Author Note- I still do not claim ownership to any of the songs written for The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or High School Musical. Also, the use of Oxford and England is for purely fictional purposes only and may or may not be accurate. Thanks to everyone who's still reading!!

Chapter 3
Can't Escape the Feeling

Maddie and London stared breathlessly around them as they stood on one of the most prominent streets in London, England. It was as far as the airport taxi was designated to take them.

"Wow, what do we do first? It's so big," London said, still staring at her new surroundings.

"Ooh, maybe one of those double-decker things! I've always wanted to ride around in one!"

"Wait, they ride around in sandwiches here? Eww! I am not getting mustard on this outfit. It's brand new."

"Oh, please. You changed it just so you could have something new when you got off the plane so I'm sure you could easily replace it," Maddie combated sarcastically. "Besides, they're not sandwiches. They're buses. See there's one there! Hurry let's catch it." Maddie took off running toward where the bus was stopped to pick up passengers.

"Okay, but I didn't bring a net, so I don't know how we're going to do that," London answered ditsily, running after Maddie.

"Mom, can I talk to you?" Cody asked his mom as she tried on shoes for her upcoming show.

"Of course, Cody. What is it?"

"How can you tell if a person is in love?"

"Why do you ask?" there was a hint of nervousness in Carey's voice.

"Well, without using names, I have a friend and I think he's in love, and I want to make sure I'm not jumping to conclusions."

"Oh, I see, "a friend." Well, in that case, there are always a few signs to look for. One, does you- I mean, does your "friend" ever make puppy dog eyes?"

"Right now they're more like sad puppy dog eyes."

"Okay, well, does your friend have a spring in his step?"

"Used to, but now he just mopes about."

"Cody, I'm getting confused," Carey stopped naming signs.

"You see, I think my friend was in love with Maddie, but now she's gone and I think he's brokenhearted," Cody explained, still not giving names.

"Oh, sweetie. That does sound like the symptoms of a broken heart. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, mom, I'm great!! I've gotta go find Mr. Moseby now that I know for sure!"

"Whoa whoa whoa! Now I'm really confused. Mr. Moseby was in love with Maddie? I thought you were talking about yourself?"

"Ew and double ew, mom! Mr. Moseby and I both have been keeping a close eye on Esteban and we think he's in love with Maddie. Now I have to tell Mr. Moseby I broke the confidante."

"Well, I'm glad you did. I think I should have known about this sooner. Hold on, I'm coming with you." Carey followed after Cody until they reached Mr. Moseby. "What's this about Esteban being in love with Maddie?!"

"Shhh. Carey, please. We're not sure, but we're almost certain. Look at him," Moseby pointed to where Esteban came in carrying some luggage.

"Wow, he looks so depressed."

"And when I asked him what's wrong, all he said was, 'there's no reason to stay in Boston.' I'm worried about him," Cody added.

"As am I. I've heard some of my staff rumoring that he's going to give me his two weeks notice."

"And you're not going to do anything about it?" Carey just stared at her boss in disbelief. "If men were left in charge, people would never end up together. This is a woman's job. Esteban!"

"Coming, coming, coming," Esteban hurried over. "You called?"

"Yes, I did. It seems that you have feelings for someone, but like all men you're too afraid to let the girl know."

The bellhop gulped, "What do you mean?"

"I'm talking about Maddie. It's obvious that you care for her at least a little bit more than as just a friend."

"But Maddie is in England. And she didn't give any sign of missing me before she left."

"But you do have feelings for her?" Mr. Moseby jumped in.

"Well, yes. I always have felt something for her, but I don't know if it's love. How can I? I only know her well enough to call her a friend."

"Then run after her, man!" Zack exclaimed, overhearing the conversation as he came into the lobby looking for Cody. "It's what I would do if I still loved her. And if I was a grown man with the money to run after her."

"Zack's right, Esteban. You'll never know unless you try," Mr. Moseby had always had an almost fatherly/son bond with Esteban, and he wanted him to be happy.

"Besides, a real Prince Charming always proves to his princess that he's the one by sweeping her off her feet," Carey added a romanticized touch to her encouragement.

"Go sweep her off her feet, ya big lug," Cody finished. They all stared at Esteban, waiting for a response.

It was obvious that Esteban was debating everything in his mind. "I hope there's still a chance. I mean, she is studying law, possibly parliamentary. She might feel the same…YES! You all are right. I must go after her and find out for myself!" Everyone cheered wildly. However, their cheer subsided when they heard Esteban add, "Now how do I do that?"

"This place is so, so, what's the word I'm looking for?" London tried to describe Oxford as they walked across a courtyard in search for Maddie's living quarters.

"Beautiful maybe?"

"No more like gloomy."

"Gloomy? How can you say it's gloomy?" Maddie didn't like the word because she didn't want to admit that she did feel a bit gloomy as she looked around at the place that would be her new home.

"Look around. The stones are old, the walkways are cracked, there's weeds growing up the sides of the buildings, and it has a cold feeling to it."

"It's supposed to look old and the cracks are a part of its rich history. And those aren't weeds, it's ivy! Please, let's forget how it looks and look for my room." Maddie just wanted to get as far away from the subject as possible. She was at Oxford to stay and she was determined to make the most of it. Unfortunately, she found her room to be just as depressing.

"Why are we here anyways? I mean you're not staying in this boring looking place now are you? I thought we were going to stay at the London Tipton," she laughed hysterically as she said it.

"I am staying at the London Tipton." London began laughing again as Maddie answered. "Okay, why are you laughing?"

"Because it's like we're saying we're staying at the me. It's funny," London laughed again. "You know, it's because I was named after the London Tipton. You see, mommy and daddy…"

"ANYWAYS! I just wanted to see what it was like, so that I know what I have to look forward too."

"I say you should just stay at the Tipton. After all, before you rudely interrupted me I was going to say, it is where mommy and daddy met and fell in love."

"Oh. Well, I think there's a no off campus living rule, but even if there weren't, there's no way I could afford living at the Tipton."

"That's true," London chimed.

"I still can't believe you have a suite in every single hotel your father owns," Maddie said to London, who was still lounging around in her pajamas.

"Why shouldn't I. I am the heiress after all."

"I guess that's true. Well, I'm on my way to the interview. You'll be ready to go site-seeing when I get back right."

'Of course, of course," she answered. However, Maddie hadn't been gone for ten minutes before London began to get bored. "Wow, I didn't think it was possible. There's nothing better to do than to talk to Maddie. Maybe I'll give Mr. Moseby a call." She dialed his cell phone but was surprised when she thought she heard it nearby. "I must be going crazy. It sounds so close." She got up from her couch and started following the sound until she reached the door. She gulped, turned the knob and slowly opened the door to see Mr. Moseby, Esteban, Carey, Zack and Cody all standing there. "AHHHHHHHH!" Without thinking she slammed the door and ran to hide behind her couch.

"London, what's wrong?"

"Get away from me you psychopaths! Just because you dress up like my friends, you can't fool me. I'm going to call the police!"

Mr. Moseby opened the door and they came in, "London, we're not psychopaths in disguise. We missed you so we came to England on vacation."

"Likely story."

"Well, this could take awhile. Mind if I wait by the plasma tv?" Zack asked eyeing the big screen.

"Oh, so it is really you. Did Brandi send you? Because I'm more than capable to take care of myself," London said jumping to even more conclusions.

"No, it's not like that, London. We came because…" Mr. Moseby was interrupted by the sound of Maddie coming off of the elevator.

She spoke loudly so that London could hear her complaining before she even reached the suite, "I get half way there and they call me and tell me it has to be rescheduled. Can you believe that? I could have stayed in Boston…" She opened the door to see the others standing there. "…longer." Her eyes went straight to Esteban and she felt her heart sink and back flip at the same time.