Trading Places

Chase sighed to himself, it had been a week since he and Zoey had tried to have their first date over webcam, but that had failed miserably. Between the technical problems and the time difference, they had both decided to just wait until next semester to try dating for real.

Chase was such an idiot, after he managed to convince his parents to let him go to England, all he could think about was how amazing a surprise it would be for Zoey to see him again. This time he had been one hundred percent ready to tell her exactly why he followed her from PCA. He was all ready to finally tell her he loved her.

But she had gone back to PCA, and apparently got back the day he arrived. Heck, their planes probably passed each other over the Atlantic. So he was in an utter panic when he called Michael and she was standing in front of the computer screen instead. And then she dropped the bomb that she heard him tell Logan and Michael everything. It was all his fault. The stupidest thing he ever did was let his anger make him push his best friend away, then the second stupidest thing he ever did was going to England without telling her.

He had called his parents once. Yeah, that went well, he was stuck here for the semester, not that he really blamed them for it. He had begged and pleaded for two weeks straight to get them to agree in the first place. If he had been at home, he would probably have been grounded for even suggesting he wanted to come back two days after he got here.

He tried to make the best of things, but all he could think about was PCA, and not just Zoey, everything about PCA, he was already missing the California sun, the weather in London was just as cold and dreary as his mood. He missed all his friends. Collin pretty much hated him after he kept him awake all night on his failed date. Chase would do anything to replace Collin with Logan, which is a thought he would never have before.

He missed Michael, he felt bad that he would be missing making their cartoons and web show for no reason now. Michael had thought he was crazy but had given Chase his full support before he left. They had texted a bit, but in his messages, Michael was sorry that the situation sucked, but encouraged him to enjoy the time in London, and hopefully, it would just fly by.

Most of all he thought about Zoey. Just as much as always, if not more. After everything, he finally told her he loved her, and she said it back, but they were 6,000 miles away from each other. All those times he thought the universe was keeping them apart, nope it was always just Chase. He didn't even want to think about counting the days because he'd just be more depressed. He wasn't eating very much, partially because it seemed like all the food was utterly flavorless. Didn't the British take over half the world for spices and stuff? Did they hate all of them? Plus he discovered tea was gross. Thank God the British have coffee. They didn't even have sushi. Just fish and French fries. Chase refused to call them chips on principle.

The one person he got to know at all and somewhat like, was Zoey's old roommate, Emily. She was the only one here who knew anything about PCA from talking to Zoey before she left, and she was happy to just let Chase talk about everything he was missing about home. He even explained the entire Zoey situation that brought him here. Emily had revealed that Zoey had tried to force herself to be happy here too, but the entire time Emily could tell something was bothering her, more than the usual homesickness that could be expected. She hadn't been surprised when Zoey returned to the States. When she left she had told Emily that her best friend needed her and that she needed to see him again. Then when Chase had knocked on her door the next day, it didn't take her long to guess most of what was going on. Chase not so happily filled in the rest of the details.

Chase was happy he found one person he could lay all his problems on, or just talk to but it would never be enough to replace all his friends at PCA. The distance and time zone difference meant that the text messages and emails going back and forth had been sporadic at best, and seeing the times and updates about their days just made him feel even farther away.

At about 11:00 that night, Chase's cellphone started ringing.

"Ugh, What is it now? More of your stupid Zoey or your other Yank friends?" His roommate angrily demanded.

Chase checked the caller ID, it was Logan, which surprised him, he hadn't heard anything from him since he left. "Don't worry Collin, I'll take this in the hallway." Chase stepped out of the room, as Collin screamed behind him.

"It's Collin, you dumb bloke!"

Chase walked down the hallway to a nearby lounge, it had none of the color and fun of PCA's lounges, just brown wood and leather, and boring tan walls everywhere. He finally answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Chase, it's me."

"What's up Logan? Do you have to call so late?"

"I just got out of class, and you think I know or care about what time it is in London?"

"Right sorry, my bad, it's just super late and I'm super tired. I haven't been sleeping the best."

"Yeah, I wonder why? Chase could hear the smirk on Logan's face, before a moment later when his voice softened and turned serious. "Chase I heard about your date with Zoey."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I know how much it sucked and you two decided to wait until you get back. Big shocker there, you finally tell her everything and you're still stuck in the friendzone. I told you following her was a bad idea."

"Logan, not that I love your commentary on my spectacularly bad luck at romance, is there a reason you're calling me?"

"Now look, you didn't hear this from me, but we all miss you. I mean, not me, everyone else. We…I mean the others missed you before but at least when you left you had a good reason. Especially Michael and Zoey. Now obviously Zoey doesn't come to me for emotional support, even though I know I could easily distract her for a few hours if you know what I mean, but even I can tell how much she misses you, she isn't the same person. She doesn't raise her hand in class unless she absolutely has too, she hasn't stepped foot in Sushi Rox and avoids your guys' special fountain, she's a lot quieter at lunch, she hasn't been hanging out in the lounge nearly as much as usual. Now that's just the stuff I can see, not that I'm looking out for her or anything. Plus you know, she hasn't been in the mood to make out with me, but that's normal. "

"Logan, I'd really like you to get to the point if you have one besides making me feel worse."

"Yeah, OK, and Michael doesn't want to do anything except draw cartoons of you two having fun together and playing his stupid flute like he always does whenever he's upset about something. So annoying. Plus Ms. Virbidge, you know the scary lady from the housing office? She says we have to get a new roommate since you're not here anymore, we tried to convince her you're still here but a dumb dog had to attack our dummy you."

"Logan, please keep in mind it's almost midnight here." Chase wasn't following the last bit of Logan's explanation but given it was PCA, he shouldn't be surprised he wouldn't understand all the craziness that happened there.

"OK, OK, look what I'm saying is, to avoid us getting some random new roommate that I'm probably going to hate. I want you to come back to PCA."

"Logan, I want that more than anything, but my parents will never allow it."

"Chase," Logan chuckled, "unless Zoey gets in my way, do I ever not get what I want?"

"Um, no but I don't see what you can do to help convince my parents."

"Look Chase, just give me their number and I'll talk to them. I'll pay for your plane ticket, anything they already paid Covington, anything they would need to pay PCA, I'll cover everything. I'll even throw in some extra incentive for them."

"Logan, I can't ask you to do this."

"Then don't ask, I'm buying you back. Because everyone else misses you, and it's bringing down my vibe."

"Logan, do you miss me too?" Chase finally started smiling a little.

"Of course not! I'm not a girl! I don't have feelings. Besides, if you're around me, I'll get to see Zoey again, and she'll probably be trying to look hot for you now that you finally manned up and told her everything. So that's a bonus. And this will make Michael less annoying, if I have to hear him play that stupid flute all semester, I'm gonna throw it out the window. And we won't have to live with another random person."

"Logan, OK, I get it. Thank you. I'll text you my parents' number. Now I know I'm going to regret saying this, but if this works, I'll be in your debt forever."

"See, just another wise investment for Logan Reese. This is just business. Send me their number now, I'll call them tonight."

"Thank you Logan. I miss you too."

"What are you talking about? I said I don't miss you. Everyone else does. I'll text you an update when I'm done."

"Bye Logan."

"Later Chase."

Chase stared down at the phone in his hand, for the first time in a week, he once again had hope, and it came from a person he never in a million years would have expected, seems Logan Reese has a heart after all.

Zoey felt completely lost. To be perfectly honest it was still about Chase, it was always about him. Even when she never wanted to admit it before. He was the one that made up her mind to go to England in the first place, and then he was the one who unwittingly brought her back. She would never have dreamed he'd be crazy and determined enough to follow her 6,000 miles away, but after it happened she shouldn't have been surprised. He was always right there when she needed him, even when she didn't want to admit it. But that couldn't happen anymore.

She had fought with herself for those three weeks she was in England, the first week was mostly easy, since she was still mad at Chase for not even saying goodbye and leaving their last conversation where it ended, and then he apologized and explained why he had been mad in the first place. So then she felt a little bit guilty, but it had still been Chase's fault. She still tried to make the best of her decision.

Then there had been the webcam incident. Chase tried to deny he was replacing Zoey with another girl. Lola and Quinn had explained the whole Gretchen situation, even Zoey was shocked by their uncanny resemblance, on the outside at least. And then Chase attacked Logan after he ripped the head off Chase's stuffed giraffe.

She smiled at the memory of that night. The Drama Club had held a carnival as a fundraiser so Zoey and Chase took the opportunity to play some of the games. Most of them were obviously rigged but they had fun anyway. Until Zoey saw the giraffe.

"Awe Chase look!"

"What is it Zoey?"

"That giraffe, he looks so cute. I want him so bad."

"OK then, I'll win him for you." Chase fished $2 out of his wallet and paid the attendant. He was then given 5 rings to toss at some bottles. His first attempt didn't go well at all, he flicked his wrist, and tossed them, but first, he was too short, then too long, then too high, and then too low. The fifth one actually made it to the bottles but fell in between.

"OK, no problem, now I've got a feel for it." Chase slapped two more dollars onto the counter and was given another set of rings. This time they all hit the bottles, but never perfectly so that none of them won.

Undeterred Chase pulled out another two dollars and tried again, and again, and again. Despite her protests, Chase refused to give up, until $20, and a half an hour later he tried to pull more money out of his pocket only to find it was empty.

"Um, sorry Zoey, looks like I'm out of money. Sorry I couldn't give you your giraffe."

"It's fine Chase."

"No, it's not, you deserve to have everything you want. I know it's your favorite animal and everything. I bet I can go find Logan to spot me."

"Chase stop." Zoey grabbed his wrist before he could run off. "Is the giraffe really that important to you?"

"Yeah, if he's important to you he's important to me then."

"Alright then. Stay here, and watch how it's done."

"What?"

Zoey took two dollars out of her pocket and got her rings, her first two went a little wide, but then she got it. The next three all landed around the bottles.

"Winner!" The game attendant smiled. "What do you want Miss?"

"I'll take that giraffe!" Zoey pointed.

The giraffe was handed over and she turned around to see Chase's flabbergasted expression. "Why didn't you do that twenty minutes ago?"

"Don't worry Zoey, I got this, this time for sure." Zoey said in a mocking imitation of Chase's voice.

"OK, I guess that makes sense." Chase said, slightly embarrassed.

"Here you go." Zoey held the giraffe out to him.

"What? Why? I thought you wanted it."

"I did, but I want you to have it. It clearly means so much to you.'

"No, I couldn't." Chase tried to refuse but Zoey shoved it in his arms.

"No take-backs, he's all yours now."

"Alright then, fine." Chase smiled.

"So what's his name?"

"Hmm, I'm gonna go with Melman."

"Real original."

"Hey, I'll have you know I have a lot in common with him than you might think."

"Like what?"

"He's secretly in lo-, actually I mean…" Chase coughed awkwardly, "You know he has crazy friends that get him into trouble, just like our whole gang."

"Alright, you got me there. I hope you two have fun together."

"Oh we will, he just became my prized possession," Chase promised, hugging the toy to his chest with an exaggerated expression of happiness on his face. "Because I'll always know you won him for me." They walked off to look at the rest of the games, even though one of them was already out of money.

Zoey smiled for a moment at the memory, before her smile returned to a frown. She was happy to be back at PCA, but it wasn't the same without Chase here. She was still spending time with all her friends and going to classes, she had never realized before just how much of her time she always spent with Chase until he was gone. She had tried to play Would You Rather with Quinn and Lola a few times, but Lola would just refuse to choose any of the options because she would complain that they would never actually happen, and Quinn would take all the fun out of it, explaining in way too much detail on the probability or illogicalness of the choices, so that game ended pretty quickly. Not that she was always happy to spend time with her girlfriends, but she needed her best friend back.

For one night she had considered going back to Covington herself, but both Lola and Quinn had begged her not to leave again, and she doubted that her parents would let her change her mind again. Plus even if she could be with Chase in England, she wouldn't want to give up the rest of her friends.

She had hung out with Michael a few times, but between the two of them, the conversation always got back to Chase, and would usually leave them both with tears in their eyes. While they brought sadness, they did comfort each other as much as they could. The greatest thing about those conversations was now that Chase's feelings were out in the open, Michael was happy to tell Zoey all about them. After most of the stories, Zoey felt like either slapping her forehead or screaming in exasperation. So she was definitely as clueless as everyone always said she was. Chase was both way too ridiculous and sweet for anyone to ignore, how had she never noticed anything?

She had sent Chase a few emails back and forth, but between the two of them, their response times just kept getting longer and longer, and even though he tried to hide it, she had a feeling he was just as miserable as she had been in England, if not more so. He hadn't replied to anything she sent for the last few days, she had even tried to call him once, just so she could hear his voice again but he still didn't answer. Even though she had gotten up at the crack of dawn so it should line up better with his time, but he still hadn't answered.

Logan hadn't really spoken to her much since then, with Chase gone, and Michael also depressed him and she hadn't had much of a reason to hang out except for eating lunch together, and then Zoey usually wasn't in a good mood if she didn't have schoolwork to distract her. Why did her memories of Chase have to be everywhere? She had started walking an extra five minutes to get to her first class just so she could avoid the fountain every day. Not to mention she couldn't even look at sushi or tacos or even French fries without being reminded of him, everything at PCA was connected to Chase. Even his stupid argument that French fries and ketchup were technically a salad.

Yesterday though, Logan had been especially smiley about something, which Zoey had enough experience to make her nervous about. Either he was planning something or he had just finished making out with a girl, he wasn't bragging about anything though, so Zoey knew enough to be on her guard, as did everyone else. Strangest of all, he had abruptly stopped complaining about him and Michael being forced to have a new roommate, even though that was still Michael's favorite topic for the moment that didn't involve Chase.

After all her classes were done for the day, Zoey decided to just go for a walk around campus, she wasn't in the mood to work on homework right now and it was a beautiful day, sunny, not too hot, not too cold. Plus all her friends were currently busy doing other things, so she was happy to take the chance to be alone for a while.

She had just crested the hill by the track and football field, when something strange caught her eye, it was a shiny white limousine pulling up to the curb in one of the nearby parking lots. Her curiosity piqued, she walked closer to investigate. No one else was really around though, she was the only person nearby.

As she got closer, the driver exited and opened the door. To Zoey's surprise, Logan jumped out. She rolled her eyes, what was Logan doing now? Probably trying to woo some girl with his money, again. He looked like he was talking to someone inside the limo still, and then a jeans-clad leg stepped out of the limo, and it definitely wasn't a girl. Then Zoey's heart stopped, and she froze in her tracks. She couldn't believe her eyes.

All she noticed was a head covered in a thick, dark, bushy afro. She blinked twice as he turned to grab some of his bags, but it was still him. Zoey wasn't even thinking, she just started running towards them, her legs had a mind of their own. "CHASE!" She screamed in absolute joy.

When she was about twenty feet away, Logan finally noticed her, smirked, and elbowed Chase. "Hey Romeo." He said.

Chase turned around and then turned in Zoey's direction about two seconds before she cannoned into him, wrapping him in a hug that knocked them both to the ground.

"Oww. Hey Zoey." Chase said, he had the largest grin on his face that Zoey knew she was sending him right back.

"I'm sorry, are you ok?"

"Yeah, it seems like it's fate whenever we see each other for the first time I fall on my face, although this fall is definitely the best one yet." Chase kept grinning, their faces only inches away from each other.

"Good, now how are you here? Did your parents let you come back early?"

"I'll explain everything, how about we stand up first?"

"Oh yeah, that's probably a good idea." Zoey agreed.

Logan pulled both of them up, and this time they stayed standing.

"Chase? I…seriously, how are you here?"

"That would be Logan's doing." Chase admitted, "My parents basically forbid me from coming back early unless I was dying, just like I told you, so Logan stepped in and paid for everything."

"Logan? Why?" Zoey turned to him.

"Because you and Michael and everyone else too, but especially you two were being too mopey about this whole thing. Plus I don't want a new roommate, so if I have to have three people in my room, it better be me, Michael, and Chase. I don't want some random new guy."

"Is he being serious?" Zoey asked Chase.

"Yes, that's the truth, I'd still be in England if Logan didn't bribe my parents and offered to pay for everything."

"He did, how much did that cost?"

"Relax, I still have $10,000 of my allowance for this month, but if I do get cut off again, you two are doing my laundry."

Zoey walked forward and hugged him tightly. "Thank you Logan."

"Hey, I didn't do this for you Brooks. I did this for me. Although, if you want to repay me, you can, want to make out?"

"You're a pig." Zoey said lightheartedly, but she did press a quick peck to his cheek, before separating and returning to Chase's side, hugging him even tighter.

"I can't believe you're here."

"Well, you can believe it, I'm never going anywhere again." Chase promised her.

"Good, I'm glad you're home. That's what I realized when I was in England, PCA is my home."

"I know, it's mine too, but it's also wherever you are. Zoey, I know we said we'd wait until I get back to try again but-"

"I know we did and now you're back."

"So, Zoey Brooks, will you allow me to take you on a real date to Sushi Rox? No Fish and French fries allowed, only sushi."

"I think that sounds wonderful Chase."

"I love you Zoey."

"I love you too Chase."

"There I finally said it to your face, and in person."

"Was that so hard?"

"No, it was the easiest thing in the world."

"Hey, get on with it already! Are you two gonna kiss or are you going to wait another three years? How much longer are you gonna drag this out? Just do it already. Plus for the record Chase, she kissed me before she kissed you." Logan sounded exasperated.

"Yes, but that will be the only kiss you'll ever get from me."

"Does that mean I'll get more than he does?" Chase asked.

"Let's find out." Zoey and Chase hugged each other close and pressed their lips together, and both felt electricity jump between them, it was definitely worth the wait.

"UGH, finally. There you go Chase, I brought you back, now Zoey can help you carry all your stuff to the room, and hurry up, I only have the limo for ten more minutes."

"Shut up Logan." They both said at the same time while he walked away, but they could see the smile on his face.

"So, do you want to help me carry my stuff?"

"Sure, it's the least I can do for my boyfriend."

"I like the sound of that, girlfriend."

Zoey felt her heart flutter against her chest. "I'm so happy you're back. You have no idea how miserable I've been the last few weeks."

"Trust me, I guarantee I know exactly how you feel because I've felt it too." Chase smiled at her, they both shouldered as many bags as they could carry, but were still able to hold hands as they walked toward the dorms.

"Thanks, Chauncy." Chase waved.

"Of course Mr. Chase." Chauncy smiled at them both.

They walked through the hallway and Zoey knocked on the guys' door. "Michael? It's Zoey."

"It's open!" Michael shouted from inside.

Zoey walked in and could see Michael sitting forlornly on the couch, with a pencil and a notebook in his hand.

"Hey, Michael, whatcha doing?"

"Oh you know, just doodling."

"Do you still miss Chase?"

"Yeah, of course, no matter what everyone says you know I'm his number one best friend right? Ever since 6th grade."

"Yeah, of course. Don't worry Michael, I know for a fact you are clearly the number one best friend now."

"Oh yeah, and why is that? And hey, why do you have all those bags?"

"I ran into your new roommate and offered to show him the way and help him carry everything."

"You met him? So how is he? Is he a nerd? A jerk? Handsome like me?"

"Don't worry I think you'll really like him, but he is definitely handsome, funny, and super sweet." Zoey admitted with a chuckle.

"I'll never like him, no one can ever replace Chase."

"I know." Zoey smiled.

Chase finally walked inside from where he had been waiting just outside the door. "Hey Michael." Chase waved and set his stuff down, on the open single bed, he was surprised Logan and Michael hadn't killed each other to take it back.

"Hey Chase." Michael said forlornly, still doodling for a few seconds while Zoey and Chase shared happy smiles. Then his head snapped up. "Chase? CHASE!"

Michael threw his notebook to the floor and squeezed Chase in a hug that lifted him off the floor and spun him around. "CHASE! You're back!"

"OK, don't break my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" Michael set him down and looked between them as they grabbed one another's hands again.

"Yep."

"It's about time! Chase you bushy-haired idiot! Come here." Michael gave him another hug, trying to squeeze the life out of him. "Never leave me again! Now tell me everything and I mean everything!"

As Chase began to explain everything Logan did for him, Zoey just drank in the fact that he was here, and now they were finally together, closer than ever before, they could finally be all of the things that they could be, no more fear, or denial, or obliviousness. They had always been Chase and Zoey, and they always will be, but now, they were something new, and better than ever.

Chase had always been her best friend, but she was fine with Michael owning the number one best friend title, she was happy to call him her boyfriend, it may have taken them three years and 24,000 miles to finally make it here, but Zoey wouldn't change a thing, well maybe a few things, if only to speed up the process a little bit, but she couldn't wait to see how many new memories she could make with Chase, starting now.