a/n: lolol, so thanks a bunch for the reviews and sorry about the cliffhanger ;D

this is the last chapter before the final one OO: so, enjoy it, it may be a little on the short side, but ah well, i can guarentee the final chapter will be long :D

here we you go:

"Cammie?" Zach asked again, looking over to her. She was looking right back at him, jaw slightly dropped, eyes full of surprise. "Um," was all she could comprehend.

"Yeah?" Zach raised an eyebrow, wondering is she heard him or not. If not, he could just back out and leave the room without another word. If she did, he'd have to sit there and wait for an answer, praying she'd say yes.

She looked at him, almost paralyzed without showing a single form of movement. Zach frowned a little and poked her side, she blinked then shook her head, bringing her back into reality.

Had Zach really just say that he liked her? Or was it some twisted kind of fantasy and she was dreaming?

Either way, she needed to say something. She cleared her throat, making sure her next words wouldn't turn raspy and unclear. Then, she looked at him, "Um, wow, Zach." She stood up, wrapping her left index finger and thumb around her right small wrist, nervous and unsure. She cleared her throat again, looking around the small space nervously. She wished they weren't in there, in that room, alone; just them. If they weren't, she could've easily found a distraction, a way to escape the awkwardness that was Zachary Goode asking her out and confessing his feelings.

She looked back at him, her throat constricting and her foreheading growing sweat. She took a few gentle steps forward, watching his face, and not even noticing the folded edge of the carpet, jutting out. Her foot tripped over it, causing her to stumble a bit. She looked up, cheeks lighty red, "Heh, oops." She apologized, suddenly feeling a little like Liz.

She ran a hand through her hair, knowing Zach was waiting on her answer.

He looked so... calm.

"Um..." Cammie suddenly felt really nervous, like a rush of panic overtook her body.

Zach smiled a little, "You don't have to say anything, Gallagher Girl."

Cammie's eyes widened, surprised at his sweet gesture. But then she shook her head, "Oh, no, you deserve an answer." She said, her eyes never leaving his. She walked over the carpet's bulge and sat next to him. She stared down at her hands that were neatly placed over her knees. Then she spoke, not directly to him, but to her hands, "I'm shocked... and a little confused." She started, not having the heart to look at him, "I think you're really... incredible." She felt herself blushing, embarrassed at exposing her true feelings. "And despite the fact that you annoy me sometimes," Cammie stole a quick glance at him, he was smirking. Then she let out a breath of relief to see he wasn't angrily waiting for an answer. Then she started again, "I kind of..." She gulped, "like you too, Zach."

She turned to him, but did not meet his eyes, "But... I'm still a little confused with things, a little... unsure. I just have a lot on my mind lately." Mental photos of Josh kept flashing through her head, desperately wanting to stay inside her thoughts.

How could she be thinking about Josh, when Zach -one of the most amazing people ever- was asking her out?

She finally met his eyes, they looked... normal. He was wearing a poker face and Cammie could not tell what he was thinking. He just nodded slightly, as if understanding.

"I'm... sorry," She quickly apologized, "It's not that I'm saying no, I just... can I think about this first?" She swallowed hard, feeling like exploding. She felt like she wanted to cry, but she wouldn't. Not there, in front of Zach.

Zach nodded, "Take all the time you need." He shrugged, getting ready to stand up. Before he could, Cammie placed a hand on his arm, bringing him back down, "Wait, Zach, you're not mad are you?"

He met her eyes, Cammie feared he was about to smack her or something, but he just shook his head, "No, of course not." He stood up, "Go ahead and think, you need some time. I... i'll be around." He said, walking out of the room.

-:-:-:-

"HE ASKED YOU OUT AND YOU SAID YOU'LL THINK ABOUT IT?" Macey screeched holding Cammie by the shoulders, "OHY MY GOSH, WHYYY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHY? WHY? WHY?" She whined like a four year old, stomping her feet. "Cam!"

Cammie just shrugged, swallowing down the guilt she felt. "I don't know! But I just did!"

Bex stood up from her bed, "You know, normally, I'd want to kill Goode, but you're the one being insane here and I feel the urge to stab you!" She crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at Cammie.

Cammie just shrugged, feeling the guilt build up inside her even more.

Liz -the voice of reason- spoke up, practically saving Cammie from Bex and Macey's evil dagger stares, "Hey guys, come on, she was probably really nervous." She stood up and walked over to Cammie, placing a reassuring arm on her shoulder.

Cammie smiled, "Thank you!" She said relieved someone didn't think she was insane.

Macey rolled her eyes, "Cammie! The carnival night... is tonight! You have only half an hour to give Zach your answer! What are you going to say?"

Cammie looked at the alarm clock on her night stand, she did only have half an hour to give Zach an answer.

Bex nodded, "What are you going to do?"

"Well," Cammie took a deep breath, "I'm going to change and get into the vans before everyone leaves." She said, walking into her closet and pushing aside different tops looking for something decent to wear. She pulled out a yellow t-shirt, thinking it would have to do.

"NO!" Macey's voice sounded panic. "Don't wear that!" She sprinted over to Cammie, taking the shirt away.

"What's wrong with that shirt?" Cammie asked, truly bewildered.

"You can't wear yellow at night! You'll glow! Do you really want to be a bright yellow banana that glows in the dark?" She asked, looking not the least bit jokeful.

Cammie raised an eyebrow, not believing Macey's crazy passion for clothes. "What?"

Macey just shook her head, pulling out a light pink blouse with a frill around the top and a pair of jean capris. "Here you go!"

Cammie looked down at the strappy blouse, "Uh... no."

"Why not?"

"Macey, i'd rather be a nice warm glowing banana then a freezing... pink thing!" Cammie folded her arms across her chest, defiantly.

Macey rolled her eyes and pulled out a white zip-up hoodie, "Here."

Cammie and the other girls quickly got dressed, leaving their room and walking down to the driveway, where Mr. Solomon was with the vans. Cammie zipped up her jacket, looking around nervously for Zach. He wasn't outside.

"Get in ladies, we'll be late." Mr. Solomon said, looking at the silver watch around his wrist. He got into the front of the van, while the girls all slid into the back. Cammie noticed Zach sitting next to Jonas, in the seat in front of her. He was looking down at one of the gadgets Jonas created, not looking at Cammie.

Zach, per usual, looked good in a black long-sleeved sweater and dark jeans.

Cammie twirled a piece of hair, looking out the window in contemplation. Why couldn't she have just said yes? She liked Zach and she knew it, so what was holding her back?

-:-:-:-

Once they all got out of the vans, the Gallagher Girls and Blackthorne Boys quickly dispersed and went to do their own thing, enjoying the night. Crowds and crowds of people all occupied the venue. Streamers and large paper lanterns were strung throughout the whole carnival. The booths glowed like lanterns in the night and the rides were all moving and full of people.

Cammie pushed her way through the crowds, looking for someone. Josh. Once she found him, she walked over slowly, watching as he talked to a couple of his friends. His friends all nodded, then high-fived him, leaving him by himself. Cammie took a deep breath walking over quickly, before anyone else could.

"Hey there," she smiled, stuffing her hands into her pockets.

Josh looked over at her with a warm smile, "Hey Cammie!" He greeted, holding a glass bottle of root beer.

Cammie tucked a strand of air behind her ear, the ends flying in the wind. She smiled shyly, "So, it's finally here!" She smiled, "the carnival!" She looked behind Josh, taking note of the group of parents and taking note of their jacket colors, just in case of a test Mr. Solomon wanted to spring on them.

Josh nodded, "Yeah!" He took a sip of his root beer, then smiled, "Can I get you a drink?"

Cammie just shrugged, smiling back, "Sure."

She followed him to a food booth and waited for him at the end of the line. She looked around, the crowd's noise penetrating into her ears. A familiar figure caught her eye, Zach's silhouette. He was leaning against a telephone pole, talking to ...a girl. Cammie squinted her eyes, suddenly realizing it was Tina Zach was talking to. Cammie's throat tightened, a feel of envy shooting in her veins.

Josh came back, holding a can of diet soda. Cammie took it into her hands grateful for the distraction, "thanks." She forced a smile, and opening up the can.

Josh nodded, taking another sip of his drink, starting to walk down towards a bench. Cammie looked back at where Zach and Tina was, but Tina was gone and it was only Zach, staring right at her. She suddenly felt a familiar pain inside her, it stung like salt on a fresh bloody wound. She shuddered at the thought, turning away and following Josh.

"So, what's up?" Josh asked once she took a seat next to him.

She looked at him, then shrugged, "Nothing new." She tried to smile, but her insides were killing her and she felt like throwing up.

Josh nodded, "This was fun, wasn't it?"

She nodded, barely listening to him. "Yeah-huh." She turned her head sligtly, trying to look for Zach, but he was already gone. Cammie quickly twisted and turned, trying to look for Zach. He just vanished.

"You okay?" Josh asked, suddenly inching closer to Cammie on the bench, his leg pressing against hers.

"Uh... yeah." She pushed back strands of hair, trying to find Zach in the sea of people.

"Cammie?" Josh asked.

"Yeah?"

She turned around, surprised as her lips met his. She was alarmed by the touch of familiar lips. It felt cold, foreign, and emotionless. She literally felt like she was just kissing a wall, that couldn't kiss back. She pulled away, a second later, "Um... I gotta go." She stood up, leaving her soda and running off, getting lost in the crowds.

a/n: yay, another update :D

so, the next chapter will be the last and will be on here before friday, i can't guarantee what day it'll be posted though :/ but thanks again for all the encouraging reviews, you guys are all amazing!

it's sunday where i live, kjafhalsfja;slkaankas, i really don't want to go to school tomorrow :(