Characters: Chase, reflecting

Timeframe: During his semester at Covington, set before Chasing Zoey

Paring: Mentions of Zoey/James, pre-Chase/Zoey.

England was truly beautiful, he had decided. Not beautiful in the sunny Californian way, but peaceful. The way the clouds lingered in the sky. It rarely rained at PCA, and he had learned to love the rainy, cold spring days. It reminded him of being back at home, in Boston, where all four seasons showed. He would have gladly stayed at Covington for the rest of his high school days, if it weren't for that one thing dragging him back, tugging at his heart, causing his loneliness.

If it weren't for her.

The students at Covington were generally friendly. His teachers were rather strict, but he enjoyed them thoroughly. As he sat outside, aimlessly strumming his guitar, he felt at peace for once, for the first time in a long time. Maybe for the first time since before he met Zoey Brooks.

He knew deep in his heart, somewhere inside of him, no matter how small that instinct was, that things would work out. She had a boyfriend, a very good looking boyfriend at that. One who's hair didn't stick up at weird angles. One who probably could walk across flat surfaces without tripping over his own feet, and one who could probably buy her expensive jewelry and take her out for fancy dinners. He knew that, because she told him.

But he also knew how much he cared about her, how much he loved her with all of his heart, with every bone, muscle, cell in his body. He loved her, and now she knew too.

Because when she left him that voicemail, crying her eyes out, the one he listened to eight times, just to keep hearing her voice, hearing her talk to him, he knew things would work out.

He sighed as he packed up his guitar and headed back to his dorm, collecting all of his belongings.

Walking with his suitcases, he took one last look around campus. He would miss the quiet Sunday mornings in the quad, the rainy afternoons, and the evenings spent by the fireplace with the group of friends he had made. He'd miss it. He really would.

But still, he'd trade it all for an afternoon spend in Sunny California, eating sushi, playing video games, and sitting out in the sun. But mostly, just for her.

And as he boarded that plane and faced the unknown, he smiled, because in less than a day, he'd see her, and that's more than he'd ever ask for.

A/N

I think that Chase is the type of guy who would really like England, if it weren't for Zoey. Maybe that's just me. These are my idea of his thoughts on the day before he came back to PCA.

Also, I mentioned a voicemail: I didn't include it on purpose. It's implying that Zoey called Chase crying about the necklace James gave her, but Chase didn't pick up. Whether he missed her call or ignored it on purpose, I'll leave it up to you.

This isn't exactly closure, but I tried to give my best effort at giving Chase some recognition. I might write a story (If I ever get time) about his time at Covington, since no one EVER talks about it.

Anyways, please leave reviews. I'm sorry I haven't been so active lately. School is kicking my ass right now, and it comes first. Sorry. But I DID post another fic, so if you feel so inclined, it's called 'Double Meaning'.

-Sarah