Chapter 22- Guitar Strings and Southern Magnolias

"Was that your stomach Sawyer?" Zoey asked sitting up.

Sawyer nodded and sat up. "Yeah, the food is taking forever,"

"That's okay," Zoey got up from Sawyer's bed and walked over to the window.

Sawyer propped his hands behind his head, and watched Zoey with a carefree smile. "So what were you going to say earlier?"

"What?" Zoey asked absently.

"Before we started kissing, I could tell you wanted to tell me something."

"Oh, I um…"

"Do you want to break up with me?" Sawyer asked.

No she didn't want to break up with him. Zoey glanced around Sawyer's room, at the candles decorating the small space and then the magnolias on the table.

Sawyer stood up, "I don't want you to break up with me. If I am being honest…it would break my heart."

Zoey pouted, "Sawyer…"

Sawyer reached for Zoey's hands and placed it to his heart. "I know…I am so corny. But do you feel how fast my heart is beating?"

Zoey looked down at Sawyer's hand on top of hers, and then at her hand on his chest. "I'm not breaking up with you,"

Sawyer sighed relieved. "Thank God,"

Zoey gave him a small smile, "I'm nothing special,"

"Are you kidding me?" Sawyer said with a laugh.

Zoey frowned. That was the same line she used with Chase a couple minutes ago. Chase.

Sawyer's cell phone rang. "I got it," He jumped onto his bed, and then answered it. "Foods here, I'll be right back."

"Okay," Zoey said .

Sawyer headed to the door, and then paused, "Don't die on me," He teased.

"What?"

"It's from a movie, Sunshine," He said with a laugh.

"Oh," Zoey said giving him a small smile.

After Sawyer disappeared out the door, Zoey walked towards a candle and picked it up. There was no way she could break up with Sawyer after he did all this for her. Zoey placed the candle back down and then removed the magnolia, Sawyer had placed behind her ear. She smiled, and then brought it to her nose. Although, she was going through the stages of, I want Sawyer, and Chase at the same time, she was lucky to find two caring guys.

"I just wish it wasn't at the same time," Zoey mumbled to herself.

The door opened.

Zoey placed the magnolia back behind her ear, and then smiled back at Sawyer. She'd talk to Chase later. He was her best-friend, and he always knew how to make her feel better. But what if he was still mad at her?

Sawyer sat the food down on the table, "You smell that, doesn't it smell good."

Zoey tried her best to shake all thoughts of Chase…at least for now. "Scrumptious,"

Sawyer laughed, "Well alrighty then."

Zoey giggled, "That's the only word that came to mind…and by the way Sawyer you have to be the richest teen here at PCA,"

"Why do you say that?" Sawyer said.

"Because, you give me magnolias like candy, and the candles…"

Sawyer shrugged, "So,"

"What do your parents do?" Zoey asked.

"Let's not talk about that," He said.

"Sawyer…"

"Zoey," Sawyer protested.

"Oh…okay," Zoey said quietly.

Sawyer pulled out a chair for Zoey, "Come and sit next to papi."

Zoey smiled, "Your silly you know that,"

"I know, I want to cheer you up." Sawyer added.

Zoey sat down next to him.

"Oh, and Sunshine,"

"Yeah?" Zoey asked.

"I got a little something for you later," He said.

Zoey tilted her head to the side. He loved to spoil her, and if it wasn't for Chase, she would love every second of it.

(Break)

"Hey, what's the long face for?" Michael said pulling his earphones to his Ipod out of his ears.

Chase sighed, "I lost Zoey,"

"You didn't lose her."

Chase shot Michael a classic "Oh really" look, and then looked away.

"What happened? Sawyer rode in on a stallion and took Zoey away towards the sunset like in those cheesy romance novels."

Chase shook his head, "No…have you been reading them."

"No…I…no man."

Chase smiled, "Yeah okay Michael,"

"Well you got to know how to impress the ladies," Michael replied.

Chase narrowed his eyes at Michael, "And some guys named Fabio and Lauren in silk shirts could really teach me that."

Michael shrugged, "Hey…I'm just saying they get mad honeys."

Chase smirked, and then ran his hands through his bushy hair. "What should I do?"

Michael turned on his Xbox, "Why don't you join me for a game of Halo 2, I'm telling you once you go Halo…you don't go back…um solo?"

Chase raised an eyebrow, "What does that mean?"

"I don't know. I was trying to improvise."

Chase stood up, and started to pace the room.

"Stop that, your making me nervous,"

"Why?" Chase asked.

Michael grinned, "My mom used to do that whenever I was in trouble…and when she paced that meant I was getting a whipping."

"Well, I'm not going to spank you."

"I would hope not. Now play Halo 2 with me." Michael said.

"I…"

Michael passed Chase the remote, "Come on, you know you can't resist."

"What I can't resist is Zoey…"

"Chase, she's got you tied to a post…and she's whipping you with her chain."

Chase smiled, "Kind of like a dominatrix…nah, not Zoey."

"I know, but Zoey has you so tied up, she's all you think about."

Chase finally gave in and accepted the controller. "Well it's been no secret that I like her."

"Well I'm not saying you need to move on, but you need to make it appear that way."

"I'm not following." Chase replied.

"Zoey is my friend too, and I don't want to play with her emotions. But Chase you got to make her see red, and green."

"So you want me to turn her into a Christmas ornament," Chase said in amusement.

Michael hit Chase upside the head.

"Oww!"

"Opps, I didn't mean to hit you that hard. But work with me…you got to make Zoey jealous. I'm telling you jealousy gets them all the time, and you should know because the green eyed monster has got you."

(Break)

After dancing Nicole and Jordan sat back down.

Nicole was trying her best not to daydream about Jordan while he was talking to her. She sat up straight, and stared back at him with a mouth hurting smile. Her smile hurt because she had been smiling for the last ten minutes. After all it was easy to get side tracked when he was talking about the war and politics. Nicole didn't even know there was a war going on, and that President Bush was the president…oh yeah, that's why he was called President Bush. Score one for Nicole.

"So what do you think about the war?" Jordan asked.

Nicole twirled a strand of her chocolate locks around her pinkie. She didn't want to appear to be an airhead. She had to look smart and informed about other things besides guys, makeup, and even more guys.

"I um…think it is a shame," Nicole said nodding her head up and down as if she knew what she was talking about.

"Why?" Jordan asked taking a sip of his water.

"I um…because…I…have you seen their uniforms?" Nicole said shaking her head.

Jordan grinned, "Standard military camouflage."

"Ohh, I love camouflage especially paired with a simple white tee, it sounds yuck…but I know how to make it work."

Jordan nodded, "Really,"

Nicole's smile was starting to fade. She was starting to strike out more times than J.Lo getting married. What if Jordan lost interest in her, what if she wasn't as smart as those crazy "Jordan-letes" or whatever they called themselves, and what if…

"Nicole," Jordan said.

Nicole shifted her thoughts back to Jordan's gray eyes. "Yeah hon…I mean Jordan?"

Jordan placed his arms on the table and then leaned forward, "Politics, and war don't hold your interest huh?"

"Um…of course they do. I am just really hungry, and when I'm really hungry, pushing hungry enough to eat a cow territory…I get really dumb."

"I don't think so," He said.

Nicole smiled back at him relieved.

Jordan took another sip of his water. "Let me see your hand."

"Oh okay," Nicole gave him her hand a little too quickly. She accidentally knocked his glass of water over onto his lap. Nicole placed her hand over her mouth. "Oh mi gosh! Jordan I am so…"

Jordan's cheeks grew redder.

His cheeks were always flushed which Nicole found adorable, but they were really red now.

"It's okay, where's the bathroom…Oh I see it," He got up and walked quickly towards the bathroom.

Nicole winced. How could she be so clumsy. Why did Jordan want to see her hand? Nicole looked down at her hand, and gasped. On her hand scribbled in pen was, I heart Jordan, Jordan hearts me, I want to have his family.

"Oh No! what if he saw that!" Nicole looked around the restaurant and then poured a little bit of water from her glass onto her hand. She then reached for a paper napkin and started to scrub furiously. Mental note to yourself Nicole, don't ever attempt to write cheesy poems in English class.

(Break)

"So you want me to join your band?" Dana asked.

Logan nodded, "Just say yes,"

"Hmm…I don't know. Don't you think I deserve an incentive?" She said shifting her attention towards the door once again.

Logan looked towards the door and then focused back on Dana. "Like what, cash?"

Dana shrugged, "I don't know a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive,"

Logan grinned, "Yeah okay Princess, and may I ask who is paying for that."

"Logan c'mon, you love to flash your daddy's credit cards. If I didn't know any better I would think they were attached to your hands."

Logan smiled, "Well, I'm not ashamed to flaunt what I got."

Dana looked Logan up and down, "I'm sure you aren't…and that's obviously not much."

Logan's mouth dropped open, "I know what your talking about…and it's not money."

"You got that right." Dana said glancing at Logan's towel once again. "Your towel dropped twice and there wasn't much to see."

Logan shook his head, "Well Kate's pleased."

Dana's expression hardened in seconds. If she was Medusa then Logan would have already turned to stone, and if she was the Wicked Witch of the West…then Logan would already be dead.

"What," Logan said with a grin.

"Don't talk to me," Dana said turning around and crossing her arms.

Logan laughed. "I was kidding ha ha,"

"Don't laugh….there is nothing funny. Don't look at me."

Logan placed his head on top of his balled fist and then leaned forward. "I'm looking at you Dana, I'm looking right through your towel…"

Dana turned to Logan with a sour face.

"I'm looking right through your towel and I am seeing your soul." He finished.

Dana pretended to gag, "Someone is going to lose their job! Someone is getting fired!"

"I can have my dad put this place out of business," Logan replied.

"Goof for you, now shut-up." Dana growled.

"You shut up,"

"Excuse me!" Dana screamed.

"You heard me toots, baby doll, princess…I know you liked the three name combo…you shut up."

Dana stood up and balled her fists. "Logan…I am going to pound your face into the ground."

"How many times have you given me that hollow threat and not followed through?"

"This time I will," Dana placed her hands around Logan's neck. She had no intentions of strangling him, she just wanted to scare him.

"Are you trying to give me a massage?" Logan teased.

"If you're referring to the Massage of Death then yes," Dana let go of Logan's neck, and then crossed her arms. "You are so not worth going to jail for,"

Logan sighed, "Join my band."

"Your persistent aren't you?" Dana said.

"Yeah, I get it from my dad."

"Okay,"

"Really?"

Dana nodded, "But I expect you to do my English book report,"

"Deal, but I don't read or do work…so I'll just give it to Kate."

(Break)

"Dinner was so good." Zoey said.

"I'm glad you liked it." Sawyer replied.

"It was different, and that's why I liked it. So what are we having next time."

Sawyer thought it over, "Chinese,"

"Okay," Zoey said gathering her plate and Sawyer's.

"No, I'll clean it up later," Sawyer got up as well. "I wanted to give you something…and then ask you a little favor,"

"Okay," Zoey replied.

"Well, I know you don't know how to play. But I want to teach you…I heard you sing and…I'm just going to stop stalling and give it to you."

"Give me what?" Zoey asked pulling her hair out of her face.

"This," Sawyer handed Zoey a beautiful guitar painted in a sparkling purple.

Zoey gasped, "Sawyer this is so gorgeous!"

She was speechless, she had never seen a guitar so pretty, and feminie. "I…"

Sawyer knelt down, "So do you like it?"

"Sawyer, I love it!" Zoey placed down the guitar and wrapped her arms around Sawyer. They both fell to the floor.

Zoey kissed him on the cheek five times.

"How about one for the road." Sawyer said pointing to his lips.

"Sure," Zoey kissed him on his lips.

"I'm glad you like it," Sawyer responded.

"I love it." Zoey got off of Sawyer and then helped him up. "One problem I don't know how to play."

Sawyer playfully ruffled Zoey's hair. "I know, and I am going to teach you."

"I might be a little slow."

"Zoey Brooks…Slow, no way." Sawyer said.

Zoey picked back up the guitar. "It's so nice I almost don't even want to play it."

"Well you have too," Sawyer sat down on his bed, and then patted his leg for Zoey to sit down.

Zoey sat down on his leg. She looked at Sawyer and he smiled back at her.

Sawyer stole a kiss on her cheek.

Zoey smiled.

"Okay now I am going to show you how to hold a guitar," Sawyer leaned forward his dirty blonde hair slid against Zoey's cheek.

Zoey smiled once again. His hair smelled really good. Okay focus Zoey. Focus.

Sawyer reached for Zoey's hands with his. Zoey allowed Sawyer to have complete control over her. She closed her eyes as Sawyer positioned one of her hands to hold the guitar, and then his hand slid against her other one. He softly held onto her hand, Zoey's hands tightened around his.

Sawyer stopped.

Zoey opened her eyes. She realized what she was doing and then let go of Sawyer's hand.

"It's okay," He whispered. Sawyer reached for Zoey's hand once again. "Place your hands like this,"

Zoey's eyes closed once again. It was like she had no control. All she could think about was Sawyer's hand on her's and soft music playing in her ear. She wasn't sure where it was coming from but it sounded beautiful. Just then Zoey realized that Sawyer was using her hands to create soft melodies from her new guitar.

Zoey rested her head on Sawyer's shoulder. He made it impossible for her to make a decision.

"This is how you hold the guitar, and how you play…" He glanced down at Zoey who was sleeping in his arms. He smiled, she was just awake. Sawyer then eased the guitar out of her hands, He then placed it against the wall and turned to face Zoey. He looked back at her with love in his eyes. He knew she had come over here to break up with him. Sawyer swallowed down a wad of nervousness in his throat. Thank God, he convinced her to stay.

He placed his hands underneath her legs, and stood up, while picking her up in his arms.

Zoey's arms tightened around his neck, as she started to drift off into a deeper sleep.

Sawyer kissed her forehead, and then smiled down at her. "I don't think there is anyone that I love more than you. I'll only say that when your sleep…because, I would hate to put myself out like this…and then have you leave me." Sawyer then bent down to pull his covers back, after he did, he placed Zoey down on the bed.

Sawyer pulled her hair out of her face, and then reached for the magnolia behind her ear. He placed it next to her guitar, and then started to blow out the candles one by one.

"Chase," Zoey mumbled.

Sawyer turned around. He looked down sadly when he realized that Zoey's eyes were still closed and she was obviously talking in her sleep.

He bit his lip, and placed his hand against the wall. Was it so much to ask to want to be the only guy Zoey thought about and loved.

"Sawyer,"

Sawyer turned to face her once again, and then he glanced at the magnolia on the floor, and then at the guitar. He was in love with her, He loved Zoey, and he was scared he was setting himself up to have his heart ripped out of his chest, and then stomped on with force. Sawyer sunk down to his floor, and then looked at Zoey, so he could watch her angelic face, as she slept peacefully.

(Break)

"Do you got the stuff Charlie?"

Charlie pulled a small bag of weed out of his pocket. "You got the cash?"

"I got it, we do an even trade because I don't trust you…you're a sneaky son of a…"

"Just hand it to me," Charlie said roughly extending the dime bag halfway.

They made an even exchange. Charlie counted the cash with expertise, and skill.

"So how long have you been doing this?" The guy asked slipping the dime bag in his pocket.

"A while, why you want to know where to get it from?"

"No," The other guy said. He looked around, and then walked away.

Charlie watched him walk away. He then reached in his pocket for his cell phone. He had to call Dana to ease his guilty conscious. She had no idea about his selling habit, and she definitely didn't know who he really was.

Charlie placed the phone to his ear. A snarl formed on his face by the third ring. He clenched his jaw, and then stuffed his phone back in his pocket. He was angry because she was the only one that kept him sane. He closed his eyes, if Dana knew the real him, then she would probably let him go, and move onto assholes like Sawyer or Logan.

Charlie shook his head furiously. Well he wasn't going to let that happen. If only Coach hadn't came in when Chase and Sawyer were in the locker room, then he would of showed Sawyer what the real deal was.

The sun disappeared behind the dark clouds high in the sky.

Charlie took a cigarette out of his pocket, and then walked off with his head bent.

(Break)

Dana helplessly rested her head against the wall.

Logan stretched out his legs. "It looks like we are going to be here for a while,"

"No, someone will be here soon."

"You said that twenty minutes ago."

"Well they will," Dana argued back.

Logan nodded his head in disbelief, "Uh huh,"

"So why do you want me in your band really?" Dana asked changing the subject swiftly.

"Because I'm giving you your fix, free of charge,"

"What fix?" Dana asked.

"Your need to be close to me."

Dana smiled, "Are you sure you aren't fulfilling your own fix?"

"My need to be close to you," Logan said.

Dana nodded.

"Maybe so," Logan said.

"So you ad…"

Before Dana could finish her sentence the door opened and a woman stepped in.

Dana sprung up, and Logan did as well dropping his towel for the third time.

He smiled, and then picked it up. "Wait Dana,"

"Yeah?" She said.

Logan paused, "Um…nothing, just go."

Dana rolled her eyes, "Fine, bye Logan."

Logan looked up at the ceiling in defeat. He was so close to telling her.

(Break)

Jordan sat back down. He had now managed to dry his pants somehow…well at least most of it.

"I'm really sorry about that," Nicole said leaning forward.

"No it's okay," He replied.

The waiter returned with their food. "Be careful it's hot."

Nicole always wanted to touch the plate, after they said that, but she resisted because she was with Jordan. She had to rebound from her snafu earlier. She had to appear smart, and pristine.

Nicole sat up once again. She reached for her napkin and folded it in her lap.

"This shrimp and lobster pasta is really good…try some Nicole," His eyes glanced down to her hand, and he then looked back into her eyes. He twirled some of the pasta around on his fork and then brought it towards Nicole's mouth.

"Ohh," Nicole said. She opened her mouth, Jordan placed his hand underneath, and then fed her the food.

"That's good," Nicole replied. Hopefully she wasn't allergic to shrimp or lobster.

"Yeah," Jordan brought his fork back to his plate and started to eat.

Nicole glanced up at him for a couple seconds longer and then started to eat. She had a reaction to some kind of seafood when she was younger. But she couldn't remember what it was. All she remembered was that it was a bad reaction and…

Nicole coughed.

"Are you okay?" Jordan asked.

Nicole nodded. She coughed again, and then placed her hand to her throat. She reached for her water with her other hand. She tilted her head back and took a long swig of the icy water. But it didn't help.

Nicole started to fan her hands in front of her face. She couldn't breathe. Her cheeks started to grow bright red, and tears started to stream down her cheeks. She was choking. Something was stuck in her throat, and she couldn't breathe. Tears started to stream faster as she struggled to breathe. Jordan was up, and behind her in seconds, struggling to save her life once again.

(Hey guys thanks for the reviews! Your feedback is important, and I appreciate the support. You'll rock. Otempora, thanks for being honest, I agree with you. And a B is very good in my book! Thanks. youknowyouluveme01 …I wish I could tell you who the secret admirer is..but I can't. At least not yet. Mrs.LoganReese, Thank you so much. You are awesome, and in regards to a sequel, I don't know. But I do know that this story is going to be looong…maybe 40-50 chapters. I still have a lot of ground to cover, and I don't know when it's going to end. But it will eventually. ChaseandZoey…Sawyer and Zoey are still together now, but they make break up….and yes Zoey will kiss Chase…a couple more times. Lol. But Sawyer isn't going anywhere….at least for now. Tinkaroo, I love cliffhangers. I know they are mean…and update your story soon. And if anyone cares…I just changed it so you can review anonymously as well. Peace.)