Michael Loves Lisa
Michael was trudging back to his room with both of his roommates in tow. Just staring down at the floor, all three were praying that nothing else in his stomach would make a return appearance.
They got to their room and Michael just collapsed face down on his pillow, until he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Dude, are you sure you're OK? Need to go to the infirmary or anything?" Chase asked him.
"No, I'm not OK! I just puked all over the girl of my dreams!" Michael sobbed through his pillow.
"Come on Michael you've liked tons of girls. How is Lisa any different?"
"I don't know man, there's just something about her." Michael sat back up, and Chase sat beside him on his bed. "Lisa's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, whenever I see her, I just feel so happy, but also terrified, like all I want to do is hug her and tell her how much I love her, but when I think about actually doing that, I also want to well, you know, puke. What's wrong with me?"
"Oh my god, there's two of you now!" Logan groaned from where he was sitting on the couch, sipping on a Blix.
"What are you talking about?" Chase asked him.
"Michael is acting just like you Chase. Mr. I can't ever tell Zoey I love her."
"Oh my god, you're right! Chase, I'm turning into you! Great, now I'll never get to be with Lisa!" Michael sobbed even more.
"Hey, come on man, I wouldn't say never."
"Oh really, so just when are you going to tell Zoey?" Michael demanded.
"Um, I don't know, I haven't found the right time yet, I'll do it at some point." Chase looked down at the ground, maybe Michael had a point, but Chase didn't really believe his chances with Zoey were never going to happen, he just didn't know when he would be able to tell her.
"Exactly, we're both doomed to lives of eternal misery!"
"Michael come on."
"Then you tell me, what goes through your head whenever you feel like asking Zoey to be more than friends?" Michael asked him.
"Um…" Chase started slowly but gradually gained more momentum until he started feeling anxious too, "well I suddenly feel like I'm super sweaty, and butterflies start dancing in my stomach, and my throat freezes up, and all I can think about is everything that can go wrong, and then usually something does go wrong to interrupt me before I make the biggest mistake of my life because I know there's no way Zoey will ever love me the way I love her, but she's just so perfect and it's all that I want to do and I never can and-"
"OK OK, I get it. Now obviously I don't have as much experience as you, but yeah, I have that butterfly and sweaty feeling, except this time the butterflies were Indian food which decided to escape, and obviously, I couldn't do anything either. Chase, how do you deal with this?" Michael shook him roughly.
"I try not to think about how much more I want to be, and just try to think about my happiness over Zoey being my girl best friend. Even as much as I want us to be more sometimes, I know some things I have to just accept will never change. As long as Zoey is in my life I'm happy even if she isn't my girlfriend."
"So basically you deal with your love by trying to be in denial? Why do you have to be my best friend?"
"Michael, what's wrong with me being your best friend?"
"Cause obviously all your I'm terrified to admit my feelings must have rubbed off on me after all these years, and now that I finally found the one. I've turned into you, except I'm even worse. And I didn't think that was possible. I can't even talk to Lisa!"
"Do you want my advice?" Logan asked.
"Oh yeah," Michael said sarcastically, "I mean we all know Chase is the worst at getting out of the friend zone, but I also know you are not the person to get advice from in this situation. You two are like opposites, now normally, I'm the happy medium, but now I've swung too far into Chase's territory."
"Hey, I don't think you're giving me enough credit."
"Dude, while Logan makes out with a different girl every week, and I've had a few girlfriends or just casual dates every so often, other than Rebecca and Lola, you haven't even looked at a girl since you met Zoey, and both of those times were just you trying and failing to get over Zoey."
"I still don't think you're giving me enough credit."
"Yeah, 'cause staying in the friend zone for over two years is a real accomplishment." Michael rolled his eyes at Chase.
"Hey, Zoey's your friend too, so doesn't that mean you're in the friendzone too?"
"No, 'cause I'm not the one in love with her, and I do not want to be in the friend zone with Lisa forever. I know I can't handle that." Michael pouted and looked down at the floor.
"So Michael, what are you going to do about it then?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'll think of something tomorrow, you two aren't any help."
"I know you're upset right now, but if you ever want to talk or my advice, I'll be happy to help you out. Best friend." Chase patted him on the back.
"Oh alright. Best friend. Glad to see I'm still number one."
"Of course you are Buddy, my situation aside, I really hope you figure something out with Lisa."
"Yeah, and I hope you eventually figure something out with Zoey."
"Come on, admit it, we both know that isn't happening anytime soon, but you don't have to give up man."
"Yeah, yeah, looks like we're both crazy. I bet Logan's next." Michael laughed halfheartedly.
"Please, I will never be as wimpy as you two. Plus why would I ever want to focus on just one girl? What's the fun in that?"
"I'm sure you'll understand one day," Chase warned him.
"I doubt it. But whatever, you two lover boys better not keep me up." Logan said, climbing up to his bunk.
"Good night Logan. Goodnight Chase." Michael said.
They soon got ready for bed, but as much as Michael tried to cheer himself up as he went to sleep, he couldn't think of any ideas that could really work, his biggest fear was now eerily similar to his best friend's, that the girl he loved now hated him. He was just so upset, and he saw no way out of this mess he put himself in.
As Chase got ready for bed, he felt bad for his friend but also a bit hopeful for himself. If Michael felt this way about Lisa, then obviously Chase's fears weren't just his own. Maybe this would get Michael to let up on constantly telling him to tell Zoey. So what if he had no clue how either of them could realistically get what they wanted, but Chase had to believe that both of them would be able to someday.
Zoey was walking through the guys' dorm on the way to see Michael. She felt like she really should check in with him after last night. After Michael told her about his crush on Lisa, she invited Lisa to PCA's open mike night so he could impress her with his singing. But her plan didn't go according to plan, since after Michael got on stage and found out she was there, he was so nervous that he threw up all over Lisa's shoes.
So now she was looking for Michael, as she walked through the hall she heard a sad, melancholic melody, and as she got closer to Michael's room, she was pretty sure it was coming from inside.
"Michael?" She knocked on the door but didn't get an answer, so she slowly opened the door. She glanced around the apparently empty room, but she could still hear the music, so she walked over to the closet and opened the door. Finally revealing Michael sitting inside on the ground playing a flute.
"Hello." She said softly.
Michael lowered his flute for a moment. "What?"
"Why'd you ditch basketball practice?"
"I'm too depressed to dribble." Michael just stared down at his shoes.
"You're making too big of a deal out of this."
"I threw up on the girl of my dreams!"
"Just a little bit on her shoes." Zoey tried her best to look on the positive.
"Why did I have to have Indian food for lunch? And why did you have to invite Lisa to open mike night?" Michael turned his depressed eyes on her.
"I was trying to help."
"Well, you helped me into a deep depression. Thanks!" Michael sarcastically smiled and stuck his thumbs up.
"I'm sorry, what do you want me to do?"
"Can you make Lisa love me?" Michael whined.
"Michael…"
"Please?"
"OK, I'll see what I can do. But what's wrong with you? Why do you freak out so much when you talk to her? I've seen you ask out plenty of girls and you're always turning the charm on them no problem."
"I don't know what's wrong with me. Lisa's just different from all those other girls. I really, really love her. But what good does that do me? I can't even talk to her." Michael pouted. "I'm turning into Chase," he muttered under his breath, but he wasn't quiet enough.
"Wait a minute, what was that?" Zoey asked him.
Michael's head shot up as he realized what he had just said. "Um, nothing."
"Michael, what about Chase? Did you say you're turning into him? What does Chase have to do with any of this?"
"Um, nothing, I'm just depressed, yeah, forget everything I just said, can you please just go talk to Lisa?" Michael tried to change the subject.
But Zoey's curiosity wouldn't be deterred, "Michael, seriously how are you like Chase?" Then her brain connected the dots. "Wait a minute, does Chase like someone?"
"What, no, that would be ridiculous. Chase, Chase isn't in love with anyone, certainly not you. Ha ha. Hey, let's get the conversation back to me. How do I fix things with Lisa?" Michael once again nervously attempted to change the subject, Chase was going to kill him when he found out about this.
"Michael just be yourself, I know you're a great guy and Lisa's a great girl. I'm sure if you talk to her, she'll still give you a second chance."
"Can you talk to her first, please? Cause if I try to do it now, I'll probably throw up again or do something even worse."
"Fine, I'll go talk to her, but if you really want to go out with her, you need to get your act together."
"Thank you." Michael looked up at her, gratitude and a little bit of hope returning to his eyes.
"Now, are you going to tell me what's going on with Chase in all of this?"
"Um…no, I won't." Michael avoided looking her in the eye again.
"Why not?"
"Because…Chase swore me to secrecy…even though it's the worst kept secret on campus." Michael muttered again.
"I heard that too. Tell me or I'm not helping you out with Lisa." Zoey crossed her arms.
"You already promised you would help." Michael pointed up at her.
"How about this? I help you with Lisa, and then after you ask her out and she says yes, then you tell me about Chase."
"Well, since I screwed up any chance of Lisa liking me ever again. Sure, if you get Lisa to go out with me, I'll tell you everything you want to know." Michael promised.
"It's a deal." Zoey nodded. Her curiosity piqued, she now had two missions, help Michael out and figure out what was going on with Chase.
So Michael thought he was turning into Chase, but given the context, there were only so many possibilities from what he was talking about. So, who could Chase like? And was he just like Michael, too scared to talk to her? Why hadn't he told Zoey? Well, it wasn't like she talked to him either about every cute boy she talked to around campus. But the biggest thing, was Zoey had no clue who it could be. But also didn't understand why Chase wouldn't have told her. Especially if it was just as big of a deal as Michael made it sound like.
So Zoey tried to talk to Lisa, but all that did was give her more bad news to bring back to Michael.
Zoey was sitting outside with Michael at Central Campus around lunchtime. Michael was bawling his eyes out, as Zoey had just told him how Lisa was now dating Greg, the guy she had sat next to last night and gotten to know after they both had to clean up after Michael's performance.
"I'm sorry." Zoey apologized for at least the fifth time today.
"How could she get another boyfriend in less than twenty-four hours?" Michael demanded.
"It was just bad luck. She and this guy just bonded after you threw up on them."
"Ooh!" Michael groaned. "I drove Lisa into another man's arms with my own vomit!"
Michael grabbed his flute again and attempted to play through his sobs.
"You can't solve all your problems with sad flute music." Zoey reminded him.
"Well, I can try!" Michael shot back and went back to playing.
"You're overreacting. I mean look, she hasn't even been dating him a whole day yet. Maybe it won't work out. Maybe they'll just-"
"Ahh!" Michael groaned and set down his flute, pointing to a nearby table, where Greg and Lisa were laughing together, eating and playing with bowls of Jell-O. "Well, thanks a lot!"
"For what?"
"For bringing me here and forcing me to watch the girl of my dreams eat a jiggly dessert with another guy that isn't me!" Michael put his head down over his arms on the table, still sobbing.
"I didn't know they would be here!"
Michael picked himself up again, "Well there they are!" He pointed and grabbed his flute again.
Zoey rolled her eyes in annoyance. She had promised to help Michael again mostly because she felt bad for accidently ruining his night, and then with the promise of whatever was happening with Chase, but now, she wanted to find a way to fix this just to get Michael back to being Michael again.
Zoey just listened to Michael play and sob for a while, while also watching Lisa and wracking her brain for anything that could help, but thanks to Michael it was pretty hard for her to focus on any clear idea, much less come up with a plan to fix this mess.
"Michael, people are staring."
"I don't care let them stare!" Michael sobbed, but as he was about to start playing again, they both heard someone screaming their head off and the sound of a loud motor, that sounded like it was quickly getting closer.
"Hey, what's going on?" Michael pointed down the nearby road.
Zoey followed his line of sight. She could just barely see someone driving a go cart, but they were practically driving as fast as a car. Then she remembered what all the rest of her friends were doing today, she recognized him. "Is that Chase?"
"That's Chase!" Michael pointed.
"That is Chase!" Then Zoey realized that he was headed straight towards the grassy area they were sitting in, and he wasn't slowing down.
Michael seemed to make the same observation. "He's gonna run into Lisa!"
"Oh My God!" Zoey yelled.
Michael and Zoey both turned to Lisa's table, just in time to see Greg run away, but Lisa stayed sitting in her chair like she was frozen in terror. Meanwhile, Chase was quickly closing the distance.
"He's gonna hit Lisa!" Michael yelled.
Michael didn't even think, he sprinted over to Lisa's table, picked her up around her waist, and then jumped clear, landing on the grass, still holding her in his arms a few feet away. Just moments before Chase ran into her table, smashing it to smithereens and flipping his go-cart over, sending himself flying another dozen feet.
Zoey herself was frozen, she wanted to go check on Chase, but she also had to see how Lisa and Michael were doing.
Michael let go of Lisa and they both sat up in the grass, catching their breath and waiting for their terrified hearts to stop beating.
"You just saved my life." Lisa panted out.
"No, no I didn't," Michael said, but then he got a smile on his face, he didn't even think about anything when he rescued Lisa, so maybe that was the key, don't think, just do. "Uh, yeah, yes I did."
He looked down at Lisa, straight into her warm brown eyes, she was smiling at him, and suddenly all of his worries just disappeared. He moved his head closer, and she did too, the next thing he knew, they were kissing. Michael had kissed several girls in his time at PCA, but none of them could ever hope to compare to this.
He put his hand on her shoulder, and she just leaned into him even more. Michael knew he had nothing to worry about.
Zoey smiled at them for a moment. She felt happy for them, but then she turned her attention to Chase, sitting on the wreckage of the table so she ran over to check on him.
"Chase, are you OK?"
"Zo-Zoey?" He groaned and looked up into her eyes, looked a bit dazed, and he was grimacing in pain.
She knelt down next to him, her eyes scanning over his body for injuries, with his helmet and bushy hair, she didn't have too many worries about head injuries, but he had a couple of scrapes and small cuts on his arms, and one of his arms looked out of place.
"Chase, you're bleeding," Zoey said, grabbing his arm to take a closer look before digging through her backpack for anything that could help.
"Well, you know, that's what happens when I get wounded." Chase tried to joke. He felt his head clearing a bit, but his shoulder was killing him. "Ow!" He groaned.
"All I have is band-aids," Zoey said, but she could tell they wouldn't really help much. "Chase I think you should go to the infirmary."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea too." Chase admitted with a grimace.
Zoey helped pull him up and then she wrapped her arm around his waist. Chase's legs felt fine, but he wasn't about to push her away, so he threw his good arm over her shoulder while cradling the other one to his chest.
Zoey glanced behind her for a moment, she was about to ask Michael to help her out, but she could see he and Lisa were both otherwise engaged. After all her hard work she wasn't about to interrupt them.
"Come on Chase, let's go to the infirmary."
"You got it Zoey."
So Zoey brought Chase to the infirmary, never letting go of him for a moment until she had him seated on one of the beds, and she sat down in a chair right next to him.
"What's wrong with you?" Nurse Krutcher asked him.
"I uh, crashed my go-kart into a table." Chase groaned while gingerly holding his arm with his other hand.
"Alrighty then, let's have a look at you." Nurse Krutcher quickly determined that in addition to his numerous scrapes and small cuts, he also had a dislocated right shoulder, but thankfully he had no signs of a concussion or anything else serious.
She walked behind him for a moment, gently probing his shoulder, then she grabbed his arm in one hand, and held his shoulder with the other. "This might hurt a bit." Was all the warning she gave before shoving his arm back into place.
"OWWW!"
"There you go. You'll need to wear this sling for a few weeks but you'll be fine." She got him all wrapped up in the sling.
"Thank you Nurse Krutcher."
"You're welcome. Just take it easy, but otherwise, you're free to go. I'll email you an appointment to come back in a week to check in with you."
"Got it, thanks so much," Chase said, still grimacing in pain.
Chase and Zoey walked out of the infirmary together. "Are you sure you're OK Chase?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it. You know Nurse Krutcher, no one else has her magic touch." Chase groaned.
"Yeah, except for Nurse Gretchen."
"Oh yeah, why can't she be our nurse?"
Zoey shook her head at him. "Come on, want me to walk you to your room? Then you can tell me all about your big race."
"Of course you can," Chase answered, they were just about to exit the building when Michael and Lisa walked up to them hand in hand, both smiling brightly.
"Chase there you are!"
"Hey Michael, Lisa."
"So…?" Zoey asked.
"So what?" Lisa asked, playfully oblivious, but glancing up at Michael's eyes.
"Just how are you two?"
"We're great, me and my girlfriend are doing amazing, right Lil' Lisa?"
"You got that right Michael." Lisa leaned into his side to hug him.
"Congrats man. I told you, you could do it." Chase said.
"Yeah, I don't know what I would do about your advice Chase," Michael smirked. "But Zoey, thank you for your help."
"It was my pleasure. I'm just happy you two are both happy now."
"Oh, we are. Oh, while we're here, I have to head to the bathroom quick." Lisa said.
"Oh, good idea, I was about to head to the guys' dorm with Chase, but I'll go with you quick." Zoey nodded.
"Great."
"Hurry back now!" Michael smiled at Lisa as she and Zoey turned down the hallway towards the nearest restroom.
"Chase!" Michael jumped forward and hugged him.
"Ow!, Michael, my arm."
"Sorry dude, but thank you so much!"
"What did I do?"
"You gave me the opportunity to rescue Lisa and got her away from Greg."
"I'm glad it worked out for you. So what happened? I was a bit busy trying not to die a fiery death." Chase tried to massage the lingering soreness out of his arm.
"I just didn't think about anything, I just did it, we just kissed, and we just kept going until we finally did stop and I asked her out and she said yes. You know I really think that's the key. Don't think just do it. Chase, you can do it too."
"Not this Michael, come on, I thought you understood me better now." Chase groaned, both in pain, and also from annoyance.
"Oh I do, and I understand even more now just how much of an idiot I was being, I was just letting all my fears get in the way, just like you, but you really should tell Zoey."
"No, I'm glad it worked out for you, but let me keep doing things my way."
"OK, I promise I won't interfere, but I have to tell you something." Michael chuckled nervously.
"What is it?"
"Now don't panic I may have let it slip to Zoey…that I was turning into you."
"WHAT? Michael you told her? Why would you do that?" Chase demanded as his thoughts started racing wildly.
Michael reached out to gently grab Chase's arms. "Woah, calm down, it just slipped out, I'm sorry, I was just so upset, but I didn't tell her anything, it was an accident, I swear. But she made me promise that if she helped me get with Lisa, I would tell her what your whole deal was."
"Michael, why?" Chase groaned.
"I haven't done anything yet, I promise Chase."
"But if she knows anything, what if she asks me? Then what do I say to her? This is so bad, this is going to ruin us forever!"
"Chase, no it won't. For one, keep in mind that Zoey is for some reason literally the only person at PCA that doesn't know, so its anyone's guess if she even connected the dots already. I'm going to say no. But just if she asks you anything, that's why."
"But what are you going to tell her?"
"How about this? I'll tell her to talk to you."
"What? No! Michael!"
"Seriously dude, trust me, I know I've only been stuck in the friend zone with Lisa for like three days of trying to get out of it, but I know now that I never had anything to fear, just like I know you've never had any real reason to be scared either."
"But Michael-"
Just then Zoey and Lisa walked back up to them. "Hey, Michael." Lisa hugged him again. "Do you guys have any other plans for today?" she asked Chase and Zoey.
"No, we'll probably just go back to Chase and Michael's room so I can keep him company." Zoey smiled and gave Chase a side hug that both relaxed and calmed him at the same time.
"Awe, we were thinking of going to the open mike night again since they had to cancel it after last night."
"That sounds fun, maybe we'll see you there if Chase feels up to it," Zoey said.
"Alright, see you guys later." Lisa waved goodbye.
"Bye Michael, Bye Lisa." Chase and Zoey said in unison.
"Good Luck Chase." Michael grinned cheekily at him, before throwing his arm around Lisa's shoulder as they walked out the door.
"Michael." Chase groaned.
"What's wrong Chase?" Zoey turned to him again, looking worried.
"Um, nothing, just my arm is still pretty sore." Chase fibbed.
"Alright, let's get you to your room." Zoey led the way back to the guys' dorm and Chase followed behind her.
As they were walking, Zoey once again remembered what Michael had said about Chase, but seeing Michael and Lisa walking away from them, she doubted either of them would appreciate the interruption, but she could just ask Chase what was going on.
When they made it to Chase's room they both sat on the couch together and Chase turned on the TV to give them something to do. But Zoey wasn't interested in TV right now.
Zoey turned to look at him, "Chase, there's something I need to ask you."
"What is it Zoe?" Chase asked, trying to act normal, even though he already knew in his heart what this was going to be about.
"So, you know how Michael was acting super depressed and couldn't talk to Lisa yesterday and today?"
"Yeah?" Chase nodded his head.
"Well, when I found him playing his flute in the closet, he said something about how he's turning into you."
"Oh, he did, did he?" Chase was both panicking on the inside, but tried to maintain his calm composure, and also mentally cursing Michael.
"Yeah, do you know what he meant by that? Chase, do you like someone?" Now that she said it out loud, she didn't know what answer she wanted him to give her. Suddenly she felt scared of what his answer would be.
"Um…yeah, yeah I do," Chase said slowly.
"OK," Zoey's heart started beating faster for some reason, but she didn't know why. She couldn't tell what she was feeling, some mixture of nervousness and excitement, and maybe a little bit of fear and hope for some reason. "So are you like Michael? You can't talk to her for some reason?"
Chase shook his head, "Oh no, I talk to you- her every day." Chase corrected himself. "It's just that, I, she's a really close friend, and I don't want to mess something up and then we can't be friends anymore, even though I really want to be more than friends with her."
"Well, who is she? Do you want my help too? Unless it's Rebecca." She said, only half joking about that last part.
"Oh no, definitely not Rebecca." Chase grinned at her. "Totally honest, Rebecca was just an attempt to get over the girl I really like, but you know what happened, no girl is going to keep me away from you."
"I know, just like no guy will ever keep me away from you. But come on Chase, can't you tell me who it is? I just want you to be happy."
"But I am happy, with her as my best friend. Do I want her to be more than that? Absolutely, but I don't want to scare my best friend away."
Zoey's suddenly felt a pit in her stomach. "Best friend?" She asked slowly.
"Wait, what did I say?" Chase asked, he didn't understand why her face suddenly fell.
"Am I not your best friend?" Zoey felt a tear run down her cheek, Chase was always her best friend from day one, but if she wasn't his, Michael aside, then she didn't know what to do.
"What?"
"You said this girl is your best friend, but fine, you should ask her out and be with her then." Her voice shaking, Zoey stood up to leave, but Chase grabbed onto her hand before she could run out the door.
"No, no Zoey. Of course not, no one is my best friend but you." Chase said, pulling her closer to himself so they were only a few inches away from each other. "You have it all wrong Zoe."
"Then, what are you saying Chase?" Her vision was still blurry through her tears.
Chase took a deep breath. "Just hear me out. The girl I like is my best friend." He said slowly, reaching out to rest his good hand on her shoulder.
"OK?" Zoey asked, still oblivious to what he was saying but her tears dried just as fast as they came on.
"And you are without a doubt the best friend I've ever had Zoey."
"OK….wait, are you saying?"
"I like, no. I'm in love with you Zoey. Michael is totally right, he was acting just as bad as I do around you, well, even worse than me which even I didn't think was possible, but as I said, I've loved you for a long time, but I could never tell you because I was just so scared."
Zoey took a deep breath to put all her thoughts and emotions back in order as she tried to find something to say, but she knew exactly what she wanted to say. "Chase, I love you too."
"You do?"
"Of course I do. We've been together from day one, nothing can keep us apart for long, and you don't need to be afraid. Nothing will ruin our friendship, because we will always be best friends first." She promised him, reaching out and pulling herself closer to him.
"So, Zoey, will you go on a date with me?" Chase asked, smiling the quirky smile that she was now happy to admit had stolen her heart from day one.
"I would love to Chase. Forget all your fears, you don't need to be scared anymore."
"I know I don't." Chase hugged her in a side hug since his other arm was still in the sling, but both of them felt so happy it didn't even matter. It was perfect.
"So, what do you want to do now?" Chase asked her when they separated.
"Well, Lisa said they rescheduled open mike night tonight after Michael's performance last night, I'm sure now Michael will be performing his absolute best."
"Yeah, sounds fun. Just don't expect me to dance." Chase tapped his sling.
"Please, I already know you can't dance." Zoey giggled.
"Oh, and already the claws come out."
"Too late, you're all mine now." Zoey grabbed his hand as they sat back down on the couch.
"I've been yours for the past two years, you just never noticed. Actually, I have a question, have you ever noticed me as you would say, acting like Michael did the past few days?"
"No, I don't think so, but you should tell me everything." Zoey demanded excitedly.
"Oof, everything, would you like that alphabetically or chronologically?"
"Seriously?"
"Yep."
"Was I really that oblivious?"
"Well yes, but I also have the worst luck since Romeo when it comes to romance and you. Either I would always chicken out or something crazy would get in the way. You sure you want to know everything?"
"Absolutely, tell me everything," Zoey ordered, she was suddenly excited to learn as much about this side of Chase as possible.
"OK, so probably my first real plan was that second week of eighth grade when you, Dana, and Nicole were fighting..." Chase started to explain his long, complicated history of trying to woo Zoey. In most of Chase's stories, Zoey either shook her head in laughter or slapped her forehead or Chase's hair in exasperation that he was so ridiculous and she was so oblivious, but she couldn't imagine changing anything now.
Later that night, the lounge was packed for open mike night. Chase and Zoey stood in the front row as Michael and Lisa took the stage together.
"Alright PCA! I know last night left a bad taste in my mouth, but tonight is going to rock! Now this song is dedicated to my Lil' Lisa. My girlfriend! And also to my best friend Chase and Zoey. Now someone call Jeremiah Trottman, because breaking news! Chase and Zoey are finally dating! Now, who else agrees it's way past time?"
"Yeah!" The whole crowd cheered, making Chase and Zoey both blush.
"Michael!" They shouted in unison.
"Aren't they the cutest together? Well, not as cute as my Lil Lisa!" Michael threw his arm over her shoulders and she leaned into him, smiling all the way. "This song is dedicated to new beginnings. Hit it!"
It's hard to wake up when you're feeling low
The best thing to do is to let it go
Pick up the pace and you'll lose that dark cloud
Kick off your shoes play the music loud
So don't be a victim or play the pawn
Its time to come on strong
Let's turn Monday into Saturday
And pull the sun from out of the gray
Only you can make a choice
To be silent or to have a voice
Don't think alone
Share it out loud
You can still be yourself
And be part of the crowd
Even if you're not sure, be positive
If you don't know what you want, you can still give
So don't be a victim or play the pawn
Its time to come on strong
Zoey whispered in Chase's ear beside her. "Do you think Michael chose this song for a reason?"
"Oh yeah definitely." Chase nodded. "And I can finally admit, maybe he was right all along, I should have told you ages ago."
"I'm glad you told me now." Zoey gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"I am too, I won't ever again be silent about how much I love you Zoey." Chase smiled at her.
"I won't either Chase. You know, we should go on a double date with Michael and Lisa sometime especially since we all helped each other get together."
"I think that would be awesome Zoey, and I think I can forgive Michael for letting everything slip."
"And I will be forever grateful because now I feel like I know you better than ever before. I love you Chase."
"I love you too Zoey, and I guarantee, neither Michael nor I don't have anything to fear ever again."