Disclaimer: It's my dream to own the Gallagher Girls, but it's just that...a dream. In what I find a harsh reality Ally Carter owns the Gallagher Girls, and a certain Zach Goode.

Author's Note: Hey everybody, man has it been a long wait! I am so sorry for this VERY delayed chapter. I know excuses are pathetic and annoying, but I have been so preoccupied with going back to school I haven't had a chance to write anything! You have every right to be angry, but please direct it towards the British exam boards that set so much work (especially drama!) In the next couple of weeks you can expect me to update slowly, I know it's frustrating but bear with me! Anyway, enough chit chat, what you're really here for...CHAPTER 12 :)

With a whole weekend to look forward to, one would be excited or overjoyed with the prospect of a break from school. In my opinion, the near future looked dull. Liz, bless her heart, had collected all of my class work and homework whilst I was away, which only means one thing. Boring studying and catch up work whilst everyone's going to town and having fun. Oh well, at least I have my date with Zach to look forward to.

On Saturday, after I'd gotten washed and dressed, I started on the stacks of work daring me to take the challenge of finishing it all. Maths, Biology, Spanish, Drama...it all started to become one big blur. But, after 7 hours of nearly non-stop working, it looked like one big finished blur. Just as I was writing my last sentence on my Literature essay, Macey, Bex and Liz walked through the door with bright smiles on their faces. As Macey had promised the night before, there was a shopping trip taking place, but after she saw the masses of work I had to complete she let me off the hook.

I got a variation of hellos from them all, which I replied with an uncertain smile. I knew that they would have bought me some new outfits, and I definitely didn't want to become a human Barbie doll for the second day running.

"Cammie, don't look like that," Bex said evilly.

I gulped. "Like what," I squeaked.

"So scared," Macey replied, trying (and failing) to seem innocent. You see, at times like these, it can either be a great success or a great disadvantage that you know your friend's so well, depending on which side you are on. At this moment, Macey was definitely on the side of fashion, and to her disadvantage, I saw through her innocent facade easily.

"Whatever guys, just know that I have no intentions of being so heavily beautified tonight. Maybe you didn't realise this when you were eavesdropping last night, but the date is casual, meaning no fancy dresses or shoes or makeovers or hairdos or anything!" I said with exasperation.

"No fancy anything!" Macey said with panic written all over her face. I just nodded with the same fake innocence in return.

"Guys, whether it's fancy or not, we still need to get ready. Dinner is in an hour, and straight after that we're going to the boy's common room!" Liz exclaimed.

This sent Macey into an utter frenzy and a fashion tornado. Dark jeans and a lacy white top were shoved into my hands, and before I could even change I was being attacked by makeup brushes and different hair products. After we were all dressed and ready to go, looking 'presentable' in Macey's standards, we left to go to dinner. For one we weren't late, and using this to our advantage took the comfy chairs at our table, not having to squeeze on the end of the bench for once.

Dinner passed by without much commotion, just the norm: food spillages and arguments fixed within minute. Zach had come and sat opposite me, and although we didn't talk, we played footsies under the table, acting like children but finding it fun at the same time. We would sneak glances at each other throughout the meal, and the few times we'd caught each other staring, one of us would look away (usually me, Zach mostly smirked or winked).

The girls and I left early, wanting to have a few moments before entering boy world, otherwise known as 'the junior boy's common room'.

"Alright girls, I don't know what to expect when we go in there. This is potentially hostile territory. Based on this analysis, I say we stick together until we are comfortable with our surroundings," Liz said, sounding very professional, almost like a spy on a mission. We all agreed on Liz's plan, all of us nervous but excited at the same time.

After we'd figured we'd given the boys enough time to get back from dinner and relax a little, we walked up to the boys' dorm. Bex knocked twice, and then we waited... Zach opened the door and a smile graced his face.

"Hey guys, come in!" he said smoothly, winking at me, causing me to blush.

There was a range of "okay"s and "thanks"s in reply, still curious as to what tonight was going to be like.

Bex went and sat by Grant on the spare beanbag next to him, whilst Liz sat next to Jonas on the loveseat, smiling shyly at him.

"Macey, this is Jake; I thought you two could hang out tonight?" Zach said, it coming out as more of a question.

Jake had bright blue eyes and light brown hair. "Hey, I'm Jake, nice to meet you Macey," he said grinning at her. She smiled back in return, saying something along the lines of the pleasure being all her's. Puke.

I had started to tune everyone out anyway, that is everyone except for Zach.

"Do you want to come to my room?" he whispered in my ear, making me shiver. I nodded in return, happy to leave the rest of the girls to do whatever they wanted.

When we reached his room, he smiled at me before opening his door. The room was split into four very clear sections, a sporty corner, a study corner, a corner with lots of posters of girls on it and a corner that had nothing. It was utterly plain, and empty. Plain blue sheets, plain white walls, no books, no pictures, nothing to suggest anything about the person sleeping there.

When Zach caught me staring at this bland section of the room, he gave me a sheepish smile and said, "Yeah...That's my bed."

"Where are all the photographs? The posters? The books?" I asked, not meaning to be rude, but very curious as to why it was so empty.

"I don't see the need for all of that stuff. At Blackthorne, everything had to be kept neat and tidy; there were room checks every day. I guess I'm still in the habit of it. Grant and Jake were very eager to mess up the room when we got here, since Gallagher isn't as strict. I'm just not that fussed."

I had a feeling that wasn't his entire story, but I didn't push him. He obviously didn't want to share every aspect of his life with me, and I was fine with that...for now. I also didn't push the subject because I got distracted. The one thing that showed any part of Zach's life and I'd missed it at first, though now looking at it I don't see how I could have. It was beautiful and sleek, just waiting to be played. I walked over to it slowly, and brushed my hand along the large guitar frame, mesmerized and blown away by its beauty and grace.

Suddenly, Zach's voice was in my ear, his body heat radiating off of him and onto my back, warming my insides. "I could play for you...if you want." His warm breath fanned over me, making my face flush, his closeness and the intimacy of this situation making me slightly flustered. Not having the words to speak, I just nodded my head. He reached around me, picked up the guitar and walked away. I turned around just in time to see him sitting down on his bed.

As he started playing, I knew immediately what song it was. The smooth melody of 'The Last Time' by Taylor Swift and Gary Lightbody filled my ears. As he started to sing, tears came to my eyes, his voice was so beautiful, slightly husky, but smooth at the same time. He nodded to me as the Taylor Swift part was coming up, urging me to sing with him, and I did just that. Our voices mixed together to make a perfect harmony, making my heart swell with joy and happiness.

When we were finished, we just sat there, staring at each other. The intensity of the situation was finally becoming too much, and I broke the eye contact, muttering a "Wow," under my breath.

I hadn't realised Zach had heard me until he said, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

I blushed under his smouldering gaze, not knowing what to really say.

"Cammie..." he started. "You are so amazing, you don't even seem to realise, but your voice is something else entirely." This just made me blush even more. "Cammie, I want to ask you something, and I get it if you say no, but...will you audition for the musical...with me?"

"I don't know Zach, I'm still quite nervous to sing, especially in front of all those people," I said hesitantly.

"Please Cammie, we sounded great together, it would be a real honour," he tried.

"Fine!" I caved, his puppy dog eyes doing the trick.

His eyes lit up and a smile broke out on his face. He jumped over to me and kissed me with so much passion, as if we had gotten even closed from just singing together.

Maybe singing with Zach wouldn't be so bad after all...especially if all our rehearsals end up with a kiss like that!

AN: There you have it folks, chapter 12. I really hope you enjoyed! Please please please review and tell me what you thought, your opinions do really count! Love you guys more than Justin Bieber (which is hard for me ;)). Until next time...~XOXO