Hey to everyone, I'm going to keep this short since I know that some people have been waiting for this chapter. Full explanation for why I took so long is at the end if you're interested.

I don't own H.O.N

And I want to personally thank AlmostOverTheEdge, Nyx's Pinky Girl, Vamluver19, Olivehope, bubbles4alice, and HoN addic for reviewing a sticking with this story and my craziness.

Zoey

Waking up, I rolled over to check the time. The clock read 2:36 pm. Huh I've been asleep for at least a good nine hours. Looking around I noticed that Stevie Rae was still in her bed, but Jane was nowhere to be found. She was probably downstairs.

Okay it's time for the new Zoey to rise and shine. Smirking to myself I couldn't help but think that Stevie Rae would probably say something like that.

Now here's where the hard part came. I had to look for something "normal" to wear. Every other thing I owned had either chains or was completely black. Looking back at my old self really had me thinking what in the world was I on when I thought this could define the kind of person I am.

But that was just it. At the time, it did. But now I'm me again. And now I decided that with the new me came new principles. Well the values that my grandma had taught me and a couple of extra ones.

Number 1: I needed to reconnect back with my heritage.

Number 2: I needed to believe in myself.

Number 3: I needed to respect myself because if I didn't who would.

Number 4: I definitely had to cut back on the make-up.

But most importantly Number 5: I had to forgive myself for how I let things ruin my life and turn it upside down.

I kept repeating those words to myself because one time just wouldn't convince me. Now all I had to do was take things one step at a time.

At the moment, I just keep digging through my dresser. After a couple of minutes, it was starting to seem hopeless and I was beginning to get annoyed. Then I spotted something that was a jean material. Pulling it out, I realized that it was a blue jean skirt. It looked like one of those cheer-leading styled ones. I sat there stunned. I hadn't seen it in so long. I had gotten it for my fourteenth birthday. I remember begging my mom for it when we were at the mall and her telling me no. I never thought I'd see it, but when I opened my gifts it was there. That was the last good Christmas and birthday before things just turned for the worst.

Sitting there, I just wanted to go crawl back into my bed. Even if my family abandoned me, deep down, I missed them terribly. And I always had Grandma Redbird, even if I was the one who had abandoned her.

Closing my eyes I could hear Stark's voice and how yesterday he told me he'd always be there for me. I wasn't alone any more. I had him and new friends.

Ok, Zoey just keep it together. I reopened my eyes. I was determined not to give up. As I went back to my clothes I surprisingly found a couple of shirts that were actually sleeveless. See now was that so hard? Smiling I pick out the baby blue one. It had a V-neck. Now I just need a tank top. That was real easy since I had like every color you could think of. Picking out the black one, I grabbed all my clothes and stuff that I need so I could take a shower.

~/~/~/~\~\~\~

Getting out, I felt refreshed and great. I quickly put on my clothes and got to work straightening my hair. Shortly after, I put on my low-top, black converse. Applying a bit of mascara and eyeliner, I was about ready to face the world when I truly saw my reflection in the mirror. It was so familiar, yet alien to me. The tattoos were so foreign, as if they should have belonged to an exotic warrior princess, and not just plain old Zoey. My tattoos had amplified all of my Cherokee features. With my charcoal colored hair draped around me, my eyes seemed to just pop out at you. They never could decide on what color they wanted to be so it settled on a gray-green mix. I could see what Stark saw. I actually looked pretty.

Walking out of the bathroom, I picked up Stark's sweater from my bed and was about to walk out when I heard Stevie Rae getting up. "Good morning sleepy head."

"Good Morning! How's… OH MY GOODNESS you look… well you look…" She sat up, stunned.

Trailing off, I could tell she was having a hard time finding the right words so I helped her out. "Different?" Ah hell, I probably look ridiculous.

"Well you defiantly do look different, but it really isn't bad." She then turned a bright shade of pink. "Well I mean the other look isn't bad either. I mean I can't really talk since the Twins are all ways sayin' that I have a terrible sense of fashion but this seems more like… "

Again she trailed off so I smiled and said "More like me."

Grinning her big o' smile, she replied "Yep, more like you."

Getting out of bed she told me "I'll be downstairs in a bit." She then hugged me. At first I was shocked but it was really nice. I hadn't had good friends in such a long time. I could see that her eyes were somewhat glossy. As we looked at each other we laughed. "Wow, look at us getting all emotional and stuff."

I could feel the tears wanting to spill from my eyes but I held them in. "Ya, I know."

"Not sure if you know this but the Vamps are able to tell us when we get new roommates. I'm glad you finally made it here." Letting go she told me, "Zoey you look really, really pretty." As if remembering something she said, "Oh, hold on, give me a sec." Walking over to her dresser, she picked up a box that stood next to her cowgirl hat. She opened it and took out a baby blue head band. It was really pretty and it matched my shirt. "Zoey, you really shouldn't hide behind all that pretty hair of yours. Besides, show off your gorgeous tattoos."

To have someone accept me immediately the way Stevie Rae did was such a relief. Grateful for this new friendship I said the first words that came to mind. "Thanks Stevie Rae. I know that we just got to know each other, but your probably the best friend I've ever had."

Now I could see tears in her eyes "Ditto." Putting on the head band, I gave her a quick hug and she said "Everyone should be hanging out downstairs. See you in a bit."

Looking down at Stark's sweater in my hands, my smile grew even wider. As I headed for the stairs I could hear and feel my heart beating faster. Walking down the last few steps, I heard Jane's voice as she she talked to someone. Well I was right about Jane, but Stevie Rae was right too. The second voice belonged to my Stark. His voice always made my heart flutter. Curiously, I crept near the doorway and started listening to their conversation.

"Sometimes I swear James, you wear those freakin tight shirts on purpose." Sarcastically she asked, "Can you even breathe in it?"

Laughing he said "Are you insane? I mean how many times do I have to ask you that, really? It's not even that tight, it is just fit enough so that it doesn't hang on me. I prefer to be the one wearing the shirt, not the other way around. Besides…" I could already hear his cocky smile coming. "I think you're just jealous of my cool awesomeness."

"Well we think it's just perfect, it's fit enough to where it shows off some of his gorgeous body, but not too tight to where it looks like he's trying too hard." Shaunee said.

"Yep, fit to perfection." Erin purred.

"Hey both of you need to zip the lip. I am trying to have a conversation with my dear brother here and neither of you are helping. So unless you are on my side, shut it. And by the way ladies, don't forget he's already taken."

"Jane we already know that. I mean, finally Stark chooses a girl, but it's not a crime to state the obvious. Your brother is hot and on most of the females' radars. But if you haven't notice Jane, that our Stark here has got a new pep in his step and we are too kind to take it away."

"As if either of you could pry James away from Zoey." Before Shaunee or Erin could respond to her comment she continued on talking. "Now back to you James. First of all, you can't even put those two words together and second of all I'm just as fit as you are. Probably even more since you left and haven't had the right kind of training in forever."

Peeking over I could see that she had that creepy grin plastered on her face.

He pretended to looked extremely devastated that Jane even uttered those words. "Nuh uh, not true."

Today she wore her sandy brown hair in a ponytail, yellow skinny jeans with a light gray tank top, and black flats. Actually paying attention to Jane, I realize that she was really fit. She had muscles alright. Not like a scary body builder type, but you could tell that she really did work out. She didn't have any kind of body fat that's for sure.

Looking at Stark made my heart race even more than it already was. Wow he looks so good in that shirt. He was wearing a dark forest green t-shirt, dark gray jeans (which fit him perfectly) and some black Pumas. His hair was a tamed mess were the ends were just a couple of inches from touching the bottom of his neck and the top was long enough to cover at least one third of his mark. Like the twins would probably say, he looked very yummy.

Giggling I didn't realize that I was actually loud enough for anyone to hear me, but when I heard Jane say "Hey who's there?" I realized that I was busted. This made me laugh even harder because yesterday I found Jane spying on me. Coming closer she said "Could it be the ever so innocent Zoey?

Peeking out so they could see my head, I said "Maybe." My hair hung nicely around me.

"Please, just please tell me that was Zoey, Twin." I could see Erin's blue eyes get even bigger.

"Oh my Twin, indeed it is." Shaunee had the same look on her face. "Girl quit hiding and come out, we need to inspect."

To mess with them, mockingly I said "What if I don't wanna?" and I started laughing again.

"Don't make us use Jane because we can guarantee you that she will make you come out."

That shut me right up. "FIIIINNNNNNEEEEE. Party poopers." Walking out I tried to look like it was no big deal when in reality, I was terrified inside. I hated to think that I depended on so many opinions, but I just wanted to do everything right this time. Noticing that Stark stood abnormally quiet, I took it as a bad sign. I didn't think that rejection from him could hurt this much. Trying to keep my true feelings from burst out, I put on a fake smile. Instead of going to him right away, I walked on so I could be evaluated by the fashion queens.

Jane nodded in approval saying "So sleeping beauty has risen. And very nicely might I add." Those words erased some of the uneasy feeling I had but as I looked back at Stark he just stood there and stared at me. It was really starting to worry me. It was way worse not knowing what he thought.

Shaunee started off. "Looking back at the other you and this one well, we do have to say, major improvement."

"See you have an excellent figure. So like we always say; if you have it, flaunt it.'" Shaking her hips along with her words Erin continued. "Excellent choice, with the color. It is indeed yours."

"And your choice on the skirt was awesome as well. No jewelry, well besides the tiny studs in your ears, was a smart way to go since you don't want anything to take the attention away from the true gem." Shaunee stated.

Together they said "Which is you, of course ."

Erin started up again. "Twin let's not forget about the hair accessory, it's very cute and keeps her lovely hair out of her face; thus reveling her gorgeous tattoos."

"Twin, Damien would be so proud right now. Very good use of words."

"Why thank you Twin."

Finally they spoke at the same time and said "So overall we give you 100 out of 10."

"Well um, thanks." I really couldn't help but blush.

"If you ever need fashion consultants, we're always here to help."

"Yep. Saving the unfashionable; one person at a time."

Relieved, I relaxed. They said I looked amazing and I felt amazing. Well, for those few minutes anyway. "Hey Twins you want know a little secret?" I could see why Jane really liked to mess with them. I just had to see their reaction to what I was about to tell them.

"Duh. We LOOVEE secrets. Especially if they turn out to be really good gossip."

"Well I'm guessing you like the head band the most. Am I right?"

"Yeah, so."

Putting on an innocent look I said, "Well I hate to break it to both of you, but it wasn't my idea." Then smiling like Jane I said, "It was Stevie Rae's."

"WHAT!"

Jane just straight out laughed at the girls. As they walked away, they started consulting with each other that just maybe there was still hope for Stevie Rae.

Walking over to Stark, I couldn't believe he was stunned speechless the whole time. Again, I didn't take it as a good sign. "Here's your sweater. Can we talk?" All he could do was nod. I handed him his sweater. I walked out the door with Stark following behind. We walked in silence. There were defiantly a lot of stares but this time it wasn't just at my face. Stark did notice that and any guy caught staring at me turned away as soon as they looked. Now I knew why. They had judged him and they didn't even know him. That ticked me off. Stark was about to follow me outside when I abruptly stopped. A guy had turned the corner and accidentally bumped into me.

Okay for those who want to know… Well first I want to say I'm really, really, really, really, really, sorry. I had a terrible writer's block and I know that it's been like a month and it was terrible to make u wait. I really hate when A.N.'s are chapters so I didn't put one out because they annoy me. Good news is that I think the writer's block is gone and I've written a couple of chapters. Well actually this chapter was originally 8,000 and something words but that was way too long so I cut it up. The next chapters might have some awkward endings but I will update way faster.

So this is basically the gist of what happened so review, review, and review. The sooner I get them, the sooner I know you read it and I will post the next one. Again thanks to all my reader and especially my wonder reviewers that take their time to let me know what they think. You are the best. =D