((A/N: Okay…I finally updated. Hooray for me. To the people who actually like this story: I'M NOT ABANDONING THIS STORY! It just takes me a while to update because of school and work and stuff. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

And to the fans of The Dudley Problem: I'm not abandoning that either.))

Chapter Four: Homecoming

Room 101

Zoey got out her new dress that she bought over the summer. A short lavender dress with spaghetti straps. Perfect for homecoming.

"So Nicole," Zoey said. "Are you and Logan officially together now?"

"Yeah, isn't is great?" Nicole said, trying to hide her excitement. "He asked me to be 'his girl' exactly two days ago."

Zoey sighed. "I wish Nick liked me."

"But you've got Chase," Lola suggested.

"How many times do I have to say this?" Zoey said. "Were just friends."

"I don't get it," Nicole said. "You are probably the only girl in our grade who's smart, kind, and beautiful. I know everyone loves you. How can you not even have a boyfriend?"

Changing into her dress, Zoey shrugged.

"Even Dustin's got someone to be with on Saturday nights," Nicole said absent-mindedly.

"Nicole," Lola said in a warning voice. "That's not helping."

Nicole opened her mouth to retort, but thought better of it. She said quietly, "I think I'll shut up now."

Room 32 ((A/N: Woot! I found out their room number!))

"Chase!" Michale yelled through the bathroom door. "Are you done yet?" ((A/N: I've always imagined that every two dorms shared one bathroom))

"Almost…" Chase yelled back.

"C'mon, man! You spend more time in the bathroom than my sister!"

"Hold on! I'm looking my best for Homecoming!"

"Whatever," Michale said. "If you don't come out soon, I'm gonna wet my pants!"

"Then go use someone else's bathroom!"

"Fine! I'll go to Jesse's room, then," and he sprinted off.

Inside the bathroom, Chase was admiring himself in the mirror. Actually, he was more like picking out just the tiniest flaws about his appearance, then admiring himself. I have to make Zoey feel glad that she went with me instead off Nick, Chase thought. I can't disappoint her.

What was it about Nick that charmed so many girls anyway? Probably his wink and smile. Chase had seen this many times before. Nick would first pick a target of any girl, casually walk by them, lift up his chin just a bit, and then wink. Just that wink would have driving any girl mad, but Nick clearly thought that was not enough. He then would flash that handsome smile of his, and have his target girl completely hypnotized.

Chase looked over himself again in the mirror, and decided to try and imitate Nick's girl magnet. He lifted his chin, winked, and smiled. Ew, he thought. Saying that he was bad at this would definitely be an understatement.

Chase partly ran his fingers through his hair, and ruffled them at the same time. His hair had become even bushier than before. He had always liked his hair bushy.

Wait, Chase thought. His mind had suddenly gone blank. Did Zoey like his hair bushy? Many guys (and girls) teased him before because of his bushy hair. Zoey never did. But Zoey never teased. She was way to nice to tease anyone.

Should he make his hair bushier, or try to tame it a bit? After another few minutes of dilemma, Chase finally agreed with himself to leave his hair the way it was right now.

Chased looked in the mirror again, and notice that half his collar was popped up. He quickly fixed the collar of his plaid shirt. Then he imagined Zoey fixing his collar for him. He imagined her placing her warm hand on his chest, as she uses her other hand to flatten out his collar. Chase blushed. He hated himself for that: blushing so easily.

Chase slowly turned around in the bathroom one last time, observing himself in the mirror for anything imperfect.

I am ready for homecoming, Chase thought.

"Hey, man! Relax!" Logan said, peering at Chase with a hint of smirk on his face. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!"

"N-No I d-don't," Chase stuttered. "I-I'm n-not n-nervous. I-I-I'm comp-p-pletely f-fine."

Logan raised an eyebrow and shrugged. Slowly, the two boys came to a stop in front of the girls' dorm. Logan, knowing how nervous Chase was, reached in front of him and pulled open the door.

"After you," Logan said.

Not bother to say anything back, Chase merely walked straight in.

Chase and Logan finally arrived at room 101. Chase stuck out a shaking hand and gently knocked on the door a few times; hearing Logan whisper next to him, "Just relax."

Chase's heart jumped a beat when he heard the doorknob turn from inside the room. Chase was holding his breath, anxious to see Zoey. The door opened instantly after.

Chase could feel his jaw drop about a few feet. In all six years he had known Zoey, Chase had never seen her so beautiful. Of course, she was beautiful everyday, but not as beautiful as today.

Chase carefully scanned Zoey from her head to her toes. He suddenly remembered how Zoey looked when he first met her: shoulder length hair, funky rings on her fingers…very sporty girl.

Now Zoey's hair went all the way down to the middle of he back, and the girls probably did something to it to make it all gorgeously wavy like that.

Chase found himself staring at Zoey's chest, like usual, and quickly shifted his attention to something else, although he was still thinking about Zoey's perfectly rounded breasts, which definitely weren't there in seventh grade.

Chase eyed Zoey's every curve, which stood out in this lavender dress.

"Chase? Chase?"

Chase immediately snapped back to reality. His face burning, he said, "Uh, yeah?"

"You okay?" Zoey asked, a little surprised.

"Of course," Chase answered, probably a bit too fast. "Why?"

"Uh…nothing," Zoey said, smiling. She turned to Logan. "Nicole will be ready in a minute."

Logan nodded, and commented on Zoey's dress.

Chase stood nest to Logan awkwardly as he easily brought up a casual conversation with Zoey. They were joking, laughing, just about doing everything they would normally do in the student lounge.

Chase was most relieved when Nicole popped up, gave Zoey a gentle shove to get past her, and threw her arms around Logan's neck.

"Sorry I took so long, lovie," Nicole squealed.

"No problem," Logan said, looking over Nicole's shoulder and smirking at Chase. "Anything for you."

Chase was glad it was dark outside; otherwise everyone would see how much he was blushing. When the two couples arrived at the gymnasium door, Chase felt Zoey slip her hand in his arm.

He was too shy to even look her in the eye. The glass door automatically opened, and they walked in.

((A/N: Yaaaay! Fourth chappie! Please review. And please check out my website too.

GinnyAndDracoForever: I'm am sooooooo updating…lol. Sorry it took so long and I'm glad you like it. MrsLoganReese: Yaaay. Hee hee. jay-lo: Your story soooo does not suck.

Haven't decided on the name of the next chapter, but it's going to be about what happens during Homecoming.))