Shane and Zoey were chilling in the Grays' basement listening to some of Connect 3's recordings.

Zoey came over to the soundboard where Shane was looming over. She lightly hugged him from behind and he turned around and gave her an encompassing hug, "Hey, baby. What's the matter?"

"You're going to college." Zoey pouted and looked up at Shane.

Shane chuckled, "Normally when people say that, it's a good thing." Shane was stroking her hair.

"It's just that... I just got back, and I know this is selfish sounding but I've changed, we've changed for the better. I don't want to lose it or jeopardize it with you being away."

Shane kissed her forehead, "I'm going to NYU. I know you just moved back from New York but that's where I'm going. That's where I got my full scholarship."

"I want you here though. I want you to be with me."

"I'll be visiting." Shane began to rock them side to side.

"Shane... I want you to be my boyfriend."

Shane stopped a moment but kept rocking them both. He seemed to be thinking very hard about something. Shane sighed and let go of Zoey and turned back to the soundboard. Zoey just stared at the back of Shane. After a few seconds, she retreated back to her seat on the round white couch. Zoey was watching Shane's every move. It was almost like everything he was doing was being amplified in her eyes. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and checked his message. She watched as he shoved his phone back into his pocket. He was walking upstairs without Zoey. So she quickly scurried to catch up with him. When she got up there, she saw Mrs. Gray with groceries and Shane rushing to help her. Zoey stood and watched the whole ordeal until all of the bags were inside and all the groceries were everywhere. Mrs. Gray stopped behind the large island with all of the bags spread everywhere on top of and around. She turned and rested her hands on the island. She looked up at Zoey. Mrs. Gray had a small smile growing on her face. Her appearance was wind-blown but still composed. She looked like a mom.

In a sweet voice, "Hi Zoey."

"Hi Mrs. Gray."

"You haven't been around here in awhile."

"Yeah. Me and Shane just got back together." Shane had already started putting things away but when he heard her, he slowed down and looked at Zoey then to his mom. He could tell his mom did not look happy but tried to be cordial with Zoey.

"Okay, well. I guess I'm going to start dinner." Mrs. Gray smiled at Zoey then went to unpack the bags with Shane. Zoey just stood and watched. Mrs. Gray was still unpacking the bags when she said aloud, "Hey, Shane. Why don't you call your brother down and why don't you call up Mitchie?"

Shane stopped and almost dropped the eggs he was holding in his hands, "What?"

Mrs. Gray just acted completely natural, "Well, it would be nice to see Mitchie have dinner with all of us. I haven't seen her in awhile. I think Alex is upstairs with Nate anyways so might as well. Well you know what?" Mrs. Gray stopped and turned toward Shane, "Frankie is having Max over, Nate's having Alex over, you're having Mitchie over, why not invite Justin and his girlfriend?"

Shane was trying to make up a reason to not make it happen, "Mom, I think that's too many people to have over. Especially because you're going to have to cook it all."

"No, honey, don't worry about it. When your dad comes home, I'll tell him to fire up the grill and we'll have hamburgers."

Zoey cut in, "Um, Mrs. Gray, actually, I don't eat red meat."

Mrs. Gray's eyes seemed to dart to Zoey, "Okay. I guess I can make you a salad?"

"Okay."

Mrs. Gray still stared at her waiting for something more than just an 'Okay.' "Shane, why don't you and Zoey go pick up Frankie and Max from the rec center."

"Right now? There's still a bunch of groceries left." Shane sounded very uncertain.

"Yeah, go ahead. I'll call down Nate."

"Nate we need to talk about this." Alex was trying very hard to get Nate to look at her.

"I'll be here for you when you need me desperately, Alex. But as of right now, I don't understand why you would lie to me. Why would you say that you've had sex, want to break up and then come running back to tell me that you've lied.?" Nate was making his bed.

"Nate please. Don't do this. You know that I love you..." Alex stood there expectantly. "Aren't you going to say it back?"

Nate stopped and finally looked at her, "I reserve that phrase for when I actually mean it."

"Shane! I'm going to miss you babe." Mitchie got on her tippy toes and gave Shane a quick peck on the lips. He grabbed her in a bear hug and lifted her off the ground. He put her back down when Zoey tapped on his shoulder. Then Alex came up and gave him a hug and buried her face into his chest and mumbled, "Visit often!" Alex let go and scurried over beside Mitchie. They all heard a car door slam and they saw Miley and Andrew coming over. Miley ran up and into Shane's outstretched arms. Miley let go and Andrew came up and gave him a man hug. Scott came and gave Shane a handshake and a pat on the back. "Have fun in college man. It'll be the best." Shane smiled. Last but not least was Zoey. He turned around and she wrapped her arms around his torso and he wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her on the forehead. A few feet away was Mrs. Gray and everybody heard her click her tongue. Only Mitchie saw her shake her head.

Mrs. Gray kind of ruined their moment, "Well, Shane, I think it's about time we head off for the airport." Nate went and grabbed Shane's suitcases to bring them out to the car. The entire Gray family was going to go to NYU to move Shane in. Mr. Gray patted the guys that he was familiar with on the back, which was like none of them except for the girls and went to sit in the driver's seat of the car. Mitchie ran back to Scott and hugged him. Alex stood where she was alone and watched Nate flex his muscles putting the suitcases in the trunk of the car. She really did love him. He might not love her as much anymore but she knew he loved her. Why oh why was he so irresistible? Nate went over to his mom and Alex couldn't hear what he was saying but the next thing she saw was Nate grab Frankie's hand and they both got into the car. Alex was a bit down that he didn't even say goodbye before getting into the car. Mrs. Gray got into the car in the passenger seat and looked out the window after buckling herself in. Alex's eyes darted toward Shane and Zoey.

Zoey was crying and she asked him, "Are you going to be my boyfriend?"

Shane sighed, "I'll call you." He let go of her and got into the backseat of the SUV next to Nate. He looked like he was about to shut the door but then he jumped back out of the car. Zoey looked hopeful and she quickly wiped her eyes and rubbed her wet hands onto her jean shorts. But he went by her and walked up to Mitchie. She was still holding onto Scott. "Mitchie, I forgot to remind you that I love you." There was an expression of shock on just about everybody's faces, except for the Grays and Mitchie. Zoey's shock looked like somebody who had just been slapped in the face. Scott looked surprised that Shane just said that. Alex's mouth had just dropped open. Miley was pretty shocked too. Andrew didn't know them too well so it was a bit of a surprise because Scott was his friend but otherwise, he didn't really completely and fully comprehend the magnitude of what Shane just said. "I'll be calling you." Shane looked up at Scott, and it was almost as if they had spoken through mind reading because they seemed to have come to an understanding that yes, indeed, Shane did love her but he wouldn't get in between him and her. Scott nodded his head and Shane gave him a pat on his arm and he got in the car and they drove away.

xoxo

Yep, so that's it! I hope you enjoyed this series? I guess you can call it? If you liked this and you're a Nalex person, then I think you might like my other story better. It's called The Married Life. I hesitate to say "if you're a Nalex shipper then you should read that story" because so far it's not a happy story. But check it out anyway if you can :)

Umm just a quick rap up and thanks before this is officially done :) Thanks so much to everybody who has shown interest in this story and A Brand New Experience. It means a lot to me because those two stories were the first that I've posted on Fanfiction. The person who comes to mind first is Laura for showing me lots of love by reviewing! So thanks a bunch more to you :D