A Promise Kept
By Jeune Ecrivain
Rated PG
Genre: Romance/Humor (Zack/Maddie)
Summary: Five years after "A Prom Story," Maddie dances with Zack at his prom as she promised. As a result, the two friends soon discover that the difference between 17 and 20 doesn't mean as much as the difference between 12 and 15.
Part III
"Ironic, no?" Zack said, cracking a weak smile in an attempt to ease the awkwardness of the situation as well as his own nervousness.
"You have no idea," Maddie replied. "I mean, I never thought I'd feel this way about you!"
"Gee, thanks," he said with a deflated sarcasm.
"I didn't mean it like that, and you know it," she told him. "I guess I just…got so used to the way things were."
A moment of awkward silence during which they both fumbled for words. "Look, Maddie,…I really like you," Zack finally said. "And I don't mean like I did when I was 12. There's more to it than that now."
"I know," she said, simultaneously wondering exactly how she knew. Maybe it was just a vibe or something, but she could somehow feel in her heart that what Zack was exhibiting just wasn't the same naïve yet admirable case of puppy love he had had years before. Although Zack's feelings for her had been genuine in some way even at the tender age of 12, they had indeed matured along with him. "I really like you, too," she said softly. She then chuckled weakly. "That felt weird to say."
Zack responded with a weak chuckle of his own. "So…what now?"
Maddie exhaled thoughtfully. "I'm not sure," she answered.. "All age issues aside, our friendship means a lot to me. I don't want to ruin that if whatever there might be between us doesn't work out."
"You do realize how cliché that is, don't you?"
"Zack…"
He hung his head. "Sorry. Sometimes I joke when I'm nervous." He looked up at her, and she couldn't help but meet his gaze. "Listen,…I really think…our friendship is strong enough to handle whatever may happen," he said earnestly. "Besides, you never know," he added with a smile as he approached her and took her hands in his. They say some of the best loves started out as friendships."
"Now who's being cliché?" she teased.
He smirked at her. "Let me at least take you out on one proper date," he said.
"On one condition."
"What's that?"
Maddie grew serious for a moment. "Let's not tell anyone about this yet. The age thing might be a little weird."
Zack nodded in agreement. "So…how about if we keep things casual? Let's say…the skating rink, tomorrow. Pick you up right after your afternoon shift at the candy shop?"
Maddie gave him a small smile, still somewhat in awe of the fact that Zack Martin was asking her out and she was taking it seriously. "You got it."
