CorrectedThe Answer

Chase had looked everywhere for Zoey. He was starting to feel hopeless. What if she didn't want to be found? What would happen if she didn't want to go to the dance with Chase? How would he react to that?

However, just as he was losing all of his hopes, he had heard a very familiar voice, "Hey Chase." He turned around and saw that it was Zoey.

"Hey Zoey." Chase said aroused.

"Hey. Haven't seen you in a while." She noted.

"I know. It's seem like forever since we last talked." Chase reminded.

"Do you want to go for a walk or something?" Zoey asked.

"Sure." Chase said.

This was his chance to ask her to the dance. He would have to do it smoothly. He didn't want to seem like he was planning this.

"So how have you been? How has everyone been?" Zoey wondered.

"I'm fine. Everyone's fine. Well Logan has gotten more egocentric but besides that, everything is about the same." Chase pondered.

"I'm sorry I haven't spend that much time with you. I'm going try my best to make more time with my friends. I always had trouble with organizing priorities." Zoey admitted.

"No problem." He said.

"Thanks." Zoey said.

For the rest of the walk they did not say anything. They just enjoyed the walk. They enjoyed the other's presence. They liked how they weren't saying anything, but they could tell what the other was thinking. It was almost as if they did not need to speak. They had a connection.

On the other hand, Zoey had no idea that Chase was going to ask her the dance. Zoey was complete oblivious of Chase's admiration of her. She never saw him more than a friend. Actually, she assumed that he also wanted to be just friends and nothing more. There were no true sings of a crush. Moreover, Zoey had never really looked for any signs.

Since the sun was setting, Chase knew that the walk was almost over. He knew that if he did not ask to the dance now, it might be too late. It was now or never.

"So," Chase broke the silence, "Are you going to the dance?"

"Actually I am." Zoey said.

"Good. I am too. I was just thinking…" He faded out.

"You were thinking what?" Zoey was confused.

"I just wanted to know if…" He had the hardest time finishing the sentence.

"Tell me." Zoey was curious.

"Doyouwanna-gotothedance-withme?" He said all in one breathe.

After he said it, even though it was a few moments, it seemed like forever. Zoey wasn't saying anything. He thought that he might have made a huge mistake.

"Excuse me. I didn't understand what you said." Zoey stated honestly. He spoke too fast for her to understand.

Chase felt even more nervous. Not only did he had to repeat himself, but he had to explain himself.

"Well you see, I don't have anyone to go the dance with and if you don't have anyone to go with, we should go together." Chase said. However, the moment he said that, he looked at Zoey and it looked like she had no idea why he asked her to the dance.

Since he panicked, he started to say stuff that he did not plan to say, "You know we can go as friends. So we don't have to pay ten bucks a piece. We could have the discount…"

After a brief moment Zoey said, "I would love to go with you as a friend..."

Before Zoey could finish her sentence, Chase smiled happily. This is what he wanted. What could bring him down now?

However, Zoey finished her sentence, "… But you see, Chase. William had asked me to go the dance and I kind of said yes."

Chase, who was heartbroken, said "But I thought you weren't going the dance with Will. When did he ask you?"

"He asked me early…" She clarified.

"Oh… Well I'm happy for you and you should go with him." Chase said, but the truth was that he felt utterly grief-stricken.

"Thanks. But maybe I can see you there and we can have a couple of dances?" Zoey recommended.

"Sure. That' would be great. I'll defiantly be there." Chase said trying to hold his emotions.

"Well I got to go… Bye." Zoey headed up to her dorm.

"Bye." He departed.

"Chase," Zoey called back.

"Yea." Chase said with a little hope that she changed her mind.

"I am really sorry." She said and without him noticing, she gone in a heart beat.

After Zoey went into her dorm, Chase's smiled turned into a frown. It was as if someone took out his heart and stomped on many times. It was too late. Everyone had told him he could not wait too long. He knew he should not have procrastinated.

It was now too late. Zoey would fall in love with Will and it would be too late. Zoey would forget all about him. She would be too busy with Will. She had found someone else.