AN: You guys are awesome! I love reading your reviews. The last chapter was especially difficult to get through without crying up a storm and feeling bad for Jason and his mom, but that part really needed to be written.

DemiLenaJonas, thank you so much. I know you can't read this for a while, so…I hope you had an awesome trip.

SapphireJKH, I hate cliffhangers too…And this is another mini "cliffhanger", since I'm still getting the next chapter absolutely perfect. I'm like Nick J that way.

Chapter 9

"So…" Jason said, trying to be calm even though his heart was beating 300 times a minute in his chest.

"So…" Liz echoed, not knowing what to say.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Jason asked, noticing Liz's panicked look.

"Yeah, I thought maybe we could talk," Liz said. "You know…in private."

"Aren't we talking now?" Jason replied.

"Well, yes, but…I mean…Do you like me?" Liz said, saying the first thing that came to her mind.

"Of course I like you!" Jason pulled Liz into another hug. "You're my friend. Why wouldn't I like you? You're so nice, and you don't pick on me, and you're beautiful…"

"Oh no…" Liz realized what Jason was trying to say. "You do like me."

"Oh," Jason said, finally understanding what Liz was getting at. "Yeah, I guess I do. Why? Do you like me back?"

"Jason, I think you're totally sweet, and very nice, but…" Liz said, not wanting to hurt him.

"But you don't like me," Jason said, tears coming to his eyes. "I thought…"

"Jason," Liz said, her heart sinking. "That's not it."

"Then what is it?" Jason said, hope rising again.

"My parents," Liz said. "If we did start dating, they'd ruin it by coming to Final Jam. And then they'd find out, and I'd never be able to see you again, and anyway, what makes you so sure that we can be together? I mean, you have tours coming up, and long-distance relationships never last, and I'm sure your parents won't like me…"

"That's not true," Jason said, thinking that his mom would love Liz. He wasn't so sure about his dad though, but decided to keep that to himself for now. "And I'd never let your parents come between us. I really like you."

"I really like you too, Jason," Liz smiled.

"YES!" Caitlyn said, popping out from behind the nearest cabin. She froze, looking at them in shock. "Oops!"

"Sorry, guys," Mitchie said, coming over and grabbing Caitlyn. "I was halfway back to our cabin before I realized Caitlyn wasn't behind me. What'd I miss?"

"Jason was just about to ask Liz out!" Caitlyn squealed. "Weren't you?"

"Um…" Jason blushed a deep red, and he suddenly found it hard to speak.

"Liz, will you go out with Jason?" Caitlyn said impatiently. "Yes? GREAT! I'll go set up a table near the water. Dinner. Tonight. 7:30. Be there." Caitlyn marched away, then turned back to look at them. "Oh, and Liz? You might want to wear something nice. Not too dressy, but don't wear a paper bag either. On second thought, Jason might be into that kind of thing. Why don't you ask him?" Caitlyn winked at them, ignoring their blushes, then walked away.

Mitchie held her hands up and shook her head slowly from side to side. "I don't know anything. It was all Caitlyn." She ran away, trying to catch up to her friend.

"Will you?" Jason looked anywhere but at Liz, trying to keep calm.

"I guess I have to," Liz said, embarrassed by Caitlyn's comments. "I wouldn't want to disappoint Caitlyn and Mitchie."

"Forget them," Jason said, tilting Liz's chin so he could look into her eyes. "If you're not up for it, it's OK. I'll understand."

"No," Liz said, touched by Jason's sweetness. "I want to. Yes, I'd love to have dinner with you."

"Really?" Jason broke out into a broad smile. He couldn't believe it.

"Really," Liz smiled back shyly.

"YES!" Jason forgot where he was and started happy-dancing.

Liz giggled, watching Jason dance. Secretly, she wished she could be as free to do whatever she wanted, to not care what other people thought. But she knew she had to live up to everyone's expectations, and she hated letting everyone else down, especially when it meant that people wouldn't like her or want to be her friend. But she couldn't deny what she was starting to feel for Jason, and while those feelings scared her and made her nervous, they also made her feel like someone really cared about her and wanted to spend time with her, and that made her happier than she'd ever been.

AN: Next up, Jason and Liz go on a date…What happens when Shane, Mitchie, Caitlyn, and Nate get involved? You'll just have to wait and see ;-)!