A/N: I just saw the commercial for the next season of Zoey 101! Holy freaking God! If anyone of you know how to upload videos on Youtube, would someone be kind as to upload Chase's Girlfriend on there? The rest of us up north don't get to see it until February 2007! It sucks… Stupid Family Channel…-growls- Yeah, Canada's alright, but still…ugh. Have to wait 5 whole months! Not to worry, I asked a friend to tape it and send it to me…

I like the idea of having Chase/Vanessa as close friends…and nothing more, so I'll put that in too.

Enough of my ranting, here's the next chapter. Sorry if it's short, you know how school is…

I turned to meet everyone and everyone actually came to me. It was silent for a couple moments and then the first to speak was Nicole. She screamed happily.

"Ok, Quinn! Dish the dirt. Who was the guy that just waved to you?"

Next was Zoey, "Come on, tell us…please?"

"Um…I…" I started. I really didn't know what to say after that, but I miss Matt already…

Chapter 17: Cute, In A Nerdy Kind Way

I was utterly speechless. I got raised eyebrows, and Nicole's expectant face begging me to tell. I sighed, dreamily. Maybe we could like compare blood types, or nose hairs. I don't think it's weird at all, do you? I didn't believe in fate or astrology, although I do pride myself in being a Virgo.

"Matt… sounds nice, doesn't it?"

Vanessa smiled putting an arm around my shoulder, "Ah, so that's his name…"

"Yeah," I replied with a small nod. Memories of tonight danced in my head like electrons orbiting the nucleus of an atom. I didn't hear anything any else had to say after that. I was too absorbed in what happened to hear anything.

I hoped to see Matt again…

"Can I?"

"Can you what?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

"Hug you."

I blushed for the third time that night, "Ok, Matt… because I'd like to, um, hug you too."

He hugged back, and strangely I hugged back and I whispered in his ear, "I'll always be grateful for tonight."

He pulled away, with a smile, "It was no problem…really… I guess I'll see you at school then."

"Yeah, I guess we will," I said, returning the smile. I watched as he walked off, but when he reached the door. He waved at me with a smile. I waved back, and his dirty blonde was no longer in sight.

Now that I think about it, the name Quinn Keller doesn't sound that bad.

I walked out of The Mixer in love. That's right, I confessed. I love Quinn Pensky. I was walking back with my best friend, James. I was smiling because of my night spent with Quinn. She was fun. All the other girls I've tried to court have always hurt me, but I know Quinn wouldn't hurt me. Just something so innocent and sincere about her. I can't put my finger on it, but it's there. One thing ails me, why was she so sad?

On the upside, she attended PCA and she was in Brenner… yeah, life is good.

My mind wandered to when we were dancing. It was like she fit… Like she completed me. It probably sounds weird coming from me, but I can't deny myself the truth. I'd be hurting myself, and Quinn that way. I'd be disgusted with myself if I ever did.

"Quinn?" I asked, as her hips swayed with the rhythm.

She looked at me, her brown eyes twinkling, "Yes, Matt?"

"What dorm are you staying in? You know, so we can get acquainted with each other better," I asked, staring her in the eyes.

"Oh, I'm in Brenner Hall, room 102," she answered, smiling. "And you?"

"Oh, I'm in Branford Hall, Room 38." I answered back.

"Good. I look forward to get re-aquatinted with you, Matt," she said. I love the way she says my name. It sounds corny, but it's a fact. You know, how I love facts.

I nodded yes, "Likewise."

"Earth to Matt… Anyone home?" James said, waving his hand in my face. Damn, he just had to be a nuisance and pull me from Quinn flashback.

I heaved a sigh, "What James?"

"Ok," he started, sternly, "Tell me what's going on. Who was that girl all over you? It's not like you to hold out on me, you know," James asked, nudging me. I looked down at the pavement and I kicked a random pebble. Wonder what that's made of anyway. Maybe feldspar or igneous rock. James looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"Ok," I heaved a sigh. "Her name's Quinn, okay?"

"Hmm, Quinn…huh?"

"Yeah, so?" I muttered, stuffing my hands in my pockets. James stroked his chin in deep thought. Why was he making that rather peculiar face? Is he like having facial muscle spasms or something? I adjusted my glass, and shot my friend a nervous glance. "What?"

"You like her?" my best friend asked with a smirk. He got a mischievous glint in his jade eyes. Curse you, James! He got me blushing and everything. I should've turned James into a rodent by scrambling his DNA, when the opportunity presented itself, but no… I have a heart… which magically fell into Quinn's lap. I answered, as honestly as I could. I'm a terrible liar, and I have a lie detector to prove it.

"Maybe, maybe not…" I answered, averting my eyes. We were nearing the PCA campus. It was kind of filling up since some kids were already coming back.

"Liar," he coughed.

"Shut up…" I said, rolling my eyes.

"You so like her!" James said, smirking. "I wouldn't blame you, man. She's hot. If I had a girl all over me like that, I'd be a happy dude. You'll get to sleep easier. I punched his arm, and he winced. He shouldn't talk about Quinn like that! I'm capable of doing so much more. With my inventing, I do find the time to work out. I'm pretty fit and I have a six pack…I'm just unbelievably shy about it.

"Oww!" James exclaimed, rubbing the sore I had given him. Serves him right. "What was that for?"

"That's for talking about Quinn like she was inanimate. She's a person, not some object to take advantage of… She has feelings!" I pointed out to my friend in annoyance. "She's not a trophy!"

"Ok, ok…chill. This little episode just proved you like her…" Dang! He got me. Might as well confess.

"Okay, fine. I do," I confessed in a harsh whisper. Almost at my dorm, yes! We were waling to our dorms.

"I knew it! Care to make a little wager?" James asked, his voice having a suggestive tone to it.

"Depends…"

"I bet you couldn't get Quinn to fall in love with you…"

No! No freaking way! When hell freezes over! I'm not betting on the best thing that ever happened to me.

"No!" I said, crossing my arms. "I'm not doing it. Yeah, and she finds out… and hates me forever… I don't think so."

I turned away from him, and got my key out to my dorms. I suddenly felt a rush of anger surge through me. My eyes narrowed to slits, as I turned on my best friend. He looked at me with a glint of defiance, as I opened the door to my dorm/lab.

"Fine, man," he chuckled. "One girl and she's already got you wrapped up so tight. You are so whipped!"

I let out an angry sigh, "Listen, I'm not whipped. You shouldn't be talking. Shouldn't you be with Anna, or Shellie…or Penny? I've lost track of the number of girlfriends you've sowed your oats into. I'm not betting on Quinn…and that's final. Good night. I thought you were my best friend. That does matter anymore, because a best friend would NEVER ask me to put a wager on a girl's feelings. So call me when you've set your act straight, dude."

He shrugged it was no big deal, "Fine. It's your loss."

It wasn't fun having your male pride attacked like that. For Quinn. It was all for her

The music faded and I let go of her, as reluctant as I was to do so.

"That's was amazing, Matt," Quinn said, finally, as we walked off to the dance floor side by side, along with the other pairs on the floor.

"I agree." I replied. What kind of line was that? Another fast song came on.

"Would like to dance? I don't listen to this song very often…but I do find it very entertaining." Quinn suggested.

"I'd like that very much," I replied, as she took my hand, and led me back on to the dance floor. This song entertains me too.

I watched as he walked off.

I sighed, and shook my head. I've come to the conclusion that best friends are strange people. I took off my shirt and pants; putting my clothes in the hamper…I was going to deal with it tomorrow. My dorm was my sanctuary. Just something soothing about having chemicals ad compounds in glass beakers with test tubes. In all honesty, I don't even know what half the stuff does. I'm bound to find out sooner or later.

The only thing I had left on was a dark green muscle shirt, and black boxers. I hate briefs, no doubt about it. The stretching, the latex and the composition of them all… I cringe just thinking about it.

I crawled into bed, and took off my glasses, setting them on the lamp table. I felt drowsy and my eyelids felt heavy. My eyes closed, as I plunged into a sea of dreams. A quote from Romeo and Juliet's last scene fills my head as I dream…

"From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last!
Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death!
Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!
Here's to my love!"

"O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die."

This shows I'd do anything for Quinn… but betting?

NEVER!

Yes, life is good.

Quinn has this really weird look on her face.

"Yoo-hoo…earth to Quinn," I said, waving my hand in her face. So, Matt is it, huh?

"Quinn!" Zoey yelled.

"I think we lost her after the name 'Matt'," Chase pointed out, scratching his head in confusion.

"QUINN!" the four of us yelled in unison. The guys all jumped back in fright. I think we scared them. Oh, well. They're guys. What do you expect?

"Huh…what?" she asked, kind of dazed. Then she realized where she was. "Uh… sorry. I don't know where my head was…"

"Oh, yes we do…" Zoey said, nodding.

"Quinn and Matt sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G… first comes love, then comes—oww!" I took the liberty of stomping on Logan's foot. I smirked to myself, when I realized I still got the ability to hurt him. Call me sadistic, but it felt great.

"Sorry, but you deserved it…" Stan pointed out.

"Shut it!" Logan snapped, while trying to tend to his throbbing foot.

"You deserved it," Dana agreed blandly. Logan pretended to be hurt. Dana's not that stupid. She knows when something's up.

"Baby, that hurt. Right here," Logan said, pointing to his heart. I guess we should kiss his boo-boo better now, right? Pfft, like that'll ever happen. Chase spoke up.

"You had it coming… See I'll even prove it… All in favour of Logan get hurt because of stupidity. Say 'I'."

"I," everyone except Chase and Logan said. Hell, I even joined in.

"See, point proven," Michael said, as he slipped an arm around my waist. OH MY GOD! His arm is around my waist. I blushed, slightly. Chase gave me a look that said, 'you're blushing'. Oh crap.

"Ok, uh, who wants to get out of here?" I asked, wanting to change the subject. Everyone nodded.

Yes, I'm back to PCA for tequila and sleep…

We walked out of The Mixer, as Michael and I separated. Zoey, Quinn, Dana and Nicole walked together, giggling about something. Well, Zoey and Nicole anyway. Stan, Logan and Michael were goofing off, and they walked to their cars. Soon it was just Chase and I. I've never got to really to talk before.

"So Vanessa?" Chase said.

"Yeah…"

"I've got never to talk to you before, you know. I just wanted to tell you that I knew Mike liked you way before tonight…"

"Chase… you knew?" I asked, slightly surprised. The only sound registered was the clicking of my boots.

He laughed, "Yeah. I couldn't tell you. You know, the 'Best Friend' Code…"

"Right…" I answered, laughing. "Dana and I got that too."

"Well," Chase started, as his green eyes met mine. "If you like each other go for it. You're scared because well, Logan's an ass to bluntly put it. I know Michael better than anyone and Michael is nothing like Logan."

I looked down averting my eyes for a while, and then managed to look up at Chase. He smiled a friendly smile.

"I'll take you up on that," and I gave him a friendly hug. He hugged me back, and we pulled apart. "…but thanks Chase. Really."

"No problem."

"Ok, Matthews. You owe me shots," I teased, smirking.

"Can't I just gave a glass of whiskey and get it over with?" he asked with a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes playfully, "Ha! You know us Irish. We're crazy with that whiskey."

"Well, I'm part Irish part Jewish… but it's true. We gotta have our whiskey," I replied, with a small laugh. "Christmas and eight days of presents? I wouldn't miss that…"

"Come on," I said, with a giggle. "You gotta do shots or the leprechauns will take you away, you know."

"Leprechauns?" asked Chase with a raised eyebrow. We continued walking.

"Well, they're not all friendly…" I defended.

"Oh yeah, when I was five…they promised me Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. I never got it…" Chase recalled, slightly gazing upwards in thought.

"See, I just proved my point." I said, sticking my tongue out at him. Chase rolled his eyes, playfully.

"Very mature, Vanessa…"

"Yeah, like you're mature. Mr. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots…" I retorted all in good fun. "I guess we're like sixteen, but act 5, huh?"

"Yeah… that pretty much sums it up," Chase agreed with a nod and a smile. I smiled back. Chase is pretty cool once you get to know him. Zoey's lucky. Real lucky.

"So what do you think of Quinn and Matt?" I asked Chase.

Chase shrugged, "Well, if he's anything like Quinn… then it's cute… in a nerdy kind of way. Just don't tell Quinn I said that. I'm afraid I wake up with tentacles or soething.

We laughed.

I've found a friend in Chase Matthews.

A/N: So we got Matt, Quinn, and Vanessa's POV. Nothing much to say besides, review! Tell me if I'm doing okay in this story.

I'm off to go watch Survivor: Cook Islands. Later

--Erika