Reality Check by CHINSKY

Disclaimer: I still own nothing. Self pity has become an every day thing.

A/N: This chapter's better, so that's why I put it up. Enjoy. Please review!

The next morning, Zack woke up before the sun. He did that sometimes. Woke up really early. He never got tired the next day, either.

Junior year had a different effect on Zack. His father had left a year ago. Zack didn't care. Underneath the surface he recognized the feeling as happiness, yet, he refused to accept it. Kids were supposed to be sad and angry when their fathers leave. Not relieved. But honestly, his father was never around anyways. Now, it was just like he was on a permanent business trip. After he got that promotion when Zack was in the eighth grade, Zack realized what an effect not having his dad around had on him.

He went down the stairs and checked the time in the kitchen. 4:39. He sighed. Does this qualify as insomnia?

He went outside the front door and sat on the porch.

Suddenly, a red BMW came raving from around the corner. Zack groaned. It looks like Freddy's just getting home, he thought to himself. Music blasting, the car pulled in the driveway haphazardly.

Freddy slammed the door shut, stumbling up the front walk. He looked drunk. Zack wasn't sure how loud Freddy's parents might yell if he came home drunk at this time in the morning. He sighed, cursed at his conscience and headed over to Freddy's driveway.

"Hey," Zack began quietly. "You okay?"

Freddy whirled around and near fell over. "Whuuuuut? Ooooh...Ish'ou, Sack..." Zack winced at the sight of him.

"Listen, Freddy, why don't you crash in my guest room, at my house, okay?"

Freddy looked confused for a moment but then nodded. They headed to Zack's house. (Freddy, rather slowly.)

Zack had to help him up the stairs. "Freddy, come on, up. Let's go. Okay, now in here." Freddy fell on the bed in the guest room, and was asleep before you could say 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'. Zack knew it'd be a while till he woke again.

&&&$#&%)(##

Around 11, Freddy still hadn't woken and the phone rang. Knowing his mother was gone for the weekend he answered the phone. "Hey."

"Hello, oh, Zack? Hi, it's Summer."

His heart sped up unexpectedly. "Oh, hey Summer." He paused. "What's...what's going on?"

"Oh nothing really. Oh, you mean, why did I call?" She laughed. "Yeah, well, a few of us are going to the movies later. You wanna come?"

Zack had no other plans, so he agreed. He then remembered something. "Oh...Summer...did you call Freddy? I mean...were you planning on inviting him?"

"Yeah, I figured I'd give him a call, hoping he's not with Jenna."

"Well, Jenna was last week, now it's Ricki—" He heard Summer groan, "But don't. He's here. Well...not consciously..."

Summer expressed her confusion. "And how exactly is that, Mr. Zachary Mooneyham?"

His skin tickled when she said his name. Wait...what? Geez. What is with me? He shook it off. Again. "Well, he came in at like 4:30 this morning, rip roaring drunk. I let him crash here. In the, um, guest bedroom, of course."

He could almost hear Summer's eyes widen. "Really? Drunk? Is he sleeping?"

Zack nodded. "Mmhmm. And will be for a while."

Summer exhaled. "Wow."

Zack predicted Summer had never even touched a drop of alcohol. Zack then thought, well, neither have I...but a nagging in the back of his brain reminded him that this night might---unconsciously-- bring change.

"Yeah...well, he probably won't be coming. I'll meet you there then, at 12, okay?"

"Okay, bye Zack. Glad you're coming."

"Really? I mean...yeah...uh...bye." He slammed the phone down, and shook off the tingly feeling again.

Heading upstairs, Zack decided to leave Freddy a note and some Advil for what he predicted would be a killer hangover.

Freddy,

You crashed here, at, like, 4:30 last night 'cuz you were drunk. I'm at the movies with the band. Here's some Advil. I think you're gonna need it.

-Zack

He slipped it under the door, with the Advil enclosed and headed out.

##$#&#$##

When he got to the theater, Tomika, Alicia, Summer, Marco and Gordon were standing in the lobby.

"Hey guys," he called to them, and his heart flipped—goddamnit, again—when Summer smiled at him.

"Hey Zack...okay guys, we can go in now."

They headed in to the theater and sat down. Zack—though he couldn't figure out if it were purposefully or accidentally—ended up next to Summer. He thought for a second. "What movie are we seeing again?"

Summer chuckled. "Spiderman 2. This is my second time seeing it. Geez, it was totally awesome."

"Sounds cool. I wanted to see it." Zack stated.

"You'll love it. I promise." With that, the lights dimmed and the movie started.

Zack found himself looking at Summer during certain parts of the movie. When Rosie, Dr. Octavius' wife was about to die, he caught the vision of fear on her face. When Spider-man gave up his powers, Summer's face was surprised. When Aunt May pulled away from Peter after Peter confessed to his whereabouts the night Uncle Ben died, he saw a tear in Summer's eye. When Mary Jane found out Peter was Spider-man, he saw Summer gasp. He leaned over to her and whispered in her ear "I thought you saw this movie already."

She whispered back, "That just goes to show how awesome it is."

He smiled.

#&($#&$$)#(

After the movie ended, Summer was still smiling. "Aw man that's just an awesome movie. What do you guys think?"

Tomika was grinning as well. "Girl, that was one of the best movies I've seen all year!"

"Same here," added Alicia. "Dayum, that Tobey Maguire is hot." The 2 girls chatted on about how great he looked in the Spidey suit.

Summer rolled her eyes but didn't stop smiling. "So Zack, what did you think?"

He opened his mouth to speak when all of the sudden he realized how pretty Summer was. This thought surprised him and he suddenly found himself speechless. Maybe it was the way her eyes were glowing, or maybe it was the way she spoke with such admiration, but he felt his feelings for her dramatically increase. "Well, I-I...It...I definitely...It was good. Really good."

She frowned. "That's all?"

"No no! It was, awesome." He looked into her eyes. "Unbelievable. Amazing." He showered these compliments just to get Summer to smile. "You're beautiful too."

Her face turned quizzical. "What did you say?"

"I mean, um, IT. It....was...beautiful. Beautifully...made. It was made...really...great." What am I saying?! He thought to himself. God Zack, keep your hormones under control. You're talking to Summer here. Summer! Get a grip!

She smiled again and therefore so did Zack. "I knew you'd like it." She added, and they walked out of the theater.

#&$(($#%&#$#

When Zack got home Freddy was gone. There were some words scribbled on the piece of paper Zack had left Freddy.

Zack. Thanks. I'm fine. I'm still picking you up tonight. See you later.

Zack had an incredulous look on his face. He was still going out, to probably get drunk again, after how drunk he was last night??? He sighed, but went up and got changed for the party anyways.

&#)%!(%#!

At 8:13 Freddy pulled in the driveway and honked. Zack came out, locked the door behind him and stood outside the car. He asked him one question. "Freddy, how are you still okay after being dead to the world this morning?"

He looked at him like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I used The All Around Cure For Hangovers. It's something I made up once. It works. Get in. I might have to use it on you tomorrow morning if all goes according to plan tonight. "

Zack's eyes widened. "No Freddy. I'm not going to drink anything tonight."

"Whatever, just get in the damn car."

Zack did as he was told. Freddy put on music and blasted it near out the roof. He grinned. "Me and Ricki called it quits this afternoon. Well...I called it quits. But I am a free man, and I am going to enjoy this party."

Zack just shook his head. He could be most certainly sure he would not.