OMFG I AM SO FREAKING SORRY FOR THE WAIT! D: I've just been so busy lately! I also got a new computer and I had to wait a while to buy Word so I couldn't write for a while, but I am back with a new chapter! ENJOY!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything :'c

Zack's P.O.V:

"So, I walk into the room to see if your mom had maybe made tea because it was so cold and I find both of them, awkward and red-faced."

Zack once again burst into laughter and fell back on her bed. He loved hearing Maya's side of the story. Cody and Bailey's versions were less descriptive and a lot less humorous. "What do you think they were doing?" he asked.

Maya smirked. "I don't know, but it's a good thing that I walked in when I did. Have they changed their stories yet?"

"No, Bailey keeps telling me to grow up and that nothing happened, and Cody quickly changes the subject." It was true. Every time Zack asked either of them about it, he could not get a straight answer. However, it didn't really matter to him. He was happy that something happened regardless of what it really was. He was even happier that it was something that he and Maya could joke about in her room together.

Maya wiped the laughing tears from her eyes. "Well, that made my day."

Zack smiled at her. "Good, it's nice to see you smile and to hear you laugh."

"Really? I heard I laugh like a piglet," she said.

He raised his eyebrow. "Who told you that?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "Bob. He always said that. Ask him. Giggly Piggly is what he used to call me."

"I didn't know that." Zack said annoyed at Bob now for not appreciating Maya's amazing laugh.

"Yeah, then I yelled at him and told him to never call me that again," she said confidently.

Zack gazed at her. Maya was tough and knew how to take care of herself. She was so strong and determined. However, there was a softer, less secure side to Maya that he found more endearing. He was thankful that she was letting him see that vulnerable side. He knew how hard it was to let people see weaknesses first hand.

"Well, remind me not to call you that," he said.

Maya patted him. "I'll give you one warning. You deserve that much."

Zack put his hand on hers and grinned. "You're so kind." They continued to stare at each other. The room suddenly seemed a lot smaller. It shrunk even more until it was gone and all he could see was Maya's face. Once again, his mind seemed to part from his body, and he didn't feel in control. He moved closer to her. "I'm really happy that you're feeling better," he said softly.

She slowly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "It's because of you. You've really helped me take my mind off things. I can't help but feel better around you, Zack. You…make me feel happy."

He suddenly became slightly nervous. The room became a lot hotter. "Good, I want you to feel happy. I-I like making you feel happy."

Maya bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, they were a bit unfocused. "Zack," she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Do you want to go on a walk with me? I know it's cold but-"

"I'd love to," Zack answered quickly.

Her brown eyes lit up. "Really?"

He got up. "Of course, um, just let me get my coat from my room."

Maya smiled brightly. "Okay, I'll be here."

Zack practically fell off her bed. He giggled like a drunken man and slowly exited her room. He was sure that Maya made a noise as he closed the door behind him. He quickly ran to his and Cody's room. He could not wait to walk around in the snow with her. It would be nice. They would be alone. Harry loved the way the white flakes looked in Maya's brown hair. He opened the door and froze. Cody was on his bed completely still. He looked toward the tiny window. He barely blinked and he seemed completely washed out.

"Cody," he said softly, coming into the room. He didn't move. Zack walked over to him. "Cody!" he said louder.

Finally, Cody came out of wherever he was and turned to him. "Yeah?"

Zack took a seat next to him. "Are you okay?"

Cody rubbed his eyes. "Oh, I'm fine. Sorry, I didn't hear you. I was thinking about stuff."

"Like what?" Zack asked a bit worried.

Cody shrugged. "Just things, Zack. I do think sometimes."

"Don't be a jackass, Cody. You know what I mean. You can tell me what's going on. That's what brothers are for," Zack said, patting Cody's arm.

He grinned at him. "I'm sure you have better things to do."

Zack opened his mouth, but then quickly closed it. For a second he had forgotten that he was supposed to go for a walk with Maya. He wanted to go. He could easily tell Cody they could talk about it afterward, but he did not like the state that Cody was in and he was his twin brother. Zack's first duty was to him. As much as he wanted to spend time with the girl he loved, there were certain things about him that would never change. "Just give me a second."

He wasn't sure what he would say to Maya as he walked back to her room. There was something that made the situation difficult. He quietly knocked on the door. She answered right away. "Are you ready?" she asked cheerfully.

Zack tried his best not to stare. She was bundled up in her coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. She looked adorable. He wanted to say yes so badly. "Actually, I can't go with you right now."

Her smile faded. "Is something wrong?"

He scratched his head. "No, not really, there's just some things that I need to take care of with Cody. I hope it's okay. We can go later if you want."

"I'd love to but your mom, Bailey, and I are going to redecorate tonight. That's why Bailey went with her to the shop remember?" Maya asked.

"Oh, that's right," he said awkwardly.

"Whatever. It's no big deal. Another time will be fine." She tried closing the door, but Zack put his foot in the way.

"Wait, Maya, I'm-I'm sorry," he said.

She smiled and shrugged. "It's okay, Zack. Go take care of your business with Cody." Zack sighed and moved his foot out of the door. Maya practically slammed it in his face. He wanted to fix things, but he had to take care of Cody first.

When he got back into the room, Cody was in the same spot. "Okay, what is going on? Why do you look so out of it?" Cody didn't look at him, but merely shrugged. "Is it because of what happened? I heard you had quite the night with Bailey," Zack cheeked, trying to make Cody smile. It didn't work. He sat next to him again.

Cody took a deep breath and turned to him. "You want to know what happened?" Zack nodded. "Okay, I was reading and she came in and joined me. We got under my blanket together, and I touched her stomach."

Zack blinked several times. He had no idea what that meant. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Cody's cheeks flushed with red color. "Well, it's complicated. She moved to get her tea and…her shirt rode up…and my hand was right there. I-I didn't move it, and she didn't want me to."

Zack had too much respect for his brother to laugh at him, so he simply grinned. "I don't see why that would cause you to look so lost."

He ran a hand through his hair. "It was intense. I mean not one bloody thing happened, but it was the most alive that I've felt in a long time. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

Zack shook his head. "Not really…"

Cody rolled his eyes. "I was with Bailey. I was with Bailey Pickett who is one of my best friends. The girl I am always competing with for the highest grades in the class. I got a warm feeling inside just from being near her and it wasn't the first time."

That time, Zack was not able to keep his laughter in. "Cody, that's not a crime."

"Have you ever gotten a warm feeling inside from being close to Bailey?" he asked.

Zacl scrunched his face. "I don't think so. Not the way it sounds like you did. But I don't think it's a huge deal, Cody."

"Damnit, Zack, it is when I have a girlfriend! This isn't supposed to be happening to me. I'm supposed to be miserable because I'm not around Barbara but…" Cody trailed off and looked away.

"But you're not, right?" Zack said.

He turned back to him. "I can trust you, can't I? You won't go back and tell Bailey this?"

It is a common thing amongst twin brothers to share secrets. They automatically understand an unspoken code about not telling their information to others. It was no different for Zack and Cody. Since they could talk, they had been sharing secrets. There were things about Cody that only Zack knew just as Zack told Cody things that he would never mutter to another soul, but it was complicated now. Bailey was his best friend and some of the things that Cody had told him, he had passed on to her. It was not to betray Cody's trust but only to help Bailey bring them together. However, over the past few months, it was getting harder and harder to keep up with the lies and the secrets. Zack didn't realize that it would all take such a toll on him.

"Cody, I won't tell her. You can trust me. How many times do I have to tell you?" Zack was finally able to say.

Cody nodded slowly. "Okay, it's about the night of the Christmas dance and what happened between Barbara and I."

Zack patted his arm again. "Go ahead, I'm listening."

He rubbed his palms against his knees and took a deep breath. "Barbara looked older to start off with. You saw her. She was practically falling out of her dress to put it nicely and all that glitter didn't really help to hide her." Zack put a hand over his mouth to keep from smiling. Cody continued, "Anyway, I knew she was doing it for me. I knew that she wanted me to notice her. She is always doing that and I definitely did but god dammit, even with her dress halfway down her chest, I couldn't focus. Even when we were dancing, I could not stop thinking about Bailey and how she looked in her dress. It's different with Barbara. She looked great and sexy and all but, well, you saw Bailey, she looked beautiful, like an angel or a princess or something." A grin grew on Cody's face. He looked off as if seeing a picture of Bailey in front of him. "Her hair was so fluffy and soft and she looked so classy. Haven't you noticed how Bailey is always so damn classy, yet at the same time she can be so cow girlish too?"

"Um, yeah…all the time," Zack said smirking.

Cody rolled his eyes and blushed even harder. "Damn you, Zack. I did want to dance with her at least once. I wanted to prove that I'd matured since the last dance, but we never got the chance. I came back to the table only to find out that she ran off with Holden."

Zack felt it was a good time to cut in. "She didn't do anything with him, Cody."

"I know that, Zack. That's not the point. I didn't know it at the time, so I was fucking angry. I couldn't believe she ran off with that douche doing who knows what. So, I took Barbara to an empty classroom. I wanted to take my mind off things. I didn't want to ruin my night. That's not so bad, is it?" Cody suddenly turned to him.

"Of course not. You worked hard on the dance. It's only right that you have a good time," Zack added.

He gave him a small smile and nodded. "Right, that's what I think, too. So, we're in the classroom on the floor, see? Barbara is on my lap. We were both hot and sweaty from the dancing, so, when we started kissing, it only got hotter." Zack tried to seem interested. He honestly did not care about what Cody did with Barbara but if it helped him, he would listen. "She was kissing me, trying to touch me, moaning my name, just everything. I mean Barbara looked hot, and it felt good. It really felt good if you know what I mean, Zack, but…I couldn't concentrate."

"What were you thinking about?" Zack asked curiously.

Cody sighed. "I was thinking about if Holden and Bailey were in the same position Barbara and I were in and if she was enjoying it."

Zack figured that was coming and he felt terrible. He had supported and even loved the idea of Bailey going to the ball with Holden. He had no idea that it would cause Cody so much pain and insecurity. "She didn't enjoy it, Cody. She doesn't like him."

"It doesn't matter. She went with him. I know I shouldn't care and it's not my business, but I can't help it and I couldn't stop it then, either." Cody stopped talking. He had a pained expression on his face.

"Cody, I get what you're saying, but don't you think it's a little unfair? How come you get to go with Barbara, but Bailey can't go with Holden?" It was a fair question in Zack's eyes, and he wanted to know the answer.

Cody didn't look as if he knew the answer. "Because…because…Barbara doesn't hate Bailey like Holden hates me. Holden has no respect for me and he loves making me miserable. I don't think it's like that with Barbara. Sure, they don't get along and Barbara could really keep her mouth shut sometimes, but she does have a good heart and she's just…protective of me, like you are with Maya. I think that's why you gave Bob such a hard time," he finished with a smirk on his face.

"And maybe why you gave Moose such a hard time as well?" Zack added.

Cody frowned at him. "Can we get back to it?"

"Certainly," he said with a wink.

Cody didn't seem like he wanted to smile, but he did. "So, Barbara is kissing me. She fucking grabbed me and started unzipping my pants. I knew early on in our relationship that she wanted to have sex and when I saw her in that dress, I knew that she wanted it to be that night."

Zack searched Cody's face for a hint of excitement or pride. Anything that could measure up to how he looked when talking about touching Bailey's stomach. He couldn't find it. "What about you? Did you want it?"

He chewed on his lip a bit before turning to him. "Barbara was all over me. We were making out, and I knew that she wanted me. She started to unzip my trousers, and I tried to enjoy it. I tried to live in the moment. I really did, but…I couldn't."

"Cody…" Zack started.

He shook his head. "There Barbara was, in my lap, but all I could think about was Bailey and how I couldn't wait for vacation to start so I could spend time with her. Barbara was sucking on my neck, and I hardly noticed. I was too busy thinking about wrapping Bailey's gift and wondering about if she would really like it. My girlfriend wanted to have sex, and I wanted to speed things along so I could maybe see Bailey before she went off to bed. I cared more about those possible thirty seconds with Bailey than I did about having sex with Barbara." Cody looked at him horrified as if he had just committed murder.

"Cody, it's okay, you can't help it if that's what you were feeling. There's nothing wrong with that," Zack reassured.

Cody stood up. "How could it not be? I was kissing my girlfriend who wanted to screw me, but all I could think about was Bailey! That's not even the worst part." Zack raised his eyebrows, encouraging him to continue. He took the hint. "After I told her to stop, she got mad at me because I told her that I wasn't ready. She thinks it's because I didn't want to have sex with her and not because I'm not ready to have sex." He sat back down.

Zack wasn't sure if he wanted to touch the subject, but he did. "Is that true?"

Cody looked away. He rubbed his palms against his thighs repeatedly. "I don't know. I mean it's not as if I have a lot of experience in that area, but it's not as if I don't want to. It's just…I didn't want to at the time, and I didn't want to with her. Barbara was so angry with me. She even bloody cried which I hate."

Zack rolled his eyes. "She's always crying about something, Cody."

"It doesn't matter. There's something about a girl crying and especially when it's my fault that completely does my head in. I can't stand it. I felt bad. I really did, but…" Cody stopped again and put his face in his hand.

Zack touched his shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. Talk to me."

Cody slowly looked back to him. "A part of me didn't care. A part of me honestly did not care about how upset she was. I knew that as soon as our fight was over, I could leave. I could count down the days until I could come here and spend time alone with Bailey." He shook his head. "Shit, it always comes back to her. No matter what, it seems to come back to Bailey."

Zack was so proud of Cody. He could understand how it was hard for him to come to terms with his feelings and with all the pain and uncertainty that had grown over the years. It was a gift that Cody possessed. However, as happy as he was for him, he felt awful. Zack wanted to tell him about their plan and about how Bailey really felt, but it was not his place. It was not a part of their agreement. It didn't help that Cody was in a state. He seemed to be in so much pain and confusion. He rubbed his back. "Dude, it's okay. You're not a bad guy."

"I am a bad guy. It shouldn't be this way. I should not be this stupid. I've moved on or at least I thought I did. I told Maya to be strong. It's only fair that I do the same thing," Cody said in a shaky voice.

"What do you mean?" Zack asked.

Cody gave him a look. "Come on, what do you think I mean? You don't actually believe that Maya has spent all this time upset just because she left Bob, do you? We both have to move on."

Zack gawked at him. "How do you know she left Bob?"

Cody gave him a puzzled look. "She's one of my good friends. We do talk. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is that I can't do this. I can't think about Bailey all the time while dating Barbara, and I certainly can't let things get out of hand, like they almost did on the couch. Shit, it's been so fucking hard. She is always on my mind. Even that morning, when I was saying goodbye to Barbara, I found a way to bring Bailey into my thoughts."

"What do you mean?" Zack asked.

"That's why it took me so long. I was talking to Barbara, trying to calm her down, promising her that I wouldn't cheat on her or forget about her over holiday. What does that say about me, that even as I'm promising my girlfriend that I won't forget her, I'm feeling excited because I get to leave with Bailey? It's even more pathetic because I know Bailey wasn't thinking about me or feeling excited to spend time with me. It doesn't matter, though. What does that mean that I don't care?" he asked.

Zack for once had an answer. He knew what Cody meant exactly. "I think you know what it means, Cody. It's just a matter of letting yourself realize what's really always been there. If all of this is so hard, maybe something is supposed to change." It felt like something Bailey would say. It always did the trick for him, and he hoped that it would work for Cody.

He smiled at him. "When did you get so much insight?"

"Well, while you've been so busy with Barbara the past few months, I've spent a lot of time in the library with Bailey. I've picked up on a few things," Zack said.

It made Cody laugh. "I hope you've only been reading in there."

"Trust me, that's all," Zack reassured him. "So, what do you think you're going to do?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. There's too much to work out. Wow, talking about feelings really tires me out. Right now, all I want to do is sleep."

Zack stood up. "Sounds brilliant, I'll probably go for a walk. I could use some air."

Cody smirked. "Yeah, I'm sure that's all you could use."

"You're so very clever, Cody," Zack said. He held out his hand. "Are you going to be okay?"

Cody shook it. "Yes. I'm okay, thanks for listening to me."

"No problem, I'm always here for you. You know that. That's what twins are for." Zack couldn't take Cody's pain away. He couldn't force him to see the truth, but he could listen and sometimes that's all a person needed. Zack so desperately wanted to talk to Cody about Maya. He wanted his insight and advice, but now wasn't the time. Right now Cody needed to figure out what he wanted to do with Barbara and Bailey.

"Yeah, I do, I appreciate it," Cody said with a smile.

Zack nodded and made his way to the door. He turned around, seeing Cody get under his covers. He smiled at his brother. "You sure you're okay?"

Cody rolled his eyes. "Zack, you don't have to be mom. I'm okay, I swear. If not, then I'll come find you, okay? Now, go have fun, now!" Zack laughed and opened the door. "Wait," Cody added. Zack turned back around. He looked away for a moment before turning back to him. "Thanks, really, I needed that."

Zack smiled. "I could tell. I'm proud of you, Cody. I know you and I know you probably think that I consider you some sort of heartless dick or something, but I don't. You-you don't have one heartless bone in your body. If you start to think that, then I'll have to kick your ass." Cody laughed and rubbed his neck. Zack was never good at expressing his emotions. However, Cody seemed to get what he was trying to say. He lay back against his pillows. Zack quietly closed the door.

There was so much going through him. He was so excited and relieved yet confused and anxious. He wanted to tell Bailey everything. He wanted her to know she was not alone and that her soul mate was sleeping in the room next to her but he couldn't. His loyalty to Bailey was overlapped to his loyalty to his own brother. He couldn't tell, not this. He still wanted his word to be good for something. Zack knocked on Maya's door.

She answered. "Yes, Zack?"

He smiled. "I'm ready to go on that walk."

She tucked hair behind her ear. "Well, that's nice, but now is not a good time. Bailey and your mom will be here soon."

"We'll know when they get here. We can still go," Zack offered.

She didn't seem too thrilled by his idea. "No, really, I think I'll stay here."

"Maya, what's wrong with you? You aren't mad at me, are you?" Zack could see fire in her eyes but it wasn't from passion. She was angry.

She tapped her foot. "No, I'm not mad, Zack. I just don't feel like walking with you right now."

"What did I do?" Zack asked getting annoyed.

"Don't be like this. Don't get all defensive. If you can cancel on me, then I can do the same," she answered.

Zack rolled his eyes. "I knew it. I knew you were mad."

"Wow, gold star goes to Mr. Martin," Maya cheeked.

"There's no need to act that way. I'm sorry, okay?" Zack didn't want to fight. He couldn't understand what the big deal was.

"Well, I'm sorry, too, but oh well, move on, I have," Maya said softly.

"Now what does that mean?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing. It means nothing. It's just…I wanted to do something with you, but you blew me off."

"I told you that I had to take care of some things with Cody," Zack said.

She nodded. "Hmm, now, was this before or after we made plans?"

He wasn't sure of what to say. "Well…after, but it doesn't mean that I didn't want to still go with you…I just…I just…"

"You just what, Zack? You had to forget me so you could go talk to Cody. I guess some things never change. No matter what, I'm just one of the many girls that you date for a while and then grow bored of." Maya spat.

His jaw dropped. "Maya, that's not fair. It's not like that at all. Cody's my twin brother. He needed me, and I had to be there. I'd think as his friend, you would appreciate that."

She stomped her foot. "Yes, Zack, of course I'm glad that you were there for Cody. You are always there for Cody. You always have been and you always will be but…what about me? I know there is this undying love and loyalty between you, Bailey, and Cody, and that you and Cody are the Dream Team. I love that about you, and I always will. It wouldn't even matter if I didn't. I have no choice. I've had to stand by and watch it since I got on the boat!"

Zack couldn't take it anymore. "Shut up, Maya! You are being so fucking selfish right now. I'm sorry I made you wait. I am sorry that I didn't drop my brother to go for a walk with you. Is that what you want to hear?"

Maya frowned. "No, Zack, I don't, but I don't want your shit about how you care about my feelings, but you don't mind forgetting me. It shouldn't be that way."

"Then how should it be?" he asked.

She sighed. "Like this, I guess. You should walk away, and I should close my door. See you at dinner, Zack." She quickly closed the door in his face.

Zack leaned against it and slid down. He didn't know what to do anymore. He wasn't sure where his loyalty should stand. He didn't mean to upset Maya so much. It had to mean something that she was so upset. After a while, he got up, walked downstairs, and went outside.

He really did want to go for a walk. He just wished it didn't have to be alone.

I think I'll end it here c: I think this was a good chapter to write after the long wait. You FINALLY get to hear what Cody's been thinking. I know Bailey wasn't in this one, but she'll be in it again soon c: Don't worry Zaya isn't over! Poor Zack's caught in the middle of everything I know :c Don't worry things will get better for all of them eventually! Until next time, thanks for reading! C: Make sure to leave your reviews and I'll write another chapter ASAP! Love you all!

-Sophie c: