Cammie POV

Josh.

Josh was standing in front of me. Josh was stepping closer. Josh was looking at me, smiling at me. 'Hey, Cammie, I thought that was you'

I wasn't meant to be seen. I was meant to fly under the radar. It's what I'm good at. But Josh had seen me. Josh always saw me.

'Cammie?' He said again 'Are you okay?'

I'm pretty sure that my mouth just opened and closed like a goldfish.

'H...Hi Josh' I managed to muster, wishing more than ever that I was on comms. Hoping the girls would save me.

'What are you doing here?' He asked

'Oh, just passing through town' I said 'Wanted to see the school ruins one last time'

'Yeah, I heard about the fire. Nasty apparently. My dad said that there were so many cops coming up' Josh leant in closer 'He also swore that he saw the CIA pull up. I mean, crazy right?'

'Yeah, crazy' I muttered. 'How...how have you been?'

'Okay. How about you?'

'Okay' I said too, because even though I could have blurted a lot of things in a lot of different languages, the things I most wanted to say were the very things that neither the spy in me or the girl in me could ever let him hear.

'So we're both okay' He smiled widely 'Good for us'

Oh my gosh, could this moment be any more awkward, I thought - just as...you guessed it...the moment got a lot more awkward.

'Josh' The voice was soft and familiar 'Josh, you're dad said he could…' the voice trailed off as a petite blonde figure came into my vision 'Oh my! Cammie! It's good to see you!'

'Hi, DeeDee' I said, forcing a smile at her over-chipperness 'It's really...good...to see you too'

We stood there in awkward silence for a few moments. All I wanted to do was run in the opposite direction, but my legs were firmly planted to the ground. I need help.

'How long are you back in town for?' Deedee asked, leaning not so subtly into Josh. I glanced down, noticing her body language. What she was showing, what she was hiding.

'Um, not long' I said, smiling.

'Well, if you're around tomorrow, there's a dance going on in the town barn. You went to one didn't you?' She asked

'I did' I said, trying with all my might not to glance at Josh but somehow I found myself looking at him. And him at me.

'You should come' He said with honesty

'I'll think about it' I had no intention of going, I just said it to be polite. A girl didn't do five years of Culture and Assimilation classes to throw it all away in one conversation.

'Cammie' oh no 'there you are' Zach said as he strolled around the corner, stopped suddenly, and looked from Josh to DeeDee and finally to me. 'I was wondering where you'd disappeared to' he said standing next to me. Then he turned to the boy in front of me, stretched out a hand, and said 'I'm Zach'

Josh didn't smile. Nor did he take Zach's hand.

'Zach, this is Josh and DeeDee. They're…'

'We're friends of Cammie's' DeeDee said.

'Oh cool. I've met most of Cammie's friends, it's nice to meet you both' Zach said calmly, as if having this type of conversation was an everyday occurrence.

Then, and I shit you not, Zach slipped his hand into mine.

'I'd hate to be rude, but we have plans, and we're running late' He pulled on my hand

'No worries! We'll catch up another time' DeeDee smiled. Josh still hadn't said anything. Zach had somehow managed to get my feet to move by practically dragging me back towards the square. Before we completely disappeared, I turned back to Josh and DeeDee.

'Congratulations by the way' I smiled at him 'It's a beautiful ring'

DeeDee smiled proudly, no longer having the need to hide her left hand. Josh gave me a smile and a nod. I nodded back, disappearing around the corner. And quite frankly, disappearing from his life.

...

'You okay?' Zach asked, dropping my hand once we were in the clear.

'I'm fine' I said, wrapping my arms around me. I knew Zach didn't believe me.

'So...that Jimmy guy'

'Josh' I corrected

'Whatever' He waved that detail away 'He's a cutie'

'I really don't want to get into this Zach. Please' I said, stepping away from Zach.

'Hey' He caught my wrist, spinning me around. He looked concerned, his eyes searching mine 'You froze back there. You've never done that. So, what's wrong? Was it that guy? Did something happen with him? Did he do something?'

'I'm fine. I'm over it' I said, tugging on my wrist

'No you aren't, Gallagher Girl. But you will be'

I paused. Terrified that one of the walls I had kept so guarded was beginning to crumble.

'Zach...let me go...please'

Maybe it was my tone, or the look in my eyes, or that he just knew I wouldn't tell him until I'm ready, but he let go of my wrist, and I found myself walking away, speeding towards the hidden passage, plunging myself into the darkness. I paused, letting my head rest against the cold stones. I closed my eyes, focusing on slowing down my heart rate.

I was in the P&E barn, dripping in sweat & lost in the rhythmic punches I was throwing at the punching bag, so much so that I did not hear him.

'Having fun?' I stopped for a moment, looking back to see Zach leaning against one of the wooden beams.

'What do you want Zach?' I asked.

'Just thought I'd check up on you' He moved slowly towards me, stalking like an animal.

'I don't need checking up on. I finished teaching and wanted to get a workout in. No big deal'

'For three hours?' Zach arched an eyebrow. My eyes widened momentarily. Had it really been that long? I must have lost track of time.

I turned back to the bag, throwing a few punches. Zach came closer, standing the other side of the swinging bag and holding it.

'What are you doing?' I asked

'It's better resistance' He shrugged 'Now punch'

I rolled my eyes but continued my workout, trying to ignore Zach's piercing gaze & the fact that him holding the bag had made my work out a little bit harder.

'Who was that guy?' He said after a few moments.

'I'm not talking about this with you' I took off the tape around my hands and moved towards the mat, positioning myself to do sit-ups, my back to Zach.

'Why not?' Zach hovered at the punch bag for a moment.

'Because…I...don't….want...to' I said in between reps.

'He must be someone important to you since the girls all looked worried for you'. He moved around, coming to tower over me.

'What do you want me to say?' I paused, standing up until we were face to face 'Do you want me to tell you that he was the only person who has ever seen me as normal? Or the fact that I put everything on the line for him for about five months? How about the fact that everything he knows about me is a lie and he will always believe those lies because we made sure that would be the case?'

I moved away from Zach towards my gym bag.

'You loved him' It wasn't a question from Zach's lips, it was a statement and a statement of sorrow from someone who seems to relate.

'He was normal' I said looking back at Zach 'He saw me as a version of myself that I never knew existed and it was-'

'-Thrilling' Zach finished for me. He hung his head slightly 'I know exactly what you mean'

We stayed silent for a moment.

'Who was she?' I asked silently.

'Just some girl I met at a beach party. There was this dude who was coming onto her, I could tell she didn't like it so I pretended to be her boyfriend. We had a really nice chat' The corner of his mouth curled up as he laughed lightly 'You were the first person in a long time to look at me as if I was normal. It was refreshing'

'Don't play this game. I'm sure you've had tonnes of women fawning over you' I rolled my eyes.

'What's with the attitude? Has that Jimmy guy really messed you up?'

'First of all, his name is Josh' I moved towards Zach, my fists balled up at my side 'Secondly, no. I don't have an attitude and he most certainly hasn't messed me up. Do you know what has? The fact that he can have a life, he has a future. Mine, on the other hand, is like walking a tightrope, one wrong move and it's over'

'So you're jealous?'

'Jealous of him getting married to pink pixie? Absolutely not. Jealous of him being able to sleep at night only ever having to worry about if he put the bins out? Yes. Will I get over this? Yes. Do I need your help to do so? No. So why don't you just leave me alone?' I looked at him carefully 'We're not friends, Zach. I don't owe you anything'

Zach clicked his jaw, his eyes narrowing slightly.

'Alright fine' He held his hands up 'Do you want to spar with me?'

'What?' I was caught off guard by the sudden change of conversation

'Out of everyone here, you're the best at hand to hand combat. Do you want to train?'

'Um...sure' I set myself up to be on the opposite side of the mat to Zach.

.

We taunted each other for a long time, waiting for the first person to strike.

'What's wrong Gallagher Girl? Scared to make the first move?'

'Never' I quipped, tightening my ponytail.

We kept taunting each other until finally, Zach came towards me, ready to tackle. I ducked out of his way, spinning round & sweeping his legs from underneath him. Zach, slightly winded, was on the floor for a moment. He looked up at me.

'Impressive' He commented.

'That was just a warm-up' I said, placing my hands on my hips. Zach stood back up, dusting himself off. He took off his shirt. It didn't faze me, last time I'd seen him shirtless was because I'd ripped it off.

'Come on Cammie, show me what you've got' He taunted, smirking. I smiled back, throwing a few punches and several kicks that he dodged. I spun around, stepping back into my attacker, trying to flip him over my head, but he countered his weight at that precise time, stopping my momentum.

'Is that really all you've got?' He muttered in my ear.

'Not even close' I gritted my teeth, throwing my arms down towards my knees whilst jumping causing me to free myself. I landed slightly across the room, a brick wall behind me & equipment either side. I was trapped. And judging from the laugh that just came from Zach, he knew that too.

I turned around to see Zach, his arms folded, smirking at me.

'Looks like I've caught you'

'Not yet' I launched another attack on Zach, every punch, every kick, he countered. Every punch, every kick he did, I countered.

Then all of a sudden, my back was against the wall, my arms pinned above my head by Zach's strong arms. Our foreheads practically touch.

We didn't say anything for a while, just our hot breath mingling as we stared into each other's eyes, our chests both rising and falling in time.

I couldn't deny the energy that was radiating off both of us, the look in his eyes, his iris' dark, alluring and heated.

'Zach…'

'Don't' He practically growled 'Don't or I'll lose control'

I didn't say anything but absentmindedly bit my lip. Zach's gaze flickered down, his grip on my hands tightened, he cursed softly in Farsi before dipping his head.

I lifted mine to meet in the middle.

The first touch of our lips was electric, a sudden spark that caused both of us to pull away slightly, looking back at each other in shock.

We didn't say anything, we didn't have to, both of us moved in unison until our lips were once again fused together.

Zach let go of my hands, planting his on my waist whilst mine went to the nape of his neck, my fingers locked into his hair. Zach gripped my waist, his fingers digging into my hips.

I groaned as Zach nipped my lip a little, he chuckled as he slowly moved away from my lips to focus on my jaw & my neck.

I returned the favour by pulling on his hair slightly causing a low growl to escape from Zach's mouth as he attacked my lips once more.

Everything seemed to have melted away & I was lost in this moment.

But like all happy moments in my life….they always end.

There was a loud cough from behind.

Zach and I jumped apart looking sheepish like kids caught doing something they shouldn't have.

Bex was standing a short distance away, her facial expression and body language unreadable but her eyes gave away how she was feeling...

And I knew the reason was something bad.

'What's wrong?' I asked, stepping forward.

She looked between Zach & I a few times before settling on me.

'It's Abby'

Author's note: And here you have it; the Zammie moment you have all been waiting for! Some moments have been taken straight from the book so all credit to Ally Carter for those parts. What do you think of this chapter? I'm so excited to share with you what's coming next! Ahhh! So excited! Sorry there wasn't an upload last week, I was in a lot of pain and just spent the entire day in bed. Hopefully, I'll see you all next week! Also, Moving On is being uploaded this week (and I mean it this time). See you all soon! xxx

Fanfix2.0: It was Josh! Thank you so much. And yes, the boys don't properly trust Cammie, but why... xxx

Em03590: Thank you! And yep, it was Josh xxx

covertoperative456: I don't think Grant would actually truth serum Cammie, I think he'd try to but Cammie will sus him out before anything happened. Josh cannot stay away, he and Cammie to me are very much a 'wrong person, right time' situation. They needed to meet to help each other realise what first love is and for Cammie to risk it all, in order to end up meeting Zach. Some things just happen. Of course, Zach had to save Cammie! xxx

Archer5210: Josh indeed. Zach is completely smitten with Cammie and it seems that she is too. The bracelet just might...xxx

Smiles180: The boys know a lot more than what they're letting on...just wait till Cammie finds out. xxx

gymnast1150: Thank you so much! Jonas being in the middle is funny because what can he actually do if they start fighting? (some to think of it, he could possibly do a lot...hmmm). There is WAY more to the Amy story, but that's a thread that will be pulled at another time, right now it's just hanging in the air, waiting. If you love a call back to the books as much as me, what did you think of that whole moment I completely ripped out of the books (and tweaked a little). I really, really want to tell you what's going on so badly and I want to drop little hits for you super soon! You asked for romance and here I delivered, what did you think? Cute, right? Be prepared for gut-wrenching soon...We'll find out Abby's condition in the next chapter. The Joe, Rachel & Matthew rescue mission will happen soon. EVERYTHING IS COMING SOON! I don't know how long this story will be as I'm still writing it...but I think it might just be my longest yet...xxx

allycarterfan101: You got your Zammie moment! Hope you like it! And to answer your question, I don't think it's Sharpay; she has done musical theatre for pretty much her whole life and she's so passionate about it only for everyone else to come in and take what she worked hard for away. Yes her passion may have come across as blunt and rude, but Miss Gabriella just swanned in and changed everything. TBH I think the real villain is Kelsey for tripping on the piano, GIRL WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING! You're on a big AF stage and you just so happen to 'trip' on a piano in the middle of the room...sus...xxx

Bball101: Hey! I try to update every Saturday now, if I miss a week it's because something major has come up. xxx