feelings down. He's ready to say them, but he's not sold on Zoe being ready to hear them, not after everything she's been through today.

"It does make sense," she sighed. "Wade?" She questioned, growing anxious as she thought about the question she wants to ask him.

"Ask away," he smiled, turning, so they were facing each other, still connected by their hands.

"I can ask, and you'll be honest with me?" She asked him. She doesn't want him to lie to make her feel better. Doesn't want him to lie because she thinks that's what she needs to hear.

"I promise that I will be completely and utterly truthful to you. No lies remember?" He asked. It was a small pact they made when they were little, one that still holds true.

"I remember," she smiled. "Is Lemon right? Are you in love with me?" She asked, feeling sick to her stomach for asking such a question.

"Before I answer this question, Zoe. I need you to promise that whatever I say, won't ruin what we have. You're my best friend and nothing will change that, okay?" He asked, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"I promise you, Wade. Nothing can ruin what we have. You'll be my best friend till the end of time. I can't see that ending anytime soon. We don't break promises," she repeated, a simple phrase that held a lot over the years.

Wade nodded letting his eyes drift shut for a few seconds, trying to gather the courage within him for what he's about to say. For the feelings he swore he'd never tell her until she's ready. He doesn't know if she's ready now, but he's not ready to lie to her, to break their pact. He'd suffer through the consequences, whatever they may be.

"What Lemon thinks is true," he told her, locking his gaze into hers, the moonlight sparkling in her big brown orbs. "It just hit me all of a sudden a few months ago. I wasn't going to act upon my sudden feelings for you. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin things with Graham, because you were happy. I didn't want to ruin things with us, because I like what we have," he explained. It was all the truth, and he hopes that she can see that. "Don't hate me," he pleaded with her after she remained quiet too long for his liking.

"I could never hate you, Wade," she assured him. "I'm simply taking it all in," she told him, giving him a small smile.

He nodded, letting himself relax. Giving Zoe the time she needs to process what he had told her. The fact she is still sitting in front him, refusing to let his hand go, told him that things will be okay between them. His confession is heavy and made the surrounding air a bit thick. If the roles were reversed, he'd need time, so he won't rush her into anything.

"You don't have to say anything, Zoe. Take your time. You've only gotten out of a relationship and I don't expect anything other than having my best friend with me," he said, assuring her that he wants nothing more than her friendship.

"I do need time to get over Graham, because I did love him," she shared. "And honestly I don't know how strong my feelings for you are. It's all things I need time to figure out," she told him.

"I get that, this isn't some ultimatum. Our friendship is first and foremost. Everything else comes after," he promised. "I'll even pinky promise," he smiled, holding his pinky up for her.

"Pinky promise," she laughed, hooking her pinky around his, shaking on it the best way possible.

"We should get you home before your parents start to worry about you," he said, getting up, giving Zoe a helping hand.

"Wade," she said, standing in front of him, holding both his hands. "Thank you for everything," she told him softly, placing a soft barely there kiss to the corner of his mouth.

"It's my pleasure, Zoe," he smiled, tossing their entwined hands around her shoulders as they walked off the dock. "I had fun, so it was worth it," he smirked.

Just like before the confession about his true feelings, they went back to their true and tested friendship, finding the little things to joke and laugh about. It eased both of their minds that their friendship wouldn't be effected and things could remain the same between them.

"Tomorrow?" He asked.

"I'll meet you at your house when I'm ready, I think it'll be closer to lunch than breakfast," she told him, coming up to her house. The front yard light on and she thinks she can see the light in her dad's office on as well.

"Okay," he nodded. "Zoe," he said pulling her closer for a hug.

The urge to kiss her overcame him and looking into her big brown doe eyes, he couldn't help himself from pressing his lips against her soft ones. The kiss was sweet like cotton candy. The taste being bliss.