A/N: Thanks you guys! I updated quickly this time! Hooray! lol. I got so many reviews so quickly! You guys are awesome! This chapter is all about Nicole and her boys. Alright, don't think I have anything else to say. Umm…oh yeah! Remember to check my profile for updates on updating this if I haven't updated it in a while. Oh and check out my forum and post whatever Zoey 101 stuff you think of! lol. Onto my oh-so fabulous reviewers!

tutorgrl323 – I know, Logan's so sweet and caring. It's odd because he still seems like Logan but on the show he's never like that. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

ChaseandZoey – Thanks! I've been reading your stories, but I haven't reviewed yet. I always mean to start reviewing the stories I read but I never do. I'll review at least one of your stories though. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

russia877 – Thanks! I try to update quickly but lately it keeps getting so spaced out. I usually never have time to update during the week though. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

scarlet emerald – I hate going places with no internet. lol. Well, other than that, did you have a good holiday? No, you're right. Dana hasn't met Richie yet. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

Mrslogenreese – Thanks! Unfortunately, there's no Dana and Logan in this chapter. They're back next chapter though. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

lemony4life – Thanks! Your favorite? Wow! Thank you so much! I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

Happymoose101 – Yeah, I'm wicked excited! Yeah. As soon as I left the theater I pointed out something that was really different. Like a part that would seem important that they left out. I can't remember what it was though. lol. Oh yeah, that would definitely present some confusion. lol. They're in…11th. Yeah. Well, either your school's messed up, or mine is. lol. Cassandra is going to give Michael a storyline of his own, since up until now he's kind of just been in the background. Don't worry – I loved the long review! It's fun! lol. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

sarah – Thanks! This chapter is only Nicole and her boys but next chapter brings back Zoey and Chase along with Dana and Logan. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

music4mysoul – Thanks! Dana and Logan will continue in the next chapter and we'll get to find why Dana started crying. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

melonbar92 – Jim's not in this chapter. Just Nicole, Richie, and Ben. Jim doesn't have as big of a part just yet. He'll be back later though. I'm glad you're liking the story! Thanks for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I don't own Zoey 101 or any of the characters, except Ben Nichols and Richie Maxwell.

Chapter 38

"Wow. It's so beautiful down here," Nicole remarked upon their arrival to the beach as she saw the sun setting over the ocean.

"It is. You fit in perfectly with this scene," Ben complimented her.

Nicole felt her cheeks flush red. "I'm not pretty," she mumbled.

"No," Ben agreed, much to Nicole's original dismay, "you're beautiful."

Richie couldn't take it anymore. "Oh come on! That's the oldest and cheesiest line ever! If you want to win her over, at least use a mind of your own!" he shouted.

"Stay out this! It isn't any of your business!" Ben snapped.

"It involves Nicole so it is my business!" Richie shot back.

"What does Nikki have to do with involving you?" Ben yelled.

"She's my first friend here!" Richie roared.

"And she'll probably be your last if you keep acting like this!" Ben bellowed.

Nicole watched the argument going back and forth. A thought suddenly hit her. Are they arguing over me she wondered.

"You don't even know her!" Richie argued.

"I know her more than you do! You just met her this afternoon!" Ben pointed out.

"Yeah, well you just met her last night! And I've spent more time with her then you have!" Richie declared.

"So? She still likes me better than you!" Ben announced.

Nicole was shocked. They were arguing over her! Ben Nichols, who she'd been sure she was in love with last night, and Richie Maxwell, who sent her heart fluttering when she'd laid her eyes on him this afternoon, were arguing with each other – with increasing intensity – over her, Nicole Bristow!

"She does not! She like me a whole lot better than she like you!" Richie growled.

"Yeah right!" Ben barked. "She likes me!"

"She likes me!" Richie snarled.

"She likes ME!" Ben continued.

Nicole needed to regain her senses fast. The boys were advancing towards each other and she was sure if she didn't step in soon, things would evolve from an exchange of harsh words, to an exchange of hard punches. "STOP!" Nicole commanded, catching both boys off guard. It was almost as if they'd forgotten she was there. "Stop fighting!" she pleaded.

Ben immediately went over and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Nikki," he whispered, gently kissing the top of her head.

Nicole felt like her heart was beating at a speed of 5,000 m.p.h. She wrapped her arms around Ben as well and buried her head in his chest. Therefore, she couldn't see the menacing glares that Ben and Richie were still exchanging.

Ben stroked her hair. "Come on Nikki, I'll take you back to your dorm," he told her, his voice soothing.

Nicole turned towards Richie. "You know how to get back to your dorm, right?" she asked.

Richie sighed. He knew to lie and ask Nicole for help would be a losing battle. He decided it was in his best interest to just answer truthfully. "Yeah, I'll be fine," he assured her.

Nicole smiled. "Ok, see you tomorrow Richie," she declared.

"Bye Nicole," Richie murmured as she walked away. Head hung low, Richie gave them a bit of a head start, then proceeded to his dorm.

"Are you ok, Nikki? I'm really sorry about what happened before," Ben apologized for what seemed like the hundredth time in that short time frame between then and now.

"I'm fine, Ben. It's ok, really," she assured him. Nicole hesitated. There was a question that kept nagging at her and she really did want to know the answer. She took a deep breath then quickly blurted out, "Ben, can I ask you something?"

Ben smiled. "Sure, anything," he told her.

Nicole took another deep breath. "Do you like me?" she asked, her voice even faster than usual.

Now it was Ben's turn to take a deep breath. "I think you're a beautiful girl with amazing qualities, and I would love to get to know you better, so…yes, Nikki, I do like you," he confessed.

Nicole's breath caught in her throat and his words sent her heart fluttering and her head spinning. "Wow," she mumbled.

Ben glanced at her nervously. "Is that bad? Should I leave?" he questioned, the nervousness clearly evident in his voice.

"No!" Nicole exclaimed quickly. "It's not bad, and I don't want you to leave. I'm just…shocked. But good shocked. I…I like you too, Ben."

Ben smiled. "Really?" he inquired.

"Really," Nicole confirmed, returning the smile.

"So, uhh, would you like to…to be my…girlfriend?" Ben wondered.

Nicole felt her cheeks flush red. Her heartbeat sped up 10 times more and she felt like she was walking on a cloud. "Yes!" she chirped, obviously made very happy by this offer.

Ben smiled. "Cool," was all he could think to say. He gazed longingly at her, finally speaking the query of, "Can I kiss you?"

Nicole's heart jumped into her throat so all she could do to respond was nod her head "yes." Ben put his arms around her and placed a gentle kiss upon her soft lips. Nicole just wanted to melt into his arms.

Ben let her go and Nicole took out her key. As she was about to open the door, she hesitated. "Do you want to come in?" she offered. "At least until Zoey gets back?"

Ben smiled. "I'd love to," he whispered, taking her hand in his.

Nicole opened the door and led the way into her room, never letting go of his hand. She closed the door, removing them, in a sense, from the outside world. Little did she know, Richie had seen the whole thing and was thoroughly upset. He stormed angrily down the steps and out of the building, into the night.

A/N: Wow! Ben and Richie were fighting over Nicole! And now Nicole's dating Ben! And Richie doesn't seem too happy about that. Next chapter continues off the Zoey and Chase cliffhanger. And there's also more Dana and Logan! Hooray! We get to find out why Dana was crying. Only two chapters left! Wow! Ok, so, I'll post the next chapter after I get at least 5 reviews, but I might not be able to post until Friday. I don't think I'll have time tomorrow or during the week (stupid homework). So, I'll probably end up posting chapter 39 Friday or Saturday. If not either of those, then Sunday. Ok, that's all I have to say, I think. Thanks! Bye!

DramaQueen3303