Hey guys here's the next chapter. enjoy

I don't own HON.

Again I want to thank jstarkluvr19, Nyx's Pinky Girl, AlmostOverTheEdge, vampluver19, HoN addic, RiTuXa, bellacullen51, bubbles4alice, and olivehope. It's exciting that the list keeps getting longer. Well start reading.

Zoey

"Oh sorry I didn't see you there."

Fixing my hair, I brushed it off. "Oh it's fine."

And then he just stood there staring at me. Giving him a strange look, he then shook his head. With his hand stretched out he said "Oh… wow… Um, the name's Erik Night."

At first I hesitated to take it. But before I could even say anything Stark beat me to it. Narrowing his eyes at the other guy he said "Like hell you didn't." Those were the first words Stark said since he'd seen me in the girls' dorm room.

As if noticing Stark for the first time, his whole attitude changed. Rolling his eyes at Stark, sarcastically he replied, "Yeah Stark because my master plan was to bump into her. Do you know how much of an idiot you're being right now?" Smirking, he had a very arrogant way to him. He was extremely tall. Just a bit taller than Stark and had these piercing blue eyes. Although he was hot, he annoyed me. Getting closer to Stark he said, "Listen arrow boy, why don't you run along before you hurt someone else."

Stark didn't back down. Giving Jane's creepy smile a run for its money, he countered "How 'bout I hurt you. I'm more then sure no one will miss an annoying drama queen."

This was just too much. Either I had to break it up or someone was going to get punched in the face. And I was pretty sure that it wasn't going to be Stark. Getting in between and pushing them apart I said, "You know I would like to say it was a pleasure meeting you Erik, but I hate lying. So bye." From the look on his face, my guess was that girls didn't normally tell him that. Whatever.

Grabbing Stark's hand I pulled him along behind me to the closest door leading to the outside. Like yesterday it was a bit cold. Well I am wearing a short skirt and short sleeve shirt. I really didn't care. The light was somewhat bothering me, but I put it in the back of my mind. For the first time in months I didn't have to hide myself in layers and layers of clothes. The feel of the cool air caressing my skin was absolute. Letting go of Stark, I twirled around with my arms held out. I felt giddy as air lightly spun with me. With a big grin spread across my face, I let Stark catch up with me. I really hadn't gotten far, but it took him just a couple of steps so that he was standing right in front of me. I wanted him to feel every marvelous feeling that I was experiencing. But first I would have to find out what was wrong, so I could fix it.

Holding onto his hands and smiling at him I asked "Okay so what's got you so down in the dumps? Cat got your tongue?"

He smiled at me. It didn't reach his eyes like it normally did. I didn't understand what was wrong with him. Couldn't he see how happy I finally was? "Stark, what is it?"

He came closer to me and held out his sweater so I could put it on. I didn't bother arguing. I had to turn away from him. Silently I slipped both of my arms through it. While I was pulling my hair out and not even bothering to zip it up the sweater, he asked me a question, "Zoey did you change yourself because of me?" Turning around to face him, I looked right into his eyes. So many emotions were displayed through them: worry, heartache, anger, joy, but most of all love. He had such a loving gaze that was filled with worry. I placed my hands on his chest. Easily, he had his arms around my waist. Gently he asked again," Zo did you do all this because of me?" He was upset. "Zoey I told you I don't care what you look like or what you wear."

Teasingly I said "Oh really? I'm pretty sure you of all people, would of notice that there's a lot more of me showing then before."

Giving me a small resemblance of his cocky smile he said "Trust me, I've noticed." It then quickly went away. "But it's not about me. Zo, I just want you to be happy, cause then that's what makes me happy. And yeah it sounds all corny, but every ounce of it's true."

"Stark are you blind. I was basically skipping my way out here." He still wasn't convinced. I needed him really see me, to really get what this meant. I pulled his chin down so that we were looking directly at each other. I would make him fully comprehend what I was saying. "What I'm wearing is me. You just never got to know it since this was before you came to our old school. Okay."

Returned to his fully cocky self he pulled me closer "Well I guess I'm going to have to get to know you a lot better." Then he kissed me. Like the other ones this one was soft, sweet, gentle, and over way too soon. I loved every minute of it but I wanted more. He had pulled back this time. As I pouted, he chuckled. Putting his face mere inches from mine he asked "So what do you want for Christmas?

I hadn't really been keeping track of the days so didn't even have a clue when it was. "Christmas?"

"Ya, it's in two days."

"So then that means…" I cut myself off. I didn't want him to make my birthday a big deal. Besides I didn't look forward to it anymore.

He looked at me confusingly. "It's nothing Stark."

"Zoey?"

"Uuumm… never mind."

"Never mind what?"

"Byyyeeee Stark." I really couldn't go anywhere since he was holding onto me.

"Come on tell me or do you want me to tickle you to death?"

With his smile still lingering I said "If you can catch me." I slipped out from his grasp and took off. He was right behind me within seconds. Catching me by my waist, he pulled me down. I yelped as I fell on top of him.

He was about to start his tickle attack when I playfully said "Stark you need to let me go."

"Fine. Tell me or I'll never let you go."

"Well since you put it that way, I guess I'll never tell you because I'm fine with that."

With a very mischievous look he said "Oh really?'" Well that couldn't be good.

I challenged him anyway. "Yep."

"Fine, then I'll start the tickle attack."

Trying to make it look like I was in distress, I told him "Oh whatever will I do?"

Distracted, he made a suggestion. "Well, you can tell me that little secret of yours or I will get you."

"If you haven't noticed you already did."

With his hands getting closer he said "Okay Zoey, you asked for it." Tickling me, he had me in a laughing fit.

"Stark stop."

"Nope. Not until you say I'm awesome and tell me your big secret."

Dramatically I told him "Never!"

"Fine." Again I broke out laughing. He got me good.

"Stark… stop… please." I had to say it in between laughs but he continued. "Okay… okay… you're awesome." Stopping, I got to catch my breath.

Hugging me he said "There was that so hard?"

"Maybe."

"So, what were you going to say?"

"Uhhh, do I have to?"

"Please?" Damn he looks so amazing. And why in the world did he have to look so cute and sweet?

Narrowing my eyes at him I told him." Okay… well… um tomorrow's my… birthday"

Smiling and laughing he said "That's what you didn't want to tell me?" Some of my hair had fallen on my face since I was squirming around, but he tucked it behind my ear. He's touch sent tingles down my spine.

Closing my eyes, I laid my head on him. "Remind me to thank Stevie Rae later."

Confused, I opened my eyes asking "For what?"

"I finally get a good look at your lovely face, since you normally hide behind your hair."

Blushing, I turned away. He was right. I used my hair to hide away from the world. But not anymore. I didn't have to block out everything or everyone since I became a fledgling.

Not so smoothly I changed the subject. "Uumm, what was up with you in the girls' dorm?" More to my self, I said "You were so quiet and still." I looked back at him and saw that there was a tiny hint of red in his cheeks. Not really noticeable to anyone because it wasn't like his whole face would go red. No, with Stark it was just a hint of red right around his cheeks but I always noticed things about Stark that others would probably find insignificant. With my hand I gently touched his cheek. It was warm and I gave him a little smile.

Placing his hand over mine he said "To tell you the truth, I was shocked. You looked so different. So happy. And then blinking, I looked at you again, but you turned away and I could tell how nervous you really were with the twins. But you're so beautiful. Beside the fear, there was a new confidence that no one else seemed to notice." Grinning his cocky smile, he said "And you seriously look hot."

Now I was shocked. "That's a relief. For a sec I thought…"

"You though what?"

With my cheeks heating up, I looked away. "Let's just say that I thought there were negative thoughts running through your head."

Smiling he said "Zoey you should never have to think like that when it comes to me." Of course he wasn't even mad, which made me feel worse.

"Trust me I know. I was just being very dumb." Looking back at me all he could do is smile.

"Zoey I swear you could have come down right after you woke up and I would still think you're hot."

Now we were both laughing. "Love you Zo."

I just held onto him. Smiling I thought to myself. How could this guy care about me so much? He's amazing, sweet, super-hot, caring, kind. The list just could go on and on.

"You never did answer my question. So what do you want for Christmas and for your b-day?"

"Stark you really don't have to get me anything. I'm fine. I mean most of the time people always try to merge my birthday with Christmas so they get me gifts that are Christmas themed and that so original." I said rolling my eyes. Playing with his hair I said "Beside I have you and that's enough for me."

He got really serious. "Z, you'll always have me. No matter what, I'm yours."

Staring into his big brown eyes, he meant every word. "Stark I love you too."

His smile got so big that I didn't even think it was possible for him to have room left on his face. "It looks like I got my Christmas present early."

Laughing and smiling back at him I said "Well if I knew it was going to make you this happy I would have told you earlier."

"Zo I want to take you out on a date."

"So are we making it official then?" I was kind of nervous and I couldn't look at him. I really didn't know why and I really didn't have a reason to. He already told me how he felt, but now I had told him and basically put myself out there. Endanger of being hurt and forgotten.

"If you want to? I just want to do things right with you. Zoey, I love you so much that if I screwed up and did something to hurt you I could never forgive myself." Looking back at him melted the fear and doubt that was forever flowing within me.

I hugged him tightly. "Stark I know you'll never hurt me. And yes I want to."

"I'll always be there for you Zoey no matter what. I'll keep you safe. I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again." Holding me even tighter, I knew I was safe in his arms.

"No matter what," I whispered. That was a big promise for him to make; but for me, I knew he'd always find a way to keep it.

Well like I said I'd update soon so I did. Hope u enjoyed some Stoey because there's more to come. Reviews make me update sooner, so review. Again and always thanks for reading and reviewing the story.