CHAPTER TWELVE

I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.

Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.

Friday night finally arrived and brought with it the prom. All over Seattle, teens were dressing up in their tuxedos and dresses anticipating the nights of their lives. And this was true in a suite on the 23rd floor of the Seattle Tipton. Zack and Cody were both getting ready, but of course, Zack was taking a little longer than Cody was, and Cody was ready to head out. Out in the main living room area, Carey was sitting back watching some television.

"And we are about to begin hour one of our George Clooney movie marathon..."

Carey grinned. "Ohhh...Momma's got her plans for the evening!"

From behind her, Cody came out of the room dressed in his tuxedo and headed for the door.

"Bye Mom, I'm off to the prom..."

Carey never turned around and simply just shook her head. "Very funny, Cody." But when she heard the door close, she turned around and got up to see what was going on. And at that very moment, Zack came out of the boys' bedroom.

"Hey Mom."

Carey frowned. "What are you wearing?"

"Its a tuxedo...Its what one usually wears to the prom..."

"I seem to be hearing that word a lot lately..."

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Zack went over to answer it, and he opened the door to find Maya standing there in her prom dress. Zack just looked her up and down with his mouth wide open.

"Wow...I...uhhh...wow!"

Maya smiled. "Looking pretty good yourself..."

"Thanks." Zack turned back to his Mom. "Bye!"

Carey shook her head. "Stop!" Zack and Maya did. "Turn!" They complied. "Explain!"

"Okay, remember how you said I could date if Cody dated? Well, he found this girl who is perfect for him which is actually kind of perfect for me. You see, I asked Maya to go to the prom with me, and she said yes. And since Cody is going, I guess I'm allowed to based on the aforementioned rule and its previous stipulations of course."

Maya stuck her hand out towards Carey. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Martin."

Zack grabbed Maya's hand before Carey could do anything. "Let's go!" And with that, Zack and Maya were off.

Carey just stood there with her mouth hanging open in pure shock. "This is not good..."

Across town, at the banquet hall where the prom was being held, the dance was in full swing. The dance floor was crowded with couples already getting down with their bad selves. Cody walked in and made his way up the stairs. He began looking around; he nerves causing him to be a little jumpy. And from behind him, he heard a single word.

"Wow..."

Cody turned and saw Bailey standing there. And Cody took the time to look Bailey up and down. He smiled. "You just took the word right out of my mouth..." He held up a single rose for her. "This is for you."

Bailey smiled back. "Thank you."

Cody held out his arm, and Bailey hooked her arm with his. "Where did you get a tux at the last minute?"

Cody chuckled. "I own one. Its kind of funny actually. It seems I'm always finding myself in situations where I need a tux for one reason or another. So, I figured I'd buy one and it would be cheaper than constantly renting one."

Bailey laughed. "Really?"

"Really, though tonight's the first time I've worn it and had a beautiful lady on my arm. Speaking of which, where did you get that dress. Its stunning."

Bailey smiled. "Oh, this? My Mom and I made it for a special occasion. I thought this was special enough, don't you think?"

Cody smiled. "I sure do." Cody paused. "Listen...I'm really sorry I questioned your motives. That was wrong of me, and I apologize."

"Its okay. You're forgiven." She smiled again. "You ready for the prom?"

Cody grinned. "Yes, Ma'am." And with that, they both headed inside.

Back at the Tipton Hotel, Carey was back in front of the TV watching the Clooney marathon. She was still leery about her little men being off at the prom, but it was out of her hands. She knew she had to let them go and hope for the best. Of course, in the middle of Ocean's Eleven, there was another knock at the door. Carey got up to answer it only to find London standing there in a prom dress.

"Good evening, Ms. Martin. I'm here to pick up Zack for the prom."

Carey frowned. "Zack's not here. He left for the prom a little while ago with some girl named Maya..."

London's eyes went wide, and her anger was building. "He did what?"

"That's what he said. He said he had asked her to be his date."

London plastered a fake smile on her face and gritted her teeth. "I see. There must have been a mistake." And with that, London turned and stormed off. Carey shrugged and went back to her movie and George.

Back at the prom, Cody and Bailey made their way on to the dance floor and were beginning to dance when Cody spotted his brother and Maya. Cody just smiled and gave his brother a thumbs up. Zack returned the smile and thumbs up before Maya pulled him close and began dancing with him.

Bailey smiled. "Good for them."

Cody nodded. "Yeah. And I hear she won't put up with Zack's antics. He needs that."

Bailey laughed. "Kind of like I won't put up with yours?"

"Well, its come to my attention that I need that too..."

"Good, because I need someone to keep me in line too. I..."

But before she could finish, they were interrupted by Woody who was looking frantic.

"Have you seen her?"

Cody just looked at him. "Seen who? Scarlett O'Hara?"

Woody shook his head. "No, my own southern belle. She said she'd meet me here!"

Cody sighed. "Woody? Have you eaten more spoiled potato salad again?"

Bailey laughed and pointed them both to the stage where Addison stood dressed as a southern belle. Woody turned and grinned upon seeing it was Addison. Addison smiled back and got a wink of encouragement from the band's lead singer. Making her way through the audience, she was finally face to face with Woody.

Addison grinned again. "Colonel..."

Woody took her hand. "Milady..." He kissed it and grinned. "Mmmm...Finger licking good."

Addison laughed, and soon they were joining everyone else on the dance floor. A little bit later, the band finished their current song, and the crowd applauded them. However, the next song being started drew some confused looks from the students.

Cody turned to Bailey. "Is this what I think it is?"

Bailey smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I put in a request..."

Cody smiled. "I like it, but we may be the only two people here who know who Frank Sinatra is..."

"Well, you said you want to do it your way, but I figured this song was better for us..."

Cody laughed. "I agree. Its very appropriate..." He took Bailey into his arms, and they began to dance.

I have got you under my skin.

I have got you deep in the heart of me.

So deep in my heart, that you are a part of me.

I have got you under my skin.

I have tried so, I tried not to give in.

I have said to myself this affair it ain't going to move so well.

But why should I try to resist, when baby I know damn well,

That I've got you under my skin.

Sacrifice anything come what might

For the sake of having you near

In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night

And repeats, it repeat, it repeats

Don't you know you fool, you are never going to win

Use your mentality, wake up to reality

And each time I do, just the thought of you Makes me stop before I begin

'Cause I've got you under my skin

I would sacrifice anything come what might

For the sake of having you near

In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night

And repeats, how it yells in my ear

Don't you know you fool, you ain't got no way to win

Why not use your mentality, wake up, step up to reality

And each time I do, just the thought of you

Makes me stop just before I begin

'Cause I've got you under my skin

Where does it hurt you baby?

Under my skin

I would sacrifice anything come what might

For the sake of having you near

In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night

And repeats, how it yells in my ear

Don't you know you fool, you got no way to win

Why not use your mentality, wake up, stand up to reality

And each time I do, just the thought of you

Makes me stop just before I begin

'Cause I've got you under my skin

And I dig you under my skin

Throughout the whole song, Bailey and Cody danced in each other's arms. And as it came to a close, both leaned in to share a passionate kiss.

Meanwhile, Zack had left to head to the men's room. As he was washing his hands and checking himself out in the mirror, he looked to his left and saw Theo standing there.

"What are you doing here?"

Theo smirked. "I'm here with the London...She just picked me up."

Zack shrugged. "Well, congratulations. She's all yours."

"Just so you know, London only wanted to go out with you for one reason. She had a bet with her friends that she would be the first person to have a date with Zack Martin. After the prom, she was going to dump you flat in front of everyone..."

Zack shook his head. After that and what Cody had told him, he was positive that London was nothing but a cold-hearted bitch. And he was going to do something about it. Zack stormed out of the bathroom.

Back on the dance floor, there was a faster song playing, and Cody and Bailey were dancing to it. And out of nowhere, Bailey just blurted out.

"Omaha..."

Cody looked at her questioningly. "Huh?"

"That's where I was last year. I wasn't in the loony bin, I wasn't a backup dancer for Justin Timberlake, and I'd slit my own wrists before I had to hang out with Justin Beiber. You see, my grammy was sick. So I spent that time taking care of her, making chicken noodle soup and doing all of my homework through correspondence. End of story."

Cody was laughing. "No way!"

Bailey was about to say something when she felt someone grab her arm and drag her away. She turned and saw London scowling at her.

"What is Zack doing her with that poor hussy? I didn't pay you to date Cody so some little slut could snake me with Zack!"

Bailey didn't say anything, but she looked over and saw Cody staring at her. He'd heard everything that London had just said. Cody's expression changed to one that was half hurt, half disgust. He shook his head.

"Nothing in it for you, huh?" With that Cody just stormed off. Bailey gave London a look that would kill before she turned to follow Cody.

A little ways away, Addison was dancing with Woody, and she danced them over to where Maya was talking to someone. Addison tapped her shoulder, and Maya turned around.

"Its about to get extra crispy in here..." And she pointed towards London. Maya sighed and began walking towards London. Addison got in front of her trying to buffer. And when they got closer to London, Addison tried to keep things peaceful.

"London, you look absolutely..." But before she could continued, London just shoved her to the floor.

Maya glared at London but extended her hand to help Addison up. But London was ready to roll.

"You messed with the wrong girl this time! My Daddy will make you pay! You and that jerk, Zack!"

After helping Addison up, Maya turned to London. "Okay, you've gone too far. You just crossed the line!"

London laughed and looked around. Then she turned and delivered a punch right to Maya's nose. Maya went down hard, and London laughed again.

"Oh come on! Get up, you skank!"

London turned to find Zack standing there with his hand revved back ready to punch. He paused and growled. "Lucky for you, I was raised to never hit a woman, but..." He reached over and grabbed someone's cup of punch and poured it over London's head.

"That's for making my date bleed!"

He grabbed another cup and did the same thing.

"That's for my brother!"

Then he grabbed someone's piece of chocolate cake and shoved it in London's face.

"And that's for me!"

He pulled out his cell phone and snapped a picture of London looking so disheveled.

"And if you ever do anything to try to hurt anyone I care about again, I'll make sure this picture appears on the front page of every newspaper and on every gossip website in the world!"

With that, London freaked out and ran out of the dance.

Zack turned, and helped Maya up.

"Are you okay?"

Maya just smiled. "Never been better..." She leaned in and kissed him.

Out in the entrance to the dance hall, Bailey had finally caught up to Cody.

"Would you give me a chance to explain?"

Cody scowled. "You were paid to date me? By the one person I despise the most in this world?" Cody shook his head and began walking off. "I should have known better! I can't believe I fell for this again!"

Bailey ran up to catch him again. She grabbed his arm and turned him towards her.

"Cody, it wasn't like that! I swear!"

Cody smirked at her. "What was it then? A down payment to get me here and then a bonus to humiliate me in public?"

Bailey had tears running down her face. "No! I didn't care about the money! I care about you!"

Cody shook his head. "You are so not who I thought you were..."

He turned to leave again when Bailey grabbed him again and pulled him for a kiss. Cody broke away and just glared at her. Then, he turned and stormed down the steps as Bailey looked on helpless to do anything. All she could do was cry as she watched Cody walk out of the hall and probably her life forever. She turned and saw Zack staring at her.

"You really do like my brother, don't you?"

Bailey wiped her eyes. "No...I think I'm in love with him..."

Zack sighed. "I know it doesn't help right now, but I know he feels the same way about you."

Bailey shook her head. "Maybe at one point, but not any more..." She sniffed. "And I can't blame him if he does hate me now..."

Zack paused. "I know it seems bad, but I've never seen my brother happier than he was here tonight with you. If you really care about him like you say you do, you can't give up."

"What do I do then? He'll never talk to me again!"

"There's something I think you should know...You see, when Cody was a freshman..."

To be Concluded...