A/N - Hey all, I'm still working on the third chapter as we speak. I do apologise to any nit-pickers out there for my errors in spelling of certain characters' names; I'm still getting the hang of American spelling. There will unfortunately be more characters to introduce, but hopefully you'll enjoy the witty dialogue : ) Once chapter 3 is complete, the real fun will begun in the remaining chapters, particularly between Zack and Maddy. So hope you all keep reading and enjoy what's coming between these two crazy kids.
Chapter 2: Two for the Price of One
Wednesday, 3 June 2009, New York City, 6am. An alarm clock buzzed and whirred in an apartment in downtown Manhattan. The occupant of this apartment paid no attention to the alarm clock, but resolutely kept her head buried under her pillow. A bunch of screwed-up bits of paper outlined the queen-sized bed. All that could be seen of the apartment owner's body were her shapely legs protruding beneath the mass of tangled duvet, recently tanned from a spur-of-the-moment vacation in San Diego.
Maddie Fitzpatrick had spent the better part of the night and early morning attempting to work on ideas for her latest piece, but to no avail. She was no stranger to words; she had graduated top of her class from Brown University with a double degree in English Literature and Journalism just 3 years prior and was now a successful journalist at the New York Times. Maddie had written over a hundred articles for the Times, but she had finally met her match: she was getting published. It had been Maddie's life-long dream to write a novel and her chance had finally arrived. But it was already 3 months later and all she had was one chapter to show for her efforts. And she had to be at work in two hour's time, but she just didn't have the energy for it. But then again, everything had been a drag for Maddie lately. The alarm buzzer went once again, duty calls.
Maddie protruded from under the pillow, and fussed with her disheveled blonde hair. She got off her bed in a daze and stretched, carefully stepping over the clutter surrounding her bed. She then strolled automatically to the bathroom and began brushing her teeth and rinsing her face. She returned a few seconds later to her bedroom and began rummaging in her closet for something decent to wear to work. In her dazed state of mind, Maddie tramped on a bundle of papers near her bed and winced at whatever had pricked her foot. She picked up an envelope with a dried flower glued to its front and sat down on her bed. The envelope was addressed to her; the return address was that of the Tipton Hotel in Boston. Inside the envelope was Carey and Arwin's wedding invitation, cordially inviting Maddie to attend. Maddie had already read through its contents the previous night, which would account for part of the reason why she had trouble sleeping.
MADDY
Carey and Arwin are getting married?! Now that beats everything! I mean, Carey's just so cool, sophisticated and beautiful. And Arwin's so… Arwin. I guess love really is blind. I wonder how Zack and Cody took the news about their engagement. Cody was probably really supportive and outwardly happy. Zack on the other hand… well, I bet his expression was priceless. I can't believe how things have changed in a few years. It was really nice of Carey and Arwin to think of inviting me even though we haven't seen each other in ages. I'd really love to go to the wedding and to go back to Boston again. I'd only been back for 2 Christmas vacations to see my family since I moved to New York. And it wouldn't be a problem to take time off from work. I could just ask Jim our intern to fill in for me and do my articles for about 2 weeks. Carl, my editor won't mind; plus, Jim's a real eager beaver. But I just don't know if I can go back to Boston right now. I just don't know if I can face Zack.
I mean, I haven't seen Zack in about 4 years. To be exact, I haven't seen Zack since…Prom Night. It wasn't even supposed to be in the cards. I was in my dorm back at Brown just like I was every other night when I got an email from Carey out of the blue. It seemed routine enough; asking me how college was going and updates on her and the twins. But then she mentioned that Prom was coming up and Zack was really depressed because he didn't have a date. That sounded really weird; Zack hits on anything that moves, how could he not have a date by now? What was bugging him? And then it hit me faster than a ton of bricks: Zack was depressed because of me. And all because I made him some stupid promise a billion years ago. Basically I promised Zack that if he were my date for my Prom, then I would be his date for his Prom. And then I forgot all about it, I felt so terrible. But what I could do? And then I got a brain wave: I had to go back to Boston, at least for one night and fulfill my promise to Zack. I owed him that much. So I packed a bag, bought a bus ticket and headed for Boston.
My heart ached when I walked into the ballroom and saw Zack sitting all alone by himself at a table. And Cody was dancing nearby, with a skanky girl grinding up against him (talk about bizarre). Zack looked so dejected, I almost felt like crying. But I pulled myself together and walked towards him. It was as if everything suddenly began moving in slow-motion like in a movie. His eyes lit up literally when he saw me, it was actually really sweet. And then Zack asked me to dance, I'd forgotten what a great dancer Zack was. I felt incredibly light in his arms. We talked and we laughed, the years apart seemed to melt away. I couldn't believe how much fun I had with Zack that night, it was so surreal.
And then before I knew it, Prom Night was over and Zack had walked me up to my hotel room at the Tipton which I had booked for the night. I couldn't believe how relaxed the mood was between us, I was really glad that I came to Boston, if only for one night. I was content to just stand outside my hotel door just talking to him. And then out of nowhere, Zack leant in and kissed me. It was such a sneak attack and I didn't even have time to respond or pull away. When Zack eventually stopped, I think I asked him what he thought he was doing. And then he told me the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my entire life: "Love is like friendship on fire and that's how I feel about you. I always have Maddie." I don't even remember what I said in response to that, but I do remember kissing Zack back with more power than the electric company. Zack's kiss held a touch of inexperience in it, but it was both intense and gentle all at once. I had never been kissed that way before and hadn't since then. It just takes my breath away just thinking about it.
And then nothing for 4 years. Just thinking about Zack's kiss felt wrong somehow, he is still younger than I am. I mean, I was Zack and Cody's baby sitter once upon a time; Carey was like a second mom to me. I had no business thinking about Zack and his kisses in a romantic way, even after all this time. And if I go to the wedding, then I'll have to deal with Zack and all our unresolved issues. What am I going to do? I don't want to miss the wedding, but I can't face Zack alone. If only I had some back-up, a buffer if you will between myself and Zack's 9-year infatuation with me. After moving to a new city and starting a new job, I didn't have that many close friends. But surely there had to be someone. Wait…of course! Why didn't I think of that before? But how on Earth was I going to get in touch with her?
Maddie's cell phone began ringing violently just as she was hailing a cab to go to work. Distractedly, Maddie rummaged through her bag for her phone while giving the cab driver instructions to get to her destination. "Hello?" she asked expectantly while perusing her filofax. "My, don't you sound chipper first thing in the morning," a suave voice asked sweetly on the other end of the line. "Brett, hi!" Maddie greeted, a lot more warmly this time. Brett Walker, New York's top sports lawyer: young, successful, good-looking and happened to be Maddie's boyfriend. "Where are you calling from?" Maddie asked conversationally. "Houston. Apparently yet another Rockets fan has defaced Yao Minh's car. I'm drawing up a restraining order as we speak." Brett replied sardonically. "Nice." Maddie remarked dryly. "I'm meeting with the said offender and his legal representation in 20 minutes, so I thought I'd call and check in on my beautiful girlfriend." Brett stated smoothly. "Honey, that's sweet. I'd love to chat some more, but I've gotta be at work in 5 minutes and I'm already late." Maddie replied apologetically. "Funny, here I was thinking that I missed you more than you did me. What a ridiculous notion." Brett stated, a slight edge in his voice.
"Of course I miss you Brett, but I'm just really swamped at work right now. Carl's been shoving deadlines at me lately." Maddie explained in a hurt tone. "Yeah I know, I'm sorry about being on your case lately. I just miss you, that's all." Brett stated sincerely, the warmth in his voice once more. "I'm sorry about brushing you off lately Brett. You know if I could, I'd blow everything off to be with you. But it's my job," Maddie went on quietly. "I know Maddie. I mean, I'm married to my work too. I just love hearing your voice, makes me feel closer to home." Brett replied softly. "Tell you what: I've got an article to touch up on in my office. Why don't I call you back around 10am so we can catch up? Then you'll have my undivided attention." Maddie stated demurely. "Alright, it's a date; miss you till then. I love you Maddie." Brett replied on the other end. "I love you too." Maddie greeted before hanging up the phone with a sigh. "Trouble in paradise?" the cab driver asked curiously. "You don't know the half of it." Maddie remarked dryly.
"Sorry I'm late, but I'm here now," Maddie apologised hurriedly while side-stepping several proofreaders with bundles of papers in their hands. "Fitzpatrick, so nice of you to join us finally," Carl Marsden, editor-in-chief at the New York Times stated wearily. Maddie grabbed a chair in a circular room containing her boss and several of her colleagues. "Okay, let's begin the meeting. Fields, how far are you on that piece about corruption in the Mayor's office?" Carl asked a tall brunette named Jane sitting next to Maddie. "Almost done sir. I just need more information from the Mayor's third PA, who's currently playing baseball." Fields answered rapidly, sweat appearing on her brow. "The term is hard ball Fields, which you'd better start playing back at the Mayor's third PA. I need that piece by Friday latest." Carl replied firmly. "Yes sir," Fields answered quietly. "Fitzpatrick, I need your piece on illegal waste dumping below the subway lines. Where is it?" Carl demanded crisply. "On my desk, I just need to fine-tune it." Maddie replied evenly. "Fitzpatrick, you said you'd have that piece done by Saturday and I've been sitting at my lap-top all weekend like a chump, thinking you'd send me something." Carl stated in a dangerously low voice which had everyone else in the room nervous except Maddie.
"I have been working on my piece all weekend Chief, double-checking references and facts. Do you expect me to give you sub-zero articles?" Maddie asked with mock horror. "Of course not, but we have proof readers and fact-checkers in this office that could've read through your piece for you," Carl replied exasperatedly. "I know that Chief. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't check through my work as meticulously as I do. And you wouldn't have hired me otherwise." Maddie replied in a winning voice. "How much more time do you need Fitzpatrick?" Carl asked with resignation. "15-20 minutes tops." Maddie replied calmly. "Fine. I want that piece on my desk by 9am." Carl stated coolly. Maddie had to suppress a smirk. It had taken her a while to figure out exactly how to wear Carl down and get her own way. Maddie figured that Carl secretly enjoyed a woman taking charge with him.
15 minutes later, Maddie entered her office and switched on her computer. She was already reading through the final stage at her article when she heard a light knock on her door. It was Jim Oswald, the new intern. He'd only been working at the Times for a few months, but had already made himself a valuable asset. Maddy reckoned that if Jim played his cards right, he would be the next big writer for the Times. "Hey Jim, what's up?" Maddie asked with a smile as Jim entered. "Hey Maddie, Carl asked me to give you this press release for your article on President Obama's new Cabinet. And Jane asked me if you could look over her article and make some corrections." Jim responded promptly, handing Maddie some sheaves of paper. Maddie sighed while scanning through the pages. "I keep telling Jane not to get so flustered by Carl's attempts at intimidation. She's a good writer, she just lacks confidence." Maddie murmured inn a knowing voice to Jim; Jim simply smiled in an understanding way. "Thanks Jim." Maddie thanked graciously. "No problem. I'm heading to Starbucks to pick up coffee orders for the office. Can I get you anything?" Jim asked Maddie politely. "No thanks, I've already had my caffeine fix for the morning. But there is something else you can do for me though." Maddie replied, suddenly getting a brainwave.
"Sure, what is it?" Jim asked curiously. "I need you to find a contact number for London Tipton." Maddie explained conspiratorially. "The heiress??" Jim asked in obvious confusion. "Is she the subject of an article you're working on?" Jim inquired curiously. "No, London and I go way back. I just kinda lost touch with her." Maddie replied uncomfortably. "Wow, I can't believe you actually knew London Tipton way back when." Jim marveled aloud. "Neither can I sometimes," Maddie responded dryly. "It'll be difficult to find a permanent contact number since she's constantly on the move. But a friend of mine works at the National Enquirer, maybe she knows something." Jim stated optimistically. "Thanks Jim, I really appreciate it." Maddie replied meekly and sat pensively at her desk for a long time while after Jim had already left.
By 9:15am, Maddie heard yet another soft knock at her office door. Jim entered with a triumphant expression on her face. "You found a contact number?" Maddie asked expectantly. "Correction, I found two contact numbers. One is for the Tipton Hotel in Saint Tropez where London Tipton's rumoured to be staying. The other is a cell phone number." Jim explained happily. "I can't believe you found a cell phone number. You rock Jim, I owe you one." Maddie replied gratefully, beaming from ear to ear. "I'll save that for a rainy day. Later." Jim greeted before exiting. With slightly trembling hands, Maddie picked up her office phone and began dialing. "This has to work," Maddie whispered to herself while holding her breath.
Saint Tropez, the Tipton Hotel, 15:17, Wednesday afternoon. While the rest of France was experiencing an unusual cold front in the heart of summer, this sunny coastal town lived up to its expectations in full: sapphire beaches which stretched out for miles, golden sand, emerald-green palm trees which swayed lazily in the gentle breeze. In short, the location was paradise. Apart from the crowded beachfront to the right lay one lonely figure to the left on a deck chair surrounded by waiters, a masseuse and what looked like a personal assistant of sorts. This lonely figure was 24 years of age: 5 foot in height, waist-length jet black hair, dark brown eyes, her pale skin clad in a sexy bikini, an Asian beauty in short. Some might say that London Tipton lived a charmed life; others said her father's net value made it so. Without a care in the world, London allowed the sun to warm her body. Nothing was to disturb her tanning session this afternoon.
And then a cell phone rang abruptly, breaking the tranquil silence with its shrill rendition of "The Ding-Dong Song". "Whose cell phone is that?" London demanded angrily, her head snapping upwards from the recliner she was laying on. "I specifically asked that all cell phones in my presence be turned off for the hour," she continued on in a calmer tone. "I'm terribly sorry Ms Tipton, but it appears to be your cell phone." London's PA responded sheepishly. "Well, take a message and get rid of whoever's on the phone." London stated dismissively with a wave of her hand. "Ms London Tipton's private number, how can I help you?" London's PA answered with forced eloquence. "Uh Ms Tipton, the caller is a Ms. Madeline Fitzpatrick, an old friend of yours from Boston." London's PA stated briskly after a few seconds. "Who is this Madeline? I don't know any Madeline! What kind of hideous name is Madeline?!" London exclaimed with obvious distaste. "I'm sorry Miss, but Ms Tipton…oh I see. One moment please." London's PA said in a different voice and turned towards London once more, who was flipping through a magazine idly. "Ms Tipton, allow me to reintroduce your caller. Madeline is short for Maddie, as in Maddie Fitzpatrick, your former short-term classmate from Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow and the former candy counter girl at the Tipton Hotel in Boston who used to do your homework." London's PA stated smoothly. "Well, why didn't you say it was that Madeline before, you incompetent! Give me that phone!" London demanded impatiently and grabbed her phone cell phone from him.
"Hello?" London asked uncertainly. "Hi London, it's Maddie." Maddie greeted calmly. A second later she took the phone away from her ear when London emitted a high-pitched shriek on the other end. "Oh my God! Maddie, is it really you? Please tell me this isn't some cheap trick played on me by Portia? Because that would be positively tragical." "No London, it's really me. Do you still keep in touch with Portia?" Maddie queried curiously. "Cling-ons are hard to get rid of." London remarked maliciously. "I can't believe it's really your voice Maddie. It hasn't changed after all this time." London stated softly, a smile curling on her lips. "Neither has yours…or your vocabulary." Maddie remarked dryly. "So you recognized my voice, but you didn't recognize my full name?" Maddy asked teasingly. "I'm sorry, but I never knew that was your full name. Besides, did you know that Madeline is a hideous name?" London asked dramatically. "Well what did you think Maddie was short for?" Maddie demanded with a laugh. "I don't know…Madden, Maddertha, Madonna." London guessed haphazardly. Maddie rolled her eyes at this. "Maddertha's not a name." Maddie put in crisply. "Wait a minute, what am I apologizing for? You never kept in touch! You promised you would!" London went on in a hurt voice. "I'm really sorry London, I guess I lost track of all my friends after high school." Maddie replied apologetically. "That's great Maddie. You went to journalistic school and got smarterer and left me all alone in Boston." London stated with a pout. "Wait, you remembered that I studied journalism?" Maddie asked, slightly impressed. "You're not the only one who improved on her smartitude Maddie." London said with pride.
"Well if I remember correctly, you changed schools yet again in senior year and left me while you went on a boat somewhere in the middle of the ocean. So technically you left me in Boston." Maddie challenged slyly. "Okay, whatever. It doesn't matter who left who. That's not why you called me." London stated shrewdly. "You're right London, I called because I miss you. I know it's been a long time, but I was hoping we could catch up. I hoped we'd see each other really soon at a certain special event." Maddie replied knowingly. "Special occasion? Oh my gosh, are you pregnant?" London asked excitedly. "No I'm not pregnant London. I'm talking about Carey and Arwin's wedding." Maddie explained exasperatedly. "Carey and Arwin are getting married? I'm experiencing déjà vu." London murmured thoughtfully. "Carey emailed me and said she did send you an invitation via your father. Didn't you get it?" Maddie asked worriedly. "Maybe, what did the envelope look like again?" London inquired in confusion. "I dunno. Beige I think, with a dried purple flower on the top flap." Maddie replied nonchalantly. "Oh now I remember. Wait, that was a flower? I thought the Savoy Hotel sent me a sample of their starter menu." London remarked sheepishly. "You didn't eat the dried flower did you London?" Maddie asked in horror. When London didn't respond, Maddie decided to plough forward with the conversation.
"Forget the flower. You are coming to the wedding right?" Maddie asked anxiously. "I don't know, am I supposed to come?" London asked absent-mindedly while eyeing her fingernails. "What do you mean are you supposed to come? Were you actually thinking of not going?" Maddie demanded in a curt tone. "Pretty much. I mean, is it really that important? Paris Hilton's throwing a party on the same day in Milan." London answered complacently. "Yes it's important London. Carey and Arwin are two of our oldest friends and they're getting married. They want you to be a part of their special day. Plus, I want you to be there too. I need you there." Maddie responded earnestly. "Wait, you need me Maddie? What for?" London inquired curiously. "Because I can't face Zack by myself." Maddie replied dejectedly, bowing her head a little as she spoke. "Wait a minute, you don't wanna go to the wedding alone because you locked lips with Zack Martin a billion years ago over some stupid bet? Oh, this is too good." London guffawed while clutching her chest. "London, it's not funny." Maddie hissed defensively. "Says who?" London demanded in-between laughs. "Oh poor Maddie's afraid of the wittle man-child. You know, this will be a great story to tell the grandkids someday." London teased mischievously.
"You know, I'm already regretting asking you to come." Maddie remarked dryly. "Too late, you said you need me and now you can't take it back. Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I left you in the lurch in your time of need?" London asked more seriously this time. "Thanks, I think." Maddie replied doubtfully. "I'll see if I can charter Daddy's private plane to Boston. See you soon…Madeline." London greeted cheerily before hanging up her phone. "Maddie replaced the receiver, feeling a mixture of uncertainty and relief after talking to London. A smile crept onto her face while she picked up the receiver yet again. "Hello?" Brett's voice asked on the other end. "Sweetie, how would you like to go to a wedding?" Maddie asked, a sly glint in her eye.
LONDON
Yeah me! This has been the bestest day ever! Delicious breakfast, a great massage, flirting with the cute life guard and getting a call from Maddie, my bestest friend in the whole wide world. Okay, so we haven't talked in a long time, but Maddie's always been my best friend. Actually, make that my only real friend. I bet my other friends were only ever friends with me because of Daddy's millions. I mean, Maddie's the only person in my life who's befriended me in spite of my money and still liked me all the same, kind of. When Maddie and I went our separate ways, I felt like I lost a part of myself that I used to be. I tried college for a while at UCLA, but found it wasn't for me. Daddy agreed too, especially when he saw my grades for the first semester of my first year.
That's when I left the States and came to Europe. Daddy enrolled me into Oxford and with the help of several trained (and well-paid) tutors, I managed to graduate. But since then, I've travelled around Europe, living in every major city. I've partied from dusk till dawn for the past 3 years. Daddy didn't mind so long as I didn't embarrass him or criticise his latest wife. I won't pretend that I didn't enjoy the parties and hanging with celebrities, but it did get lonely sometimes.
I didn't lie to Maddie when I said I was going to Paris Hilton's party in Milan; it was only the biggest party of the year this side of the Italian Riviera. But then again, it was Carey and Arwin's wedding. So I haven't kept in touch with anyone in Boston in a while, not even Moseby. But Carey and Arwin had always been nice to me, as well as Zack and Cody. Plus, Maddie asked me to come because she needed me. In all the time I've known Maddie, she's never once said that to me. Maddie is really independent and kinda thinks she doesn't need anyone. I guess because she was really poor growing up and her family didn't have a lot of money, I guess she figures she has to take care of herself. I can sort've relate to that. Okay, so I'm rich and without a care in the world. But between my parents' divorce when I was a kid, my parents jetting across the globe leaving me to my own devices and too many step-moms to count, I kinda had to take care of myself. Except in Boston, where I had Maddie, the twins, Carey and especially Moseby. Moseby probably the closest thing I've ever had to a dad.
But that's not the point. The point is, the fact that someone, especially Maddie, needed me for something felt pretty good. So what if it was something stupid like protecting her from something like Zack Martin's 9-year puppy-dog crush on her. It felt good to be needed like that, to be taken seriously for a change. Sorry Paris, but your little suaré will just have to wait. Portia and the girls will just have to understand. I'm going back to Boston to be with my real friends, yeah me! I wonder how I can make Carey and Arwin's wedding more about me…
Wednesday, 10 June. "Zack, where are you going?" Cody asked exasperatedly. Zack had a football in his hand. "I need to stretch my legs Codester. I thought I'd head to the park and toss a ball around. Wanna come?" Zack asked while opening up their room door. "Can't, and neither can you. Mom and Arwin wanna talk to us about more wedding stuff in 20 minutes." Cody answered knowingly. "Great, I'll be back way before then." Zack replied confidently. "Zack, you can't go to the park, you're not gonna be back in time. Why don't you just stay near to the hotel?" Cody suggested reasonably. "I'll do one better bro. I'll just play football in the lobby." Zack stated happily and exited the room. "Zack wait, that's not what I meant." Cody called out while rushing after Zack. "You can't play in the lobby Zack. Mr. Moseby will kill you." Cody warned exasperatedly. "So play with me, he can't kill both of us." Zack replied smoothly. "That's the worst plan you've ever come up with." Cody stated flippantly. "Now we both know that's not true." Zack responded teasingly before tossing the football to Cody as they entered the lobby. Cody shook his head and resigned himself to acquiescence with yet another one of Zack's whims.
Maddie stepped out of the cab and took in her surroundings. It seemed like yesterday when she had last been back in Boston; had it really been 4 years since or only a heartbeat? So the turbulent flight with the crying baby and the guy with the intense nacho breath had been trying not to mention the cab driver's lame jokes on the drive from the airport. Maddie stood looking up at the majestic towers of the Boston Tipton Hotel, feeling for the first time in a long time like she was finally home. "Hi Norman!" Maddie greeted brightly, smiling when it appeared that Norman didn't know who she was as she strolled through the revolving doors. The Tipton lobby looked the same as always, save for a few additions to the overall décor. In the crowded lobby, Maddie couldn't see a single person she recognized, especially Mr. Moseby who could usually be found at his management desk. "I wonder who the new candy counter girl is," Maddie wondered aloud, smiling to herself. If Maddie hadn't been craning her neck to scan the candy counter, she would've noticed the college boy who came barreling towards with football in hand.
"Okay Cody, go long!" Zack instructed loudly over the crowd. A few people stared at Cody attempting to make his way through the crowd. "Throw the ball Zack, before Mr. Moseby gets back to his post!" Cody yelled out anxiously, his eyes darting around the room. "Chill out Cody! Now go long. Trust me, there's no one in this room that we actually kn-" Zack didn't finish his sentence because he suddenly collided with a 5-foot blonde and sent both of them crashing to the ground. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry ma'am. I…" Zack stammered and then did a double take. "Maddie?" Zack asked in disbelief. It was in fact Maddie whom he was lying on top of in the middle of the lobby. "Zack?" Maddie asked with wonder in her voice. "It's really you, I can't believe you're here right now." Zack murmured. "Neither can I, on the floor I mean." Maddie mumbled stupidly, staring up into Zack's face. "Zack smells really good. What is that, Hugo Boss?" Maddy thought to herself, her head in a fog from being in such close proximities to him. "How have you been?" Zack asked politely. "Good, just busy. You?" Maddie asked in return. "Great, I've been em super. You look beautiful Maddie." Zack complimented softly. "Baby's still got it going on after all this time," Zack thought to himself with relish. "Thanks, so do you." Maddy responded in a daze while gazing into Zack's blue-green eyes. Neither of them seemed to want to get off until another new arrival entered the lobby as well. "What kind of welcome is this? There's no one in this lobby that I recognize!" the new comer exclaimed indignantly, hands on hips. "London?!" Zack, Cody and Maddie cried out in unison.
Okay, so that's the end of chapter 2 concluding with a vibing moment between Zack and Maddie, so hot I know. Beware of chapter 3 coming soon, it's super long but hopefully entertaining nonetheless. I'll try and post chapter 3 by the weekend if I ever get finished with it. Thanks to all who've reviewed my story thus far, you're super.