.:2:.

Humans Are Social Creatures

Cody stuck out his hand for the plate that Zack picked up from the counter. He turned his head, just in time to find Zack stick out his tongue and drag it along the side of the plate, scooping up a glob of chocolate as he did so.

With his tongue still hanging out of his mouth, and practically panting like a dog, Zack looked up, locking eyes with his twin brother. Realizing he was caught, Zack continued his tongue's movement, moving it in almost a sensual manner—of which Cody knew he was doing just to freak him out—before bringing it back into his mouth. Then he handed the plate over and shrugged.

"What?"

Cody stared at him disapprovingly. "You're gross."

"You've been saying that for years, what makes you think it actually bothers me." Zack reached over and patted Cod on the shoulder. "You need to come up with some better insults if you actually want to have it make an impact."

Cody pointedly turned to the dishwasher, putting the plate inside with a little more force than he meant. "I think you've already had enough to deal with in that area." Zack sighed heavily, reaching behind him to pull himself up onto the kitchen counter. Cody frowned and hung his head, briefly closing his eyes. He opened them again and said in a low, apologetic voice, "I didn't mean it like that."

"I'm sorry, did you just apologize?" Zack chuckled to himself. "We don't apologize, remember? That's not how our relationship works." He motioned between himself and his twin brother. "We bust each other's balls"—Zack paused. He lifted an eyebrow and looked Cody up and down. "—if you have any." Cody rolled his eyes. "Then we congratulate each other on a good diss, and move on with our merry lives. Once it starts to become too personal we stop, take a step back, and go back to neutral territory. Simple as that." His phone vibrated and he moved quickly to answer it. Cody watched his face fall as he moved to respond to the message.

"Who's that?" Cody asked.

"Moose. He wants to make sure that we got coach's message about moving to do two a day practices." Zack sighed heavily, putting his phone back. "Not that I could do it anyway." He clenched his hands into fists and repeatedly tapped them on the counter.

"Being back on the team is a great accomplishment, Zack."

"Oh, I know that. I've had enough people tell me that over the last month." There wasn't a hint of arrogance in his voice. "I just wish everyone would stop acting like I'm going to fall apart the second someone says something mildly offensive or that I want to work myself a little harder. I'm not made of glass, Cody; I'm not going to shatter."

"Yeah, you're just forgetting one thing," Cody said. Zack lifted his eyebrows. "We're human. And even humans are able to be broken." He thought for a moment. "You know, there's actually a famous scientist that studied human behaviors with scenarios like this and—" Zack groaned loudly, tilting his head back against the cabinet that rested above him. "Fine. I won't enlighten you on some of the best studies over human development and societal norms."

"Even you saying that bored me to tears."

"So what's up with you and Riley?"

If the sound of a record scratch was a legitimate thing, Cody would've burst out laughing. The stunned expression on his brother's face gave him away before he could replace it with an air of aloofness that he managed to perfect over the years. If there was anything Zack hated being, it was emotional and vulnerable. Even if it was towards his brother. The many times they would have a heart-to-heart conversation would usually start with Zack hemming and hawing over 'stupid feelings' and how what they were talking about really 'wasn't a big deal' before getting down to it. And Cody was the same way.

There was something to be said about being open and sensitive towards others and while it was easy for him to do so to his parents and friends, being that vulnerable for someone who he saw every day and knew everything about his life more than his family and friends could even begin to imagine…that was hard.

Cody then smiled to himself, watching Zack slowly lose his façade. He was speaking to his brother; the only person he 100% knew wouldn't repeat any of their conversation or their secrets even when tortured.

"I have no idea," Zack said honestly. He reached up and scratched his head, frowning when he noticed strands of hair coming out between his fingers.

Cody watched in dismay as Zack quickly grabbed his beanie and quickly shoved it over his head once more. Cody had studied enough of eating disorders after Zack was hospitalized to know that the loss of hair was due to the lack of protein and nutrients in his diet. He had seen how Zack reacted when their parents tried to explain the new diet Zack had to go on, and how careful he had to be when playing basketball. He didn't want to add onto Zack's frustration and annoyance.

"Actually, I wanted to ask your opinion," Zack said, once every strand of hair was tucked underneath the beanie.

Cody placed a hand on his chest. "You want my advice on girls? Seriously?" He crossed his arms. "Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"

"Yeah, I know it's a surprise. But for some reason girls actually like you and want to be with you so you must be doing something right." Zack took a deep breath. "I have no idea what's going on with me and Riley. Since New Year's it's like she hadn't wanted to do anything."

"But you act the same way you always do," Cody pointed out. "Really good and close friends who seem to get off on fighting with each other. You've got into some of the dumbest fights I've ever seen."

Zack shrugged. "We don't fight, we playfully argue."

"Yeah, your competitiveness is so attractive." Cody's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You want my advice?"

"I just got through saying that didn't I? Or else you like to listen to me admit it."

Cody grinned. "I do." He thought for a moment. Of all of the times he had been stuck listening to their non-relationship-relationship drama and Zack's past relationships over the past year; with Max then Sadie. Then Riley finally admitted she liked him and her own issues as to why she hadn't said anything…the gears in Cody's head turned then came to a sudden stop, a proverbial light bulb dinging over his head. "You need to talk to Max. And Tapeworm."

Zack looked at him suspiciously. "The only advice you can give me is to talk to Max and Tapeworm?"

"Mhm."

"I've already talked to them."

"Not about everything you've needed to talk about. I mean an honest to God; sit down conversation about everything happened between you three. And I'm being serious. We haven't all hung out together since you broke up."

"We just went to dinner last night."

"And half of our group didn't talk to the other half." That was very true. Since Max and Zack had broke due to Max's cheating and she started going out with Tapeworm, things were different with their friends. The girls hung out a lot; it seemed that they were able to get over things a bit easier. The guys hung out, but Zack and Tapeworm were never alone together. Nor did they speak much when they were around each other when in a group; only when they had to. And when all of them were together, the awkward tension was palpable.

If the conversation topic was academic Bailey, Cody, and Tapeworm usually dominated the conversation with the others waiting for a subject they could contribute to. When it was sports everyone would join the conversation in some way but it would fall apart when Zack and Max would become engrossed in it, almost as if they weren't allowed to have fun with each other anymore. Bailey tried to force them all to talk but the conversation turned flat quickly. Then Moose tried his hand at it, and realized that despite being able to pick up Zack's chair with him sitting in it to forcibly move him that it wasn't going to make things easier either. Even Cody had noticed that despite the fact Riley was great friends with all of them; she seemed to avoid the topic of Max's former relationship with Zack as much as possible.

If Zack talking to them doesn't work, then she needs to talk to Max herself. Cod thought. He turned his attention back to his twin brother. "But of course you wouldn't notice, you were too busy staring open-mouthed at the TV behind Bailey's head."

"She was going on and on about this senior president thing, what else was I supposed to do? Pretend to pay attention?" Zack's eyes shifted behind Cody to their father as he shuffled into the kitchen, stretching his arms over his head. "Hey Dad, what's up?"

"My napping quota, apparently," Kurt replied. He then stopped and took a good look around the kitchen. "Hey, you didn't have to do the dishes. I would've gotten them done."

"Yeah, when the ants started to traipse around, carrying morsels of the provisions they'd transport back to their anthills to fashion a militia to take over your condo," Cody said.

Stunned silence shifted through the kitchen as Kurt and Zack both stared at Cody. Cody's small smile faded and he shook his head. "I really need to remember I need a translator around you two. I meant you'd be more likely to have an ant infestation if we didn't start cleaning soon. There are dishes in here that haven't been washed since the last time we're here."

"It takes a while to create enough dishes that warrants running the dishwasher," Kurt explained.

Cody understood that. Their mother had the same problem when they weren't over there either. Hard to believe their arrangement was working well. Cody had been equally excited and worried when Zack first came up with the suggestion that they trade on and off living with their parents. It had been blurted out in the heat of the moment when Zack claimed their mother preferred Cody over him and that he'd never be good enough for her. Their mother had been upset at the idea and the argument at first, but then went along with it, thinking it might help them. A part of Cody wanted to stay in the Tipton with their mom.

How could they abandon her like that?

But then again it was good practice for her for when they went off to college. And their dad had been living in Boston for a couple of years, after putting his touring band on hold, but they hadn't spent more than a weekend every few months with him. He deserved some time with his sons, too. So when it was suggested they spend every two weeks at the Tipton hotel and their dad's condo Cody went along with it. And it worked out better than any of them thought, their mom got more time to herself, their dad got more time with his sons, and neither of them had to spend too much time dealing with the boys' antics when they got bored.

"Huh, I should live here more often," Zack said with a half smile. "Anything to keep from actually having to the dishes so much back at the Tipton."

"Yeah, well, your mother has always been very specific about the way a house ran." Kurt then stopped and looked over his shoulder, practically shuddering. "Whew, I just felt a chill. It's like she actually heard me."

"She probably did. Mom hears everything," Zack pointed out.

Cody pointed at him. "You mean mom hears everything you're about to plan before you do it. Because you always look guilty." Zack reached over and grabbed a dishtowel, tossing it towards Cody, who caught it with one hand and threw it back. "Thanks for dinner, Dad. It's good to know that you finally learned how to use the crock pot."

"Without getting food burnt to the bottom," Zack quipped.

Kurt reached out and cuffed him over the head before putting him into a headlock. "You don't even know how to cook."

"I've watched Cody enough times to figure out how to do it."

"And to get rid of the take out boxes before anyone can see them," Cody quipped. He used his foot to close the door to the dishwasher. "Take a bet? You make breakfast tomorrow without killing anyone and I'll do your homework for a day?"

"Two days," Zack broke in. "I've got so much I need to do to graduate and I'll need all the help I can get. If you do what's been assigned over this weekend I can do the others I'm behind on." He held out his hand and Cody shook it firmly. "Alright. So we've had dinner and dessert, what's next?" He rubbed his hands together.

"More napping, hopefully," Kurt said. He stretched once more. "Cody's turkey was good enough but to have whipped up homemade chocolate mousse put me over."

Cody grinned. "Or you're just getting old."

"How'd this for old?" Kurt wrapped his arm around Zack's waist. Then he walked over to Cody and wrapped his free arm around Cody and lifted the two up off the ground. The twin boys laughed as Kurt spun them in circles a few times before setting them down and ruffled their hair. He then winced and grabbed his back. "Okay, that might not have been a good idea."

"A hot bath with some good bath salts and scents will offset that," Cody declared.

Zack ducked under his father's arm to hold him up. "And you wonder why people look at you funny."

"Actually, that sounds like a good idea," Kurt said. "I could really use it."

Zack half-lidded his eyes and Cody stuck his tongue out at him, blowing a raspberry.

Once the kitchen was cleaned up, Cody picked up his laptop and walked it into the living room where Zack was stretched out on the couch, eyes closed and a hand resting on his stomach. Cody watched as Zack rubbed small circles over his sweatshirt, lips pressed together.

I hope he's okay, Cody thought. He knew how heavy his dinners could be sometimes and didn't think to notice how much Zack had or hadn't eaten. Cody watched his brother a moment longer and opened his laptop. As soon as he did so he received a message from his chat program.

Bailey: Are you ready to give your speech tomorrow?"

Cody: I'm always ready. I should be asking if you are. I mean, you have to give your speech after me, it may not live up. ;)

Bailey: Speeches aren't competition, Cody. Because mine's going to be better, no question.

Cody chuckled to himself. No matter what it was, if it was academic he and Bailey managed to find a way to make it a competition. Not that Cody thought he was better than anyone else, by any means. There were plenty of people who were more well rounded and better at things than he was. But with academics and his friends, sometimes it was good to be able to talk about his scientific and philosophical interests they didn't understand but Bailey did. Tapeworm was always good to talk to but he didn't enjoy much competition other than science fairs, preferring to have share ideas with whomever asked.

But and Bailey had a fun, almost unspoken competition that had stared since Bailey moved to Boston and managed to best him on a test. He had no idea it was possible to get a 110% on a test until she managed it. That irked him just as much as it impressed him and he worked harder to get be better.

As they had both been voted the co-presidents of the senior class, they did their best to give an equal opportunity for their ideas to be showcased to the students. Homeroom and school wide morning assemblies were the best time to get their ideas across. This time around it was ideas for what the senior class would leave behind as their class gift and ideas for improvements to the school.

So far he had only come up with ideas for the senior gift, as well as working out what they would be doing for their class trip. But for improvements to the school…everything seemed to be so insignificant compared to what was going on in with Zack currently.

Cody: Oh yeah? Well, we'll compare notes when we get to school tomorrow. I have some more stuff I want to add to mine.

Bailey: Shaking in your boots already?

Cody: Your reverse-psychological projection isn't going to shake me, Miss. Pickett. We'll see who has the better ideas when we get there.

Cody: Did you think of anything for this semester's fundraiser?

Bailey: Sadie says she had it handled. She said she'd let me know what it is tomorrow.

Bailey: But I've got a backup plan just in case.

Cody thought for a moment, his hands hovering above his keyboard.

Sadie…that was an even harder conversation topic to breach with Zack and their friends.

Zack acted like everything was okay, but Cody wasn't so sure about that. How could anyone be so calm after breaking up with someone and having their explicit pictures sent around in revenge? Since speaking to Sadie about getting her to leave him alone she had stayed out their hair. But that didn't mean they couldn't completely avoid her; they were in most of the same classes and she was part of the student council.

Not to mention she was sort of part of the Drew Crew, led by Drew Anderson. She and Drew had been friends since freshman year of high school and they always hung out together. She had shunned and outright ignored some of the teasing, taunting, and bullying Drew sent Cody's and Zack's way, deeming them his enemy so to speak since they first moved to Boston. Well, since they kicked him out of the Tipton hotel after he and his friends destroyed everything.

Who knew what she'd come up with compared to their Date Auction from last semester. Well, it had been a hit, they raised a lot of money, and there hadn't been as much drama surrounding it as he thought it would be. But…that had been what set off Zack's and Sadie's drama in the first place.

Cody: I'll think of something, too. Just in case your idea crashes and burns. :)

Bailey: Ha ha. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Cody: Later.

Cody's Log

Hanging out with dad this weekend has been cool. It's weird to think about how things used to be. How I'd be lucky if I saw him once a year. How we would continuously beg for mom to let us see him when he came to a nearby sitting to tour. But those tour dates were late starts and mom wouldn't let us stay up to see him afterwards. Then he'd be on the road to the next city by that night.

It's great living here. Father-son bonding is important at any age and seeing him make an effort now is obviously supportive to our emotional and mental development. Yeah, I spent a lot of time looking at what Zack and I were missing when we were younger. Trying to push away the pain of his absence, I guess. And dad's learned how to be a better parent. He's actually got Zack to do his homework right when he comes in now instead of spending hours trying to entice him a little. (Not to say I haven't tried my hand at it either).

Things have gotten even better between him and mom now that mom's dating Arwin. It's so strange to see how well that worked out. Mom found him to be so annoying at first but really got to know him as a friend over the years and now has fallen in love with him. (I don't think they've said the words to each other yet, though). But with dad they didn't really get the chance to be friends first. I'm glad they're at least getting along better now. I can remember all of the times they'd argue even when they thought Zack and I weren't paying attention.

We noticed every time they had a fight.

It was nearly every time they were around each other.

Now they could have long conversations and talk and actually laugh with each other. They're much better off as friends, anyway. Actually, they kind of remind me of Zack and Max in a way. Not as toxic, of course. Not even close. But looking like they didn't really fit together on a deeper level. They didn't talk about serious things, didn't really get to know each other on a deeper level. Not the way Max and Tapeworm had while growing up together.

But we're young and we all make mistakes. No one knows how relationships work when you're starting out and bumps and bruises are supposed to come along the way. I guess Max was Zack's bump and Sadie was Zack's bruise. An obstacle to show what he wanted in a relationship—bump, and a reminder of what he didn't—bruise. I really don't have a lot of space to talk about it; I haven't had a girlfriend since Barbara and I broke up. And she was a great girlfriend; we had a lot in common in terms of interests and thoughts for the future. But like everyone does in high school we grew part and she ended up dating Bob. I honestly didn't see that coming but they work great together.

It just goes to show how relationships—in any form—are important and it's what keeps us thriving. Humans are very social creatures and there's nothing that can tear that apart. Until one of society starts to break apart and be different in some way, deeming themselves a bit of an outcast whether it's voluntary or not.

*What school can improve on for next year: Counseling for teachers to recognize the signs of eating disorders and mental health as well as other resources for said students.

Sadie: Hey Cody, sorry to bug you. But I was wondering if we could meet up before school and help me with my speech. They're due tomorrow and I'm not making any progress and I'm desperate.

Cody thought for a moment, re-reading the message that suddenly appeared over his journal document. He hadn't said more than five words to Sadie in years and hadn't wanted to interact with her after what she did to Zack. But she had apologized and she did seem sincere. How many people wanted to be humiliated in front of the entire school by being unprepared.

It's just one time, he reminded himself.

Cody: Um...sure, I'll take a look.

Sade: Thanks! You're the best!

A/N: Sorry for the wait on this chapter. I'm not sure how many people even saw the last update because of the problem with FFN's alerts. But I wanted to make sure the bug was fixed before posting again as well as go back and do some edits and changes. Hope you guys like it.

Like Zack's story, most of this will be from Cody's POV but there will be other characters' POVs as the story goes on.

Cheers,

-Riles