Chapter 11- Playing with Fire, Part 1

Dana turned over on her side, and pulled her hair off of her shoulders, so her back could have complete access to the sun.

Zoey stopped typing on her laptop and looked back at Dana, "Dana, are you the least bit phased that we got Saturday school?"

Dana crossed her arms, and rested her head on top. "I don't care, as long as I'm not expelled."

Zoey focused back on her laptop and started to write a response to an e-mail someone sent to her. "So why did you do it?"

"Do what?" Dana said reaching for the suntan lotion.

"You know, have Charlie set off the fire alarms, and set a lighter to the sprinklers in the boys locker room." Zoey responded.

"Because I wanted to get back at Logan for being such an asshole."

Zoey nodded, "Well it looks like you didn't get him back enough."

Dana sat up, "What do you mean?"

Zoey glanced over towards the lawn where Logan, Sawyer, and another guy were playing Frisbee. Logan laughed and then threw the Frisbee towards Sawyer.

Dana scowled, "I think I got him enough."

"Why didn't you turn Charlie in?" Zoey said.

Dana sighed, "Because if Charlie gets one more mark on his record then he will be expelled."

"Out of PCA?" Zoey asked.

"No, off the island," Dana said rolling her eyes.

Zoey scowled, "Well sorry,"

Dana waved her hand, "Shh, I have to get my tan. Since I am going to be cooped inside all day on Saturday."

Zoey glanced towards Sawyer and Logan playing Frisbee once more. "Dana,"

"Yes," Dana asked slightly irritated.

"Who do you think is cuter Sawyer or Chase?"

Dana sat up, "I knew it!"

Zoey scowled, "Knew what? What are you talking about."

"You have a crush on them both."

"No, I was just asking a general question."

Dana stared back at Zoey in disbelief, "Well, I honestly thank Sawyer is hotter, but Chase is cute to. Are you trying to make a decision?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." Zoey said closing her laptop.

"Zoey, your going to have to face your feelings eventually."

"I still have no idea what you are taking about." Zoey grabbed her towel and placed it on top of her closed laptop. "We'll talk later."

Dana sat up, "And where are you going?"

"To plan the upcoming PCA fashion show with Chase,"

"Make sure you take care of that eye of his…maybe some kisses might do."

Zoey sighed, "Bye Dana,"

"Bye,"

(Break)

Logan tossed the Frisbee at Sawyer.

Sawyer caught the Frisbee in mid air. "So what is this I hear about you streaking the school?"

"Damn, word travels quick." Logan said catching the Frisbee.

"So what happened?" Sawyer asked pulling off his shirt.

"Who are you trying to show off for?" Logan said. "Last time I checked your girl Zoey wasn't around."

Sawyer shrugged, "But there is other girls around."

Logan looked around and then smiled. "Yeah, I guess your right."

Logan placed down the Frisbee and pulled off his shirt as well. "So what's the deal between you and Zoey."

Sawyer stretched out his arms in front of him, "What's the deal between you and Dana."

"Answer my question first." Logan replied.

"I like her, but I have a feeling she likes to play games."

"Zoey Brooks," Logan asked in disbelief.

Sawyer nodded, "She likes me, but she likes Chase too,"

Logan sighed, "Chase is cool, but if you wanted Zoey you could have her. You need to pick up your game man."

"Well, Mr. Hot Shot, I don't exactly see Dana drooling over you,"

"Dana is different from Zoey. Dana is hard-headed, and spoiled, I've been giving her too much attention lately."

Sawyer crossed his arms, "Oh really?"

Logan nodded, "I don't have to chase girls, they chase after me. So from now on I am not chasing after her."

"So what are you going to do?" Sawyer asked.

"I'm going to let Dana chase after me." Logan boasted.

(Break)

"Zoey can I talk to you for a second?" Nicole asked.

Zoey nodded, "Sure, what's up?"

Nicole swung her legs over the top bunk and then got ready to jump, she paused and then decided to take the ladder. "What is going on between you and Sawyer?"

Zoey's initial reaction was one of shock, but she quickly masked it. "Sawyer? Oh, he is just my friend."

Nicole smiled, "You don't like him?"

"No," Zoey lied.

Zoey sat down in her computer chair and passed Nicole a sunny smile.

Nicole leaned forward to hug Zoey, "I knew you wouldn't do that to me."

Zoey looked down sadly and then hugged Nicole back. "Of course I wouldn't."

Nicole leaned away, "I made a new friend."

"Did you!" Zoey said a little too interested.

Nicole nodded, "His name is Jack, and what is so cute is Quinn has a crush in him."

"Quinn?" Zoey said in surprise.

Nicole nodded and rubbed her hands together, "Isn't it juicy?"

Zoey shrugged, "I guess,"

Nicole stared up thoughtfully at the ceiling. "I think I am going to do something fun tonight."

"Cool," Zoey said still thinking about how she lied to Nicole.

"Aren't you going to ask me what do I have in mind?"

"What Nicole?" Zoey asked staring at Nicole's "Sawyer screensaver"

"I am going to set up a surprise dinner for Quinn and Jack."

"Sounds like fun," Zoey said somewhat aloof.

"I know," Nicole grabbed her book bag. "I think that they would be so cute together."

"That's really nice of you to help them out Nicole,"

Nicole opened the door, "I see it this way, I would love if someone set me up with Sawyer, so why not help out where I can."

Zoey felt so guilty. What was she doing? She couldn't be with Sawyer. And she was going to have to break it to him tonight.

"Zoey," Chase said stepping in after Nicole.

"Hey you," Zoey said as warmly as she could muster.

"I was waiting for you, I thought you might have forgotten."

Zoey shook her head, "No, I couldn't forget you. How is your eye?" She leaned forward and examined Chase's eye.

"Big Purple has seen better days. I think today has to be the worst day of my life,"

Zoey sighed, "I can't believe we both got Saturday school."

"I know, guess what I heard back from Surf and Tame," Chase said.

"Oh, are you going to be up front, greeting customers, and flashing them your confident smile."

"I'll be greeting customers alright, but not how you think."

"Oh?" Zoey said surprised.

"I'm going to be the mascot…Salty Seagull."

"No," Zoey replied in disbelief.

"Yeah, I swear my life is a comedy."

"You don't deserve to be the mascot…I don't think you should work there."

"I don't have a choice, I already quit my job at the cafeteria." Chase said.

Zoey sighed, "Well, you'll be a cute mascot…if that helps."

Chase sighed, "Beak and all."

Zoey shrugged. "Well I hear the hot 25 list is hiring."

Chase looked down embarrassed, "You heard about that huh?"

"I heard your on it."

Chase smiled. Zoey had no idea that he added himself onto the list. Awesome. "Who would of thought, right."

"I'm not surprised." Zoey said. She opened her draw and pulled out a list of ideas for the PCA fashion show. "Okay, I am going to inform you on the PCA fashion show."

"Okay," Chase said sprawling out on the floor.

"The PCA fashion show is a fundraiser event for cancer research, the theme is Beach Day in the Shade, and mostly swimsuits will be modeled."

Chase nodded, "Okay, so what are we organizing."

"Who will be modeling with who, and who will wear what." Zoey said sitting down on the floor next to Chase.

Chase smiled, "Okay, I'll wear the speedos."

"Eww," Zoey teased pushing Chase.

Chase blushed, "I was just kidding,"

Zoey playfully pushed him again.

"You flirt a lot," Chase said.

Zoey's smiled faded, She couldn't believe Chase just said that.

"I was kidding, ha ha," Chase joked.

Zoey gave him a small smile. He was right.

Chase focused back on the paper, "So where were we."

(Break)

Nicole tapped on Jack's door.

He opened the door, and then beamed back at Nicole.

"Hi," Nicole said.

"Hey," Jack placed down the art brush in his hand, and opened the door wider for Nicole to come in.

"Wow," Nicole said in amazement as she surveyed the watercolor paintings, and still life art drawings that covered Jack's walls. "They are so pretty. Jack you have to teach me how to color like that!"

"It's actually painting. I can show you how to sometime if you want."

"I would love that," Nicole responded.

"Want me to show you now?"

"Not now, I don't want to mess up my clothes. But I stopped by to ask you if you wanted to go on a blind date."

"Yeah," Jack said.

Nicole smiled, "Yay,"

Jack thought it was so cute how she did that. "So should I get ready now?"

"Um…I'll pick you up, when it's time." Nicole walked towards the door, and then paused. She turned back around to Jack, and then took off his glasses.

Jack was blind as a bat. So he squinted in order to see Nicole clearer.

Nicole pushed back his sandy brown hair. "You have really pretty eyes."

Jack sighed, "Thanks,"

"I've never seen eyes so blue, wellerz, I got to bounce," Nicole turned around and…whack, went slamming into the door.

"Oww," Nicole rubbed her head, "I am such a mess,"

"Aren't we all…" Jack's cell phone vibrated on his desk loudly. "Hold on one second Nicole," Jack ran towards his phone.

"Hello?" He answered eagerly.

Nicole crossed her arms and looked around the room in amazement. Her eyes rested on a painting of a beautiful woman. Nicole stepped closer to the painting. In black marker the painting was inscribed, the love of my life. Nicole tilted her head to the side, Who was this woman.

"I have to be there, you have to come and get me." Jack said with a raised voice.

Nicole turned to him in surprise. Jack was always so quiet, but now he was loud and frantic. Nicole's eyebrows furrowed low over her eyes, What was wrong with Jack.

(Break)

"Young, sassy, and fresh," Quinn whispered to herself as she leafed through the magazine.

A salesperson approached her, "Can I help you?"

Quinn tossed down the magazine down like it was a snake. "I'm not looking at that magazine. I was looking for um…hydrogen peroxide, I have a really nasty cut on my knee do you want to see,"

The salesperson's eyes widened, "No, I um…that's okay."

Quinn watched in surprise as the salesperson quickly walked away. She then looked around cautiously as she picked back up the magazine. Quinn turned back to the article, "25 sure fire ways to make your honey all yours."

Quinn smiled to herself, "I believe I am in business,"

She looked around for cameras and then ripped out the page. No way was she going to be caught with Young, sassy, and fresh in her dorm. Quinn shook her head, there wouldn't be a place for it amongst the science magazines.

The first way to catch a guys attention was a new look.

Quinn walked over to the hair dye section. She bit her lip. Did she really want to do this? Quinn closed her eyes, and imagined feeding Jack tuna on a beach surrounded by turtles. Yes, she did want to do this! Quinn picked up the box, and walked towards the cash register.

"Hi,"

Quinn smiled and placed down the box of hair dye, "How do I use that?"

"The directions are on the back," The salesperson said. He picked up the box and then started to read the directions, "Um…mix the stuff together…"

Quinn took the box, "Let me see, um…I think I can make this myself."

The guy stared back at her oddly.

Quinn lowered her glasses over her eyes. "I am a scientist, I could whip this up in a jiffy free of charge."

"Is that legal?"

Quinn frowned, "No, well, I must find the ingredients so I can make my own shampoo/color dye." Quinn reached for a piece of paper and a pencil and then started to write down the ingredients.

(Break)

"So, I think that's it." Zoey said relieved.

"Yeah," Chase stood up and stretched.

"Your eye is starting to look better." Zoey replied.

"So I don't look like Cousin It anymore?"

"No, who said you did?"

Chase laughed, "I made some kid cry earlier. I was scary enough to make him throw his ice cream at me."

Zoey giggled, "No way,"

"I swear," Chase said.

Zoey got up from her computer and walked over to her bed. "I want to go to sleep, but then again I know I won't be able to,"

"So don't." Chase stood up.

"What do you want to do then?" Zoey asked sitting up as well.

"Did you eat yet?"

Zoey shook her head, "Between receiving Saturday school, and everything else that happened today, I didn't really get a chance."

"Well how about we unwind." Chase suggested.

"How?" Zoey asked sitting up.

"Well, I always wanted to take a midnight swim at the pond and have dinner."

Zoey smiled, "We have classes tomorrow,"

"Well, with everything that happened today I don't see myself going to sleep early, and besides I have a lot of tension I need to release."

"In your eye?" Zoey teased.

Chase laughed, "Well, well, well, aren't you a funny girl today."

Zoey stood up, "I try, so go ahead and get dressed. I'll meet you at the pond."

Chase smiled, "Cool,"

"Oh, and Chase…"

"Yes, Zoey?"

"What's for dinner?"

Chase winked back at her, "My specialty PB&J sandwiches,"

"Scrumptious," Zoey added with a smile.

"I'll see you there." Chase opened the door and headed out.

Zoey tilted her head to the side as she looked after him. Maybe everything was going to be alright?

Zoey pulled off her shirt, and reached for the Surf and Tame bag with the swimsuit she had bought the other day. She was definitely going to put this swimsuit to use, after all the events that happened on the same day she got it. Zoey smiled to herself, it was a wonder the homeless guy didn't take that too.

Someone knocked at the door.

Zoey quickly put back on her shirt and answered the door. Sawyer stood at the door staring back at her with a seductive smile.

"Hey Sawyer," She said nervously.

"Hey, I need to talk to you."

Zoey nodded, "Okay,"

Sawyer stepped in and closed the door behind him. "I brought you something."

Sawyer reached behind his back and handed Zoey a bouquet of magnolias.

Zoey gasped, "Oh mi gosh! I love magnolias."

Sawyer shrugged, "I know,"

Zoey brought the flowers to her nose, and closed her eyes as she inhaled their sweet frangrance. "Sawyer, why did you do this,"

Sawyer looked around, "There is no cameras in here right?"

"Well I certaintly hope not!" Zoey teased.

Sawyer placed his hands in his pockets and then flashed Zoey a charming smile. "I'm a romantic at heart, don't you go repeating that."

"I won't, swear," Zoey responded quietly.

Sawyer nodded, "I just wanted to finish our conversation before we are condemned to Saturday school."

"What conversation is that?" Zoey asked sniffing the magnolias once more.

"The conversation where I told you I liked you, and you kissed me on the cheek." Sawyer said.

Zoey looked down, "Oh that one,"

"Look Zoey, I just want you to be honest with me…if you want to be with Chase then I will back off." Sawyer said.

Zoey ran her hand through her hair. Please Sawyer, don't make me make this decision now.

(Break)

Dana knocked on Logan's door. She pulled her hand back and thought about running but then changed her mind. She took a deep breath, and then made sure everything was in check.

Logan answered the door in a wife beater and his boxers. "Well look who we have here."

Dana frowned, "Can you put on some pants? Those chicken legs of yours are horrendous."

"I don't have chicken legs." Logan retorted.

"Yeah, you do, Fried Chicken bonanza down the street is missing two chicken legs…I think you stole him."

Logan pretended to laugh, "Oh, that was so clever. I almost forgot to laugh!"

Dana stifled a yawn, "Anyways Logan, you know why I am here."

Logan raised his chin, "Actually I don't, so what brings you by?"

Dana sighed, "I just wanted to…"

"Logan, who are you talking to?" Some girl asked.

Dana pushed Logan out of the way and glared back at the same bleached blonde bimbo she had saw earlier. Who the hell was this chick! Dana you got to stay calm.

"Do you want to join Kate and I for chinese?"

Dana bit her bottom lip. She wanted to screen obscenities at him, but she had to keep it under control.

"Well unless, you have more delinquent activity to get into with your crazy ass boyfriend." Logan replied.

Dana was going to get to know this Kate better. And if she was lucky chase her away. "Actually, I think I do smell some shrimp and broccoli," Dana pushed Logan aside.

He went slamming into the wall. "The eggroll is mine!"

Dana reached down and grabbed the last eggroll.

"You wouldn't." Logan said closing the door.

"Well Logan, as you can see I am fan of dares and so are you," Dana brought the egg roll to her mouth and took a bite, "Oh that's good. It's actually heavenly I would say."

Logan shook his head, "You're a greedy somebody."

Dana sat down next to Kate. This girl was not even pretty! If you looked at her really closely, she had buck teeth that would make Bugs Bunny jealous, a shadow of a moustache, and a uni-brow. Logan could definitely do better, He had to be using this girl. Dana reached for the bag of cheese wontons and watched as Kate gnashed her beaver teeth on an eggroll.

Poor Eggroll. Dana thought to herself.

Logan grinned. Kate was serving her purpose well. Dana was so green, she was on the borderline of reaching Hulk status.

(Break)

"La, La, Sweet, Sassy, and Fresh," Quinn hummed to herself as she mixed together her homemade color die. She looked around in satisfaction, and then walked over to her pet rats, Tabby and Tamulthus, "Guess what, my sweeties, mommy is going on a date."

Quinn stared up at the ceiling dreamily. Hopefully Jack wore his paint stained overalls. They drove her crazy.

(Break)

Jack closed his eyes and then reopened them. The news he had just got was bad. But he had to have faith. Jack looked down at his bed, and then bent down to grab a painting of Nicole he had been working on earlier.

Jack smiled at the painting. Nicole was so beautiful. And she was the right person to help get him through this. Jack's cheeks grew warm as he thought about Nicole inviting him to a blind date with her.

He could worry about everything else tomorrow. Tonight he was going to focus on him and Nicole. Jack carefully tucked the picture back under his bed, He was so glad that he had stopped Nicole from seeing it earlier. The last thing he wanted was her to leave him, when he needed her so bad.

Jack glanced in the mirror. "Tonight, your going to transform from the dork of the school to Cinderella…well maybe not Cinderella…but um…Oh, I always wanted to be Harry Potter, he's suave with the ladies…Or maybe not."

Jack pulled off his glasses. Nicole said he had really nice eyes. He had to let her see them. Even though he could barley see without his glasses, He was willing to impress Nicole at all costs.

(Break)

"Okay, so what is Social Expectations Theory?" Michael asked Skyler.

Skyler placed down her magazine, "It is behaving out of the norm, doing something that makes someone else uncomfortable?"

Michael nodded, "I am impressed. You don't need me to help you study."

"Actually I do." Skyler said.

"Oh?" Michael asked surprised.

"I have to apply this theory to my life, and then write a paper on it."

"So you have to purposely violate someone's social expectations?" Michael asked starting to feel hot as Skyler stood up. She was fine! He took in a mouthful of air. And now that he made it on PCA's hot 25 list, anything was possible.

Skyler leaned forward to kiss Michael. Wow, this was actually happening! Michael wasted no time, he leaned forward and kissed Skyler.

She wrapped her arms around him, and then he pulled her down to the floor.

Skyler pulled away from him a couple of seconds later.

Michael wanted more. How could she kiss him, and then pull away like lightning.

Skyler fixed her hair, "How was that for violation."

"I didn't feel violated at all."

Skyler smiled, "Do you want to get some food at the Cyber Bean?"

"Sure," Michael said trying to recover from Skyler's kiss.

(Break)

"Zoey, just be straight forward with me. If you want to be with Chase then I will back off," Sawyer said.

Zoey looked down, "Sawyer, I don't want to be with Chase."

Sawyer looked back at her in relief. "So then…"

"And I don't want to be with you either,"

Sawyer felt as if Zoey stabbed him in the heart. He stepped back and then looked down.

Zoey sighed, "This is really hard, Sawyer…"

"We can just be friends but I want to do something first."

Zoey slowly nodded, "Okay,"

Sawyer stepped closer, "We can be friends but I just wanted to do this before I force myself to get over you."

Zoey stared back at Sawyer in amazement as he placed his hand on her shoulder. He leaned forward. Zoey felt her knees start to buckle. Sawyer was going to kiss her anyway! Her mind was screaming for her to stop him, but Zoey knew that was impossible. It was a miracle that she had been able to resist him earlier, but now she couldn't.

Zoey's eyes fluttered closed as Sawyer's lips touched hers. He pulled her closer to him, and tilted his head to the right. Zoey wrapped her arms around Sawyer and returned his kiss with equal passion.

Sawyer's thumbs gently caressed Zoey's cheeks, as he continued to kiss her.

Zoey pulled back breathlessly.

Sawyer smiled, "I'll leave you alone now."

"That was amazing."

Sawyer smiled.

Zoey felt as if she had been shocked by electricity. She had never kissed a guy before, and Sawyer had just changed all that. And what a kiss it was.

Sawyer opened the door, "Bye Sunshine,"

Zoey placed her hand to her heart. She didn't want him to leave, she wanted him to stay…and never, ever, go away.

(End…of this chapter. Thanks guys for the reviews! As you can see things are picking up a little bit. Chase is still in the picture though, because she likes both him and Sawyer. I know she needs to make up her mind…but it might take a while.)