Authors Note: I'm sorry! I really did mean to get a chapter up much sooner but I've been super busy with College deadlines and stuff. As well as that, since this is my first story I've really been unsure about the quality of it and every time I've begun to write a chapter or had an idea for one I've scrapped it, thinking it's terrible, so that's not helped me get anything out fast. I didn't even like this particularly much, but it's the best I had and I thought I should just see what people thought. Anyway, on to the chapter and please, it would be great if you could tell me what you thought. Hopefully more to come soon!

This isn't hard dammit! Just walk in and pretend I don't have a potentially fatal form of cancer, slowly destroying me from the inside. All I have to do is tell them a little white lie, why is that so hard! 'Probably because you know it's not a little white lie, and that this is something really important that your twin brother and friends deserve to know'. Shut it conscious, there's a reason I don't ask you. Right, anyway, game plan, I go in there, act like everything is fine and it was just a routine check-up and everything went fine, perfect! 'Or you could just tell them the truth so you have the support of those closest to you'. Not gonna happen, I don't want people to try me like some sort of victim who needs their pity, especially them. If I tell them the truth, they'll start walking on eggshells around me and treat me differently, if I'm going to die, I want to die Zack, the underperforming, goofy prankster, not Zack the cancer patient. 'What makes you think they'll treat you any different, especially if you tell them all this'. I know they will! Whatever, let's just get this over with.

Cody, Bailey, Woody and London are all hanging on the deck, chatting when Zack walks over to them. Cody is the first to speak "Hey man, how'd it go" he asked in a worried tone.

Before Zack has the chance to speak, Bailey interjects "How did what go? Where have you been?" She says, also sounding worried but better at hiding it than Cody.

Zack rolls his eyes, irritated. "Chill out, I was just with my mom at the hospital"

At this Woody interjects, now also worried "At the hospital! What happened, are you dying!"

At this, Zack chuckles nervously, a near imperceptible look of anxiety passing across his face for an instant "Course I'm not dying ya big lug, it was just something my mom wanted checked" After this he turns to Cody "I'm fine obviously, doctor checked me out and told me I'm a model of good health, I told you there was nothing to worry about". Throughout his little speech, Zack's voice a little shaky, only acknowledged by Bailey, who narrowed her eyes ever so slightly.

With a look of relief on his face, Cody lets out a small laugh "Well I'm glad bro, you had me worried for a bit there" He then proceeds to pat him on the shoulder. "Glad to have you back man"

"Yeah well I'm glad to be back" Another nervous chuckle, after which he catches Bailey's look "Well, my shift starts soon so I best be getting back, see you guys later"

London looks up from looking at her nails for the first time since Zack arrived "What? Oh, hey Zack" She goes back to focusing on the task at hand.

Zack laughs "Hi London" Turning back to everyone "Talk to you guys later" He makes his quick getaway, Bailey scrutinizing his every move.

Once Zack leaves, Bailey pipes up again, with a calculating look on her face "Did something seem off to you guys about Zack?" After a few no's and a confused head tilt from London, Bailey walks off with a quick see you later to everyone so she can think on this some more.