"Wow, this place is coming along nicely." Freddy said walking in the gym. It was Saturday, the dance was on Friday, Frankie and Leonard had been putting up decorations with some help from other students while Gordon and Marco were getting the effects and lights ready for the past week now.

"Thanks, you guys don't sound half bad either." Frankie responded.

"Hey Freddy, can you hold the ladder in place, while I climb up to realign the sign?" Leonard asked.

"Um, sure." He said walking over and holding it.

"Oh hey, Freddy." Zack said, walking out from behind backstage.

"Zack? Hi, wait what are you doing here?" Freddy asked, turning around and letting go of the ladder.

"Freddy, wait, what the Hell?" Leonard called from the top.

"Gordon told me that he and Marco needed some help so I came here after practice. What are you doing here?"

"Well, the dance is only a few days away so I thought I'd check out how the decorations were coming along."

"It sure looks nice huh?" Zack asked, looking around.

"Yeah, it does." Freddy said looking right at Zack.

"Hey, I was gonna go grab a bite to eat since I'm done helping out upstairs, do you wanna come along?"

"Yeah, I'd love to, let's go." He said as they walked out.

"Freddy, I'm still up here!" Leonard called. "Hello?!"

"Low on cash huh?" Freddy asked.

"What makes you say that?" Zack asked.

"I don't think I've ever seen you in a McDonald's before." Freddy told him. The two of them were sitting in a booth buy one of the windows.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not, maybe I won't tell you." He told him.

"Hey Zack, about the dance, I was wondering if you wanted to go with me maybe. Like as friends I mean."

"Oh, so that's why you've bringing Bart to band practice." Zack said, putting a chicken nugget in his mouth.

"Guilty as charged. I figured we could have fun at a dance for once instead of being on stage the whole time."

"Idk Freddy, I still need to play my part and going to a dance together? I'm not really we're there yet." He said shyly.

"Come on Zack, we're friends, we should be comfortable enough to go place together. I mean you asked me out to eat after all."

"I guess so,"

"We'll keep it completely platonic, please Zack." Freddy asked, making a puppy face.

"Ok Freddy, you win. We can go to the dance together." Zack caved, "As friends." He added.

"As friends," Freddy repeated.

"As friends? What the Hell does that mean?" Freddy asked out loud at home later.

"Zack again?" His mom asked.

"No Mom, it's the other boy I've been hopelessly in love with since kindergarten, but thank you for playing."

"There's that Jones humor that I love so much. You can talk to me you know? I was in high school once upon a time too."

"Yeah, like a million years ago."

"I am not that old." She told him. "Listen, I know relationships can be complicated especially at your age, but you need to understand that this situation will pass. And if you want my opinion, I think you should try dating other people. Then if you still find you like Zack more, go back to him, but it's not healthy to be hung up on him constantly."

"Mom, I tried that. All throughout middle school I did. I dated around to tell myself I was straight and that I'm not in love with the same guy that I've been crushing on forever. But it didn't work, I'm still sitting here and I still love him."

"How does he feel about you?"

"I don't know, he keeps sending me mixed signals. He usually talks to me like there's nothing between us, but then he kissed me twice since we broke up and sounded disappointed when I lied and said I liked us as friends."

"Wait what?" She asked.

"He asked if I missed being with him and I said I liked us as friends because I thought that's what he wanted to hear." Freddy explained.

"Freddy, that was probably an invitation to be with him again." His mom told him.

"That would've been nice to know beforehand." He said annoyed.

"Even if it wasn't, you should've told the truth. Lying won't get you anywhere."

"I know, I know, but what if I told him that I still liked him and he stopped talking to me? I don't like that we're just friends, but it's better than not talking at all. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have him in my life at all."

"I understand, but you can't live a lie. You need to tell Zack the truth, not matter what the outcome."

"Yeah, I know." He said sitting up. "Mom, I'm scared." He told her. She opened up her arms as the two of them hugged while she patted his back.

"It's gonna be ok, honey. It'll be hard, but it's better than sitting around hoping for something."

Ashton was down in the basement. He had just finished shooting a...special video for the internet when he got a text from Zack.

Z: Are you filming rn?

A: Nope, just finished. You can come on down.

Zack opened the door to the basement and went down to where Ashton was finishing getting dressed. "What's up shit head?" He asked.

"It's...it's about Freddy," He began.

"Don't date him, bye." He said, shooing him out.

"This isn't a date, just listen." Ashton rolled his eyes, but let his brother continue. "So, he asked me to go to the dance with him, but just as a friend."

"Yeah, that's a trap. He wants you. Don't say yes."

"I kind of already did." He said, nervously.

"Then why are you talking to me about it? Sounds like your mind's made up. It's not like you still like him or anything like tha-" He stopped and turned to Zack, noticing he was avoiding eye contact. "Are you shitting me right now?"

"Ash, I don't know if I like him. I might, but I really don't know anymore."

"Then what do you want?"

"I just need to vent really."

"Keep going, I'm meeting up with Jessie soon."

"Ok, so when Summer chose Freddy to look after her brother, I said I'd watch with him because I wanted to help. I thought it'd be a good thing to learn how to watch a kid, but I really liked spending time with Freddy too."

"And that kiss,"

"I didn't stop him. Also, remember my date with Justin?"

"That piece of shit? How could I forget?" Ashton said, feeling himself getting angry.

"Well, that night, I called Freddy over and we went up to the tree-house." He told him.

"Please tell me you didn't."

"No, of course not. I don't know if I can anymore. But I told Freddy about what happened and before he left, I kissed him. I told him it was to ge Justin out of my mouth and that was true, but it was also because I remembered how much Freddy cared for me and I needed to feel that again after what happened. I don't know why, but last week, I asked Freddy if he missed being with me."

"What'd he say?" Ashton asked, very interested in the answer.

"He said no. Said he had alot of fun being with me, but he liked us being friends. I don't know why, but I felt a little sad when he told me that."

"Zack, you like him. Just go to the dance with him. It goes against my better judgement. But, you're actually better with him than without."

"R-really?"

"Really, really." He said putting a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I'm taking off. If you're gonna stay down here, don't mess with my stuff."

"Don't worry, this place creeps me out." He said following his brother out.

The night of the dance came around. Freddy skated over to Zack's house since Ashton had agreed to give them both a ride. He walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Zack opened the door, with his hair still wet and took a look at Freddy. "I didn't even know you own clothes that nice." He said as a joke. Freddy was wearing a white button up shirt with a black bow tie, a white suit jacket over it and black slacks. "Matches your hat too."

"My mom dug it out. Said I should wear it."

"Well, you look good. The suit I mean, it looks really good. I mean, you don't not look good." Zack stumbled over his words. "Come on in, I just need to go up stairs and change."

"If you need, I could always hel-"

"Sit." Ashton said walking in. Freddy sat down on the couch.

"I'll be right back down. Just give me two minutes." Zack walked up the stairs leaving Freddy and Ashton alone.

"So, crazy this is happening again huh?"

"Shut up and listen. This is, without a doubt, your last chance. Understand?" He said.

"Look Ash, I appreciate the sentiment, this isn't a date. Zack and I are just friends."

"Sure, sure. Whatever helps you feel better." He said, not facing the blond. He was about to open his mouth to protest when Zack came back down stairs.

"Ok, I'm ready." Zack said walking down stairs. Freddy looked over and felt his breath leave him. Zack walked down wearing a teal suit jacket, matching teal slacks, a teal tie and a pink button up shirt. Freddy completely lost himself staring at Zack until he felt Ashton shove him a little.

"You look really good. Like really good." He said regaining his breath.

"Not my choice to wear this. All the band members have to wear this." Zack explained. "You'd know this if you didn't have Bart take your place." He added.

"Can I help it if I wanted to dance with you instead?" Freddy asked with a blush. "Besides, he's come a long way."

"Ok, just so you know, I can't be with you the whole night. I still have to play."

"I know, that's fine. It's not this is, like a date or anything." He said with a laugh before the two fell silent.

"Hey idiots, we going or what?" Ashton asked, stepping out the door. They both turned to follow.

Ashton pulled up to the gym at the school and Zack climbed out. Freddy was about to when Ash stopped him. "A word please."

"Go ahead Zack, I'll catch up." Freddy said sitting down.

"Remember-"

"This is my last chance I know. But don't worry, I don't know if Zack even likes me like I like him." Ashton sat in silence, knowing full well how Zack felt.

"If you hurt him again-"

"I would never, in my wildest dreams, want to see Zack hurt the way he was before. I promise." Freddy said before climbing out. He went inside and saw that the gym did look really nice now they had finish putting all the decorations up. It barely even looked like the same building. He saw Zack up on stage with the rest of the band and smiled to himself before walking over and hopping up with them. "Hey guys,"

"Oh hey bro," Bart said, still paying attention to the rest of the group.

"You sure you got this little man?"

"Well, that depends on how good my teacher is." He said smiling at him.

"Yeah, you got this."

"I'll catch up with you later Freddy." Zack told him as the band grabbed their instruments.

"Are you guys dating again?" Lawrence asked. Both of them lit up red.

"N-no, we're just here as friends. Right Freddy?" Zack looked over, but Freddy was already leaving.

Freddy was out in the crowd when the band started playing. Bart really did sound good, Freddy doubted that anyone could really tell the difference.

After awhile the band took a break and Zack came to join him in the crowd. "You guys sound great tonight."

"Thanks, I kind of wish you were playing with us though."

"Yeah, but look at Bart," The two looked over to Bart laughing along with the other band members. "The kid's having a blast."

"You really are a good brother."

"Say that a little louder why don't you?" He said before they both laughed.

"They really do look cute together, huh?" Katie asked Tomika.

"I still don't know how the couldn't make it work." She responded.

"You girls thinking what I'm thinking?" Summer interrupted, walking in between them.

Zack looked over and saw the rest of the band moving back to the stage. "Guess that's my cue to leave." Zack said, walking away from Freddy. But when he was about to climb onto the stage he was stopped by Chiaki.

"We got this, just go have fun." Chiaki told him.

"You're sure?" He asked.

"Trust me," Zack shrugged and walked back to meet up with Freddy.

"They just kick you out or something?" He asked as a joke.

"They said they got this one?" Zack answered as more of a question. "What they Hell are they planning?" Just after he asked, the music began and Chiaki's voice came out over the microphone.

"Pull that special someone in close and tight now."

"Oh, that's their plan." Zack said, annoyed. He looked over and saw Freddy holding his hand out.

"I don't mind dancing if you don't." He said. Zack took a deep breath and took his hand.

Chiaki: Earth angel, Earth angel, will you be mine?

My darling dear, love you for all time.

I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you.

"Gee, think they're trying to tell us something?" Zack asked.

"I don't mind." Freddy told him as they continued to dance.

C: I fell for you, and I knew

The vision of your love's loveliness

I hope and I pray, that someday

I'll be the vision of your hap, happiness

"H-hey Zack?"

"Yeah?"

"A while back, you asked me if I missed being with you. Now, I'm the one asking. Do you miss it? Miss us?" He asked.

"I mean, How could I not? We had so much fun together. And everything just felt right when I was with you, ya know? Whenever I woke up and saw you sleeping next to me, I knew everything was gonna be alright. But if you just wanna be friends, it's fine I won't force you-"

"Zack, I lied." Freddy said abruptly.

"What?"

"I don't want to just be friends. I want us back together. Nothing's made sense since you left. Zack, I…"

"Get out"

He could shake the feeling of what happened that night. That was until he felt Zack's hand tilt his chin back up to look him in the eyes. Wait. Eyes? "Look at that, I don't have to lean down to kiss you anymore."

"I guess I have gotten taller huh?"

"Now, what were you gonna say?"

"Oh yeah. Zack, I love you." He said with confidence.

"I love you too." He said before they finally came back together for a long, romantic kiss.

C: Oh, oh, oh, Earth angel, Earth angel, please be mine

My darling dear, love you for all time

I'm just a fool,

They separated as Zack rested his head on Freddy's shoulder as they continued to dance.

A fool in love with you

"What do you say we get out of here?" Zack asked with a smirk. Freddy smiled at him as they made their way through the crowd, out into the hallways of the school and happened upon an unlocked classroom.

"I've always wanted to do this." He said as he lifted up Zack and set him down on a desk before the two began to furiously make-out. They broke apart for air as Freddy gently pushed Zack down on his back and began to unbutton Zack's shirt.

Zack closed his eyes and felt a chill go up his spine and an faint image of Justin flashed in his mind. "Stop. Stop!" He cried sitting bolt upright and breathing fast.

"What? What's wrong? Are you ok?" Freddy asked, getting worried.

"The way you were unbuttoning my shirt, that's how...that's how he-"

"Ok, we'll stop ok?" Freddy said butting his own shirt back up.

"I'm sorry, I know you really wanted to." Zack said, looking down.

"It's ok Zack. You're ok." Freddy said rubbing his boyfriends back with one hand and holding one of Zack's with the other. "You're gonna be ok. I'm right here and I'll stay here. I promise." He said planting a kiss on Zack's cheek. "Let's go back to the dance and have some fun."

"Ok, after you hold me a little longer." Zack said, leaning into Freddy.

Freddy was walking Zack home now that the dance had finished. They did return to the dance floor to have some more fun before it had to come to and end.

"Um, so thanks. For everything." Zack said approaching his front door.

"No problem. You know I'll always be there for you." He said with a smile. "Oh, in all the excitement, I forgot." He reached under his shirt and undid the half heart necklace with the initials "FJ" imprinted on it. "You dropped this." He said holding it out.

"You kept them?" Zack asked, taking it from Freddy and putting it back on.

"Never took them off for a second." He said, showing off the "ZM" necklace he was wearing. The two gazed longingly at each other before the front door opened behind Zack with Ashton standing there.

"Get inside." He said. Zack waved a walked around his brother. Freddy and Ashton looked at each other for a second. "Are you gonna come inside or stand there looking stupid all night?" Freddy's eye' shot open wide before smiling and running inside after Zack.