Hey all! Sorry with the short delay in getting back to updating this one. I do have 2 more chapters planned for this story before we move onto the sequel.

Enjoy!

"Earth to Zoe," Lemon said, tossing a pillow at her friend. "Where'd you go?" Lemon asked, all talk about the homecoming football game coming to an end.

"Nowhere," Zoe sighed, looking at her group of friends. They sat in her room for a sleepover. Tonight they'd attend the homecoming football game and tomorrow the dance. The football game tonight is where homecoming royalty would be named at halftime. Lemon, Annabeth, and Crickett were in the running to be named homecoming queen. Zoe opted out of adding her name to the ballot.

"Zoe, something is weighing heavy on your mind?" Annabeth softly said. "You can tell us whatever it is. We'll help you, not judge you for it," she reminded her friend.

"I know," Zoe nodded, grabbing the pillow Lemon threw at her and hugged it where she sat on her bed. She debated if she should tell her friends or not. But if anyone can help her out, it's going to be her friends. Even if they can't help her, they can help cheer her up.

"Does this have to do with Graham?" Crickett asked, before Zoe had a chance to say anything. Crickett looked up from the pile of nail polish, trying to find the right color to go with her dress.

"A little," Zoe nodded, glancing to where she tossed Wade's jersey after coming home from school. "He wasn't exactly happy to see that I was wearing Wade's practice jersey," she shrugged.

"To be fair you were wearing a guys' jersey, a guy that you are friends with, but it's still another guys' jersey," Lemon commented. "George would be pissed off if I had done that, on one of the biggest days for a game," she tacked on. "It does send a little message that you're picking your best friend over your boyfriend," Lemon added.

"It's not like I went to school wearing Wade's jersey. Nor did I seek Wade out for it," Zoe sighed. "It's not my fault that Gregory started a fight with Meatball." No, she was just the unlucky one that got covered in Meatball's lunch. Wade being the best friend that he is, got her his practice jersey for football. Luck had been on her side as the jersey had been washed the night prior.

"I do recall Graham offering you his hoodie," Crickett shared.

"And I would have gladly taken his hoodie, if it wouldn't have been left on the bottom of his locker for the better part of this past year," Zoe quipped out. Heck, she's sure he never took it out of his locker over summer vacation.

"Ew," Lemon commented. She's smelt a great deal of George's sweaters that he leaves in his locker for a few days.

"Did you tell Graham any of this?" Annabeth asked, feeling bad for her friend.

"Of course I did," Zoe sighed. They've had a few break-ups over the past two years over stupid things. And she really doesn't want this to be the cause of another break-up. "But he's still hung up on the whole Wade thing," she confessed to her friends.

"I'm not trying to be mean here, but is there more to the whole Wade story?" Lemon asked.

"No," Zoe stated, shaking her head. "He's my best friend. I don't see him as anything but my best friend. That's how he sees me as well. There is no hidden feelings between us," she told her friends.

"Are we sure?" AB asked. "He did breakup with Lily Anne," she pointed out.

"That has nothing to do with me," Zoe stated. Wade finally caved a few months ago and started to date Lily Anne. They had been going out for a good 4 months when they broke up. The story everyone knows is that he broke up with her. But that's not what went down.

"If it's not you, then why'd they break up?" Crickett asked with a smirk.

"Not my business to share," Zoe shrugged. She did promise Wade that she wouldn't share the real reason as to why. Zoe found the reason to be stupid, there's no way she'd breakup with anyone because she couldn't be responsible enough to take care of her pet gerbil. Even so, it was an accident and Wade wasn't at fault for it. "Besides he's enjoying the single life, and he's got enough friends to help him heal," she told them with disdain in her voice. Because no she doesn't agree with what he's doing.

"He's only being a player because he can't have the one he wants," Lemon smirked. Zoe rolled her eyes at her best friend, throwing the pillow back at Lemon.

"You've lost it," Zoe retorted, ducking when the pillow came back her way.

"You're blind, Zoe Wilkes," Lemon stated. "Now that we're done moping about, let's get ready for this game," Lemon smiled.

"Just so you know I didn't vote at school today," she informed her friends. How was she supposed to vote for only one of her friends?

"You best not be lying because you can't bare to hurt your friends by picking one of us as the best," AB laughed.

"I guess you'll never know," Zoe teased.

"Just remember you will be on the ballot for prom queen," Crickett reminded her.

"How can I forget?" Zoe asked with a sigh. As much as she made it seem like she was put out about running for prom queen, she couldn't wait for prom at the end of the school year. "Now let's get our spirit on and go cheer our Big Blue on," she said, moving from her bed to get ready to meet up with the rest of the cheer team before the game.

With a few more laughs they got ready to go cheer their team on, not just wanting to win over Daphne but needing to win over their rival. They headed out once they were ready to go, Lemon, AB and Crickett bringing their dresses with for halftime when the royalty court would be announced. Excitement for the game took over on the small trek to the high school as they talked over each other.

"I need a favor," Wade said, coming up to Zoe as she finished with the cheer meeting and Wade needed to be on the field for practice before the game.

"Do I even get a say in it?" Zoe asked, eyeing her best friend up with a smile. She doesn't mind helping Wade out.

"Not really," Wade chuckled. "I need an escort before the game," he stated. Zoe sighed, already knowing she'd do it. She'd have to find Graham before the game and explain things to him. "I can't have just anyone do this, please say you will," he pouted.

"You already know I will," she laughed, giving his padded shoulder a push. "Stop by this weekend, and you can pick your jersey up. Thanks for letting me borrow it," she told him.

"No thanks needed," he smiled. "You already know I'll be there," he laughed, heading out to the field.

Zoe laughed and headed on her way to find her boyfriend. She hopes he won't be too mad about her agreeing to escort Wade on the field tonight. There's only two games where the senior players get an escort to the field. Homecoming was reserved for the players date to the dance, with Wade not having a date, she got to be stuck escorting him to midfield. Zoe didn't mind. The second game where the seniors got escorted to midfield is the last game of the regular season, and that is just for the parents. A way for them to honor their kid with one last hoorah before the season ends.

"Zoe, hey, I want to apologize for the way I acted earlier. I know Wade's only your best friend, and he was helping you out, and I did take my hoodie home to get it washed, it did smell," he frowned. "I'm sorry," Graham apologized, placing his hands on Zoe's hips.

"You're forgiven," she smiled lightly, hooking her hands together behind his neck. "I know my friendship with Wade can be a lot at times, but that's all we are is friends. He was the first one I made when I first moved here," she shrugged. They may have acted like they hated each other at first, but they did get off on the wrong foot, and it was all her fault. "I need you to promise me that you won't get mad, and remember that it means nothing, and I am doing this for him as a favor for a friend," she rushed out.

"I figured he'd ask you to escort him tonight," Graham chuckled. "I am not too fond of it, but I can't stop you from doing anything," he told her.

"Thank you for not being mad and understanding," she told him, standing on her tippy-toes to kiss him.

"We don't need your boyfriend to ruin your makeup look for the game," Lemon stated, pulling the couple apart.

"Sadly she is right," Zoe sighed. "Though I will be all yours tomorrow night for the dance," she smiled.

"Zoe, I'll be watching you tonight cheering the team on," he chuckled. Zoe laughed, pecking his cheek before walking off with Lemon to get ready for the game.

Zoe frowned looking down at her cheerleading uniform sighing. Some of the girls standing in line to escort their boyfriend's out on the field were all dressed up. A few of them where cheerleaders but they had put jeans and their boyfriend's spare jersey on. Something she wasn't able to do, because Wade isn't her boyfriend, and it would be weird to wear his jersey out there saying otherwise. And frankly she didn't want to go through the hassle of putting pants on only to take them off for the game.

"I think it's cute that you're wearing your uniform for cheer," Wade commented next to her. "You are a cheerleader, so it makes sense," he shrugged. "Makes us look like the perfect football couple," he teased with a wink.

"Yeah you're not very funny," she deadpanned. "And it's not like you got all dressed up," she teased, elbowing him in the ribs, hitting the pads he wore.

"It is the traditional clothes for a football game," he chuckled, holding his arm out for her to take. Zoe easily slipped her hand inside his elbow.

"Being escorted by Zoe Wilkes, is number 65 Wade Kinsella," announced assistant principal Mr. Becker.

For the first half of the game it was easy to cheer her team on. They were looking good on the field, their defense stopping Daphne's offense from scoring, holding them to zero for the first half while Bluebell scored 17 points. Two touchdowns and a field goal. At halftime Zoe headed to the bleachers to sit with her boyfriend and his friends. Sure, she gets along with them, but she doesn't seek them out when she's not with Graham, just like they don't seek her out. When it came time to announce the king and queen she wasn't picky on what friend won, other than George, she wasn't friends with the other guys running. Lemon and George had won homecoming king and queen.

It wasn't until halfway through the third quarter that things took a turn for the worse. Bluebell's team was still fighting strong, but it was the play that moved in slow motion that left the residents speechless. Wade saw the play coming before the ball was snapped, moving to block George before the Daphne player hit George, who would have been likely to live out his days in a wheelchair, instead of George taking the hit Wade did, and he laid on the ground with the pain in his side getting stronger as he struggled to breathe.

The last quarter and a half of the game went by slowly, the team wanting to win for Wade. For Zoe, she went through the cheers and the routines in a daze, her thoughts occupied with Wade. She wanted to know what was going on with him. Feared it was something horrible. She doesn't know if he's at the practice or if they had to take him to Fairhope to get checked out. All Zoe wanted was for the game to be over, so she could put her mind at rest when it comes to her best friend.

Zoe rushed into the Kinsella house having been informed after the game that he was resting comfortably as one can with broken ribs in his bed. She said a quick hello to Earl and Jackie as she rushed upstairs to bursting into his room. She didn't even stop to change out of her cheer uniform. Wade sat in his bed, an amused look on his face. Soon enough he'd be out thanks to the killer pain meds Dr. Wilkes gave him.

"I was so worried," she commented, hugging him as gently as possible, she didn't want to hurt him more.

"Why'd you do that for?" He asked with a soft chuckle. "They can break a few bones, but they can't break me," he assured her.

"You're my best friend, of course I am going to worry," she stated, taking a seat on his bed. "Do you need anything?" She asked.

"Ma already brought me stuff. I just," he was in the process of saying when a yawn hit him. "Sleep, I wanna sleep," he informed her.

"I'll be back tomorrow to check on you," she told him, getting up. "Night Wade," she said, walking to his bedroom door.

"Night Zo," he replied when another yawn overcame him. "Zoe wait," he softly called out. Zoe stopped in the hallway outside his room waiting to hear what he needs. "Did we win the game?" He asked. Zoe laughed.

"Go figure you'd be worried about the outcome of the game," she giggled. "Yes, we won 27 to 20," she told him.

"Always knew the team needed me," he chuckled.

"That they do," Zoe laughed.

Zoe sat at a table drinking her cup of fruit punch. She could see her friends having a blast on the floor with their dates dancing. Graham sat next to her, he's been urging her to dance with him, and she has, but she's not having as much fun as she thought she would have. She's put a fake smile on for her friends, but just like Graham they saw through it. She did check on Wade earlier in the day, that's why her mood isn't the best. He was in worse pain today than he had been last night. Graham offered to ditch the dance, as he would rather be on the pitching mound.

"Zoe, I can tell that you're not even here," Graham sighed next to her. "I don't mind if we duck out early," he told her.

"Really?" She asked, sitting her cup on the table. "I know I'm not being the best date tonight, but I can put it all away, if you want to stay," she told him.

"And make the night miserable for the both of us?" He asked, nudging her. "We both want to be elsewhere, so let's do that and enjoy our night," he suggested.

"I promise, I will make it up to you tomorrow, we can go hang out in Fairhope for the day," she commented, standing up. It wouldn't be the first nor the last family dinner she's missed.

"It's a date," he smiled, holding her hand, leading her out of the school's gym. "I'll drop you off at Wade's," he informed her.

"Thank you, for letting me do this, for understanding," she told him.

"He's your best friend," Graham shrugged, opening the passenger side door for her. "I know how you two are, and at times it does make me jealous, even though I don't have anything to worry about, it's just hard at times," he confessed, starting his car.

Zoe remained quiet. She's assured him for the full two years they have been dating that there's nothing going on between her and Wade. That they are just friends, close friends. They're close, but not like in a sibling way, that's what she has with Jesse and Wade doesn't feel like that, it's a bit different when it comes to him.

"I'll call you tomorrow morning," Zoe told him, having broke the mini kissing session in the car. Graham nodded. "Love you," she smiled, feeling his lips brush against hers. She's not sure if she's in love with him, but she does feel some sort of love for him.

"As I love you," he replied, letting her go. He waited until she was in the Kinsella house before driving off.

The kitchen and living room were empty, she could see Jackie and Earl sitting in the backyard. She slipped her silver strappy heels off and left them by the door and made her way to Wade's room, being quiet not wanting to wake him if he so happened to be asleep. She took a look into his room, his door being open, to see him wide awake.

"I love this movie," she said, entering his room, seeing he's watching Take the Money and Run.

"What are you doing here?" Wade asked, looking to see his best friend. "You do look beautiful," he told her, motioning for her to join him in his bed.

"Thank you," she smiled, getting comfortable in his bed. Her royal blue dress is knee-length, with 3/4th sleeves of lace. "I wasn't having fun at the dance," she shrugged. She had already gotten her picture taken with Graham.

"Where is lover boy? Can't imagine he was too happy with you wanting to be here instead of with him," Wade commented.

"He's at the baseball field, working on his pitches, with the season right around the corner," she shared. "He gets it," she shrugged.

"You can go be with him," Wade commented, turning back to the TV.

"Wade Kinsella, I am right where I want to be," she stated, placing her head on his shoulder to watch the rest of the movie.

Wade settled in to finish the movie with his best friend curled up next to him. He smiled, he didn't think his night would end like this. He had been on the fence about going to the homecoming dance, with the broken ribs, he had no other choice but to stay home. When Zoe came over earlier in the day to hang out for a while, he really wanted to ask her to stay with him, but he wasn't about to do that to his best friend. So to have her here with him to end their night it was the best.

Zoe waited until the movie was over, keeping her laughter quiet, Wade falling asleep not to long after she got there. When she got to the front door, Earl and Jackie were curled up on the couch. She informed them that Wade was sleeping, as she grabbed her shoes. Making a stop at her house, to trade her heels for a pair of sneakers, she headed back out. Luckily enough her parents were still gone on their date.

"Do you ever go home?" She asked teasingly, leaning against the fence, watching her boyfriend throw ball after ball. His suit jacket laid on the fence, and he had the sleeves of his white dress shirt rolled up.

"Why would I do that for?" He asked with a smirk, walking to where she stood. "How is Wade?" He asked, coming to stand in front of her.

"Sleeping," she shrugged. "The better question is how is the pitching coming along?" She asked.

"That could be better," Graham nodded. "Though having a break helps," he smiled. "You know that you never cashed in on that rain check from two years ago," he commented.

"Going to all your games and wearing your number doesn't count?" She asked, walking around the fence to join him on the field.

"Nope," he laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "I liked having the support, but you didn't learn how to pitch," he said, kissing the crook of her neck.

"I don't think I am wearing the right clothes to learn today," she laughed, letting him led her to the pitchers mound.

"You're the sexiest pitcher I have ever seen," he winked, getting her into position, helping her put a mitt on.

Zoe wasn't sure how much fun she would have learning how to throw a baseball, but with her boyfriend there to fix her stance and the way she held the baseball, she found herself enjoying the time spent and soon enough she didn't need he's help to throw the ball for a strike. It was one of the best non-date dates they've been on.