CHAPTER 9

The Last Song

Carrie knew she was going to have to talk to Zero about that note. She loved Zero like a brother, but nothing more than that. Somehow, she knew it wasn't going to be easy.

She found him lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. She sat down on her bed and began to talk.

"Hey Zero."

"Hey." He responded.

"Listen," She began. "I know. About the note I mean."

Zero looked at her. "You do?"

"Yes." She sighed. "I love you Zero, you know that, but not like you want me to. You're the best. You're like a brother... but nothing more than that to me. I'm sorry."

He didn't say anything for a while. Carrie stood up to walk out of the tent, but was stopped by his voice.

"I'm sorry." He said, looking at her.

"Don't be." She smiled, then walked out of the tent.

Zigzag was standing outside. "Hey."

"Hey yourself."

"How was Zero? About you turning him down and all?" He asked, obviously extremely curious.

"It was fine. He took it quite well." She glanced at him. "How did you know that I was turning him down?"

"I listened." He smiled. "I wanted to know."

Carrie rolled her eyes. "Guys..."

Zigzag rolled his eyes in imitation of Carrie. "Girls..."

They both laughed. Suddenly, Zigzag leaned down and kissed Carrie on the lips. Carrie let herself enjoy the feeling for a moment, but she pushed Zigzag away.

"Zigzag, you're making this tough. I like you, and I'll admit that much, but we're at a work camp for juvenile delinquents. Do you really think that this is the right time for us to be boyfriend and girlfriend?" Carrie said.

"Well, no, but-"

"But nothing. We'll be friends. That's it." Carrie's tone made her words very clear.

"How about friends with benefits?" He asked suggestively.

"No. Nothing. When we get out of camp and you still feel the same way, even with all the Britney Spears look-a-likes you meet in the real world, then we'll talk." Carrie turned and walked toward the wreck room, looking forward to a game of pool. Things were getting to dramatic.

But that was life, right?

Suddenly, the words to a song popped into her head. "This is the last song." Carrie grinned. Finally, she was able to truthfully say that she had hit the final song.