What Did Zoey Say?
September 18, 2015
Chase ran out of the Fooder's restaurant as fast as his legs could carry him, and on the inside, his heart was beating a hundred miles a minute while his head was spinning but he knew exactly what to do. In one pocket of his pants he had shoved Zoey's time capsule DVD Michael had just brought to him and told him what she had said all those years ago, and in the other, was the ring he had just about to use to propose to Alyssa.
But today couldn't possibly be a coincidence, just like all those years ago after the whole Tekmate fiasco made him think it was the universe, the Lord, and the Force telling him he should just accept that he and Zoey would only ever be friends. Now he knew how much of a mistake that was, this time he was going to listen to what the universe was telling him loud and clear.
Alyssa had been the best girlfriend he had had in a long time, honestly the only girlfriend he had had since he and Zoey had broken up in college. He and Alyssa had had plenty of fun times over the years, but he couldn't lie to himself, he would always be in love with Zoey. He had always been too scared to bring it up to her again, but he couldn't let anything stop him now.
Chase had been living in New York City for about three years now, ever since he was right out of college for journalism. He had gotten a big break writing for the New York Times, he was slowly making a name for himself and he was proud of his accomplishments. He had met Alyssa a few months after moving to the city, and he thought he could be happy with her, and there was nothing wrong with her per se, but Chase now knew what he had to do.
It had been about 6 months earlier, Chase was riding the subway home from the office, ready to take it easy on the weekend since he had just finished writing his latest article. He stepped onto the train and all the seats were taken, no big deal so he grabbed onto the handrail to help him keep his balance and he happened to turn back to face the open doorway where people were still stepping onto the train.
But then a woman with blonde hair walked on and just for a moment, Chase felt something familiar, something he hadn't felt in years. His grip loosened on the rail he was holding onto, he was blind to everything else as the woman walked over to stand next to him, seemingly unaware of his presence, but her presence felt like it was filling Chase's entire world.
But then the doors closed and the train started moving, and with Chase still in a daze, he couldn't stop himself from tumbling forward onto the floor flat on his face.
"Oh my god! Are you OK?" Chase suddenly understood completely what he was feeling, hearing her voice was all the confirmation he needed that it was really her.
He rolled himself over and looked up to meet her eyes, her beautiful, brown eyes. "Zo-Zoey?"
"What? Chase? Oh my god! What are you doing here?" Zoey reached down a hand that Chase, even though he was still in a daze managed to grab so she could help pull him back up into a standing position.
"I uh. I live here. I mean, not here, here, not the subway obviously, but in New York. My apartment's a few stations away. Uh, what are you doing here?" Suddenly seeing Zoey again out of nowhere, it was just like he was in eighth grade all over again.
"Really? How did I not know that? Same, I live in New York too. My apartment's a few stops away too, I've been here for a few months now."
"I can't believe this. For all we know we've spent who knows how long riding this same train together and never knew it!" Chase grinned at her.
"So what are you doing now? How's life?" Zoey smiled at him.
"I'm writing for the New York Times."
"Wow, I always knew you would make it big. Have you written anything for Broadway yet?"
"No," Chase laughed, "I don't think any place besides PCA would be willing to show Alien Love. Especially with how the one-night-only performance ended."
"Yeah, I guess my bad, but I still blame Logan for that." Zoey just shook her head in laughter.
"So what are you doing now?"
"I'm working at Mad Style in their youth apparel division, and it's so much fun, and I really love my boss, she's literally the best. Sometimes I swear I get into more trouble there than we did back at PCA."
"Ha, I think that's impossible. But I'm glad you sound like you're loving it."
"Yeah, I am." Zoey nodded, "and um…anything else exciting going on in your life? Do you have a girlfriend or anything?"
"Actually yeah, I do. Her name's Alyssa and she's great." Chase smiled, but he felt weird talking about Alyssa to Zoey for some reason. "She's so much fun to hang out with. She's an accountant at one of the big banks here in the city. Don't ask me which one though, 'cause I can't tell ya." Chase laughed again.
"Well, if she can make you smile like that, she must be great."
"So…you have a boyfriend?" Chase asked.
"No, not at the moment, I've been throwing myself into my job so much I haven't really had much of a social life outside of my work friends, and trust me, like I said we get plenty crazy. But I'm available right now. But hey, they say this city never sleeps, I'm sure I can find someone."
"Of course you can, you're Zoey. I know you can always do anything." And that doesn't even include the fact that just about every guy thought you were the hottest girl at PCA. And not much has changed. Chase thought to himself before he mentally slapped himself and made his brain focus on Alyssa.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Chase," Zoey laughed, "oh this is my stop."
"Funny, it's my stop too." Chase chuckled.
"Really? By chance what's your building?"
"The Bushwell Building."
"Woah, close one, that would have been scary, like the universe is trying to tell us something, I'm across the street at Roosevelt building." Zoey joked.
"Ah gotcha, and you're right, that would be kind of creepy." Chase agreed.
They stepped off their train and made their way back up to street level, but neither was in any hurry to leave.
"Hey Zoey, there's a Starbucks over there, want to grab something quick? My treat."
"How can I say no to that offer Chase?" Zoey nodded and they walked in together.
"Do you still always order the same thing?"
"What do you think?" Zoey gave him a knowing look.
"I'll take that as a yes." Chase grinned as he walked up to the counter. "Two venti Javachinos please."
After they got their coffees, they sat down at a table and just kept talking about how the last few years had gone by. Thankfully they quickly fell back into their old routine, well their old-old routine before they had started dating in high school. They were just two old friends reconnecting, they even played a few rounds of would you rather.
After that first day, Chase and Zoey had started a new routine of finding each other on their ride home from work every day, grabbing a coffee, and catching up, but they never broached any topic of romance. They were just friends and both of them were perfectly happy with that.
Chase though, for some reason never told Alyssa about Zoey, mostly because even though he trusted Alyssa, he didn't want to risk creating any sort of Rebecca situation, and everything was fine. Zoey was just his best friend again, and he was completely ok with that.
That was all they had ever done only getting coffee and talking with each other. Chase never introduced Zoey to Alyssa or vice versa. And it had been great. He couldn't lie to himself, the more time he spent with Zoey, the more he started finding himself thinking about her exactly the same way as all those years ago. Even now no one could make him laugh like she could and she knew him better than anyone, and he still felt like he knew her better than anyone too. But he had known there was no way she would ever see him as more than a friend ever again, and he loved his life with both Alyssa and Zoey in it.
It was admittedly stupid of him, just like his stupid Rebecca plan all those years ago, forcing himself to move on from Zoey. Don't get him wrong, Chase had already been thinking about proposing for almost the past year, but Zoey scared him, just as much as she always did, but she shouldn't. Chase had decided that he had to take the indecision out of his hands. He would commit himself to Alyssa so that he would never think about Zoey like that ever again.
But hearing Michael say Zoey's words, he couldn't ignore his heart. He knew there would only ever be one girl that would ever truly hold his heart, and he had met her 10 and half years ago when he ran into that stupid flagpole.
Chase was running through the subway as fast as possible, and for once it wasn't because he woke up late and needed to get to work on time. This was much more important, every single step he took closer to Zoey only made him more confident. Zoey had to give him a chance.
Riding the train he was so jittery, he felt like he had drank a gallon of Quinn's Fazz. He knew several other people were giving him some concerned looks, but Chase didn't care. He ran into Zoey's building and managed to calm himself down enough that he didn't look completely crazy, but he still had so much energy he took the stairs instead of the elevator. Not that it was needed since he only had to go up one floor and then a quick run down the hallway and he was in front of her door. Room 101. He had never been there before, but Zoey had told him where to find her if he ever needed anything.
He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and then knocked on the door.
"Coming!" Chase heard Zoey's voice call from inside moments before she answered the door with a look of surprise on her face. "Chase? What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you." Chase said even though he was confident, he couldn't help the nervous shakiness of his voice, "is now a good time?"
"Yeah, of course, come on in." Zoey stepped aside to let Chase enter and motioned him to sit on her couch. Chase sat down and Zoey sat down so only a few inches were separating them. She glanced at him with a concerned look on her face. "Chase, what's wrong? And don't try to hide it, I know you too well."
"I know Zoey, that's uh kind of what I want to talk to you about. Um…you see…I just broke up with Alyssa."
"Oh no! Why? Did something happen? What did she do? If she hurt you-" Zoey's immediate reaction was sympathy that quickly rose into anger.
Chase held his hands up to calm her down, "No, she didn't do anything. And there's nothing wrong with her, it was all on me. And I uh…" Chase blushed, "I just realized I probably could have handled that a lot better. But my problem isn't that I broke up with Alyssa, it's why."
"What's wrong Chase? You can tell me anything." Zoey was still looking right at him, eyes filled with concern.
"Well, the good news is, Michael's in town."
"He is? But what does Michael have to do with anything?"
"Because…" Chase said, slowly drawing the DVD case out of his back pocket. "He brought me this." He held out the orange CD case to Zoey.
"What is…?" Then Zoey's eyes widened in realization. "Is that…?"
"Yeah, it is." Chase nodded, "it's your time capsule DVD, and since you said I could watch it in ten years, Michael dug up the time capsule, brought it to me, and he watched it, and told me what you said."
"He did?" Chase could have sworn Zoey started to blush. "But Chase you didn't break up with Alyssa because of what I said ten years ago did you?"
Chase blushed even more, but he didn't feel embarrassed. "Yeah, I did. Zoey…" Chase reached out to gently hold her hand. "I learned several things I didn't know about you."
"Like what?" Zoey asked.
"Number 1, that you knew I had a crush on you since the beginning of 9th grade at least."
"OK, I know I was always acting oblivious or in denial, but the school dance made it pretty obvious." Zoey reminded him, and then humorously deepened her voice to impersonate him. "Boys are jerks so I wanted to protect you from all other boys."
"Ok fair." Chase admitted, "but you also said that I could maybe be your soulmate."
"Chase…." Zoey winced a little at that, but Chase refused to be deterred.
Chase reached out to grab Zoey's hands. "Zoey, I know we've never brought this up again, but I know we both messed up. I knew it from the day we met, there is something different about you, ever since that day you've been the only girl for me. So hear me out, please give me another chance, I know when you heard me over the webcam I said I don't think these feelings I have for you are ever going to go away. I know they aren't. All I ask for is a chance, but if you say no right here I promise I will never bring this up ever again."
"Chase." Zoey squeezed his hand tighter, and she shook her head, which made Chase's heart fall. "I'm so sorry, I know it was all my fault, but that internship in Milan with Arturo Vitali was a dream come true for me, and I should have never given you up for it. I should have stayed with you."
"No, you made the right choice back then. And we both knew it wouldn't have worked out trying to date on two separate continents, unfortunately, we speak from experience."
"I know, I was so scared back then, that even if we tried it would end in the exact same place as last time."
"Well this time, I promise, I won't go anywhere without you ever again if you'll allow me."
"You know what Chase, being your best friend again these last few months has been the most amazing thing ever, but there was one thing I missed from before, well two things." Zoey grinned.
"And just what are those two things?"
"Your hair may not be as bushy as it was during high school, but I still miss calling you my Fuzzyhead."
"Wait a minute, so does that mean?"
"If you want to start something again, I will never say no to that. I want you back more than anything too. I want you to be happy, and I want to be happy too."
"YES! I mean." Chase attempted to control his grin, but he knew he was failing. "Zoey Brooks, will you be my girlfriend?"
"I would love nothing more, except you, boyfriend." Zoey smiled at him. "And you know what the one more thing I've been missing is?"
"No, what's that?" Chase asked.
In answer, Zoey leaned closer to capture Chase's lips in her own, and the moment they made contact both realized just how much they had been missing the other. They had always been Chase and Zoey, and neither felt whole without the other.
Neither of them had any thought of stopping now that they had just gotten back together, they needed to make up for lost time. Eventually, Zoey pulled herself on top of Chase on the couch and pressed her chest into his.
Chase broke contact to take a breath. "You know all these things you've mentioned missing…"
"I completely agree." Zoey went right back to kissing him with as much heat and passion as she could muster. She finally felt free again, and like she was exactly who she was supposed to be. And she wanted to show Chase just what he meant to her.
But after a few more seconds before things got a chance to really heat up, they both were startled apart when they heard pounding on Zoey's front door and a familiar voice. CHASE! ZOEY! ARE YOU IN THERE?
Chase groaned. "Ugh, how are we always interrupted?"
Zoey just giggled and laid her head down on Chase's chest. "It's just like high school and college all over again. I'm guessing Michael knew about this plan too, just like all the others?"
"Not this one, I mean he knew my intentions since I shouted I was still in love with you to the entire restaurant. But I didn't even have a plan besides telling you that."
"You should know by now I don't need a master plan to win me over. And it's not like any of them ever worked anyway."
"You say that now, but I have you all to myself." Chase was about to lean in closer once more but was interrupted by more banging on the door. "Or at least I did."
Zoey just shook her head and pushed herself up. "Come on, we better let him in before he breaks down the door."
"I bet he'll be so excited he'll crush me again. I still think my ribs are bruised from when I came back from England."
"I'll just have to give him another reminder not to crush my boyfriend." Zoey smiled, before opening the door that Michael was still pounding on.
"Zoey!" Michael barged right in to wrap Zoey up in a hug.
"Hey, Michael. I missed you too. What brings you here?" Zoey tried to play the oblivious card once again.
"What are you talking about? Didn't Chase…?" Michael turned to Chase and glared at him right in the eye. "Chase I swear if I have to wait another three years for you to say it again, I'm going to bury you in the time capsule!"
"No need Michael," Chase reached out to hold Zoey's hand again. "Meet my new girlfriend."
"And meet my new boyfriend," Zoey added and quickly kissed his cheek.
"CHASE! YEAH HA HA HA!" Michael lunged forward to wrap Chase in an even tighter hug.
"OK, OK, don't squeeze my boyfriend," Zoey warned him.
Michael calmed down enough to set Chase down, "Right, sorry, my bad, but this is so great! Oh wait, let me just clarify, it's boyfriend-girlfriend? Because Chase I know you-"
"OK Michael that's enough, you've got it right." Chase interrupted him before he could say too much.
"Wait, Chase what is he talking about?" Like always Zoey knew when Chase was trying to hide something.
"Nothing you need to worry about. Honest."
"Michael?" Zoey turned her glare on him instead.
Michael tried to avoid her gaze, but he only lasted a few seconds under the onslaught. "Alright, I was just making sure Chase didn't propose to you on the spot. Cause he took the ring with him. Ha ha." Michael chuckled awkwardly.
"What ring? Chase, what did you do?"
"So, see…" Chase grimaced, "when Michael brought me the DVD, I was like 10 seconds away from proposing to Alyssa, but you have to believe me, I know its fate that Michael came and stopped me, and to be perfectly honest, I took it as a sign, I happened to choose today, the day I could finally know what you said about me and give me a reason to believe in us again."
"OK, I won't argue with you, because I want you too. But did you let Alyssa down gently?"
"Umm…about that." Chase blushed.
"Ha!" Michael cackled, "honestly that was one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen, once I even mentioned Zoey's name you dropped her like Logan dropped Stacy Dilsen at Junior Prom!"
"Chase!"
"I'm sorry."
"You shouldn't be apologizing to me, now I feel bad." Zoey let go of his hand and crossed her arms over her chest, hugging herself tightly.
"I know, I really could have handled that better, and I'm sure I'll pay for it later, but I had to find you."
"I get it, but you need to talk to her, and maybe meet with both of us if she's willing. She deserves that much at least."
"OK, I promise. So Michael how was she after I left?"
"Not in a very hunky dory mood. She basically just stormed out of the restaurant. Speaking of, Zoey can I go take a bath? I've still got PCA dirt all over me."
"Sure thing Michael." Zoey laughed at him, "and when you get cleaned up we can all go out and celebrate."
"Now that sounds like a plan. This whole day is so Drippin!"
"OK, and Michael I can run over to my place and get you some clean clothes if you want." Chase offered.
"Oh yeah, that would be great." Michael agreed.
"Bathroom is the first door on the right." Zoey pointed down the small hallway.
"Thanks Zoey, and congratulations you two, and you're welcome." Michael bowed low like he was expecting applause, which he didn't get. And then he headed into the bathroom.
"Yep, I don't know what we would do without you Michael." Chase called out sarcastically.
After Michael walked into the bathroom. Chase pulled out his phone, and to say he had a lot of texts would be an understatement, and only a few of them were from Michael. He sighed, "Yeah I really could have handled that better."
"I'm guessing Alyssa isn't a very happy camper?"
"No, she is not. She says, among other things, she'll be at my place tomorrow morning to grab anything that's hers and she'll bring all of my stuff back. So if you really want to talk to her with me, I'm sure that's the last time she'll ever want to see me again."
"OK, but also did you really buy her a ring but then back out at the last second?
"Yes, and no. I didn't buy a ring, but I did back out at the last second because no one will ever compare to you Zoey." Chase walked closer to Zoey to wrap her up in a hug, and thankfully she hugged him back.
"No one will ever compare to you either Chase, but what do you mean you didn't buy the ring? Can I see it?"
"Can you be patient? I promise I will explain everything someday."
"I suppose…wait a minute, someday? What does someday mean?"
"I know we've been together again for like half an hour," Chase smiled awkwardly, "but as long as you'll have me around, we are never breaking apart ever again. And someday I will make that permanent."
"Chase… I think that sounds wonderful. But really how long have you been planning this?"
"Since eighth grade when I ran into that flagpole," Chase replied, only half joking about that.
"Very funny. But seriously." Zoey slugged him in the arm.
"Alright," Chase paused. "Actually, my original plan was to do it the summer after we graduated, I had everything planned to perfection, but then you got the internship of a lifetime 5,000 miles away from me, and I knew I couldn't hold you back."
"I am so sorry, if you had said anything I wouldn't have ever thought about Milan ever again."
"And that's exactly why I couldn't say anything. I could never stand in your way."
"You're right, I couldn't either, but you are never leaving my side again."
"I think that sounds like a deal, Zoey." Chase leaned down to kiss her again. "I better get Michael some clothes. Do you want to make a reservation somewhere?"
"Sure thing." Zoey pulled out her phone, "What do you feel like?"
"Hmm." Chase thought for a moment and then he grinned, "Know any good sushi places nearby?"
"Yeah, It's no Sushi Rox but I'm sure we'll enjoy it." Zoey smiled.
New Year's Eve 2016
It was New Year's Eve and Logan had invited the whole PCA gang to his house for an awesome party. Logan was still living in San Bernadino, California, and since he left high school he had followed in his dad's footsteps, he was now an up-and-coming film producer in his own right, still working with his dad a lot, but he already had a handful of very successful films under his own belt. So while he was no stranger to massive Hollywood parties filled with celebrities, tonight was a much smaller affair with all of his closest friends. The whole gang had their own lives, but when Logan and Quinn had pitched the plan to them, they knew they had to be there.
Chase and Zoey were riding in a limo that had picked them, Michael, and Lisa up from the airport after had all flown back together, and also Michael and Lisa's son Corbin, who was only a few months old but was happily smiling whenever Zoey cooed at him in his car seat.
Finally, they pulled up to Logan and Quinn's house. Their driver opened the door while Logan's butler was already grabbing all their bags from the trunk.
"OK then, I guess we just head on in." Zoey shrugged her shoulders and led the way inside. The four of them walked up the front steps with Michael holding onto Corbin's baby carrier. They walked through the doorway into Logan's house and they all let out impressed whistles at the grandeur, another butler was waiting for them and led them all to a large living room filled with plenty of couches, which were already filled with the rest of their friends.
"Zoey!" Before she even knew it, Zoey felt herself being squeezed by two sets of arms and surrounded by high-pitched screaming.
"Hey Lola, hi Quinn. How have you guys been?" Zoey smiled at them. "Oh, and Lola, Chase, and I saw your new movie! I think it's some of yours and Logan's finest work yet."
"Thanks, we're really hoping this one will finally net us our first Oscars." Lola said proudly.
"You know I still can't believe how you two can work together so well." Lisa joined the conversation.
"I give all the credit to Quinn, she's the one that got Logan to actually focus on all his film classes in college, and listen to his dad when he gave him advice."
Quinn laughed, "Oh I didn't do anything, I just unlocked his true potential that I knew was inside of him all along."
"Hey, you guys." Logan walked over with an older, gray-haired woman following behind him. "Michael, Lisa, this is Monica, she's here to take little Corbin off your hands for tonight."
"OK," Lisa said a bit nervously, "but call us if he needs anything, or if he's fussy. He likes to have his bottles warmed up, he won't drink them cold, and he didn't sleep very well on the flight so he might be extra fussy or he could be out like a light, and-"
"It'll be fine Lisa, it's just for one night." Michael put his hands on Lisa's shoulders. "Plus he's my little man, he's a tough guy, he can handle it."
"I know Michael." Lisa sighed. "Mama loves you Corbin. Goodnight." Lisa leaned down over the baby carrier to give him a kiss on the forehead which made him giggle.
"It'll be alright Ma'am, I'm sure the two of us will have a wonderful time tonight, you all just enjoy your evening." Monica smiled at her.
"Relax, Monica's the best, she was my nanny years and years ago. You have nothing to worry about." Logan reassured the anxious mother.
"Oh, she was your nanny huh? If Corbin comes back taking pictures to hand out to all the girls at daycare I'm blaming you." Michael joked and got everyone to crack up.
"So Lisa, how have you and Michael adjusted to having little Corbin?" Quinn asked.
"It's been the most amazing, and most exhausting time ever. I feel like I'm going to need a second maternity leave after I go back to the office just to catch up on sleep." Lisa laughed, "don't be surprised if the two of us don't make it to midnight."
"Speak for yourself Lisa, this is our one night of freedom and we're back with all our friends. This is going to be the best night ever!" Michael cheered.
"Yeah anyway, now that we're all here, I'll share some more of the plan for tonight." Logan checked his watch, "We've got about 3 hours to hang here, but then we're going to take a little drive and really ring in the New Year with a bang."
"A drive where?" Zoey asked.
"No need to worry, it's a surprise, and I really think all of you are going to love it." Logan promised evasively, "but for now let's get our drink on!" Logan cheered.
So they all grabbed their first drinks and spread out around the couches to start catching up.
"So I'm sure we've all seen how successful Logan and Lola's latest movie is, Quinn are you done with school yet?" Lisa asked.
"Pretty close for now at least, one more semester, and I'll have my Ph D. in Biochemistry, but I'm already looking at programs for Chemical Engineering, but my research is going well. In fact, remember the coconut chemical I made at the end of eighth grade?"
"Oh yeah, the reason we made our own end-of-exams beach party tradition?" Chase asked.
"Yeah so anyway I've been writing my dissertation on using it as a new, safer form of anesthesia for medical procedures. I've also patented my formula and hospitals are waiting for me to publish it so they can learn all they can. And I'm also in negotiations with several drug companies who are clambering to be the supplier, but I have some very specific demands to fill before I do."
"So what your saying is, you can still put anyone to sleep?" Michael joked.
"Hey no making fun of my girlfriend," Logan warned him and tossed his arm around Quinn's shoulders protectively.
"Speaking of, no change of status yet?" Lisa asked them.
"No, while I can admit seeing you and Michael still being you and Michael after two years, I'm not as against marriage as I once was," Logan said.
And Quinn finished for him, "But we've decided now isn't the best time to worry about anything like that. I'm so happy for you guys but I plan on finishing my schooling before we even think about marriage or kids or anything like that. We're comfortable where we are, and we're in no hurry to change things."
"Yeah, and if I have to wait another ten, twenty years until Quinn's big beautiful brain has learned everything she wants to know that's totally fine with me." Logan promised her with a kiss on her temple.
"And Chase and Zoey, how are you guys living it up in New York?" Lola asked.
"It's the best." Zoey sighed and leaned closer to Chase, "it's like we were never apart from each other. And this time we promised each other that we are never going to let an ocean or anything else separate us ever again."
"I'm all for that."
"So any big news?" Quinn asked with a knowing grin.
"Actually yeah, I've decided to start a book in addition to my work with the Times."
"Oh really? What's it about?" Quinn asked.
"Yeah Chase, tell them what it's about." Zoey laughed at him.
"All right, it's about the history of PCA. Dean Rivers is retiring in a few years and said he wants to make sure PCA has something to remember him by and since Mr. Bradford won't let him put up a statue of himself, he decided to commission a book that tells all of PCA's history, and of course, would hold his accomplishments too would be the perfect thing."
"So when you write this, just how much creative freedom do you have?" Michael asked him.
"Well it has to be history, but don't worry, when it comes to our years, I'll make sure everyone can remember us. It's been fun doing research for it. For example, I did find an old newspaper that talked about how Charles Galloway's disappearance really is true."
"Yeah yeah, we already know that's true." Logan reminded him.
"Yeah, thanks to your sticky fingers." Zoey reminded him in turn.
"And Zoey?" Michael asked her.
"I'm still working at Mad Style, in fact after my boss got a promotion, I'm now Vice President of the Youth Apparel division." She said proudly.
"Nice," Lola nodded, "you always had the best clothes."
"Including the red dress?" Zoey teased her.
"Yeah yeah, I went a little crazy back then, laugh it up." Lola laughed along with everyone else.
"You're telling me, you're the ones that dragged me into that mud puddle with you. I was washing dirt out of my hair for weeks after that!"
"It's an OK baby." Quinn kissed his cheek in sympathy, "and it did help you get into Stanford with me."
"And Michael, you're still working as a video game animator? How did you get that dream job?" Logan asked him.
"Says you, big shot movie producer." Michael shot back, "I actually just went back to work about two weeks ago, and I still love it. What can I say, the Chase and Michael show prepared me for the big leagues. In fact, in the game I'm working on right now, there's these dolphins-"
"Enough with the dolphins!" Chase groaned dramatically.
"Well fine then. Don't come crawling to me asking for advanced copies." Michael pouted until Lisa kissed his cheek to make him feel better.
They continued the next few hours just laughing and talking away, sharing all the new updates in their lives and reminiscing on their memories from high school. But as Logan had promised earlier, eventually, they all got ready to head out to the limo.
But before they left, Michael and Logan pulled Chase into the kitchen away from all the girls and checked in with him.
"Are you ready for this?" Michael asked him.
"Of course I am, I've been ready to do this since we got together again," Chase promised them.
"I know, I was just checking," Michael replied.
"And you aren't going to chicken out are you? Because I think we all know, just like we always knew way back then that she was going to say yes." Logan reminded him.
"No, guys, I'm a little nervous, but not because I'm scared, I'm more anxious to get this over with. And I know I have nothing to worry about. I'm not the same Chase I was in high school. I just want tonight to be perfect."
"And it will be. I'm so proud of you Chase, my little boy's all grown up." Michael feigned wiping a tear away from his eye before turning to Logan, "Now all we need to do is get you and Quinn, and also find someone for Lola to actually settle down with."
"Hey, no pressure, we already have a plan in place that we'll use someday."
"We'll see about that." Chase shook his head.
"But Chase, good luck man, even though we know you don't need it." Michael reminded him again.
"Thanks guys. I'd say you've been the best friends a guy could ask for but…"
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, Zoey's your girl best friend always and forever." Michael shook his head at him before all three of them hugged each other.
"You're going to rock this Chase." Logan reassured him.
"I know." Chase nodded confidently.
"Hey, you guys coming? Ooh, what do we have here?" Zoey's voice sounded behind them, tinged with laughter when all three of them looked up from their hug.
"Do you three need some alone time?" Zoey teased them, and then snapped a quick picture with her phone. "Just wait until I show this to Lisa and Quinn."
"No, the only alone time I need is with you," Chase promised her,
"Yeah, and whatever you think you saw, it was much more manly than whatever you're thinking. Right guys?" Logan glanced at the other guys to back him up.
"You bet Michael, let's go, I don't want to keep my driver waiting all night." Logan agreed.
Michael and Logan ran out of the room, leaving Chase and Zoey to follow them out the door.
"So, do you know where we're going? Cause I kind of have the feeling all the girls know, but they aren't telling me anything. They all shared a bunch of weird looks as we got ready to go."
"Nope, I couldn't tell you Zoey."
"Liar," Zoey smiled knowingly at him, "but fine, whatever it is, I can wait to be surprised."
Chase knew it was in his best interest to shut up before he let anything else slip, so he just stayed silent as they made their way into the limo with all the rest of their friends.
About an hour later, they finally slowed down and pulled off the highway, but with the tinted windows, Zoey had no idea where they were, but one thing she did know was that Chase was noticeably getting more and more nervous. He was glancing around everywhere one moment and then staring off into space the next. There were a few times she even saw his leg start to bounce up and down, and the hand that she was holding was noticeably growing sweaty. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but she doubted he would want that when they were in a limo with all their friends.
When the limo finally stopped and the driver opened up the door, everyone else rushed to get out first, leaving Chase and Zoey to exit last, not that she minded. Chase stepped out before her and held his hand out to her, which she gladly accepted.
But when she finally exited the limo, she couldn't believe her eyes, it was nearly midnight and pitch black outside, but she would know this place anywhere. They were at PCA again.
"What? Why are we here?"
"Well, we can't really celebrate having the PCA gang all together without visiting can we?" Logan said, hugging Quinn tightly to his side. "But I can't take all the credit for this one, this was Chase's idea."
"Chase! You're the best." Zoey hugged him. "This is amazing."
"I'm glad you approve, but actually, I'm hoping to celebrate a bit more than just New Year's Eve tonight." Chase gently pulled on her hand and led her a short distance away until they were standing beneath a flag pole with a blue and purple PCA flag flying above them.
Chase turned so he was facing her and took both of her hands in his own. "Zoey, this last year and a half and all the years we've had before have been amazing."
"It has." Zoey agreed.
"Pretty much yeah." Chase smiled at her. "I think that everyone in life has a soulmate, and almost exactly twelve years ago today, in this very spot, you got out of your dad's car, and I saw you standing there. I rode my bike into this stupid flagpole." Chase patted the flagpole beside him. "I was in love with you before I even hit the ground. I know that feeling will never go away. I knew from that moment on you were the only girl for me. It may have taken me three years to tell you because I was the biggest idiot on the planet. And we've had our ups and downs ever since, but whenever you are in my life, even when we're fighting is always better than when you're not. You, Zoey, are the love of my life, but even more than that, you're my best friend and my soulmate. I knew it twelve years ago, and I know it now. I know we've promised never to let oceans get between us ever again, but there's one thing I need to do to make sure you won't ever even think about leaving me again."
Chase got down on one knee, and now both of their hearts really started racing, Zoey's because she finally figured out exactly what Chase was doing, and Chase's was racing because it was finally the moment of truth.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box and opened it up, revealing a silver and diamond ring.
"Zoey, would you rather make the happiest man alive or-"
"YES! YES! A thousand times YES!" Zoey interrupted him and tackled him in a hug that knocked him to the ground.
"Ow!" Chase banged his head against the pavement, but he kept hold of the ring. Thankfully.
"Oh my god Chase! Yes, yes I will marry you. That is the easiest would you rather question in the world. I love you!" Zoey leaned down and kissed him long and deep.
"I love you too Zoey." Chase smiled brightly when they separated for air. "Um, may I?" Chase held up the ring.
"Yes you may." Zoey stood up and held out her hand so Chase could slide the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit and Zoey couldn't stop herself from admiring its perfect shape. "It's so beautiful Chase, where did you get this?"
"About that…to be perfectly honest, I've had it since we graduated high school."
Zoey looked up to meet his eyes, "Wait what? Start talking."
Chase stood up and wrapped one arm around Zoey's shoulders, and held up her hand with his own, so they could both see the ring sparkle in the nearby streetlights. "This was my grandmother's ring, and when she passed away, she left it for me, with specific instructions that I should give it to you whenever I was ready."
"Oh my god Chase, was it really hers?"
"It was, I guess even back then, she could tell just how much you really meant to me. She would have loved to meet you, and welcome you into our family."
Zoey looked up at the stars above them. "Do you think she's watching us now?"
"I know she is, and she's probably thinking its about time I finally did it."
"I couldn't imagine any time more perfect Chase. Everything you said to me, always know I feel the exact same way about you. I love you."
"I love you too." Chase leaned down to kiss her again, and then they finally turned around to see all their friends grinning expectantly at them.
"Well?" Lola asked.
"We're Engaged!" Zoey shouted and held up her hand in the faded lights.
"YEAH!" Everyone crowded around them in a gigantic group hug in congratulations that didn't let up for at least five minutes, but when they finally did, Logan had one more announcement to make.
"OK, I know it's almost midnight, but Kazu's expecting us to come to celebrate the engagement party, so let's head to Sushi Rox!"
"Sushi Rox? Really? It's been so long. This really is the best night ever!" Zoey laughed.
So they all walked over to Sushi Rox, the girls surrounded Zoey and were already gushing about the ring, and to Chase's ears, it sounded like they were already making wedding plans.
So Chase hung back a little bit to walk with Logan and Michael. "Congrats Chase, you managed to ask Zoey something without panicking about it." Michael slapped him on the back.
"Speak for yourself, in the limo I was sweating up a storm. It's a good thing Zoey thinks it's cute when I sweat. And you invited everyone else right?"
"Yep, both your guys' parents, Dustin, Mark, Dean Rivers, Mr. Bender and his wife, James, Nicole, Dana, Vince, Coco, Carl, Stacy, Jim, Jeanie…" Logan listed off.
"OK Michael be honest, how hectic is wedding planning going to be?"
"A piece of advice, you have no say in the matter, trust me. Whatever Zoey wants, she gets, you understand? Also, that's your first piece of advice for marriage, but if Lisa asks, don't tell her I said that."
Logan scoffed, "Like Chase hasn't been following that rule since eighth grade."
"Well whatever, the important thing is that Zoey and I are finally going to be together forever. And nothing will ever change that. And I never have to worry about asking Zoey anything ever again."
"Well, you may not be asking Zoey anything, but you do have one question that needs answering." Logan reminded him.
"And what's that?" Chase asked, confused.
"Who's going to be your best man?" They both said together.
Chase paused for a moment, "Um, look Logan, no offense but…"
"It's cool, I know you're going to pick Michael, and I'll allow it, but we're both going to be writing the speech so everyone knows exactly how ridiculous you were in high school."
"Yeah, 'cause we've been writing it since high school when you two finally got together the first time. It may have taken you a little longer than we thought, but everyone knew you two were going to be married someday." Michael laughed.
"Ok, ok I get it." Chase shook his head at them and they finally made it to Sushi Rox, where all the girls had stopped outside the door.
"You and Zoey have to go in first, you're the guests of honor after all." Lola declared.
"Whatever you say Lola.' Zoey shook her head at her but held out her hand to Chase, who took it happily.
"You OK? You seemed a bit mobbed up there."
"I'll be fine, but I'm sure it's just that Quinn and Lola are already arguing over maid of honor though, and apparently they've already written the speech together, so maybe I'll just have both of them."
"Michael and Logan told me the same thing, but that could actually make things easier on us, but how about we have a good time tonight but don't actually worry about anything? This is just to celebrate us."
"You're right. It is." Zoey nodded. "I love you."
"I love you too. Let's do this." Chase kissed her on the cheek one more time and then they walked through the familiar doors hand in hand ready to see everything the future will hold in the next chapter of their lives.
AN: If you've made it this far, thank you all for reading. I only hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I've loved writing this. But I think I may finally be out of episodes to rewrite for this, but if you still think there's anything more you want me to add to this series let me know. But don't worry this one may be over, but I know this won't be the last Zoey101 story I write.