Hands On A Blix Van
The Blix Corporation was holding a contest to promote their new flavor, Zingleberry Blix. The challenge; see who can keep their hand on the Blix Van the longest. The prize; two round-trip plane tickets to anywhere. Zoey and the gang were all stoked to compete.
Chase walked up the van, like always searching for Zoey. He soon found her, smiled, and waved, "Hey Zoe."
Zoey turned around when she heard him, smiling and brushing her hair out of her face. "Hey Fuzzyhead."
"Hey now, you promised not to call me Fuzzyhead anymore." Chase reminded her.
"Curly Sue? "
"And now I'm liking Fuzzyhead." Chase decided.
"I know." Zoey laughed, "See you love it when I call you Fuzzyhead."
"Alright, you got me." Zoey could always call him anything and he would be happy with it.
Beside them, Lola had her eyes closed and her hands held straight out in front of her. She also seemed to be whispering something to herself under her breath.
Chase decided to take advantage of the situation and started clapping his hands against hers.
"Stop it!" She opened her eyes and shouted at him, but he had the desired effect, annoying Lola and making Zoey laugh.
"What are you doing?" Chase asked.
"It's an acting exercise." Zoey supplied.
Lola explained some more, "I'm creating a character, a girl who loves having her hands on a van."
"Oh," Chase nodded, "you're weird."
"I may be weird, but I'm going to win." Lola proudly declared.
"No, I'm going to win."
"No, you're both wrong, you're both going to lose because I have a strategy to-" Zoey said, but all three of them were distracted by a loud shout from Logan.
"Hey! Can one of you guys help me over to the van?" They walked closer to see Logan hobbling on crutches with his entire leg wrapped in a cast, a cast that he didn't have yesterday. "You know? Nice people help the injured." Logan told them when he noticed their questioning looks. "Can I get a chair please?"
"OK, what little game are you playing now?" Zoey asked him.
"I broke my clavicle."
"Your clavicle's by your shoulder," Chase informed him, patting his own in emphasis. Biology tutor strikes again.
"Well, I broke something."
The guy in charge walked up to Logan. "What's the problem?"
"I want to compete in the contest, so I need a chair." Logan turned his head to smirk at his friends.
"That's not fair!" Lola shouted.
"Yeah, it's a lot easier to keep your hands on the van if you're sitting!" Zoey added angrily.
"Look, I'm sure a big company like the Blix Corporation, isn't going to keep a poor, injured kid from being in this contest. That wouldn't look too good, would it?"
"Bring this kid a chair." The guy in charge ordered and then walked away.
The three friends all sighed in exasperation while Logan smirked victoriously.
"Logan, you're filthy stinking rich, why do you even need the plane tickets?" Zoey demanded.
"While I am rich, I'll admit my dad doesn't have a private jet. Yet. So if I ever feel like taking a private vacation sometime I can. Of course, it doesn't have to private, one of you pretty ladies is welcome to join me."
"In your dreams." Zoey scoffed at him.
"Yeah, no thank you." Lola and Zoey both looked equally disgusted at the idea.
The guy in charge got on his microphone. "OK real quick, the rules are, you must keep at least one hand on the Blix van at all times. There is a five-minute break after every hour and a twenty-minute break after every six hours. And you can check the time whenever you want by looking at the big Zingleberry Blix Board right over there." He pointed over to the sign on the right. "OK? Those are the only rules. Now…HANDS ON THE BLIX VAN!" He announced.
A loud siren rang out and all the contestants ran to put their hands on the side of the van.
Except Logan, who hobbled over to his chair, still looking incredibly proud of himself.
Lola breathed in deeply as she tried to get into her character.
"Lola relax." Chase reminded her.
"I will not relax, I will win this contest, and to do so, I must remain entirely focused."
"Oh look," Zoey pointed. "Brad came to watch."
"Brad?" Lola followed Zoey's finger, just in time to see the super cute Brad waving at her. "Hey Brad!" Lola waved back, but moments later a loud buzzer sounded out.
"And she's out!"
"Oh boo." Lola sighed, Zoey patted her on the back comfortingly, but Lola smiled again and ran after Brad. "Hey Brad, wait up!"
"One down." Zoey smiled at Chase.
"One down." Chase agreed. "So is that part of your strategy?"
"What? No, of course not." Zoey just grinned up at him, "I was just pointing Brad out to Lola 'cause I know he's in drama with her and she has a little crush on him."
"Oh, devious, well played Brooks."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Zoey kept smiling at him.
"You don't have a strategy to deal with me do you? Should I be scared?"
"Of course not, you're going to be the secret weapon that keeps me going."
"Ah, well, as long as we're in agreement then. Think we can handle a few hours of each other? Who knows, maybe even days?"
"Of course we can. Especially now. No matter what, we can't let Logan win."
"Agreed." Chase and Zoey both glared at Logan who was still proudly sitting in his chair and smirking at everyone else.
Chase just sighed though, a limitless amount of time standing side by side with Zoey, he would not be leaving before she did, that was for sure.
Six hours in and only a few kids had dropped out, and it was their first long break, so most of the kids competing swarmed the porta-potties. Zoey went to the one on the very end of the row, but when she tried to open the door after she was done, it wouldn't budge.
"Hello? Hey! Someone get me out of here! Help! I'm stuck in a porta-potty!" Zoey shouted, she kept trying to shove the door open but nothing was working.
Stuck in a porta-potty on a warm sunny day in California, who could even dream of that kind of torture? The lock was working fine, so she knew this couldn't be an accident. She already had a feeling in the pit of her stomach, she knew who she would be blaming once she got out of here, but first, she had to get out of here, and soon. Not just because she was stuck in a porta-potty, but the break would be over soon.
Chase was walking back from the porta-potties when he heard someone shouting.
"Hello! Would someone open this door already?!" He couldn't see anyone but one of the porta-potties was shaking up a storm. Wait a minute, was that Zoey's voice?
"Zoey?" Chase called out.
"Chase?" Zoey's heart rose, he was always there, right when she needed him.
"Are you in the porta-potty?"
"No, I'm in Switzerland! Yes, I'm in the porta-potty!"
"Well, you better come out of there, 'cause we've got less than two minutes."
"I realize that! This door won't open!"
Chase studied the door closer and saw a flash of metal gleaming in the sun. "Somebody put a lock on it!"
"Well, break it off!"
Chase glanced around for a few seconds, he could hear them counting down. "19, 18, 17…" He grabbed a nearby rock, and putting all his strength into it, he managed to break the lock in two hits and opened the door.
Zoey jumped out right into his arms. They stared at each other for a few seconds, as they were suddenly nose to nose before they sprinted back to the van as fast as possible while the final seconds ticked down.
"5, 4, 3, 2…"
Chase and Zoey both made it back with barely a second to spare.
After catching their breath Zoey noticed Logan's ever-present smirk was even wider than normal. "I know it was you."
"Yeah, well, I know how much girls love spending time in the bathroom."
"You're just lucky it takes two hands to choke a person." Zoey growled at him.
"Yeah? Well, there's not much you can do to me with one hand."
In response, Zoey grabbed Logan's head and banged it against the side of the van, leaving him groaning.
"Ow! Can't you see I'm injured?"
"Yeah right." Zoey scoffed and turned back around to talk with Chase some more. At least she still had him with her.
Nearly ten hours later, and the night was just beginning to fall. Chase and Zoey were both starting to feel the strain both from boredom, and just trying to keep themselves from nodding off.
"How many people are left?" Zoey asked Chase, she had been leaning her head against the side of the van for a while now, but she didn't know if that was making her more tired or not.
"I think just you, me, Logan, and Stacey." Chase yawned.
"Please, I can get rid of Stacey whenever I want." Logan declared.
"How?" Zoey asked.
"Hey Stacey!"
"Yesh Logan? Is that you?" Stacey shouted from the other side of the van.
"Yeah, it's me. I'll tell you what, take your hands off the van, and you can be my girlfriend, for a week."
"Yesh Shold!" They heard Stacey scream and moments later she ran around the van to smother Logan in a hug. "I have to put on a shkirt and lipshtick." She ran off excitedly.
"There now it's just the three of us." Logan grimaced.
"But Chase and I aren't going to be falling for any of your tricks, because we have each other."
"Right, of course you do." Logan just smirked at them, making Chase a little nervous so he tried to grab Zoey's attention instead.
"Hey Zoey, I know a good way to keep us awake, how about Would You Rather?"
"Oh yeah, that will work." Zoey's head perked up, and she turned her back from Logan to face Chase again.
"Alrighty then, would you rather have toes for fingers, or fingers for toes?" Chase asked.
Zoey just shook her head and smiled, "Come on, make it a challenge, obviously fingers for toes."
"And why is that?"
"Cause If I had toes for fingers then my hands would be useless and ugly, but if I had fingers for toes then I would be like a monkey and then I'd basically have two extra hands."
"Yeah, I have to agree with you there, but don't worry, we have a long night, I'm just getting started. So hit me Zoe, it's your turn."
"OK, would you rather be five years old forever or skip all your school years and just be an adult?"
"And you called my question too easy? Obviously being five years old forever. When you're five the only thing that matters is having fun. Plus naptime is a bonus, also no homework or job, or any other actual responsibilities, I would love to be five years old again."
"But wouldn't it be nice to just be an adult and really be able to do whatever you want without anyone ever telling you what to do?"
"While that could be fun, there is no way I'm changing my mind, first off in your scenario, are you saying you already know everything an adult needs to know without being in school for thirteen years?"
"Yeah, sure, see wouldn't that be great?"
"Compared to being five, no way."
"I just feel like being five forever would be boring."
"No way, they're constantly making new toys and games and TV shows for little kids, if I don't have a reason to grow out of them, I'd be set for life, plus adulthood you have to worry about your job, and money and everything you're responsible for. I'm not budging." Chase crossed one arm in front of him before he realized he couldn't really cross his arms together.
"You make some good points Chase, but I'm sticking with my answer."
"Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree then Zoey. Would you rather only be able to eat one food for the rest of your life? Or drink one drink for the rest of your life?"
"Do I get to choose my options?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Well, if I had to choose one drink, it would be coffee because I can't live without that. And as for food, I would choose grapes."
"Grapes really? I know you love them, but you love them that much?"
"Well, I don't want to choose some junk food that will be bad for me."
"OK then, how about whatever you choose you still always have perfect health. So you only have to worry about the flavor you'd spend the rest of your life with."
"Well, then I'd choose chocolate cake then." Zoey decided, "but between coffee and chocolate cake forever, that's a hard decision."
"And it's healthy chocolate cake remember."
"Right, know, I guess I'll take the healthy chocolate cake. So what are your food and drink choices?"
"For drink, I'd do Zingleberry Blix of course."
"Trying to get them to sponsor you?" Zoey giggled.
"Of course, and then for food, I would choose Kazu's spicy California rolls. Best thing on his menu."
"I agree, so what do you choose, sushi or Blix?"
"Sushi, no question, just don't tell the guy I said that." Chase whispered while grinning.
"Your secret's safe with me," Zoey whispered back with a giggle.
"Thanks, Zoe, I know I can trust you. So, would you rather…?"
Several hours later, they were still playing their game, but both were having some difficulties staying focused.
"Would you rather…?" Chase broke off his sentence with a yawn. He shook his head. "Sorry Zoey, would you rather….? Actually Zoe, I think we've done the impossible."
"What's that Chase?" Zoey yawned, she was leaning her head against her arm on the side of the van again.
"I'm pretty sure we've made a new record for our longest ever Would You Rather game ever, but also, my head is completely out of would you rather's to ask you."
"I think I am too. What time is it anyway?"
Chase checked his watch, it was almost midnight. Chase then glanced over at the Zingleberry Blix board. "Oh hey, five more minutes until our next long break. Just hold on a little bit longer Zoe."
"OK, I can do it." Zoey raised her head from the side of the van as she forced herself to get more energy into her system.
"Well thank God, you guys are finally done, that was the longest three hours I've ever had to sit through." Logan groaned.
"What are you complaining about? You've had your earbuds in the entire time." Zoey glared right back at him.
"Yeah, and my MP3 died three hours ago. I almost died of boredom along with it. Would you rather do this? Oh yeah definitely and here's why. You two are just so boring."
"You know you don't have to stay here and listen to us," Chase suggested.
"Nice try, you're not getting rid of me, I can guarantee it. In fact, I think-"
"Alright you three," the announcer walked up to them again. "You just earned a twenty-minute break, so have your hands on the Blix van again by 12:20 am."
"Thank God. Let's go, Chase." Zoey grabbed his hand and pulled her along with her.
"Um, what are you doing?" Chase asked, bewildered, he had been nodding off before, but he was wide awake now.
"You are guarding the door while I use the porta-potty just in case Logan tries anything again."
"Oh, right. You got it, Zoe." Chase nodded, part of him hoped maybe Zoey was so tired she was letting some hidden feelings show, but he should have known that wasn't the case, but at least she unknowingly gave him a wake-up call.
So Chase stood outside the door while she used the porta-potty and then they swapped places. When they were both done they grabbed a quick snack from a vending machine and then headed back to the van, they sat down and leaned against it side by side.
"How much longer do you think this is going to last?" Chase asked her.
"Honestly, right now Logan still has a huge advantage over us because of that stupid chair, we need to even the playing field at least."
"How do you think we do that?"
"Simple, we just need to get Logan to start talking."
Logan came hobbling back on his crutches still with a confident grin on his face. "Hello ladies, you sure you don't want to go to bed yet? All you have to do is give up."
"We're not giving up, in fact, Chase has something for you, right Chase?"
"Yep." Chase tossed up the rock he had earlier and Logan instinctively dropped his crutches to catch it.
"What was that? Chase, how are you on the basketball team if you were trying to hit me with this?" Logan paced around for a few steps, tossing the rock between his hands.
"While I do agree Chase sucks at skipping rocks-"
"Hey!"
"We just wanted to test how severely your clavicle was injured." Zoey rolled her eyes at him.
"Pfft, and how is that supposed to help you out here? Unless you wanted to actually break my clavicle, you two geniuses should have had Zoey throw the rock at me. Even though you aren't better than me of course, Zoey is way better at basketball than Chase is. And obviously, I'm still perfectly fine." Logan even hopped up and down for a few seconds before slapping his hand on the van and standing right beside his chair.
About thirty seconds later. The guy in charge loudly announced. "And time!" But he walked up to Logan, "You know, I've been watching you three to make sure you all made it, and I don't think you really need that chair do you?"
"What? No, of course I do." Logan quickly sat back down.
"Yeah, I don't think so." The guy took Logan's chair away and Zoey and Chase shared a grin and a hi-five.
"You set me up!"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Zoey said obliviously.
"This isn't over!"
"You know, how about we give Logan some space now, let's head over the other side so he can't bother us even more." Chase suggested.
"Sounds like a plan." Zoey agreed.
They walked around to the opposite side of the van.
"Oh I see how it is, you two want some privacy to make out right? You don't need to hide anything from me, in fact I know I can do a much better job than Chase can, so Zoey, just come back to me when you're bored. I'll be out here all night."
"You're a pig Logan, that's why we're avoiding you!" Zoey shouted in annoyance. "Ignore him Chase."
"Gladly," Chase chuckled nervously. "Have any more ideas to try to deal with Logan?"
"Well, I'm too tired to scheme right now, how about we just focus on keeping each other awake? Now that he lost his chair and he actually has to work for this, I bet we can beat him. We just have to outlast him."
"Have any ideas?"
"No, my brain is shot from all our fun would you rathers."
"Well, for starters, we can take turns holding the others' hand up against the van, or maybe work together to hold each other up, so we can sort of rest without actually falling asleep or anything."
"Yeah, I think that sounds like a good idea Chase." Zoey nodded.
Chase put his left hand over hers while still keeping his right hand pressed against the van so his arms were now surrounding Zoey. She put her right hand over the top of his and then slightly leaned back into his chest while Chase took a few steps closer and he could rest his head over her shoulder, slightly leaning against the side of her head.
It was far from the most comfortable position in the world and being pressed so close together both made their nerves come alive from their nervousness, but they also took a measure of comfort from the close contact.
"Is this OK Zoe?" Chase whispered.
"Yeah, are you comfortable Chase?"
"Yeah it's working for me. We just have to focus on our hands and everything will be fine. Hopefully, Logan will give up soon." Not that Chase had any problems focusing on his hand that was gently pressing against Zoey's or her hand gently pressed against his. If he had to do this kind of awkward sort of hug with her for the next few hours, he would surely stay awake now. Hearing her heart beat so close to his, he would make sure this lasts as long as possible.
So they stayed just like that for the next hour or so, occasionally they would notice one or the other seemed the be nodding off and whisper in their ear to jolt them awake again, and that always worked, then they separated for a bit to pace around and wake up their sleeping legs, but it was definitely a long night, but they didn't hear anything from Logan for a few hours until he eventually popped his head around with his ever-present smirk on his face.
"So, you two are still in this, are you?"
"Of course we are." Zoey rolled her eyes at him.
"Well, I have a little proposition for you."
"Don't think you can bribe us with money, we want the tickets but this is just as much about beating you now." Chase warned him.
"Oh no, I wouldn't use my money to win a silly little competition like this."
"Um, the election?" Zoey reminded him.
"The Jet X contest?" Chase added.
"And your point is? I know you two are both too annoying to just take my money so it doesn't even matter. I have something else in mind to take care of one of you at least."
"And just what is that Logan?" Zoey demanded.
Logan confidently walked over to Chase and whispered in his ear. "Take your hand off or I'll tell Zoey."
"Tell her what?" Chase whispered back trying to act oblivious and hide what he was saying.
"You know what."
Chase outright glared at Logan's ever-present smirk. "You wouldn't."
"Try me."
"I'm not doing it."
"I'll give you some time to think it over, if you don't give up in the next hour, I'm doing it."
"Logan-"
"What are you two whispering about?" Zoey demanded.
"Nothing." Chase nervously insisted.
"Yeah, nothing you need to worry about for now Brooks. But just you wait." Logan walked back to the other side of the van.
"What did Logan say?"
"He just tried to bribe me, but I don't want anything he's selling."
"Really, what did he say to you, Chase? I can tell you're upset. I may be tired but don't try to deny it."
"It's nothing Zoey. Really. We're in this together until Logan loses, with all the cheating he's been doing he doesn't deserve this."
"Yeah, you're right." Zoey nodded, "but whatever he said, you know you can tell me."
"I know." Chase sighed, "but you really don't need to worry about it."
"OK." But then Zoey yawned loudly. "How about this, we both take a quick 20-minute power nap with the other holding them up?"
"Um, yeah, sure whatever you need Zoey."
"Thanks, Chase, seriously just twenty minutes, and then it can be your turn. Then when we're all rested we can deal with Logan."
Zoey walked closer to him and they both shifted a bit. Chase placed one hand over Zoey's to hold it in place. And then Zoey snaked her other hand around his waist and placed her head right over his heart. Chase caught his breath at their close contact, but before he knew it, Zoey had her eyes closed and was breathing softly. Her weight pressed against him more, but she still stayed standing somehow. Chase didn't really know how she did it, because he doubted if he really went to sleep that he wouldn't just collapse to the ground, but he didn't want to move a muscle and risk disturbing her.
He looked down, all he could really see was the top of her blonde hair, just barely glowing in the nearby streetlights.
Chase thought over what Logan had said, there was no reason to believe he wouldn't follow through on his threat. But Chase refused to give up, even if he gave up for no reason before Logan came around Zoey would probably see right through it and demand an explanation.
So that only left him with one choice, that could either lead Chase to happiness or misery, there would be no in-between. Plus he knew if Zoey said no, he would be giving up anyway. There was no way he could stand here with her if she did. She would never suggest doing anything like this ever again. It could be the last time Chase ever feels her as close as this. But the last thing he could ever do was let Logan tell her instead of him. He would never forgive Logan, or himself if he let that happen.
When Zoey's allotted twenty-minute naptime was up, Chase awkwardly tried to bump his elbow against her arm to wake her up without making either of their hands fall. "Zoey…wake up," Chase whispered as close to her ear as he could reach.
A few moments later Zoey's head rose up from his chest, she looked up at him with confusion for a few seconds before she seemed to remember what they were doing.
Zoey opened her eyes, and all she could see was Chase's kindhearted face, only a few inches above her. When she breathed in, all she could smell was the dying traces of his cologne, it was pretty faded after standing outside all day, but it was a smell that always meant Chase to her. It was one of her favorite smells. She soon remembered why they were doing this, and she couldn't help herself from awkwardly taking a step back to give him room. She felt like her nap had made her so much more alert, but suddenly she just felt confused.
"You good Zoey?" Chase whispered.
"Yeah. I am. Thanks for that Chase."
"I have no clue how you stayed standing, you're so lucky you didn't start to fall, because then I would have tried to catch you, probably drop you, and then we'd both be out and Logan would win."
"I know you wouldn't drop me, but thanks anyways Chase. Do you want to take your nap now?"
"Actually," Chase said nervously. He took his hand off of Zoey's and she found herself missing its comforting weight. "There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it Chase?"
"First off though, you do know that you're the only one keeping me in this thing right?"
"Of course, the only reason I'm still in is that you're right here with me."
"Right." Chase nodded, "and you know there's no one I would rather spend hours and hours of doing nothing with than you right?"
"Yeah, that's why we had the longest game of would you rather ever." Zoey smiled at him, still unaware of where he was going with this.
"I know."
"So what do you want to say?"
"So you know how a while ago, I told you Logan was trying to bribe me?"
"Yeah?"
"I want to tell you something, something I should have told you a long time ago, but I've always been too scared to do it because I don't want to risk you hating me and wrecking our friendship."
"Nothing could ever do that Chase. I care about you too much to ever hate you."
"I know, I could never hate you either, but I've just been scared, but look the point is. I've wanted to do this for a long time, and I'm not doing this now just because of Logan, but because I know both of us would do anything for each other, and I want to do this, for me and you."
"Come on Chase, just spit it out."
"OK." Chase reached out, walked closer, and took Zoey's free hand in his own. "No matter how long and boring this day has been, it's still been one of the best days of my life because I got to spend it all with you right here beside me, so I wouldn't change a thing about it. But now, I'm just going to say it. Zoey, I'm in love with you."
Zoey looked bewildered for a few seconds as Chase felt his cheeks heating up, and he waited for Zoey to say anything, but she never did.
Instead, Zoey closed the distance between them and pressed her lips against his. Forget taking a nap, Chase was wide awake now. It was taking all his brain power to start pressing back against Zoey, while at the same time, making sure he didn't move his hand from the van. He quickly closed his eyes and just enjoyed the moment, it was better than he had ever dreamed.
After a few moments they broke apart, and both were already out of breath from both excitement and lack of air.
"Chase, I love you too."
"You do?"
"What do you think?" Zoey smirked playfully at him. Glancing up through her eyelashes.
"I think you just rocked my world." Chase sighed in contentment.
"You're not so bad yourself."
"So, what does this mean?"
Well, I hope it means we can be boyfriend and girlfriend. Right?" Zoey asked, a bit nervously.
"Absolutely, I love you, Zoey."
"And I love you, Chase. So that was Logan's big plan? To tell me you loved me instead, how was that supposed to make us give up?"
"Remember how I said I was always too scared to tell you? So he figured by threatening to tell you I would give up before he told you everything. Or he figured after he told you if you said you didn't feel the same way I wouldn't be able to stay here with you, which I wouldn't be able to."
"I guess that makes sense, I've been nervous about telling you once I realized too. But you don't have to worry anymore. I'm all yours."
"I've always been yours, I've just been waiting for you to notice."
"I did notice some things, but I was always in denial, Lola and Quinn have told me over and over again how you're so obvious but I'm always oblivious."
"I think they're probably right. At least all our friends except you have known since forever."
"Well no more hiding, not anymore."
"Agreed."
"Hey Chase, it's almost time!" Logan walked back around the van. "I don't know what you two were doing back here, I almost could have sworn you two really were making out. But I know that isn't happening without me involved. So Chase, what's it going to be?"
"Hmm." Chase tapped his chin thoughtfully, "Zoey, what do you think I should do?"
"I think you should stay right here. I'm not going anywhere, and you aren't either." Zoey stretched up to place a kiss on his cheek.
Chase laughed out loud seeing the flabbergasted expression on Logan's face.
"What? Do you mean you finally did it? Seriously? Now? Come on, that was my plan from the very beginning to get rid of you two!"
"Did you really think you could break us apart Logan?" Zoey raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Well, Chase always thought it would, no matter how many times Michael and I have told him he's completely ridiculous. It was supposed to get rid of him for sure. But what, are you seriously dating now?"
"Yeah, we are, and do you know what that means?" Zoey asked him.
"What?"
"There is no way you're stopping us now."
"Whatever. This isn't over."
"Alright you three. Five-minute break again." The guy in charge walked over to them, temptingly teasing them with a steaming cup of coffee.
"Need me to guard the porta-potty again?" Chase asked as they walked around a bit to stretch their legs.
"No, not right now. But I think we need to come up with a plan to deal with Logan once and for all."
"Do you have anything?"
"Actually, yeah I do." Zoey smiled and whispered in his ear.
"I never thought my girlfriend would be an evil genius." Chase smiled at her.
"Thanks Chase, but this isn't evil, this is justice for all the cheating Logan's done today."
"OK, so when should we implement the plan?"
"Let's give it, let's say two more hours, if we do it now, he'll know we're up to something, plus get him more tired and ready to give up."
"Sounds like a plan, so what do you want to do for two hours?"
"Well, I do have some ideas…"
"And what are they?" Chase caught the mischievous glint in Zoey's eyes as they put their hands back on the van and the contest resumed.
Zoey stepped up closer to him and snaked her free arm around Chase's waist, Chase took the hint and followed suit so they were pressed close together, but still kept their other hands occupied.
"Let's fill up some time." Zoey smiled and then she reached up to pull Chase down to her level.
Just like Zoey planned, two hours later they walked over to the other side of the van to see Logan slumped over the hood, but his hand still placed securely. "What is it now? Are you two trying to torture me into quitting?"
"We don't know what you're talking about."
"Like I don't know what making out sounds like. If I wasn't so tired and annoyed at both of you, I'd be impressed, plus you know, asking Zoey for a repeat performance. So what do you two dumb lovebirds want?"
"Well as much fun as we've been having together, we want to make you a deal," Chase said, looking completely exhausted.
"What is it?"
"We all take our hands off the van at the same time, and then we share the prize," Zoey explained, releasing a large yawn at the end of her sentence.
Logan studied them for a few moments. "You know what, you're pretty smart Brooks. I'm in."
"OK." Chase and Zoey both moved their hands to the middle of the hood, a few inches away from Logan's.
"On three?" Chase asked.
"Yep." Logan pulled himself up and nodded.
"One, two, three." Zoey counted off and Logan took off his hand.
"There, we won!" Logan announced.
The guy in charge walked up and hit the buzzer. "And you're out, two contestants remaining!"
"What, no they're not, we took our hands off at the same time. See!" Logan turned back around to see Chase and Zoey smirking victoriously and giving each other a fist bump in victory, their hands still resting on the van.
"What? You tricked me."
"Wow, Logan looks like you don't have what it takes for a contest like this," Zoey smirked at him.
"What? No!"
"Alright, you lost, so get out of here kid."
"RRHG!" Logan groaned, "this isn't over, after I take a nap, I'm finding you, both of you." Logan stomped off. Leaving a laughing Chase and Zoey staring after him.
"So… now that Logan's gone, I give up, you win Zoe."
"What? No, you're not Chase." Zoey slapped her hand on top of his so he couldn't pull it off.
"Why not?" In response, Chase slapped his hand down on top of her hand so she couldn't move either.
"I'm not letting you just give up for me."
"Then I'm not going to let you let me win either," Chase promised. "I don't care how long this takes."
"Me neither."
"Then what do you suggest we do? Keep torturing ourselves for no reason until one of us does actually fall asleep?"
"Hmm, how about this, we take our hands off at the same time like we told Logan, but this time we'll do it together and split the prize."
"Only if we take a vacation somewhere together over spring break. I just got you, I'm not letting you get away from me."
"OK, how does fashion week in Milan sound?"
"Like torture, but I'll follow you anywhere." Chase promised.
"Fine, we won't go to Milan..." Zoey thought for a few moments, "oh I know, how about we go to Hawaii together, my uncle lives there so as long as we have the plane tickets we'll be all set."
"You and me, together in Hawaii? That would be so awesome! I'm in."
"OK, on three?"
"One, two three! "They counted off together and both lifted their hands off at the exact same moment.
"And you're ou- wait a minute, which one of you won?"
"We both one, we gave up at the exact same time." Zoey told him.
"Of course you did, while I admit you two are pretty adorable together, that isn't how the game is played." The guy crossed his arms.
"Look, we're going to share the prize with each other no matter what." Chase grabbed onto Zoey's newly freed hand smiled.
"Fine, you can each have one round trip ticket, are you happy?"
"Yes, we are." Chase nodded.
"Good, now I'm going to go crash back in my hotel, I'll be back at noon to have you fill out all the paperwork. Clear?"
"Yes sir." Chase and Zoey both nodded.
"Good, congratulations." He walked off, leaving Chase and Zoey just smiling at each other.
"So what now Zoe?"
"One word…sleep."
"I totally agree." Chase yawned, "can I walk you to your room? But no guarantees I don't fall asleep in the next five minutes."
"Of course, in fact, you're more than welcome to crash in my room."
"Really?"
"Of course, boyfriend, we've already spent nearly twenty-four hours together, what do you say we see how long we can go?"
"No amount of time with you will ever be enough Zoey. I love you."
"I love you too Chase. Now no more talking until our heads hit the pillows."
"Whatever you say, Zoey, this has been both the longest and also the best day ever."
"I agree one hundred percent." Zoey yawned, "I already know who I'm going to be dreaming about."
"I do too, but it won't come close to reality anymore."