A/N: Here's Part of Two of Separate Ways and New Beginnings. Y'all know how school is, and I've been thinking about universities, and all that good stuff, so yeah. Go RYERSON 2007/2008! Ok, I'm done. I know this is random but I think Rebecca's a BITCH! Quinn wanted to zap her, haha. This isn't the usual flower and sunshine ending. There will be angst. Those of you who read my stuff know that I love ANGST! So, I'll be laying it on thick with the angst.

Ok, I'll shut up and let you read now. Enjoy and thanks for reading so far. I don't own Zoey 101, or I Think I Love You by Kaci Brown. Listen to the songs as you read. It sets the mood awesome!


Title: Separate Ways & New Beginnings

By: x3 I Heart December x3

Pairing: Eventual Chase/Zoey

Genre: Romance

Rating: T

Summary: TWO-SHOT Chase and Zoey have always been best friends. They have gotten through everything and survived through thick and thin…even the Tekmate ordeal, but Chase does something stupid can he fix it, or will he and Zoey be torn apart?


SEPARATE WAYS AND NEW BEGINNINGS

PART TWO

ZOEY'S POV

Do you think you love me... Ooo we!
I Think I Love You!

I sat on my bed, hugging my knees. I'm unable to wrap my mind around what I just saw. Chase is my best friend, but a girlfriend? Now, don't get me wrong. Chase is a good-looking guy, but it just refuses to settle with me. Maybe it's just me. I don't know, anymore. I'm not sure of anything anymore. I was probably in denial when Lola and Quinn told me; Chase was in love with me. Me, of all people.

Chase came by to visit while we were unpacking. Quinn's our new roommate so; our room has been weirded out with Quinn's um, stuff.

"So, um, listen Zo… you got a minute to talk?" he asked, as I concentrated on unpacking. Man, I love being back at PCA.

"Sure, talk," I said, with a shrug. I was putting some of my clothes away.

"Um, privately?" Chase added. Okay, something's up, but unpacking comes first before everything else, even if it is my best friend.

"Oh, yeah, but can we do it later? I really have to get all this stuff put away," I told him, putting a purse away.

"Uh, yeah. Absolutely." Chase said. "I'm just going to set this down…and try to get the image out of my brain forever."

I could hear the conversation and it was quite funny, although I didn't laugh. Quinn spoke, "Oh, come on…That's just—"

Chase cut Quinn off, "Don't wanna know. Anyway, you guys have fun."

"Bye, Chase," Lola and Quinn said, as Chase waved as walked away.

"See you later," Quinn said.

"Ciao," added Lola, with a wave. I watched as he walked away, and turned to my roommates. I'm still wondering what is up with Chase.

"Wonder what he wants to tell me…"

Lola shrugged, "Gee, I wonder…"

"Yes, whatever could it be?" Quinn followed Lola's lead. Okay, when did my roommates get so sarcastic? Do they know what Chase wants to tell me?

"Okay," I sniffed the air. "Does it smell really sarcastic in here?"

Lola laughed, lightly, "Well, I mean, come on. It's so obvious."

What? What was she talking about? What the heck is so obvious? If something was obvious, I would have found out a long time ago.

"What's obvious?" I asked, still confused. What do they know that I don't?

Quinn answered, "Why Chase wants to talk to you, alone?"

"Okay, then I guess it's obvious to everyone but me?"

"Bingo…" Quinn said.

"Ding, ding, ding…" added Lola. Acting really does suit her, considering she's being a drama queen right now!

I put my curling iron away, and turned to Quinn and Lola slightly annoyed. I'm determined to get this out of them one way or another. I want to know. NOW!

"Okay, what?"

And then Lola said something that confused and scared me all at once.

"Chase wants to tell you he's in love with you!"

They shouldn't have said anything, and now I feel like an idiot. That's right. I told them everything. Chase and Rebecca. Them kissing. Everything, and I haven't said a word to them since. They've been treating me like a charity case. That's the last thing I need right now.

I'm sleeping
And right in the middle of a good dream
Then all at once I wake up
From something that keeps knocking at my brain
Before I go insane
I hold my pillow to my head
And spring up in my bed
Screaming out the words I dread ...
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)

"Hey, Zoey? You wanna go to Sushi Rox?" Lola asked, as she put an arm around me. I looked at her and shook my head no. I wanted to talk but I was afraid that if I did, I wouldn't be able to stop. No use causing hot air. I mean, California is hot enough as it is.

"You sure? Because I was going to try an interesting experiment with the leftover fish Kazu doesn't use anymore," Quinn suggested. Ok, now I was talking, but I'll keep it to a minimum. "You sure you don't want me to vaporize Rebecca for you? It's relatively simple. All you have to—"

"Yeah, I'm sure…" I said, quietly with a tight lipped smile. I don't need sympathy right now. Seriously. As tempting as that sounds… no. I don't want Quinn vaporizing people. Even if it is Rebecca. Lola and Quinn were about to leave, and they turned to me.

"We know you don't want to come right now, but if you want to afterwards, you know where to come find us…" Lola offered me, with a smile. Quinn nodded.

"Okay, thanks guys."

And they were gone. Just like Nicole…Just like Dana…

They were gone. Even though they weren't diagnosed with Obsessive Male Gender Disorder, or shipped off to a French boarding school… they were gone. I felt tears brim around my eyes as I paced around my room thinking. Rebecca and Chase…nah. They don't bother me at all. Even though, Rebecca seemed like a total saint to everyone else, when in reality she was a total bitch (at least to me anyway. Hey, well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have mine).

The only thing great this year was that I was now a sophomore and I love Fulton Hall. It's bigger than Butler and Brenner combined.

Why am I so upset? Chase is my best friend and I should be happy for him, no matter how much his girlfriend hates me (but I'm starting think that the feeling is mutual).

This morning, I woke up with this feeling
I didn't know how to deal with
And so I just decided to myself
I'd hide it to myself
And never talk about it
And did not go and shout it
When you walked into the room ...
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)

Another tear fell out of my eye.

Lola went to go do laundry while I sat, lounging on my bed, and drank my water.

"Hey, can I come in?" a voice said. We looked up and there was Chase's girlfriend, Rebecca. I smiled as she walked in, looking around at our room. "Awesome room."

"Oh, hey Rebecca. Come on in," Lola greeted. Lola said goodbye to Rebecca and I. She and the laundry basket were gone. It was just Rebecca and I afterwards. Quinn was off, somewhere.

"You made that?" asked Rebecca, as she had her eye on a display on the wall above my bed.

"I wish," I answered, taking a sip of my water. "My dad got that for me when he was in Vancouver."

"Oh."

More silence. Rebecca came over to sit on my bed.

"So I hear you and Chase are close friends…" she asked, casually. I nodded.

"Yeah, he's like the best guy friend I've ever had…"

This is where she went Jekyll and Hyde on me.

"Not anymore. Stay away from him," she told me with a nasty tone. Excuse me?

"What do you mean?"

Rebecca stood up glaring at me, "Did I stutter? I said stay away from Chase."

"Look, I don't know who you think you are, but—"

"No! I'm talking right now, and you're listening. You've been at PCA with Chase for two years. You had your chance. Last time I checked I was Chase's girlfriend, and you weren't, so stay away from Chase and out of my way. Are we good? Good," and she huffed out of my dorm.

I should still be supportive, right?

A knock on the door brought me back to reality, and right now…

Reality sucked.

I think I love you
So what am I so afraid of?
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way

Well, speak of the devil. Chase.

Why is he breathing funny? Has he been running?

"Um, Zoey? Can we talk?"

"Sure, why not…" I said, trying to hide the fact that I'd been crying. Not that I should be in the first place. What's there to cry about? He walked in, and we were facing each other.

"Zoey, I'm so sorry…" Chase started. "I was going to tell about her, honest. I just didn't want you to find out that way. I was planning on telling you, but then Logan and Michael interrupted because they thought eating hot peppers would solve everything. Crazy roommates…"

I laughed a little, and looked down, trying to stifle my tears. God, stop it, Zoey! What kind of best friend am I? I'm supposed to be supportive, not crying my eyes out. Crying would get me nowhere. I looked up to face my best friend.

"It's fine…Chase, really. I'm happy for you. You and Rebecca both…" I said, with a smile. It felt like my heart shattered when I said that, but why should I react that way? Chase knows me like the back of his hand… and sometimes I wish he didn't. Besides, I wasn't blessed with the gift of concealing my feelings. Chase placed a finger under my chin, forcing me to look up at him…but he was so gentle at the same time. He smelled like Axe Body Spray.

"Have you been crying, Zo?"

I looked away from him, "No, I mean, why would I? I'm just trying to be supportive. You're… the best guy friend… I've ever had, so I wish you and Rebecca all the best. Don't worry about me, Chase… The only thing I want is for you to be happy."

"Thanks… but there is no 'me and Rebecca'."

What?

Am I hearing things?

Believe me
You really don't have to worry
I only want to make you happy
And if you say
Hey, go away, I will
But I think better still
I'd better stay around and love you
Do you think I have a case?
Let me ask you to your face
Do you think you love me?

"Wait, what?" I asked, shocked. The tears continued rolling, and he wiped them away with his thumb. My stomach was doing jumping jacks. "You- broke up with her?"

"Yeah…" Chase spoke, as he took a deep breath. "I broke up with her because I like someone else…"

Oh, great. Another Chase-obsessed girl that'll claw my eyes out.

I forced a smile, "Well, whoever she is…should be really lucky to have made you fall for her, instead of Rebecca."

He laughed, "You don't get it, do you?"

"Okay, now you're confusing me…"

"Okay, I'll explain it then… do you have a mirror?" he asked. Oh, god. Another Logan. He seemed to know what I was thinking. "Oh, God. I don't need it to check my hair. Just give me a mirror, please?"

"Okay," and I rummaged through my drawers, and gave Chase a medium-sized mirror.

"Now, you'll find out who I like as soon as you look into the mirror, ok? Ready?"

I nodded, as confusion ran through my head, "Yeah. I'm ready…I guess."

I think I love you
So what am I so afraid of?
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way

He showed me the mirror, and I was surprised. I saw myself. My blonde hair, my shiny eyes, which stored up more tears. I took the mirror and stared at him with shocked eyes.

"Me?"

"No, Lola," he said, sarcastically with one of his boyish grins. I knew he meant it. But how? It didn't make any sense. He walked over to me, and took my hands in his. As if by magic, our fingers intertwined, and they fit perfectly. "Zoey, when I took your Tekmate last year there was a message that was meant to be sent to Michael, but I accidentally sent it to you… The message said… I love you. That's what it said… I took the Tekmate from you, and tried to erase and get it back to you, but you ran off… and the rest is history."

I stood still, as every word penetrated through me like a sponge…

"I did mean it. I still do. I love you," Chase finished.

I don't know what I'm up against (No)
I don't know what it's all about (Oh no...)
I've got so much to think about (Think about it)

But about Rebecca? She will come after me as the immediate cause of her losing Chase, but I'm ready for her. It's a new year, I mean things change. I was silent, trying to think of everything. Everything meaning two years worth of friendship.

"Oh, I get it…" Chase said, sadly as he let go of my hands. A look of hurt flashed across his face as he let go of my hands. He turned to go, and I grabbed his hand again. I liked holding his hand. It was like my own security blanket (besides the stuffed bunny I had under my pillow, named Floppy. I was six when I got that stuffed bunny). Besides, I hated seeing Chase hurt.

"Don't go," I said, in a small voice. I walked him over to my single bed, and we sat down. "When I was little, my mother always told Dustin and I not to say 'I love you' unless we really found the person we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with… and she'd always tell us to listen to our hearts instead of our heads… I'm listening to my heart right now, and you know what it's saying?"

"What?" he asked, as he stared me straight in the eyes. It was as if they were searching me, trying to find my true essence. The real Zoey Brooks. Chase had broken it. He shattered my mask. The mask I had put up as this multi-talented perfectionist. Little Miss Perfect was no longer there, just me… and trust me, I was far from perfection. I looked at him, and took a deep breath before answering.

"My heart says… I love you too, Chase…"

Hey! I think I love you!

I watched as his eyes lit up, literally. I held his hands again. This time, I smiled. He leaned in, and kissed me. I had no regrets and kissed Chase right back. The rhythm of his lips moving with mine gave me immediate happiness. It felt so right. I knew in my heart this wasn't a rebound thing. His hand rested on my cheek. His tongue teased my bottom lip, and I let him in, as our tongues danced. We broke apart.

"Whoa…" he said, finally.

I giggled, "Yeah… whoa is right."

Silence lingered over my room, until Chase spoke up again.

"We're best friends, right?"

"Right." I answered, with a slight nod of my head. He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. "Yeah, who just happened to french each other, and like it."

"Yeah… I was wondering—"

"—if you want to go out for real…" I finished for Chase. That was the cool thing about us. We knew what the other was thinking. It was like we, as Michael put it: shared a brain.

So what am I so afraid of?
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way

"Yeah."

"Yeah, I'll go out with you," I answered. "On one condition."

Chase's face scrunched up in confusion, "What's that?"

I kissed him once more…

"Don't ever break my heart like that again… Pinkie promise?" I asked, as I held out my pinkie finger.

He gave me a soft smile, and seemed to know what I meant and intertwined his pinkie with mine.

"Pinkie promise…"

We stood up, and faced each other again. We hugged and I could have sworn I heard him exhale happily as he hugged me back.

"I guess I'd better get back to the dorm…Logan and Michael just waiting to kill me," he said, after pulling away. I laughed.

"Well, would you rather stay and snuggle with me or suffer death under the hands of pepper-eating roommates?"

"Hmm, let's think about it…" he pretended. "I choose snuggling with my girlfriend…my real girlfriend."

His real girlfriend… I like that sound of that. That's exactly what we did. Just Chase and I on my bed. He wrapped an arm around me as my head lay on his chest.

"Hey Chase?"

"Hmm…?"

I asked randomly, "Who won the single bed anyway?"

"Oh, Michael did, because of a coin toss settled by Dustin…" he explained. Yeah, that's my brother for you. Smart one. And yes, he is still afraid of animals.

"Ohhh…" I yawned, lightly, and rubbed my eyes. I wanted to ask Chase something else, but I couldn't because instead of hearing the voice, I had grown to love, small snores were heard instead. Chase was asleep on my bed, but his arms never left me. Oh well. I'm getting pretty sleepy myself.

I snuggled deeper into Chase, and my eyelids grew heavy. A smile grew on my face, as we both plunged into a sea of dreams.

Just me and my boyfriend…

I think I love you!
So what am I so afraid of?
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way


A/N: Not quite the ending I was going for but it works, and there was a little angst and friction in there. I don't own the song. I don't own the flashbacks either. Sorry if there's not that accurate enough… Oh, and I'm still a LoganDana shipper but after Sunday I'm kind of a LoganQuinn shipper. I'm also for MichaelLola too. Haha, orange is NOT Logan's colour… and he can't walk in heels properly. I fell out of my chair laughing when I saw that!

Yes, Chase dumped that bitch! I would've taken Quinn's laser-thingy and zapped Rebecca myself. She was all, "You can't be all buddy-buddy with Zoey. Go tell her you can't be her friend anymore." The part where Michael just comes right in. That cracked me up!

Michael: Hey, did you tell Rebecca about yet?

Chase: You think you can tell me who I can and can't talk to?

Rebecca: Well, I'm your girlfriend!

Michael: Well, look at that nice tree over there. Isn't that pretty? (walks away)

Chase: Rebecca…

What a whore! Rebecca, I mean. CHOEY for life! Oooh, I made a new shipper name. YAY!

If you don't live in the states and you haven't seen Season 3 yet, the first two episodes and their links are on my profile…so click away. I live in Canada but I watched the both of them on YouTube. Michael's hilarious…he's my second character.

Chase: I don't want Zoey to be one of those girls I date for a few months, or even a few years and then it's over. I want Zoey to be my best friend for a really long time, know what I mean?

Michael: Oh, yeah…I get what you mean, but if I'm gonna be replaced by Zoey then…

Chase: Zoey's my best girl friend. You're still number one, man.

Michael: That's all I wanted to hear! (hugs Chase)

(Chase awkwardly hugs Michael and they walk away with Michael arm around Chase's shoulder)

Chase: You are such a geek.

Michael: Thank you.

Ok, I'm done quoting, so anyway. I'm done with this two-shot, and I hope you enjoy and review this… pretty please?

I just updated Love's Power: rediscovered, so read the new chapter if you haven't yet. If you have, then good for you.

Ok, I'm done rambling, and I'm terribly sorry about the long authour's note. I feel chatty today.

REVIEW

--Erika x3