It's Something Unpredictable, but in the end it's right

A ZOOM Fanfic

By Madeline Fretz

Circa 2006

Chapter 1: Come On and ZOOM!

"Cut! That's a wrap! Now get off the set - you big babies!" Marcy Gunther yelled.

"Marcy, you can't talk to the kids like that! Great job everyone!"

Kate Taylor clapped loudly, a few ZOOMCrew members joining in softly. The ZOOMers and ZOOMCrew left the soundstage, most of the ZOOMers heading out to the ZOOMZone/ZOOMRoom and flirting. All except Charlie Puth. he walked off the ZOOM set and into the ZOOMZone, ignoring the other ZOOMers. He looked around the large lounge room where the ZOOMers hung out when they were not taping, and landed on a small, black-haired tweenage boy.

Austin Richard Post.

The ZOOMers and ZOOMCrew loved him, Charlie hated him. Charlie thought that he had a bad job acting out the ZOOMPlayhouse segments and the ZOOMDos and ZOOMZnacks he made were always a mess. Charlie knew he was far superior. His voice was too raspy and he looked like a girl. He was only 11 and hadn't even gone through puberty yet! His hair was messed up and he smiled way too hard, not to mention the fact that he was the shortest ZOOMer. Elmo and Dora were much more tolerable than he was, in Charlie's opinion. That's when Austin called out loudly:

"Come on and…"

Then, the ZOOMers all responded with "...ZOOMa, ZOOMa, ZOOMa…", then everyone joined in with "...ZOOM!"

Charlie rolled his eyes, as if they didn't know the theme song. He decided to walk out of WGBH Studios, when he heard someone calling his name.

"Charlie, wait up!"

Charlie groaned and slowed up, knowing that was Austin. "Hey Charlie, the crew wanted me to tell you that you did great in the ZOOMDo, ZOOMSci, ZOOMGame, and ZOOMPlayhouse today."

"I know." Charlie admitted. Yet, he rarely got the chance to make a ZOOMDo, except today.

Austin smiled wider and followed Charlie. "I hope we do more ZOOMScis and CafeZOOMs together! I can't wait to hear about the ZOOM segments we're taping and rehearsing next week, plus we've got the live show! Aren't you excited? I hope we get great ZOOMPlayhouse segments. Don't get me wrong, I love the ZOOMDos, ZOOMGames, ZOOMScis, and CafeZOOMs, but ZOOMPlayhouse is my favorite segment. It's so funny, don't you think?"

Charlie glared ahead, still not looking at Austin and not wanting to either. "I wouldn't really know. I was in only two Playhouse segments this year."

"You do ZOOMScis all the time! I liked the Water experiment you did with Maddie and Hailee. It was amazing."

"Yeah, I only ever do ZOOMScis and I'm always with the girls. You know exactly what the ZOOMZingers and ZOOMGames are based on the fan mail that requests us to do them."

"Well, Ingrid Andress is leaving the show soon. She and Abel Makonnen Tesfaye are about to graduate high school. I heard her talking to Marcy and Kate about leaving WGBH because she had some other role coming up. Hailee swore that meant she was going to do something naughty."

Charlie Puth wished he could get rid of that stupid kid. "Abel can swear all he wants now that he's a young adult. I heard he booked something for PBS Kids Sprout, so obviously he can't work for PBS and its 24-hour preschool channel at the same time."

Austin seemed to think for a moment. "Hey, whatcha doin' this weekend? My family is taking me and my extended cousins to Walt Disney World in Florida. I'm tall enough to ride Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad by myself now. I usually rode with my parents and my brother until now. Have you ever been on a roller coaster? It's so much fun! So, do you think you and your parents can come too? It'll be fun!"

Charlie shook his head. "No. I have independent studies." Charlie was always so busy between filming for ZOOM and independent studies. Weekends were theirs.

Austin looked disheartened for a while, but he annoyingly smiled again immediately. "Well, that's OK."

Charlie thought Austin was the most annoying boy around. After Charlie said nothing in response, Austin shrugged, still smiling. "Well, see you next week, Charlie. Have a good weekend!" he gave an excited wave and ran off ahead of Charlie, toward the ZOOMZone. Charlie shook his head against the silly boy, glad he was more mature than he was. He went into the props room and knocked once before entering. He smiled at props supervisor Lisa Shaftel.

"Hi, Miss Lisa Shaftel. here are my props for the ZOOMPlayhouse and ZOOMGame."

Lisa smiled. Charlie knew she didn't like touching anything without washing it first. "Thank you, Charlie. You're always great at bringing your things back. It was a great idea for Kate to let you all be in charge of your stuff. But you've never had a prompt, have you?"

Charlie smiled a little. He liked Lisa Shaftel. She was always so nice and clean. "I'm very mature for my age."

Lisa laughed a little then nodded to the door. "See you next week, Charlie Puth." Charlie left WGBH studios, knowing the other kids would be coming along soon. He would miss Ingrid Andress when she left the show. She had a crush on him.

Charlie did have one friend on the show with him, his best friend Phillip Phillips. They were friends ever since they were both very little.

But ever since Hailee Steinfield auditioned for and joined the show, she and Maddie Poppe were inseparable, leaving Charlie Puth on his own. He didn't really mind. He had a plan. He wanted to leave the show after that season. It was a pretty simple plan.

Charlie got into his mother, Debra's car. No matter how that of a bad day Charlie had, his parents always made him smile. "Hi, Mom!"

"Hey, son. How did today go? How was the test?"

"It was good. I might not know every word in French, but that's OK. And we filmed a ZOOMSci segment today. I did great! Remembered the Materials and Steps."

Debra smiled. "That's great, Charlie. I can't wait to see. That one will air next year, right?" Charlie nodded and smiled, knowing they would watch the new season when it came out next year. "Well, wanna grab the next ZOOMPlayhouse script before we drive home?"

Charlie nodded once more and stepped inside the office, seeing other ZOOMers there as well. Phillip was there too, and alone which was very rare these days. He walked up to his best friend and gave him a hug. "Phillip, hi! How was the ZOOMDo you did today? You made Paper Mache hippos, right?"

Phillip squealed upon recognizing Charlie, and turned to give him a hug. "Heya, Charlie! It was good. I was also in the ZOOMZinger where Austin, Hailee, and I had to play a game about confusing numbers. Hey! We're going to Walt Disney World this weekend and filming an episode there, because the ZOOMCrew wanted more outdoor episodes. Are you coming?"

Charlie groaned. "Not you too, Phillip! Please don't tell me you're sticking with Austin!"

"I didn't fall, Charlie." Phillip said. "I'm a singer and dancer, and I never fall. I love Austin. Please tell me you're gonna come. PWEEEEEASE, Charlie?"

Charlie hated Austin, who was merely saccharine and annoying. Why did everyone else love him so much? It was nonsense. "Sorry, Phillip. Can't! See ya Monday!" he stormed off towards the desk where Kate Taylor was sitting, who smiled up at Charlie. "Charlie, great job today! So, here's your script for the ZOOMPlayhouse, CafeZOOM, ZOOMDo, and the live show. You'll be having the feature during the final song, along with Austin and Ingrid. Also, you'll be doing a science experiment with Hailee, Ian, and Keke. And we'll see you on ZOOM rehearsal on Monday! Have a great weekend, Charlie!"

Charlie smiled and thanked Kate and walked into Debra's car. It wasn't a lot, even if it was. His "feature" was a ZOOMSci.

After a weekend with his mom and dad, Charlie was back at WGBh on Monday. Mondays were rehearsal days, since Wednesdays were taping days. Charlie had predicted right when talking to Austin. Ingrid, Abel Makonnen Tesfaye, and Jemma McKenzie-Brown had done enough ZOOMPlayhouses and ZOOMScis already.

Debra dropped Charlie off at WGBh Studios, with a promise to back when the day was finished. Charlie got his makeup done, put on his ZOOM costume, and headed off to the ZOOMZone, groaning knowing that Austin was the only other person there. Austin Richard Post's entire face lit up when Charlie arrived and he walked over. "Hey, Charlie, how was your weekend?"

Charlie smiled and walked over to his locker. "Fine."

Austin followed after him. "That's cool! Well, like I said on Friday last week, us ZOOMers went to Walt Disney World and filmed an episode of our show there. It was so much fun! Since Ingrid, Abel, and Jemma came, their parents and the crew went with them. My half-brother Jordan came too. Anyways, it was really fun! I wish you could've come. You have to come next time, Charlie."

Charlie rolled his eyes at the boy's annoying enthusiasm. "Sorry, I like spending the weekends with my parents. Besides, I don't really fit in with anyone." Charlie sat and pulled out the ZOOMPlayhouse script he read through, hoping it would make Austin go away.

But of course things didn't work like that for Charlie. Austin sat next to him, looking at him curiously. "What do you mean, Charlie?"

Charlie shrugged a shoulder and pretended to be completely focused on the script. "Just forget it, Austin! You wouldn't understand." Because everyone on ZOOM loved Austin, Austin had no idea what it was like to be an outsider. Austin seemed to think for a moment, then thankfully dropped the subject. Too bad he didn't leave Charlie alone! "Whatcha think of the script?"

Charlie shrugged again. It wasn't too bad, even if he wasn't in much ZOOMPlayhouses, ZOOMScis, ZOOMDos, and CafeZOOMs. "It's alright!"

Phillip ran in, squealing out Charlie's name and sprinting towards them. Austin smiled as Phillip Phillips approached. Charlie was still staring at the side of Austin's face, blinking rapidly. He wanted to talk to Austin more rather than seeing his best friend. Phillip threw himself onto Charlie's lap, knocking the wind out of him. "Oof, Phillip. Better luck next time!"

Phillip giggled, then slid off his lap and sat between him and Austin. "Sorry! But I missed you this weekend. We all had so much fun at Disney, right, Austin?"

Charlie looked over at Austin, who actually looked a bit uncomfortable but still smiling. "I think I'll just pass the time by reading my script. See you two later!"

Phillip shrugged and waved him off, then launched into a long story about their time in Orlando and what segments they filmed there. Charlie watched Austin go, feeling confused. He thought there weren't other kids like him. Well, temporarily like him. He didn't know kids recognized him in the streets, school, and restaurants for being on ZOOM. he didn't know Austin was probably the same way. Once neighborhood kids found out he was on ZOOM, some wanted to be friends or fight with him. Charlie looked across the ZOOMZone at Austin, who was now surrounded by kids who easily recognized him. But behind that smile, Charlie could see some kind of sadness. Maybe he and Austin weren't different types of people after all.

Charlie got into Debra's car and shut the door, then crossed his arms in frustration. Debra looked over at her son in concern. "You OK, son?"

"I hate him." Charlie huffed.

Debra started the car and stared in confusion. "You hate who?"

"Austin Richard Post."

Debra tilted her head to the side. Charlie usually never acted like this. Something must've happened. "What's up with Austin?"

"He's annoying."

Debra tried not to laugh as she pulled away. "OK, Charlie, tell me what happened."

"The ZOOMers and ZOOMCrew like him more than me. His ZOOMDos, ZOOMScis, ZOOMPhenoms, and ZOOMZnacks are always messed up, he can't act in the ZOOMPlayhouses very well, and he does the ZOOMGames and ZOOMZingers wrong. I'm much more tolerable than he is, but that doesn't stop Bob the Director, Nancy the casting director, and Kate from giving me my part!" Charlie groaned.

Debra frowned, knowing how sensitive Charlie was at the ZOOMScis, ZOOMDos, CafeZOOMs, ZOOMZingers, and ZOOMGames. "Which part did they give him?"

"I was going to make the Pretzel Stick Magic Wand as the ZOOMZnack segment, but he did it instead. They said that I always do a mess at ZOOMZnacks, ZOOMDos, ZOOMPhenoms, and ZOOMScis, they think he on the other hand does a great job at the ZOOM segments. It's not fair! I hate him!"

"Charlie, you know it's not Austin's fault, right? He doesn't decide what segments he's going to be in." Though Debra was already planning on calling Kate Taylor the moment they arrived home.

"But he gets everything, Mom! I can't stand him, I despise him, I loathe him, I-"

"Charlie."

Charlie stopped at his mother's warning tone, zipping his lips and crossing his arms again. Debra waited until Charlie was quiet. "Charlie, you know it's not nice to call people names, right?" Charlie gave a stiff nod and Debra continued. "OK. I'll call Kate when we get home, because you are right that it's not fair for them to take away your part. But remember, it's not Austin's fault."

Charlie snapped his head over to look at his mother. "Not you too, Mom! You're defending Austin?"

"Charlie, that's enough." Charlie shut his mouth again. "Austin's a kid, and he's a few years younger than you. It's the adults that are the problem with this. Austin didn't ask to do certain ZOOM segments, did he?"

"No. But Mom, he-"

"No buts, Charlie. You're being unfair to him. And I bet he'll hear all the mean things you say about him."

Charlie stared at his mother. He couldn't believe he was defending Austin. It only made him hate the annoying black-haired 10-year old even more. Maybe he should just quit the show and make his life more easier.

A year later, Charlie is getting ready to shoot the season finale. Ever since Ingrid, Abel, and Jemma left, and their younger replacements started, Charlie was getting too old for the show as well. He got less screen time. He was sick of it. His hatred for Austin grew over the years as well, especially after he read a PBS Kids newsletter article called "fan favorites" and of course Austin from ZOOM was #1. Charlie was number 12 in a list of 23 PBS Kids characters. Enough was enough!

Charlie's parents, Debra and Charles Puth, were sick of it too. Debra couldn't count the times she had angry words with Kate Taylor, only to have nothing happen. Debra and Charles were sick of seeing their son down all the time, but they wouldn't push Charlie to quit. They couldn't help but be relieved when Charlie said he didn't want to be on the show anymore, since he was growing older and about to move on from ZOOM. They decided to move back to Rumson, New Jersey from Boston.

The director Bob Comiskey called the cut on Charlie's final scene. Everyone clapped and cheered. Charlie wanted to glare at them all, but kept a smile on his face. All that was left was the "ZOOM LIVE!" special, and he was done ZOOMing for good. Everyone came up to him and told him he did a great job and how they would miss him. Charlie didn't believe a word of it, but thanked everyone with a smile.

"Try not to forget to write, okay?" Ella hunt asked.

"I won't, Ella."

"Don't forget to count." added Abigail Breslin.

"I won't, Abbie." said Charlie.

"And make sure to dress warmly." said Jorge Lendeborg Jr. with a sad smile.

"Right, no problem, Jorge."

"Don't forget to breathe in and out!" cried Hailee Steinfield.

Charlie chuckled in amusement as he said, "Come on, you know that I always do."

"Don't forget to eat." Maddie Poppe said.

"I will not forget to eat, Maddie." said Charlie smiling sadly.

"Don't forget to read." Keke Palmer and Ian Hyland said.

"I won't." Charlie smiled.

Charlie turned to Austin as he said, "Well...goodbye Austin."

"Awww...that is the nicest thing someone ever said to us," said Austin touched by the comment. "I feel touched."

Charlie hugged Phillip.

"So it's true, you're leaving ZOOM Street?" asked Phillip worried as he walked with his best friend.

"Yes. I wanted to do better stuff. And my family's moving back to New Jersey." assured Charlie.

"I see." said Phillip, shedding some tears

Charlie was really going to miss the ZOOMers and ZOOM in general.

he was really going to miss his best friend. "Well, I guess this is goodbye." "Oh, I hate to see you go." The two friends hug each other, hoping that this isn't the last time for them to do so.

The next day was "ZOOM LIVE!," which happened to be Charlie's very last live show. It was also the first time he did a solo ZOOMDo. He made a terrarium. The audience was great, or maybe it just seemed great since this was the last time he was in front of an audience. He found himself genuinely enjoying the ZOOMSci, ZOOMZnack, ZOOMGame, ZOOMZinger, and ZOOMPlayhouse, and laughing backstage with the rest of the ZOOMers during the other segments. He would really miss being on the show.

Finally, it was time for the last ZOOMGame. ZOOMers Ella Hunt, Abigail Breslin, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Ian Hyland, Keke Palmer and Charlie Puth did a Suitcase Relay Race. After the game was over, the audience applause and everyone bowed. Then Phillip, Maddie, and Hailee came out for Charlie's last song. They all sat on various parts of the stage, some looking relaxed and others looking sad. The ZOOMers then sang "Saying Goodbye."

Charlie:

Saying Goodbye, going away

Seems like goodbye's such a hard thing to say

Phillip:

Touching a hand, wondering why

It's time for saying goodbye.

Maddie:

Saying Goodbye, why is it sad?

Hailee:

Makes us remember the good times we had

Ian:

Much more to say, foolish to try

Austin:

It's time for saying goodbye.

Keke:

Don't wanna leave, but we both know

Sometimes it's better to go

Abbie:

You're in my heart, so until then

Ella:

It's time for saying goodbye

Jorge:

Somehow I know we'll meet again. Not sure quite where, and I don't just when

Charlie:

You're in my heart so until then. Wanna smile. Wanna cry saying goodbye.

ZOOMers:

La la la la la la. It's time for saying goodbye. La la la la la la la la la la.

The audience applauded again, everyone standing and cheering for them. They all bowed, then everyone turned to Charlie and started clapping. Charlie smiled widely, knowing this would be the last time he'd hear an audience clapping. This wouldn't be the last time he would, since he might hear it again someday. But for now, his chapter on ZOOM was over.