Chapter 3: All Good Things

Zack lay in bed on his side, facing away from the door because he frankly didn't even want to think about leaving his cabin that day. His mind raced with thoughts of all that had taken place the day before. Part of him secretly hoped that it had all been a dream. Actually when he thought about it that wasn't entirely true. A lot of the day had been quite good in fact. However, it was also one of the most confusing days of his life. The girl that he thought he loved was getting married and a girl that he had only considered a friend was bringing out new feelings inside him. He knew that Maddie would tell him to move on, but would she tell him to move on to London? Before Zack could contemplate any further there was a knock on his door.

"Go away," Zack called out.

"Zack it's me," came the familiar voice of his brother Cody.

"Then definitely go away!" Zack answered.

"You should come out and get some fresh air. We're all worried about you," Cody said through the door.

"I'm fine, I just want to be alone right now!" Zack said.

Cody decided it was best not to push it any further, so he turned and left. After he was sure Cody was gone Zack realized that he wouldn't be getting any more sleep that day so he got out of bed. Zack didn't want to leave the room so he pulled out his laptop, but to his dismay he realized that he had never closed the email from Maddie. The first thing he saw when the screen came on was the email and he quickly closed the computer. Maddie had been extremely nice when breaking the news to him. She told him how sorry she was if she hurt him, but none of it made the sting go away. Finally after a few minutes he decided to open the computer back up. He went to the email and clicked reply and finally started drafting a response. In the email he wrote:

Dear Maddie,

All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. It's why I saved your prom, it's why I came to your Sweet 16 party, and it's why I stood up for you during the musical. You don't have to worry about me because I'll be fine. If this man makes you happy then I am happy for you.

He had to stop because tears had started to flow. He meant every word he wrote, but it was hard. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and resumed typing.

You will always mean the world to me and I hope everything works out for you. If this guy ever hurts you make sure he knows that I'll hurt him.

Like I said before, don't worry about me. I've even been hanging out with this girl on board the last two days and things seem to be going well.

Zack stopped himself again as he wasn't sure if he should mention his possible feelings for London. He wanted to reassure her that he would be okay, but he wasn't sure how she'd react. He decided not to mention her name and continued his typing.

I think she likes me too, but I'm not sure yet. She's a little bit older than me, but hey you know me. I'll be fine. I just have to move on like you said.

Good luck in school and all and I hope to see you during Thanksgiving break. Maybe you can introduce me to this guy then. Take care.

Love,

Zack

He looked it over twice and felt that it was good enough, but he hesitated on hitting the send button. Finally he clicked send and breathed a sigh of relief. He sat back in his chair and just stared at the computer screen. He was deep in thought when there was another knock on his door.

"Who is it?" Zack asked.

"It's Woody, we've docked in the Bahamas are you coming with us?" Woody asked through the door.

Zack wanted to say yes, because it was a great opportunity, but he just didn't feel ready.

"No that's okay, I'm not feeling up to it," Zack said.

"Are you sure?" Woody asked.

"Yeah I'm sure. Just go without me, I'll be okay," Zack said.

"Okay, we'll try to bring you something back," Woody said before leaving.

Zack felt a pang of regret as he heard Woody's footsteps trail off. He was almost thinking of going after him when his phone started to ring. He looked down at the caller I.D. and saw that his Mom was calling. He picked up the phone and let it ring a couple of more times before finally answering the call.

"Hello," Zack said into the phone.

"Sweetie it's your Mom. Are you okay?" she asked in a concerned motherly voice.

"I'm fine Mom," Zack said.

"Are you sure? Everyone is worried about you. Cody says you haven't come out of your room since you heard about Maddie," Carey said.

"I just need some time to think that's all. I already sent an email to Maddie telling her that I will be fine and that I'm happy for her," Zack said impatiently.

"Do you really mean that though?" Carey asked.

"Yes, of course I do!" Zack replied loudly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you. I just need some time to think."

"Honey your friends want to be there for you. You should let them," Carey told him.

"I know Mom. I'll be okay though," Zack reassured her.

"Well okay, but promise me you'll get out of your cabin today," Carey said to him.

"I promise Mom. I love you," Zack replied.

"Love you too sweetie," Carey said as she hung up the phone.

Since he had made a promise to his Mom Zack decided to leave the cabin. He figured with everyone on the island that he wouldn't run into anyone he knew. He made his way out on deck and was happy to find no one out there. He took a seat on one of the deck chairs and just listened to the water crash against the boat. He tried to calm himself down and just let his mind wander to better things, but no matter what he tried he kept thinking of Maddie and then London and then back again. He had just closed his eyes when he heard someone call out to him.

"Zack??" Kirby asked from across the deck.

"Yeah Kirby, what's up?" Zack asked as he opened his eyes and saw him walking towards him.

"I heard you was holed up in your room," Kirby said as he took a seat in the deck chair next to Zack's.

"I just wanted some alone time, and please don't ask if I'm doing okay. I'm so sick of being asked that," Zack said in frustration.

"I won't, but I gotta say you gave your friends quite a scare. Miss London looked kinda upset this morning," Kirby said and Zack looked up quickly.

"She did?" Zack asked.

"Yeah, when she heard you weren't coming ashore with everyone else she looked disappointed. I figure she's worried about you," Kirby said.

Zack felt sick to his stomach. He never wanted to hurt anyone, but he just didn't feel like socializing. Now he felt terrible for the simple fact that he upset London. Zack couldn't even deny it now, he was falling for her. Kirby was looking at Zack while he thought things over and he had a look of concern himself.

"I know you really liked her Zack," Kirby said and for a second Zack thought he had figured out that he had feelings for London, but then it hit him.

"You mean Maddie? Yeah, I was in love with her," Zack said and diverted his eyes to the deck in an attempt not to cry.

"It will hurt for awhile, believe me I know. I was in love once. The day I found out she was dating someone else I cried myself to sleep," Kirby said in a low voice so that no one else could hear them.

"Really?" Zack asked.

"Really! My Mama once told me that all good things must come to an end. I know that sounds bleak, but I think I understood what she was trying to say. She meant that not all things last forever, but that doesn't mean that there won't be other good things that come along," Kirby told Zack as he put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know what you mean. There's this girl I've been hanging out with the last couple of days. I've always seen her as a friend, but now I think I'm starting to have feelings for her," Zack confessed.

Kirby looked at Zack for a second with a contemplative look, before speaking again.

"Well do you think this girl feels the same about you?" Kirby asked.

"I don't know. I think she does, but I just don't know," Zack said and shook his head.

"You're worried about messing up your friendship with her aren't you?" Kirby asked.

"Yeah, plus my friendship with Maddie," Zack told him.

"I'm sure Maddie would want you to be happy," Kirby replied.

"It's not that. Maddie and this girl are friends and I'm not sure how she'd react if I started dating her," Zack said.

Kirby was studying Zack closely without a word for a second and then finally he said in a hushed tone, "You're talking about Miss London aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am," Zack said finally.

Kirby started to smile and patted Zack on the back.

"Zack I'm pretty sure London cares about you a lot," Kirby said.

"Yeah, but does she like me as more than a friend?" Zack asked.

"I don't know, but you might get a chance to ask her," Kirby said and pointed to the top of the ramp, where London was entering the deck.

"London!" Zack said as he stood up.

When London spotted him her face lit up. She walked over and immediately hugged him close.

"Oh Zack I'm so sorry. I know you must be hurting," London said as she held the hug a little longer than usual.

"I'm okay, why did you leave the group? Didn't you want to see the islands?" Zack asked her.

"I've seen them plenty of times. I wanted to see if you were okay," she said with a smile.

"I don't know, I want her to be happy, but it's hard," Zack said.

"I know, but hey I think I have something that will take your mind off of Maddie. Come with me I want to show you something," London said and led Zack by the hand towards the stairs.

Kirby watched the two of them go with a smile on his face.

"I do believe that boy is going to be just fine," he said to himself and then left to go do his rounds for the day.