A/N: Hi! So, I am so so sorry I took so long to continue this. It's been five months! See, this is exactly why I only search for complete stories. I am way too impatient to wait for the story to unfold. So, for those that read this second chapter who have been waiting months, or even for any length of time, thank you very very much. I so appreciate the favorites and follows and the reviews I've gotten so far. They've been inspiring and, again, I'm very sorry I took so long to get this out of me. I sort of lost my muse and then life got kinda crazy. I had written this a couple of weeks ago and just hadn't gone through it or proofread or anything. But I got reminded of this story by another notification about a new favorite and review today and I suddenly got inspired. So, here it is. I hope it's up to par and, as previously stated, I would love constructive feedback. I'd like to improve my writing and really make this story a good one. This is a pretty short chapter, I think, but it does give some more background to the Zoey/Chase situation. Anyway, long A/N over, I really hope you enjoy it. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I still own nothing and am not profiting from anything related to anything copyrighted. :)

Chapter 2

"Dude, just talk to her!"

Chase groaned, frustrated at having this conversation for the twentieth time. "I can't. Not after the way we left things. She made it pretty clear how she felt about me. Besides, she has James now, remember?"

Now, it was Michael's turn to groan. "We are not talking about James right now. Now, I don't think saying that she didn't know what to say is pretty clear. It sounds to me like she didn't know what to say!"

It had been eight months and thirteen days since Chase, after a heated argument with Zoey, had chosen to move to England with his mother after his parents' divorce. That was the last time he had seen or spoken to her. Chase remembered that day clearly, as though eight months and thirteen days hadn't already passed.

The day had started out fairly uneventful. Wake up, shower, have breakfast with friends, the usual. Classes were easy because it was only the second week of school. However, when he got back to his room, ready to shoot some hoops with Michael and Logan, he found a surprise waiting for him. His parents were sitting on the sofa, while the two boys stood awkwardly by the beds. As he entered the room and set his bag down, he felt worry begin to creep its way into his chest. Whatever brought his parents here probably wasn't good. Both were very busy and didn't often have time to visit him at school.

"Uh, why don't you boys give us some time alone with Chase. We have something important to discuss," his father asked, looking at Michael and Logan. Both boys readily agreed, having been looking for an excuse out of the room before that point.

"Son, why don't you have a seat?" his father said, with a serious look on his face. Chase carefully lowered himself onto one of the beds.

"Is everything okay? Is someone hurt?" he asked, thinking of the previous year when his grandmother had died.

"No, no, nothing like that. Everyone is fine." Chase visibly relaxed at these words. "We wanted to talk to you today about some changes that will be happening with our family, specifically with your mother and me."

"Okay…What's going on?" Chase asked, uneasily. He'd noticed the tension that had existed between his parents for the better part of a year now and already had an idea of what they were talking about. He'd also noticed the slight sadness in both of their eyes.

"Well, things between your mother and I have been a bit strained the last year or so. We've tried, but it's just not working. We've decided to divorce," Chase's father replied, speaking bluntly in an attempt to make the conversation less painful for his son. Chase was quiet for a moment. If he was being honest with himself, Chase really wasn't that surprised. He'd been expecting something for a while now. He was actually a bit relieved, hopeful that his parents might be a little happier now. He was definitely sad that they were divorcing but if it stopped the muted arguments and forced smiles, he supposed he could live with it.

"Chase, honey? Are you alright? I know this is a lot to take in," his mother asked, staring at her son with concern.

Chase was startled out of his thoughts. "Sorry. I'm fine. I think that if it will make you two happy, then you should do it. I wish you could stay together, but I understand if you can't. I've kind of been expecting something like this for a while." His parents were stunned for a second. Their son was a lot more observant than they had originally thought.

"There's one more thing," his father began.

"I've been offered a job in England and I'm going to take it," his mother cut in. "That's part of the reason we've decided to tell you now. You have a choice. You can come with me or you can stay here with your friends. It's completely up to you. If you go with me, there's a school like PCA called Covington Preparatory School. You'd go there and visit your father during school breaks and holidays. If you stay, you would come visit me on breaks and holidays instead." Now, Chase was torn. He had no idea how to choose between his parents. He loved both of them equally. It would be amazing to live in England with his mother, as they'd always had a close relationship, but he'd be leaving his friends and his father behind.

"Can I have some time to think about it?" Chase asked, his indecision evident on his face.

"Of course, sweetie. They want me there at the beginning of next week, so you've got until Friday to let us know what you'd like to do," his mother replied.

"And son?" his father said, looking closely at him, "It doesn't matter who you choose to live with, we'll both be just fine. It won't hurt either of us in any way if you choose to go with the other. You go where you feel you need to be and where you want to be. We'll love you just the same regardless of where you live or who you live with." With that said, both of his parents hugged him and made to leave the room.

"We'll be back at the end of the week to see what you've decided. If you decide before then, just give us a call, okay?" said his mother, the waver in her voice barely present. "We love you." And, just like that, Chase was left alone in the he shared with his two closest friends trying to decide his future.

In the end, after spending days agonizing over what lay before him, he decided it might be best to talk to his friends, particularly Zoey. She was the first person he wanted to ask about this. He knew that, either way, he'd be hurting one parent by choosing the other and that both places had their good points and bad points. Zoey would be the deciding factor. If she wanted him to stay, he would. In hindsight, that may not have been fair to ask of her, but then again, hindsight is 20/20. He found her sitting on her bed working on homework. He told her everything his parents had told him and what they were asking of him.

"What should I do? Should I stay?" he finally asked her.

"Chase, I know this is hard for you, but I can't make that decision for you," she told him, shaking her head.

"Of course you can. Do you want me to stay?" The frustration and desperation in his voice was becoming more evident.

"You're my best friend. I would love for you to stay, but I can't be the reason you stay here." Zoey argued.

"Why not?"

"I just can't, Chase! You have to do what YOU want to do. I can't be the deciding factor in something like this."

"But you are! Don't you get it? I'm in love with you, Zoey. You are the biggest factor in something like this." Chase rushed out, his desperation to avoid making such a difficult decision on his own finally overtaking the good sense that had kept his feelings hidden for the better part of three years now.

Time seemed to stop as they both realized what he had said. Later, Chase would safely say that it was this moment that had turned his world upside down and not the announcement of his parents' divorce or the subsequent decision forced upon him. He shifted his feet nervously and pulled together what was left of his burst of courage.

"Say something, please, Zoey."

"I—I don't know what to say," she stuttered out, still utterly in shock.

"I see." And with that, Chase turned around and headed for the door. When he had just passed the frame, he paused, shoulders drooping in a defeated stance, "You know, I spent so much time thinking about how I'd finally tell you, but I never imagined it would go like this." In the next second, he was gone, leaving Zoey alone in her room, trying to process her turbulent thoughts.

"Chase, wait," she breathed, a few seconds after he'd gone. He didn't hear her and he didn't come back.

That was the last time they'd spoken. Chase had called his parents on the way back to his room and was packed and ready to go by the time they arrived to pick him up. His friends, minus Zoey, helped him pack his things and load his parents' car. Though shocked and upset at his abrupt departure, they'd all known about his plan to speak with Zoey and that he'd be leaving if it didn't go well. He went to each of his friends privately and said his goodbyes, asking them not to tell Zoey until he'd left because he couldn't face her with his heart still so newly broken.

He spent the better part of a month piecing his heart back together when it was shattered once again. According to Michael, Zoey had a new boyfriend, James. That one took even longer to fix, but he had done it. It still hurt from time to time and he'd never stopped loving Zoey, but he was able to put it into the back of his mind. At least he was able to when Michael didn't insist on talking about her every other time they Skyped, encouraging him to contact her. And each time he did, Chase got closer and closer to breaking down and calling her.

"Look, Michael, she made her choice and I'm not ready to talk to her yet," he said, firmly, "Can we just drop it? Please?"

"Fine, fine. But don't think this is over. You're both being stupid and I won't stop until you make up and be friends again," Michael countered, recognizing the defeated tone of that last question. He knew he was slowly wearing Chase down and didn't want to push him too hard. The conversation moved to other things and, soon, they were laughing hysterically at a funny joke Michael had told. However, as always, Zoey was there, in the back of Chase's mind and he was seriously beginning to doubt whether or not he was right about her.

Well, I hope that wasn't too rushed and that it made sense. Thanks again for not hating me too much for taking five months to get this little thing out... :)