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 #4

(Zoey's pov)

with a simple shake of my head, i sip from my drink quietly," nope."

" why not?" inquires Charlie obviously bewildered by my answer. I just told the guy that i don't hate him. Why would he even want to question that? I could have just as easily said that i do. But i didn't. Because he didn't try to sell me some line or a lie. And i liked that he didn't do that.

" well, i like to give everyone a chance to prove me otherwise. So, for the time being I'll keep my judgments about you to myself." i confide as i glance over at him. Why does he look so perplexed by my answer? He should be happy that I'm even bothering to give him a chance. Why question it?

Tossing out our trays, Charlie follows me from the lunchroom," wait, so you would just give me that chance though? After the stories I'm sure that you have heard about me? Just like that? Why Zoe?"

walking across the campus with Charlie, i only shrug my shoulders," i don't know. There are a lot of reasons why i shouldn't have. But you were honest with me. And i admire that Charlie."

" you do?" questions Charlie as we head off to class together. And i can't help but smile at him. Because its true. Charlie didn't have to tell me about those things. He could have denied everything claim. But he never even attempted to. He fessed up to the rumors everyone has told about him. And not a lot of guys would do that.

" yeah, you could have easily lied to me Charlie. But you didn't do that. And I'm glad that you didn't. I just have a good feeling about you, like maybe your not trying to play me for a fool. ...Just don't prove me wrong." i add as an after thought. And i hope that he won't. And i know I'll get hell for ever admitting this, but i kind of like Charlie. He's seems sweet enough, i just hope that I'm not wrong about him. ...

(that evening; girls lounge)

(Charlie's thoughts)

" you know, I'm surprised your even giving me a chance. Most girls wouldn't you know. And i wouldn't blame you if you changed your mind. I'd deserve it, i was a real prick to almost every girl i have ever dated. They meant nothing to me, and i took them for granted. And some of them said they really liked me." i confess as Zoey and i head towards the girls lounge. I'm not sure why I'm telling her this. But i can't help but wonder when she'll wise up and change her mind about me. With my luck, her friends will talk sense into her. Thats usually what happens.

" well, lucky for you that I'm not like most girls. I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. And if I'm wrong? Thats fine, I'll just take it as a lesson learned." comments Zoey while smiling the entire time. Her smile is hypnotic. Everything about this girl is mesmerizing though, who am i trying to kid?

Grabbing Zoey's school books for her, i hold the lounge door open for her," so, in other words you believe me. That is, unless i give you a reason not to?"

surprised by my gesture, i watch as Zoey chuckles to herself," yeah, thats basically how it works Charlie."

" huh. Well, guess I'll have to make sure that i don't ever give you a reason. Now won't i, Zoe?" i observe with a playful smirk. This earns a blush and yet another chuckle from Zoey. Wow, i never knew that one girl could be so cute. How could i have not noticed Zoey before? We've only had math and English together for an entire semester. It could have something to do with the fact that I've never really bothered to talk to her.

" i guess that you will. ...Look, my friends may not like you...at all. But, as far as I'm concerned? ...Your ok in my book Charlie." acknowledges Zoey after a long silence. I can tell that she means that. But I'm not sure why exactly. Not every girl would give a guy like me a chance. So, why is it that Zoey's decided to?

Grinning over at Zoey, i buy the two of us some drinks from a nearby vendor," cool, so what happens now Zoey?"

gladly excepting her drink, Zoey takes a few sips before holding out her hand to me," how about we shake on the start of a new friendship?"

" or, we could always just kiss on it." i offer only half serious. Its not going to happen, but I'll at least try. I offer a goofy smile to show that i am only joking. But a small part of me wouldn't completely mind it if she were to agree. I haven't been just friends with a girl in a long time. This could be difficult to do. But its worth a try for Zoey at least.

" lets not push it." warns Zoey with a laugh. Eh, i figured that she might say that. Hence why I'm not surprised. A kiss would have been nice though. I suppose that i could settle for a peck on the cheek. It would be a heck of a lot better then nothing at all at least.

" hmm, I've got to say. You drive a hard bargain Salinger...alright, you have yourself a deal." offers Zoey in a compromise. We both share a laugh as she leans in to kiss my cheek. I smile as i notice her blush afterwards. Maybe hanging around Zoey won't be too bad, especially if i can get another kiss on the cheek. Thats something about her that drives me wild. ...

(a short while later)

(Michael's pov)

" Zoey? Just where have you been young lady? We have been looking all over for you. You had us all very worried, can you not pick up a cell phone?" i ask as i walk up behind Zoey with the others not far behind. And its true, we have been looking for Zoey. Ever since we saw her with...him. Noticing that she is with Charlie, i look him over with a scowl. Why is Zoey hang around with this guy? He's no good, can't she see that?

" hey Michael..and everyone else." greets Zoey as she turns to face me. I can tell that she isn't exactly happy to see us. I'm not sure why though. After all, we are her friends. And here she is, ditching us. And for what? To hangout with this guy? Oh, she's going to hear it. And not just from me. From everyone.

Leaning back against a nearby wall, Charlie glances from Zoey to me and the others then back again," I'll take it those are your friends Zoe?"

with a mere nod of her head, Zoey mentally kicks herself for letting Charlie walk her back to the girls lounge in the first place," yeah, that would be them Charlie."

" wow, well. They certainly do not look happy with you." observes Charlie in a joking manner. I watch as he chuckles with amusement. Ha ha, yeah who's going to be the one chuckling when i knock you senseless? Certainly not you, that much is for sure.

" yeah, thanks for the update captain obvious. I kind of could have figured that out on my own." mutters Zoey as she gives Charlie a playful shove. Wow, is Zoey actually flirting with this jerk? What could she possibly see in him? Chase is a great guy, why can't Zoey just see that?

" would you excuse us for just a minute? Thanks." states Lola as she grabs Zoey by the arm. I watch as she drags her to the other side of the lounge. Its about time too. Someone really needs to knock sense into that girl. And if anyone can do that, its got to be Lola.

" yeah, we have to talk with Zoey..you know...over there. It could take a while."explains Nicole as she follows Lola's lead. I stay behind for a minute as i study Charlie carefully with a scowl on my face. The guy is no good, and i know it. And if he hurts Zoe, I'll hurt him.

Narrowing my eyes at Charlie, i wag a finger in warning at him," you just remember this, I've got my eye on you pal." ...

(Zoey's pov)

yanking me to the other side of the lounge rather violently, Lola shoves me into a seat on the couch," you mind telling me something. Just what the hell were you thinking even giving this guy the time of day?"

rubbing at my arm, i frown at my friends behavior," i was thinking that maybe everyone could just be wrong about him. He doesn't seem so bad. He seems nice enough to me."

" oh, wake up. Its an act Zoey. The guy is a jerk. Trust me. And he is playing you like a fiddle." accuses Logan as if he knows what he's talking about. How would he? Has he ever even bothered talking to Charlie? Because i have. And i honestly believe that maybe...ok he was a jerk, but isn't now. It could happen...right?

" how would you even know? Have any of you ever actually took the time to get to know him? Because guess what, i have. And he's not that bad. So i really don't see what the big deal is." i clarify as i try desperately not to roll my eyes. They're my friends, and while i know that they mean well...their being kind of rude. And i don't like it one bit.

Holding a hand up to quiet the others, Michael takes a seat beside me," look, Zoey. I've heard nothing but bad things about this guy. He is a cheater, and he's cheated on every girl that he has ever dated. We just care about you, thats all."

slowly becoming irritated by everyone's interrogation, i can only shake my head at their narrow minded accusations," i know Michael, he told me." ...

(Logan's pov)

" hold on what? He told you?!" exclaims Nicole and kind of loudly. I wince at the high pitch in her voice. Damn, can the girl keep it down? Its bad enough she talks WAY too much. Now she screams? At this rate, I'm going to be deaf by the time i ever hit fifteen. Along with everyone else.

" well, yeah. He told me, and he didn't once try to lie about it or even deny anything. And i admire that." confides Zoey as if it weren't news at all. Wait, this Charlie guy admitted to being scum? What kind of game is he trying to play? And Zoey admires him for it? Whats that about? I don't get this girl sometimes.

Glancing back at Charlie with a look of disgust, Michael mumbles mostly to himself," oh, he's good. Real good. That brilliant bastard."

nodding head in agreement, i snap my fingers in recognition," he has to be working some kind of an angle. I'm not sure what or how, but he is. I just know it."

" you think so?" comments Lola as she rejoins the conversation. Of course i do. Why else would he admit to being a cheating dirt bag? It just doesn't make sense. Last time i checked, if you wanted a girl to like you; you don't tell her that you have a bad reputation with girlfriends. That usually scares them away. Well, except Zoey apparently.

" i know so. He has to be. There's no other explanation. This guy is sneaky, i don't know what he's trying to pull. But its definitely something. Why else would he play the truth card?" i point of matter-of-factly. Look at him over there, all smug and calm. I'd like to pound that smirk clear from his face.

Breathing out an impatient sigh, Zoey pushes past all of us," are we done here? You guys are kind of being rude right now."

regarding Zoey with a worried expression in my eyes for once, i take note of her defensive tone," look Zoey, we're just trying to look out for you is all. Thats what friends do, remember?"

" i know that you guys are Logan, and thanks. But i am more then capable of taking care of myself." reminds Zoey before turning to walk away. Looking over at the others, i can only watch as Zoey takes off to meet up with Charlie once more. I've never really worried about Zoe, she's a smart girl. But i can't help but be concerned about her now. As I'm sure the others are also. I don't like that guy, i know how he is. And i just hope Zoey will realize it too, before she gets hurt. ...

(Charlie's pov)

" hey, sorry about that." announces Zoey as she finally returns. Wow, that didn't take long. I would say I'm surprised her friends acted that way, but I'm not. I'm not stupid, i saw the menacing stares that they directed toward me. It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to realize they don't like me much...or you know, at all.

" its cool Zoe. I get it. Your friends don't like me, thats not exactly news to me. I wasn't expecting them to, you know." i explain as i glance over her friends. Yeah, they really don't like me much. Can't really say i blame them. They're just doing what good friends do.

Risking a look over her shoulder, Zoey sighs to herself as the reminder of Logan's parting words runs through her head," thats not true. They actually hate you. Their good friends like that, you know Charlie? They look out for me."

cut deeply by Zoey's unintentionally hurtful words, i turn away as a look of hurt appears on my face," ouch, nice burn. Could your words have more of a sting to them Zoe?" ...