Chapter 3: Jealousy and Guilt

Zack was dumbstruck; his mouth was hanging open, still absorbing in what London had told her about Maddie and the movies. He quickly plopped down on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He felt stupid. How could I have been so stupid?! How could I have lost a perfect girl over some stupid little thing like a jerk who clicks his tongue to get noticed? I have got to get Maddie back. It'll be a little hard, but I'll do whatever it takes. I have to get her back—not in a minute, not tomorrow. NOW." He jumped off his bed, making a "thud" sound that Mr. Moseby could've heard from his office, but of course, he didn't care. He just wanted to get Maddie back—sweet, sweet, Maddie. Hurrying, he put on a pair the pair of pants Maddie had given him for Christmas. Zack loved them, not just because they looked good, but also because Maddie had given them to her.

He opened the door, banged the door shut, and ran down the hallway, towards the elevator. London's suite was about 20 floors up. When he got in the elevator, there was nobody inside, which was nice because he had wanted to go alone. He pressed the floor number, and tapped his foot impatiently. The elevator went up, and it took about two minutes to get to his destination. When the elevator doors opened, he anxiously walked out, taking big steps towards London's suite. He did not want to disturb anyone sleeping, but he also wanted to see Maddie and apologize to her A.S.A.P.

When London opened the door, after four knocks, Zack looked at her, waiting to go call Maddie, but London made no move to do so.

"Uh… Yes?" London asked awkwardly

"Um," Zack gulped. "Is Maddie here? Can I talk to her? Please?"

"She's not here… Sorry. And if she was, I don't think she would want to talk to you. I mean, after what happened and all." London told Zack, while trying to keep her voice steady.

"I thought she was sleeping over here, since you ... talked to me on the phone. I thought she'd be here, you know?"

"No, I don't know… Zack, I'm sorry, but I don't think she wants to talk to you right now and—hey, why don't you try to get to her tomorrow. Plus, it's, um, 2 in the morning if you hadn't noticed." Zack tried to say something but London interrupted.

"Go. Go to sleep. My beauty sleep is ruined already. Come on." London whispered to Zack.

"Oh. Ok. Fine… Just tell Maddie that I'm really, really sorry, ok?" Zack said. London nodded and closed the door. Zack wondered if Maddie was mad at him. What if she never wants to talk to him again? What if she'll be gone forever? Nah. That wouldn't happen, would it? Of course it wouldn't. Zack tried hard to put the horrible thoughts away somewhere in a deep dark corner in his mind, but it kept coming back. He hadn't noticed, but his heart was beating a little faster than normal. He wanted to see Maddie, but he knew he couldn't, so he got in the elevator down to his suite.

Cody was sitting on the recliner, reading a book peacefully.

"Hey. Where have you been?" Zack ignored him. It was enough having Maddie mad at him; he couldn't deal with his brother right now, too, so he just kept walking, straight to their bedroom. The twins still shared the same room, but it was ok.

"I said... 'Where have you been?'" Cody said slowly.

"And I… didn't say anything did I?" Zack said, a little bit annoyed. He knew he shouldn't be mad at Cody for asking him where he'd been, but he couldn't help it. He was mad at everything.

"Okay, looks like someone needs a chill pill. Seriously, where did you go?"

"In your nose. It's none of your business so shut up." It wasn't Cody's business to know where Zack was or what he had been doing, but hey, if your twin brother was out at 2 in the morning, you would be suspicious, too. Cody knew he shouldn't go farther as to fight with his twin at 2 in the morning, so he shut up and continued reading.

Cody woke up at 8 in the morning—thank god it was Saturday, or else he would've been late. He still had a perfect attendance record, but he wasn't as much of a nerd as he was in middle school or elementary. On the refrigerator was a not from his mom. It read: "Zack, Cody. Went out early at 6. Had to go on a show downtown. Will be back around 7. Love you. Mom."

College was coming around pretty fast, and Carrie had to earn enough money for their tuition—well, mostly Zack's because Cody had gotten a scholarship. Cody ate a quick breakfast of pancakes and syrup. It was his favorite. It was Saturday, but Cody had nothing planned. Maybe I could go buy some new clothes for myself. I think I have enough money. Wait. How much money do I have, anyway? Ugh. Whatever. Boring. Maybe I could go hang out with Maddie. Cody suddenly gasped. Maddie! He had forgotten that he and Zack had some sort of fight or something. Cody didn't like seeing Maddie hurt, especially when his twin brother is causing the pain.

Grabbing the phone, Cody thought of what he would say—maybe they could just hang out and go for some pizza. Meanwhile, Zack woke up, surprised he woke up this early on a Saturday; he usually slept until noon, but this was a different Saturday. He would get Maddie back. He decided to call her, so he took the phone on his bedside table. He listened if the line was busy—and it was. Cody was talking on the other line to someone. Zack listened hard to what the person was saying It was Maddie!

"Yeah, so, you wanna' go out for some pizza around 1?"

A small pause.

"Uh, sure. Okay. That would be great. Thanks Cody, you're a real friend. I really need to talk to someone right now. I'll meet you downstairs at 1, ok?"

"It's no problem Maddie. I know you and Zack are having … problems. I'll meet you there. Bye." Click. Click. They both hung up. Zack stood there, once again, his mouth halfway open. How could Cody do this to him? Is he just being a nice friend or is he trying to steal my girl? WHAT?! Ohhh. Cody, you're better not try to steal her. No way. No way.

(a/n: No, there is no date. No date. No date. YET! D Okay, by the way this is BOB. Oh yes, my name sounds cool, you say? Oh yeah. It does. It does. Hahaha. Joe will put up the next chapter. Oh yeah, and I started the last chapter, but Joe had to finish the last paragraph(s). I would've put up this chapter sooner, but I think everything I type is gay. Hehehe. Nah, okay. REVIEW or else we're going to stop here. STAY PUT!)

People! Please review. The next chapter's coming up!