(Background)

For those of you who have read my previous story this will pretty much be a revised version of that. It takes place after 'Trading Places' but that episode happened slightly different. It will be explained how. James will be showing up but under different circumstances. I'm not sure about Vince yet, perhaps next year?

(Writing Style)

I will be switching points of view every now and then to show different people's thoughts. But actions will be written from a narrative point of view. Italics are thoughts and flashbacks. Bold will be dialogue.

Zoey- Is having a difficult time because she misses Chase and he can barely talk at all, because he got a job in England. She barely does anything besides going to classes, eating, and sleeping. Nobody knows what to do, even Dustin doesn't seem to be able to help her.

Chase- Chase is barely keeping sane. He has a demanding job, let alone keeping up with classes in England because he is trying to get enough money to buy a plane ticket back. His parents want to teach him the value of money, even though they won the lottery and could easily pay for Chase to go back to PCA.

Michael- Is having huge fights with Logan because Chase is not there to settle the arguments.

Logan- No longer has anyone to talk to with Chase gone everyone, has to deal with their own problems. Logan can't tell anyone what his problems are. He finally seems to be turning over a new leaf.

Lola- Needs to keep up with drama, acting lessons, classes and staying in shape. On top of that she is trying to help her best friend survive.

Quinn- Knows that everyone is having issues and she is dying to help but doesn't know how. If she can't help her friends with their problems how can she hope to conquer her own?

Mystery Boy- Knows more than people realize. But he is also hiding a dark secret, who will he trust, who can he trust?

Before you read this you must know. They were meant to be together, all of them, not simply the couples but the friends. They are a family in every aspect of the word except blood and legally. The bonds that were formed and forming were going to steer the direction of their lives.

Chapter 1: A Mystery Guy

Z-POV

It was a bright sunny February day at PCA. The second semester was slowly picking up pace. School seemed to be going well for most students. But for five particularly unique students at PCA it was the beginning of what looked to be a very long and painful semester.

Sitting at the lunch table with Lola, Quinn, and Logan. They're just talking about the big English assignment they all procrastinated on. English, Chases favorite subject, I bet Chase would've ranted on at them for procrastinating. Then he would've felt bad and made it up to them by inviting everyone to Sushi Rox. Oh how I miss him. I wonder if he misses me? Still not really listening to the conversation, Zoey remembers her conversation with Chase.

(Flash back)

Chase: Michael Zoey is - Oh hey Zoey?

Zoey: Hi Chase. So funny thing happened today, I go back to PCA because I miss my best friend. And it turns out he went to England to find me!

Chase: Zoe I'm so sorry for everything this is all-

Zoey: No its not Chase. Being in England, I learned things that made everything makes sense. I shouldn't have gone to England before I knew everything.

Chase: You weren't the only one. I thought you had decided to leave and told everyone else before me. That's why I acted so cruel, I thought you had decided to end our friendship.

Zoey: Chase I would never want to end our friendship.

Chase: I know that now I'm sorry for being such an idiot. Why'd you go back to PCA though? What did you learn?

Zoey remember her heart began to race uncontrollably: Well actually I over heard a conversation. You had with Michael and Logan. It was about me and how you felt... Zoey felt her cheeks begin to flare up with red embarrassment.

Chase: Oh you heard that huh? Well you should know... You deserve the truth Zoe. I think you're the most amazing girl ever. You're smart, funny, honest, kindhearted, and patient. Nobody could have a better friend than you. Zoey I-

Zoey: Chase I know but please don't say it. I came back because my heart told me that I always have felt the same way ever since I heard your voice and looked into your eyes. But I can't say it. Not that I don't want to. Every fiber in my body is screaming for me to yell it to the world but it can't be like this.

Chase: Oh I get it. You just want to be friends right?

Zoey: Chase Mathews when will you ever learn? We'll always be friends but we both know we're meant for something more than that. I just know that when I hear you openly admit it to me or if I do to you, by that I mean say the actual words, my heart might break if I can't have you hold me in that moment.

Chase smiled that wonderful smile that made Zoey's heart melt: I think I know exactly what you mean. But Zoe, I have to stay here until the end of the semester. I promised my parents I would and that I would pay for my own ticket home.

Zoey: Oh. You've done the most amazing thing for me anyone ever has and I can't even be there for it.

Chase: Ya, I won't be able to talk almost ever. I don't want to hold you back Zoe. I'll always feel the way I have but I don't think we should commit ourselves to each other when we're half a world apart.

Zoey: You're probably right. DING. The bell signaling that Zoey had to go get ready for math rang. That's the bell I have to go get to class, I'll leave you on so Michael can talk to you. Before I go though Chase I just want you to know, you're the closest friend I've ever had and I don't know how to survive without you.

Chase: Oh, Zoe thanks you don't know what that means to me. But I'll be back before you know it. I'll miss you every second that I'm not there with you. Bye.

Zoey slowly began to walk out of the boys dorm room. She felt a mix of sorrow and joy as she knew that he was in her future but what she must endear before she saw him again. Before she closed the door, Zoey turned around to take one more look at Chase Mathews. She whispered to herself: Chase Mathews, I love you.

As Zoey walked out she knew she wasn't imagining it when she heard: Zoey Brooks, I love you and I always will.

(End of Flash Back)

Zoey smiled as she remembers, what she considered one of the greatest days of her life. But it was a sorrowful smile because she knew in that moment she was incomplete. The teenage girl took out her iPod and put in one headphone. The first song that played was, Waiting for the End by Linkin Park. How fitting, Zoey thought to herself smirking at how the universe seemed to constantly be giving signs about him. The song began to play. But Zoey missed the first few verses, being caught in her own thoughts. Geeze thanks Universe. Now that I can't be with him you just like reminding me of that don't you? Well I'm sorry if I some how offened you but this hasn't exactly been easy for me. I miss him. The change in tune in the song caused her to listen.

Waiting for the end to come

Wishing I had strength to stand

This is not what I had planned

It's out of my control

Flying at the speed of light

Thoughts were spinning in my head

So many things were left unsaid

It's hard to let you go

I know what it takes to move on,

I know how it feels to lie,

I all I want to do is trade my life for something new,

Holdin' on to what I haven't got.

As Zoey listened to the song her eyes scanned the surrounding area. There were the usual people sitting, talking, and even some making out. Zoey just sighed and kept looking around the lunch courtyard. She was about to turn back around and rejoin the conversation when she realized someone was staring at her. Who is that? I don't think I've seen him around before. He's definitely too young to be Junior or Senior. After the mysterious person caught her attention she looked back trying to divert from making direct eye contact. But once she did make eye contact she couldn't stop looking at him. He was sitting down, so you couldn't tell that much about his appearance. The mystery guy had bright red hair, deep blue eyes, fairly tan skin (redheads can't really get tans but lets say he can), muscular arms and chest.

Quinn nodding her head towards the guy asked: Zoey whose that guy you're staring at and why is he staring back at us?

Zoey: Huh? What? Finally breaking eye contact and snapping out of a trance like state she was in. Zoey took out her headphones and put her iPod away.

Lola: Quinn was asking you who that guy was. Speaking of which it looks like he's headed this way! So Zoey who is he?

Sure enough the mystery guy was slowly walking towards them. He was pretty tall too, about 6'5". As he got closer it became clearer that he was at least their age if not a little older but he definitely was not senior. While walking across the courtyard the strange teenager began to get people's attention, the way he walked he definitely was confident but not overly cocky. Oh my God is he coming over here? Yes, yes he is.

Zoey answered still confused as to what was exactly happening: I have no idea, Lola, no idea.

Lola: Well looks like we're going to find out? I think he's kinda cute don't you agree?

Zoey she murmured a response clearly not intending anyone to hear: His eyes are like an unending oceanand you can just get lost in them for days.

Zoey then turned to see Lola facing her with a raised eyebrow and a questioning look on her face. Zoey could feel the heat racing to her face. Damn it! Focus Zoey.

Zoey: I just said that out loud didn't I?

Lola just nodded. Zoey said: Oh Crap.

After Zoey said that, the last of the distance between them and the mystery guy had disappeared he was now right in front of them. Logan just rolled his eyes as if this guy was nothing compared to him. Quinn put down her fork and sat up straight to appear taller. Lola flipped her hair back and then started blushing realizing what she did just made her seem more nervous. Zoey just looked up a a guy she had never scene before in her life, making eye contact with him. There was a silence as if the entire world, realizing this moment was beyond important, refused to interrupt it.

The guy said in a slight accent: You must be Zoey Brooks. I've heard a lot about you.

He smiled at her and then switched his gaze to Lola. How does he know my name? Who the hell is he? What does he know about me? Can I trust him? Zoey stood up realizing it was impolite to stay seated. She felt short compared to him but she looked him in those sparkling blue eyes determined to figure out who he was. But in his eyes she saw something. Something very uncommon to find in any person, it is very difficult to explain. That look is a cross between, hope, love, sorrow, and comfort.

Zoey said in the nicest voice should muster up: I'm sorry but I don't know who you are. What's your name?

Thank you for reading. I know the main point of the chapter is the same but I like how this one turned out much better.