I'm updating even though with the lack of reviews. Idk, maybe this will be better.
But, I just have to say last night I watched the final episode of SLOD, and the whole Suite Life Series. I was crying, because it was really nicely done. There was a tone of touching moments that really did a great closure to the series. Saying goodbye is always the hardest. I'm said it's over, because I'm one of those people that watched the first episode of SLOZAC, and the last of SLOD. I've been there since the beginning. So much happened; I wished it were a full hour episode though. I'm glad that Mr. Mosby and Miss. Tutwiler are finally getting married. And Awrin, and the parents were there, although I thought that Maddie should have been in it! I thought she would have been there.
Gosh, I can't believe they all graduated. They seem so young still, but…well, it was touching. Although, that new show ANT Farm, could never replace SLOD. Gosh, well it gave me a lot to reflect on. What was you're thoughts? And the song, during the end, I can't wait until they release it. Sad songs make me cry…
Favorite part? When a) Zach and Maya broke up (I'm a Zailey shipper as you know) and when Zach is giving his speech and he goes "And high school you can-," and they push him away. Gosh, I can just imagine what would be at the end of that sentence. Lol!
But when they were saying goodbye to everyone I realized that throughout the series Zach and Cody, until SLOD, never really had friends. Like friends that were main characters in the series. At the hotel, their friends were the people that worked there. Sure there was Max and stuff, but really…
When Zach entered the classroom the next morning, still weary as usual, he didn't notice the laughs and the giggles in his direction. He didn't even register that Cody was talking to him until he was shoved, or attempted to, from his seat.
He caught himself, snapping awake.
"What?" He hissed.
"Why are you so tired?" There was hesitance in Cody's voice.
"Maya was over." He smirked.
"Zach!" Cody hissed, his face turning a look of shock.
"What? People do it all the time- I can't help it Bailey is just a-,"
"Zach, Cody!" Ms. Tutwiler snapped, pointing to the board "Is there something you'd like to share with the class?" She questioned. Cody's face turned the appropriate shade of a tomato.
"No, ma'am." He mumbled. Zach just shrugged.
"Then please, listen." He glared at the two of them, and Cody looked about to cry.
"Yes, ma'am." He said again.
The lesson was boring, as normal. But now that Zach was awake, he was beginning to notice something. People were shooting him weird looks, like amazement and disbelief. There was notes flying around, and he suspected half of them were NOT about the game. No, because people would unfurl them and look at him, ten look away blushing. And there was papers…sticking from some people's bags that were being passed underneath desks.
Yes, something was up.
And if those things weren't clue enough, it was not just him people were looking at. It was Splinter Dutch as well. What could he and that silent kid possibly have in common? Nothing! He hardly spoke to the kid! Well, except for that one time-
Zach's eyes grew wide. No! They couldn't know! Could they? No way. It was just not possible. Not possible at all.
By third period his guesses were looking more and more likely, with now some people made rude gestures to him, mocking him, and other things that he'd rather not think about.
He had to sit through four painful class periods before he could snatch a paper away from the hands of a classmate.
"Never knew you batted for the other team, eh?" The boy that had owned the paper said with a smirk, and looked away, "I guess all that dating around was just a cover. And now, it makes sense."
"You'd better shut up, unless you want you're face punched in." Zach threatened, but the boy just laughed, like he could no longer believe Zach was capable of doing so, and walked away.
With anger-shaking hands, he read the newspaper. Or, more accurately, he looked at the picture, and his worst fear was confirmed.
When one played truth or dare, usually things were kept a secret. It was part of the swear of the game…and Zach, well anyone that had ever played with him knew he was game for anything. And he meant anything.
Drink toilet water? Streak once around the sky deck at midnight? Lick chocolate off someone's armpits? Trade all your clothing with a girl only using your mouth? It was all good. Zach was the daredevil. No matter how gross, dirty, embarrassing, or risky- he would do it.
Include make-out with a guy for no less than five minuets. French kiss, and hands can wander.
Heck! Everyone went through that phase when they thought they might like the same gender as themselves, and he was going through that time when he'd been dared so! And plus, he had a reputation to uphold. He couldn't let it slip because of the fear of kissing a guy.
What had been the most surprising was that Splinter, the other guy in the equation, had been game. It hadn't been bad…not amazing though, and he defiantly had decided he liked women.
But how anyone could have gotten a picture was beyond him! The rule was no photo taking of anything, or else if you were caught you'd be subjected to every dare or truth spread around the school. And why release it now? This had happened nearly three months ago!
He slammed the paper down at the lunch table, and Cody flinched. Bailey and Maya both grabbed it, obviously not yet heard or seen the picture with the column all about the 'secret relationship' between he and Splinter.
Cody just looked at Zach, saying nothing. He had been there, so he knew just as well as he did that it was just a dare. Something, the article had chosen to leave out.
"Zach- is there something you need to tell me?" Maya asked tensely. She hadn't been there.
"No! I'm not gay! That was a dare!" he sat down in a huff, "It wasn't supposed to even leave the room…" He breathed quietly. He was more upset about this than he'd ever let on. Yes, he loved when things were spread about him when it worked in his favor! Not, against it.
"Do you know what people have been saying about you?" Cody whispered, frowning.
"What? What have people been saying about my Zach?" There was a threatening tone to Maya's voice, sharp and demanding. Cody whispered the awful things that had been circulating about Zach that day, and Zach tried to tune it out.
He'd been so…obsessed with this whole fiasco the whole day! He had even forgotten about the game; watching his back, and targeting Poppy!
Cody, who had finished telling Maya, who now wore a dark look on her face, turned to his twin.
"Someone who was at the game musta had a camera." He whispered.
"No duh, Sherlock!" Zach spat, then swore under his breath, "But who…who would have and then who would have written something like this?" He moaned.
"Well, let's start going through who was at the game." Cody said, and frowned, "Well, me, you, and Splinter obviously. Camden, Woody, London, Reina, Addison, Alec, Godric, Gemma Bond, Claudia McKindric, Sophia Ross, Dixie Kyoko, Kennedy, Dawn, Misty…and two others."
"Uh, excuse me?" Bailey huffed angrily.
"Oh, yeah! You were there, weren't you?" Zach said and then scowled, "It was you!" He pointed and accusing finger at her.
"What? No! Of course not!" She said, hurt seeping into her voice.
"Zach! How could you even..suggest such a thing?" Cody growled.
"You hate me. This would be perfect payback to make sure I loose the game!" Zach stood angrily, balling the paper into a fist.
"No! I would never! I'm not that mean!" She looked genuine, but Zach's anger and embarrassment clouded his vision.
"Oh yeah, I'm so sure." He spat.
"Zach!" Bailey cried as he stalked away, but he just tuned her out. With a loud cuss word, he chucked the trashcan and left the lunchroom.
TGICD
During gym, Splinter approached Zach. He looked just as peeved as the other boy. Maya glared at him, as she hung to his arm.
"What are you doing talking to me?" Zach asked angrily, "It will just make them talk more."
"You saw?" Splinter asked. Zach gave him a searing look. Maya huffed.
"I bloody well did! How the hell could I not!" He all but screamed.
"Shush, lower you're voice." Maya whispered.
"People have been talking." Splinter said.
"Unless you're going to sit here and state the obvious, get away from me." Zach sulked.
"I just wanted to tell you that I know who printed the article, and who is responsible." He said casually, "But…if you want me to leave-,"
"No!" Zach grabbed his hand as he turned to leave, and someone whistled. He dropped the hand like it had burned him, and grit his teeth.
"Make it quick." He growled.
"Oh, don't worry. I despise all this just as much as you do." There was a glint in his eyes Zach was very accustomed to, an almost demonic glint. The same Zach had gotten the night before when he'd been planning. Splinter rose an inch in respect in Zach's eyes.
"Get on with it." Zach whispered excitedly.
"The person with the picture was my roommate, Camden. And no, we do not like each other. I made him made yesterday, and this is how he repays me." Splinter shrugged, "I stole his phone and deleted the photo, but unfortunately the damage is already done." He frowned, "Maybe I shouldn't have deleted it. Oh well."
"Idiot." Maya hissed, "You should have kept his phone! Used the knowledge against him!" Splinter didn't seem affected by her angered tone.
"And the person that agreed to print it? Someone in the newspaper club, yes?" Zach guessed. Splinter actually looked momentarily surprised, but stifled this.
"Gemma Bond." He said.
"But she seems so nice!" Maya gaped, "Why would she do something like…like…" She seemed a loss for words.
Splinter shrugged, "Heck if I know. She probably owes Camden something." He snorted, "Everyone owes Camden something."
"I'm going to re-arrange his face!" Zach said, "Both of them! I don't care about not hitting girls!"
"Don't you worry. At least, not about Camden anyway." Splinter made a motion like he was shooting a bow from an arrow, "I have a plan of revenge for Camden already."
"Is it something that could get you expelled?" Maya asked.
"Oh, absoultly." His eyes shone. Zach's respect for him shot up a couple more inches.
"Loverboys!" The coach yelled at them from across the gym, "Over here now!" This made everyone burst out laughing. Apparently, the teachers had seen as well. Ah-frickin-mazing.
Splinter blushed a bit, while Zach bit back a long string off cuss words at the teacher, while Maya grabbed his arm hard.
"Ignore it." She whispered in his ear.
"Yes coach?" Splinter asked with a level tone, much more than Zach would have been able to accomplish.
"Would you please join the rest of us?" The coach smirked.
The three made their way to where everyone sat. There was a silence, sans snickers as Splinter and Zach purposely sat as far away from each other as possible.
"Splinter, boy!" Splinter started at the coach's booming voice, "You're a black belt in karate, right?" He yelled.
"Yes sir. And other forms of fighting and defense. Anything, really." He frowned.
"Would you mind demonstrating?" The lanky boy shrugged, and stood.
Zach, from truth or dare, knew he was good. He'd put many kids in a hospital, with them having to stay weeks at the earliest. He hadn't killed, but came close. He knew every pressure point on the body, and with once touch could knock someone unconscious. He could chock someone, hold his own, and apparently should have been dead long ago from the abuse he'd been through. So, it was no surprise, when the class ended, the Coach had a black eye, bruised all over, open wound, and was limping. And this, most everyone had soon figured out, was Splinter going easy.
No one would make remarks about him being gay to his face, unless they wanted death, Zach thought. Behind his back, of course. He now almost felt sorry for Camden, and what Splinter would do to him. Almost.
TGICD
"Eric!" A honey like voice crooned, and the boy blushed as the beautiful girl sashayed over to him. She smiled entrancingly at him.
"Hey, Gemma." He blushed, and she gave a wide smile, showing off her perfect teeth.
"What's up, mate?" She asked, using her Australian accent. She had been born there, and could do an English perfectly, what she usually used. She only used her Australian accent in times like this.
"Nothing- hey!" He said, "Did you hear about Zach and Splinter? I'm actually not surprised Zach's gay."
"Yes! Such a surprise!" She breathed, putting her hand on her heart, "And that picture was so racy!"
"I wonder who wrote that?" He smiled, "Or who got the picture." Gemma tipped her head to the side, frowning, feigning innocence.
"I don't know." She tapped her chin, "It's really awful though. Forcing them to come out of the closet like such."
"Yeah. So what's new with you? We haven't talked in such a long time!" he breathed.
"Yeah, sorry. Been busy with school. Nearly the end of the year, you know? And looking at colleges and everything." She said vaguely.
"Oh yeah, I totally understand. So where are you thinking of going?" He asked, "I'm going to Madison, Wisconsin."
"Good for you!" She squeaked, "I'm not sure yet." She shrugged.
"Gemma! Come on, we're going to be late for class!" Gemma's roommate Sophie Ross hissed.
"Oh, sorry. Got to go." She said apologetically to Eric, "But one second…how about a hug?" She asked, putting on her cutest face.
"Sure!" Eric said enthusiastically and she smirked as he pulled her close. When she stared to pull away, she put a hand on his chest. "Bam, you're dead." She whispered.
The dreamy expression on Eric's face morphed from that, to confusion, to shock. He pulled the sticker from his shirt, staring at it like he was willing it to vanish.
"See you, Eric." She said and walked away. Sophie looked at her sourly, her hair frizzing more than usual.
"Miss 007, did you just kill that boy?" She asked.
"Yes, Bear." Gemma laughed as she tucked the sticker sheet back into her backpack.
"You'll make us late though, now!" She muttered.
"Eh…." Gemma gave a noncommittal wave of her hand.
Sophie frowned deeper, and looked back at Eric, who was still staring at the sticker in a state of shock, "What about getting his person?" She asked.
"Oh! Duh!" Gemma laughed, and turned to yell back, "Yo Eric! I need you're target please!" Eric scowled and sourly took the sheet with the name of his target from his pants, and threw it at them. Then he stalked away.
"Sore loser." Gemma muttered.
"Ew! Are you going to touch that, really?" Sophie was looking at the crumpled paper.
"How else am I going to find out my target?" She nudged the paper with the toe of her shoe.
"Ask him?" Sophie breathed like it was obvious.
"Hehe…yeah, he's not gunna tell me." Gemma rubbed her neck, "What the heck." She was bending down to pick the sheet when Bailey stepped on it.
"A word, Miss Bond." She said through narrowed eyes.
"Sure." Gemma stood up, running a finger through her curly brown hair.
"I know it was you that printed the story." She said with an icy voice.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Gemma frowned.
"That innocent doesn't fool me. That's low. And that won't make him like you, even send him away."
"What makes you think I like him?" She asked.
"Oh, please. I know a desperate attempt at it when I see one." Bailey grinned, but it was not welcoming.
"Well why do you care? You hate Zach. This should make you jump with glee." Gemma raised her chin.
"True." Bailey agreed, "But it's upsetting Cody and Maya. They are my boyfriend and one of my good friends. Therefore, it's my business." She said tensely, "I don't want much. I just want to know why."
"You got the wrong girl, Kansas." Gemma smiled, "Now, I must be going to class. Passing time is nearly up. Wouldn't wannna be late, Miss Perfect?" She asked. Bailey bit her lip, and looked at the clock.
"I know it was you." Bailey said as she backed away.
Gemma watched her leave. Sophie came to stand behind her.
"It was you, right?" Sophie whispered.
"Of course it was! But you know the rule. Deny, deny, deny." Gemma laughed.
"But why? Was it to get Zach's attention?"
"Somewhat. But mostly, you know I like to cause problems for Zach and Maya, eh? Perfect. When Camden asked me- well, it was too good to refuse." She pointed out.
Sophie sighed. "What are we going to do with you, Miss 007?" She groaned. Gemma heard the bell ring, signaling the start of class. Sophie's eyes widened, and she looked sallow. Gemma just smiled softly, picking the papers from the ground. She patted her friend's arm, as she tucked the papers into her bag.
"Absolute nothing, not yet, Bear."
TGICD
"It's really upsetting Zach. He refuses to come out of his room." Cody whispered to Bailey, "He barfed- like for real." There was evident worry in Cody's voice.
"Gemma denied she wrote and printed the article." Bailey sighed.
"You talked to her?" There was awe and confusion in her boyfriend's voice.
"Yes." Bailey said snippily, "Just because seeing you and Maya look so…upset is upsetting me."
"Thanks for trying." Cody sighed. "What did you get for number five?" He asked, looking at her work.
"Eight cm." She said, and Cody scowled, looking at his own sheet, "How do you know he really barfed?"
"Because…well, it's a twin thing." Cody shrugged, "I never thought I'd see the day when ZACH let rumors get to him."
"Splinter's not in much better shape." Bailey agreed, chewing on the end of her pen, "He left during my art class. Looked absolute like dead- he's not as strong as Zach ever was. He looked on the verge of tears." She frowned, "Poor guy."
"He says he has something planned for Camden, at least." Cody pointed out, "And lord knows he deserves it. This is awful."
"What kind of plan?"
"Revenge." Cody looked ill at the word, "I…I don't know though. I mean, did you see the way he beat up Coach? There's no way that Camden will be able to play off ANYTHING he does. Why the heck did he release that picture anyway?"
"I heard Kennedy talking about it." Bailey said. Cody's eye's furrowed in confusion.
"Camden's girlfriend?"
"Ex." Bailey corrected, "Apparently, somehow they both got a little drunk and started making out. Kennedy realized that she liked Splinter's kisses better, and broke up with Cam."
"So…he released the photo because he stole his girlfriend." Cody said, not understanding. Bailey knew he'd never understand something as trivial as this, but she could see from a girl's perspective. Kennedy felt awful (Not only because she really didn't want Splinter to be gay), but because she felt she was the reason for this.
"Yes. Kind of. Well…I guess the two- Splinter and Camden- have always been going at it…and this was just the last straw. How he got a camera into the game, though, I…don't know…" She looked confused, then a deep look set upon her face.
"What?" Cody whispered.
"I think she knows about the bathroom. She just told her friends that she and Splinter kissed in a special room on deck 11. What other room could it be? And now, Camden knows too. You see…he didn't believe Splinter when he claimed he kissed Kennedy. He told him to ask her about the bathroom on deck 11. She confessed everything."
"This is not good! I don't like the fact that Woody, London, Reina, and Addison all found out- along with us four!"
"Yes. Kennedy had the right idea not to tell the girls where it was. I talked with her and confined that we knew, and she had already thought to herself that she should keep it a secret. Don't know about Splinter or Camden though. Camden is…."
"Impulsive." Cody finished for her, "The picture…he didn't think anything through, I don't think."
"Oh, on the contrary, I quite think he did." Bailey raised a finger, "Did you know he's the fourth smartest in our grade? Behind me, you, and Dex- of course."
"But that doesn't mean he thought of anything. He was blinded by anger, Bailes." He frowned.
"People do crazy things for the ones they love." Bailey laughed, and Cody gave a thin smile. Looking over his shoulder, glad to see the study hall teacher was busy, leaned in and gave Bailey a kiss.
TGICD
By the end of the day, the death rate was only six. Everyone was edgy and paranoid enough so that anyone who came in a three-foot radius was put on watch.
Zach was in his room, hiding under his covers. The whole day had been horrible. One boy can only take so much mockery and pain before he broke. Something had heaved inside him, and before he knew it, his lunch had ended up on the floor.
One thing, though, was that Splinter had texted him that he had gone back to his cabin as well. It was nice to know he had an ally-someone that was going through the same as he, right now.
He'd tried to tell people it was a truth or dare game, but (Surprise, surprise) No one believed him. In his mind, he knew that if the article hadn't been pinned with the picture, people would believe. But for some reason, seeing the photo with written words, made everyone believe. A bunch of idiots- all of them.
But, a bunch of idiots that made Zachary Martin want to curl up and cry and never set foot from his cabin again. Luckily, with Marcus gone, if he looked the door, he'd be the only one with business in the room.
He couldn't sleep, although, with the pain eating away at him. It was midnight when someone rapped on his door.
"Go away." He moaned into his pillow.
"Zach! It's Splinter, open up- now!" Splinter's voice was unnatural. It was higher pitched, fearful, frantic, deranged, and he sounded close to tears. Zach cautiously went the door.
"Are you alone?" He asked.
"Yes! Just please- open up!" The tone of his voice made sure Zach didn't think twice. He unlocked it, and Splinter burst into the room. He looked…different.
His whole body was shaking uncontrollably, his face pale, his eyes wide and filled with unshed tears, and his hands were twitching. He looked like death as well, and he suddenly just collapsed.
"Dude!" Zach closed the door, "What's wrong?"
Splinter ran his fingers through his hair, knotting it. "Didn't know who to go to. What will they think?" He whispered, like he was talking to someone who wasn't there.
"Splinter! What happened?" Splinter's eyes, previously unfocused on his mumbling, snapped to him. He looked Zach right in the eye, and the agony and trepidation in his eyes was overwhelming. With shaking hands, he reached into a bag slung over his waist. Zach's heart near stopped when he pulled out a bloody, broken arrow.
He was at a loss for words. He looked from the arrow, to Splinter's face. His lips moved, but only air escaped. Tears fell from the boy's face. Finally, he heaved a long sigh, finding the air to speak. Zach strained to hear the quite, nearly inaudible words of the panic-struck boy.
"Camden…is dead. No…he was murdered."
OHHH! Betcha didn't see that one coming, eh? And no- Camden will not be the ghost. He is not the first death. (Insert evil laugh here).
So, what did you think? Things are getting interesting, hmm? And by the way, I need one more character. A MALE! See the first chapter for notes. I'll use the first review I get of one. If I get any others, they'll be minor ones…
Hmm. I talked about quite a few new people in this chapter. Gemma Bond and Sophie Ross are characters my lovely reviewers mad (I have to go back and see how later, though) so thank you! Those two already have an interesting twist to the story, eh?
I don't know if I'll update in the next three weeks or anything; I have finals coming up. Study, study, study! Funnn…only ten more days of school. YES! Then I'm done for the year, and I get to watch my three other siblings struggle through three more weeks. Hahahha….
READ AND REVIEW!