Chapter 5

Zoey and Nicole dropped their jaws at the person standing in the doorway.

"Oh my, God! Dana! What are you doing here?" Zoey asked, heading towards the door to help with her bags. Nicole smiled at Dana and sat down at her desk.

"Well, the wedding was called off. My parents didn't tell me why. Wait, wait, wait… what's going on? What's with all the bags?" Dana asked, crossing her arms. She stared at Zoey who looked at her feet and got extremely fidgeting.

"Well, you see… Chase's friend transferred to PCA. Her name's Mariah. She decided to make my life miserable at PCA because I'm friends with Chase, so she's moved into our dorm, taken over my bed, and, to put it frankly, kicked you out. Feel like talking to the DA? Because I really don't get what's going on," Zoey said, sitting down on Mariah's bed.

"What! That's insane. Cocoa knew I was coming back in 2 weeks! She can't kick me out, this is my dorm too! Where can I find her?" Dana asked. Zoey chuckled a little bit and shrugged.

"I don't know. I'm pretty sure Chase said he was showing Mariah around PCA, but I don't know where they are now," Zoey told her. Dana sighed and pulled Zoey up off the bed.

"Come on. We're gonna go find them. I want to meet this girl. Come on, Nicole. You're coming too," Dana said, heading towards the door. Zoey and Nicole followed Dana. As soon as Dana was out the door, she bumped right into Mariah.

"Jeez! Watch where you're going!" Mariah yelled. Dana just stared at her.

"Who are you?" she asked, crossing her arms, yet again. Mariah stared at her.

"I'm Mariah. And you are…?"

"I'm Dana. Do you feel like telling me why all your stuff is all over my room?" Dana asked.

Mariah scoffed and chuckled.

"Hah!" Mariah said, turning on her heel and walked in the other direction. Dana smiled to herself and smiled at Nicole and Zoey. They all started laughing and walked down the hallways. Just then, Chase ran up behind them.

"Hey, guys! Zoe–Hey, Dana! What are you doing here?"

"Wedding was called off. How's it going?" she asked simply.

"Pretty good. Hey, do you guys mind if I talk to Zoey? Privately?" he asked, looking directly at Zoey. She just looked at her feet.

"Yeah, sure. Come on, Nicole," Dana said, closing the dorm door behind them. Chase looked at Zoey and Zoey gave him a smile.

"Don't do that. Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

Chase sighed.

"I mean… with you and Mariah? What's the problem?"

"Oh. That. Okay, so this hallway isn't nearly private enough for that conversation. Come on," Zoey said, taking his hand and leading him down the hallway. They ended up at the staircase and they headed up to the roof. She sat down on the ground and he sat across from her. Chase sighed and sat back, staring at Zoey as if he was waiting for her to say something.

"So… what's going on?" he asked her.

"Um…well, no offence, but I really don't like Mariah. I know she's like, your oldest friend, but I don't like her. It's not because… she's actually the one who doesn't like me. I never did anything to her, and I really don't know why. I mean, I didn't do anything to her. Is she always like that?" Zoey ask. Chase smiled and started to laugh.

"Most of the time. I guess she gets jealous sometimes. I don't know why, though."

"It's weird. I mean, why would she be jealous?" Zoey asked, starting to laugh herself.

"I don't know. She probably thinks something about me and you. And seeing as I'm her oldest friend, well, you know," he said to her, smiling.

"Um, Chase, there's something else I want to tell—" she said, but she was cut off. Chase leaned in and kissed her.