Description: this is my first Zoey/NC new character story, so bare with me. It may seem like it won't end up Zoey/chase at times. But if you want to know if it will, you'll have to R&R to find out. I don't expect much, just three reviews per chapter is what i would love from you guys. Other then that, enjoy this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Zoey 101, but if i did there would be more conflict and love triangles.

Authors note: is my third Zoey 101 story, if you haven't read the others you should check them out )

Chapter #3

(Chase's thoughts)

not good, this is not good at all. Charlie Salinger asked out Zoey! That guy is a pig headed jerk! Why would Zoey even consider saying yes? She came to me for advice. And as much as i wanted to, i couldn't make any decisions for her. She has to make her own choices. I just hope she makes the right ones. The last thing i want, is to see her get hurt. And if this jerk does hurt Zoey, he'll wish that he never asked her out. I'll pound him to salt. My only hope is that Zoey takes my advice and steers clear of this Charlie guy. Other then that, theres nothing else i can do. ...

( end Chase's thoughts)

(Michael's pov)

" hey, so how is it going man?" i ask as i enter the dorm cautiously. I'm trying not to get hit by any flying objects, i haven't been around chase when he's angry. But i am not about to take any chances. I really feel bad for the guy too. Here Zoey is, asking him advice on whether or not to date other guys. How can she not notice that chase is nuts for her? What, does he have to spell it out for the girl?

" how do you think its going Michael? Why would you even bother to ask if you already knew the answer?" growls chase as he shoots an irritated look my way. What is his problem? Its not my fault he's too much of a chicken to tell Zoey how he felt. I'm not the one who stole Zoey's tekmate just so she wouldn't read a message that explained exactly how he felt about her. He should have just let her read it, but nooo he was too afraid to let that happen.

Sympathizing with my friend, i attempt to cheer chase up," hey, come on. Zoey is a smart girl. She won't fall for his charm, trust me chase."

laying back in his bed once more, chase stares up at the ceiling," yeah, i know that she is man."

" ok, so then what is the problem? Why are you so worried if you and i both know Zoey will make the right decision?" i question as i kick out of my socks and shoes. I seriously do not know why chase is stressing so much. There is no way Zoey would ever agree to go on a date with this Charlie dude. She knows that he's no good.

" nothing, its just...what if Logan is right? What if i really have missed my shot with Zoey? You know? What would i tell myself then? I don't want that to happen Michael..it would break my heart." confesses chase in a truly torn manner. Wow, i never knew how much he really cared about Zoe. I mean i knew that chase liked her, but could he maybe loves her too? Because it sure sounds like that to me.

Rolling my eyes at Chase's self doubt, i pull him out of bed," since when do you ever listen to Logan anyway? Now, come on chase. We are going to get you out of this dorm room once and for all. And i am not going to take no for an answer, so lets go man." i prod as i give him a shove in encouragement. Slipping on my flip flops, i hold the dorm door open. Chase really needs to leave this dorm. He hasn't all day, not since Zoey came over the other night to talk with him. And its starting to depress me a little bit.

Groaning to himself as i drag him towards the door, chase yanks his arm away from me," no offense, but I'm not really in the mood man. I would rather just be alone and in bed, you know...taking a nap. Forgetting everything Zoey told me about yesterday." complains chase as he crawls back into bed. Man, this has got to stop. I know that i shouldn't, but I'm going to let him slide. He's lucky i have plans to meet up with Nicole, Lola and the others. Otherwise i would drag him out by his bushy hair.

" fine, have it your way chase. But I'm going to the movies with the others, you can stay here and sulk." i state in defeat as i head towards the door. Pausing hesitantly, i look back at chase. With a shake of my head, i leave the dorm. I'll deal with chase tomorrow, he needs time to sulk. And I'm not about to miss out on the movies to watch him do so. ...

(mean while)

(Zoey's pov)

" so, do you think that i could take you on a date Zoey?" inquires Charlie as he looks at me and waits for my response. He's so cute, i really want to say yes and get it over with already. But i can't. Everyone seems to think he's bad news, and i know its not nice to judge someone i don't know. But i don't want to say yes, and then wind up hurt.

" I'm just not sure thats such a good idea. I'm really sorry Charlie. But i can't go out on a date with you. I hope you'll understand." i confide after a moments consideration. That was really hard to do. But it was the right thing. I just know that it was...right? So, why doesn't it feel like it then?

Blocking my path quickly as i try to walk away, Charlie holds out a rose to me," why not Zoey?"

accepting the rose with a smile, i look up at Charlie as sadness shines in my eyes," its just...well, to be honest I've heard a lot of stories about you. And none of them were good ones either. In fact, i was advised by a lot of people not to get involved with you." i confess in a sheepish manner. As i say this, i lower my eyes to the ground. The last thing i want to see is his reaction, it might make me change my mind.

" ok, well you see. The thing about all of those stories is...that they're all true Zoey. Every single one of them actually." admits Charlie much to my surprise. Wow, did he really just confess to these rumors about him? Why is the world would he do that? It doesn't make sense. I'm kind of confused.

" excuse me?" i manage to get out as i stumble with my words. My mind is spinning around in circles on overload. I'm still trying to process his recent confidence in me. Why would Charlie admit to something like that? I mean, to be honest...i was expecting him to deny the claims made against him. But i was just proven wrong.

Lowering his gaze towards the ground, after a minute Charlie shamefully answers," they're all true Zoey. And i could stand here and lie to you about it. But I'm not going to do that, ok? Because, really there is no use in it."

folding my arms across my chest, i arch an eye brow in bewilderment," so your not even going to deny these accusations?"

" no. why would i? Its all the truth, I've cheated on almost every girl that i have ever dated. I'm a jerk Zoey." explains Charlie as he finally meets my eyes once more. I'm surprised by what i see in them. And you know what? I think that he really means it too. He had his chance to lie, but he chose to be honest about things. I admire him for that.

" is this supposed to somehow comfort me? Because, i have to tell you...it really doesn't Charlie. But I'm glad you were honest. I thought for sure you would have lied through your teeth." i acknowledge with a small smile. And i really did. I mean, come on, what guy who was trying to win over a girl would fess up to something like cheating?

Taking hold of both my hands, Charlie looks me straight in the eyes," I'm trying to be honest here. Those girls, i didn't care about any of them or even like them. But you, your different. I really like you Zoe, i mean it." confides Charlie without ever breaking eye contact with me. Wow, so maybe he isn't such a bad guy. In fact, Charlie seems real earnest. And he hasn't tried to hide anything. Maybe he isn't that bad of a guy after all.

Giving Charlie's hand a light squeeze, i place my other on his chest," if you really meant that, then you'll except my friendship. Until I'm ready to trust you."

" only your friendship Zoe?" asks Charlie with a look of rejection. I want to say no, but i just can't. I have to know that he is for real. And not just messing with my head. And the only way I'll know that is by him agreeing to be my friend. Then I'll at least know he's not trying to play any games with my mind. I'm just not ready to fully trust him.

" is that ok with you for now Charlie? I just need to know that you really meant everything you just said. And that you aren't just playing me for some kind of fool. And if your not, then you will accept my offer of friendship. So, what do you say?" i inquire as i step back and wait for his answer. Looking up at him, i study him for any kind of reaction. He seems to be thinking things over. I think that I'm being fair. After all, i could have just flat out rejected him and walked away.

" yeah, alright Zoey. That sounds fair enough. I can live with that." comments Charlie after taking time to think things over. And i have to admit, I'm a little shocked by his answer. He could have easily chose to just walk away. But instead he's agreeing to my friendship. Maybe Charlie really does like me after all. ...

(the following day)

(Lola's pov)

" hey, so has anyone seen Zoey? She never misses lunch, yet she's not here yet." i point out as i walk over to the others with a lunch tray in my hand. Really, where could Zoey possibly be? Its lunch time, who misses lunch? Granted the food isn't so great, its still lunch time.

" i haven't seen her since this morning in social studies. And its not like her to miss lunch, i wonder where she is?" pipes in Nicole as she agrees with me. This is really odd. It really isn't like Zoey to miss lunch either. She is usually here before all of us and done eating way before any of us ever sits down.

Following Michael and quinn over to our table, chase sets his tray down," i know, i don't know where she could be."

munching on a handful of fries, Michael gulps down half of his soda," i couldn't tell you where she is either. But she should be here by now."

" are you all really that blind? Zoey is over there, having lunch alone. Try opening your eyes every once in a while and you would have noticed maybe." points out Logan with a roll of his eyes. I glance in the direction he's looking in. And sure enough, there is Zoey. Why is she sitting alone though?

" no, not alone Logan. Zoey is having lunch with some guy...and a cute one at that. Who is that?" asks Quinn as she stares over at Zoey and her mystery guy. Who is Zoey sitting with? She never mentioned having a boyfriend. She did say some guy Charlie Salinger asked her out. But everyone knows he's a dirt bag, she would NOT get involved with him.

Looking in the direction that Quinn just pointed, Chase's blood runs cold at what he sees," Charlie Salinger."

nearly choking on my blix drink, i cough violently before managing to croak," what?! ...Ooh, chase..."

" don't even bother, i don't care. Got it? Now, if you will all excuse me. I've suddenly just lost my appetite." growls chase hastily as he stands from his seat. The rest of us can only watch in silence as he stalks off. Wow, poor chase. Having to see Zoey with another guy? It must kill him, how could Zoey date Charlie Salinger? He's a major pig!

" awww, i feel so bad for chase." sulks Quinn as she states what everyone else at the table is undoubtedly thinking. And its true, Chase's heart was just crushed into a million pieces. He really likes Zoey, and i mean a lot. The boy would lasso the moon her if she asked him to.

" i know, but seriously. This is not good you guys. What if Zoey is dating Charlie? She could get hurt, or worse. How can she not see what a jerk that guy really is?" asks Nicole with a mixture of disappointment and concern evident in her voice. And if truth be told, she's voicing what everyone else is thinking. Why would Zoey choose to date him? I mean, does she honestly think a guy like him can change? ...

(Charlie's pov)

" do you think that your friends care?" i inquire as Zoey and i sit down for lunch together. I suggested that we go and eat with her friends. But she said that wasn't very wise. And i guess maybe it wasn't. All of her friends are now glaring in my direction. And they do not look happy.

" about what?" mumbles Zoey as she attempts to brush the awkwardness of the topic off. About what? Hows about how your friends are all probably wishing death upon me as we speak? Why don't we start there? They look like they want to jump me, not that I'm afraid of course. ...Well, maybe of that Dana chick. I hear she's pretty tough.

Sitting down across from Zoey, i take a bite from my cheese burger," well, for one that your having lunch with me. And not with them. You don't think they'll care?"

glancing back at her friends, Zoey does her best to hold back a chuckle," oh, that. I'm sure that they do. In fact, i will probably be bombarded at my dorm later on tonight for sure."

" what makes you think that Zoey?" i ask in an amused tone. Though I'm not sure why i bother. I'm pretty sure that i know why. They are not happy that Zoey is hanging around me. Not one bit, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. No, they've made it clear.

" well, come on Charlie. Its not really a secret that my friends think your bad news. They've made that much pretty clear actually. In fact, they kind of..." starts out Zoey in mid ramble but then quickly stops. I watch as she averts her eyes from mine. What is she afraid of all of the sudden?

Noticing Zoey's hesitant sigh, i wisely catch on and finish her sentence for her,"... hate me? Its ok, you can say it Zoey. Its not like i couldn't have guessed that. I knew that they would. But, what about you though? Because, i could care less about what they think. Its what you think that really matters to me. So, what do you think?...Do you hate me?" ...