A/N: Thanks for the reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

What does not destroy me, makes me strong.

-John Milton

Zack somehow managed to get through the day without being issued any homework, and when Nick dropped him off back at the house he went straight for his guitar and began to play.

He and his dad had been working on some songs together; little melodies that would probably never be heard by other ears. It was kind of a bonding-thing for them; some fathers took their sons to football games, Kurt and Zack played music.

So it was no surprise to him that he had zoned out while he strummed, and that the clock now read three-forty-five. He'd been home for an hour and he hadn't even noticed the minutes go by. Laughing slightly he sat down at the small computer and pulled up his emails. Four new messages.

Three were from friends, but one caught his attention. It was that one from Cody the night before he hadn't deleted. And there it was; glaring at him, mocking him. A little tingle of guilt stirred melodramatically in the pit of his stomach, but it disappeared as soon as he remembered why he was in Connecticut in the first place.

Because…He wasn't ready to go back to Boston yet. He wasn't. No. Definitely not. If just the reminder of "Zack, man" had triggered an Asthma attack then he shouldn't leave Hunter yet.

You weren't scared of it, you were surprised…A little voice in his head began to nag him. You were ready months ago. How many times have you turned down pot? Seven? Eight? Ten?

Zack sighed and clicked REPLY. His fingers hovered over the keyboard in hesitation and he chewed on the inside of his lip. He reread the message from his brother, rubbing at his eyes.

If you're not coming home then at least take bk your trophies. i'm sick of looking at them. –cody (ur brother, remember?)

p.s.

nobody likes a liar.

He rolled his eyes, flexed his hands and began to type.

don't be a jerk. i'll come home when im ready. i'm not a liar.

-zack

He read his own answer and, though it was a bit aggressive, he deemed it an appropriate response and clicked SEND.

His conscience put at ease he grabbed his guitar and began to play some more.

"I don't have any money! I spent it all at lunch!" Tapeworm protested, his voice an octave higher than usual as Patrick pushed him up against the brick. His friends (one of them pinning Cody to the wall) glared menacingly.

"Don't lie to me, loser!" Patrick shoved Tapeworm farther up the wall. "Give me your money!" When Tapeworm made no move accept to look back with wide, terrified eyes and Patrick raised a fist.

"Stop!" Cody shouted at him, struggling but unable to get free. "He doesn't have any money! He's telling you the truth!"

Patrick turned his head towards the other boy and narrowed his green eyes. "Shut the hell up, Martin. You're next." Cody tried to relax; maybe if he gave the kid holding him the false impression of acceptance he'd be able to escape.

"You don't got any money?" Patrick snarled in Tapeworm's face. Tapeworm nodded meekly and Patrick shoved a knee into his stomach. Tapeworm curled up in pain and Patrick shoved him into the ground before laughing and rounding on Cody.

Cody watched his friend moan as he tried to sit up and clenched his jaw in anger. "He never did anything to you," he said lowly as Patrick sneered in his face.

Patrick snorted and his friends laughed on cue. "I'm sure I could think of something if I really wanted to." Cody bit his lip. "You got any money on you, Martin?" Patrick glared.

"No," Cody answered, trying to sound defiant and brave. "And before you call me a liar, I didn't have any for lunch today, either. I had to borrow from the office."

"What-do you want me to feel sorry for you, Martin? Is that it?" Patrick laughed meanly. "No. I got a better idea than pity, or whatever." He grabbed Cody and shoved him against the brick, grinning wider as the twin's head knocked against the wall. Cody sucked in a quick breath but managed not to cry out. Patrick, apparently unsatisfied, punched him in the face and Cody stumbled to the ground, staggering to his feet a moment later while holding his now-bleeding nose.

Cody shook his head slightly. "It's not my fault what happened to Sam!"

This seemed to anger Patrick more and he sent a kick to Cody's groin, but the smaller boy managed to dodge the hit. "Did Zack tell you to say that? Huh?" He started forward again.

Cody moved over to Tapeworm who stood shakily, watching the scene, face pale. "Don't talk about Zack," Cody protested. "He didn't tell me anything!"

Patrick rolled his eyes. "He better not show his ugly face here ever again, because if he does I will seriously murder him!" Cody flinched slightly. He didn't take the threat as a joke. Patrick smiled furiously. "And because we can't kill him, you're the closest thing we got."

Cody began to back away; this was his chance to get away. He grabbed Tapeworm's arm and pulled him into a run. Somehow they managed to ditch the bullies in the city and, panting and shaking, they bid a silent goodbye as they ran their separate ways. Cody ran into the lobby, holding a hand against his nose as it throbbed and tried to duck the glances of the lobbyists and hotel staff as he boarded the elevator. He yanked open the door to his suite and slammed it behind him, tears burning the back of his eyes.

Escaping into the bathroom, Cody locked the door and leaned over the sink; watching blood drip from his face and mingling with salty tears.

A day in the life of Cody martin. Nine months and counting.

To Be Continued

Please review!