When The Past Comes Back...
Chapter 6
It was 9:30 pm and the guys were putting some tents, blankets, a food on the trunk of Chase's car while the girls said goodbye to Alan. They all got in the car and headed to Gould Mesa Trail which was about 15 minutes away. When they got there Dustin started talking to Chase while Logan and Michael started setting up the tents and Lola, Quinn and Zoey started making coffee.
"So how are you liking the short hair Chase?". Dustin asked and Chase smiled.
"It's better than the long hair, I guess. How about you? You aren't the same kid I knew back at PCA?".
"Yeah, I'm surprised as well. Between me and you, Im starting to become the new Logan at the university". Dustin smirked.
"Really? Are you exactly like him?".
"Well, not exactly, I'm not a jerk like he used to be, I'm much nicer and more cool". Dustin said.
"That's good, little D". Chase replied wrapping his arm around his neck and rubbing his knuckles in his head.
"I'm not Little anymore! I'm as tall as you". Dustin wined as he tried to get off Chase.
"You may be tall and all, but you still have that little D in you". Chase let him go and began walking towards his friends.
"You may be right...". Dustin Smiled and hurried to catch up with Chase. They began helping Michael and Logan set up the fire. After they finished everyone except Chase, quickly took a seat, leaving an empty chair next to Zoey.
"Chase take a seat". Lola said.
Chase knew what his friends were trying to do. He walked up to the empty chair and sat next to Zoey. His friends began to have their own conversations while Zoey and Chase sat in silence, watching the fire.
"So...". Zoey began.
"It's great to see everyone communicating like old times uh?". Zoey asked.
"Yeah... It's nice...". Chase answered.
Zoey tried to hold his hand but he quickly pulled it away.
"What? I can't hold your hand?". Zoey asked.
"I just think it means something really different to you". Chase said looking at her. Zoey grabbed Chase's hand and held it tightly.
"Zoey... Please... Don't do this". Chase pleaded.
"Why?".
"Because you are about to ruin everything".
"Well, you know I'm not gonna give up".
"Of course not". Chase sarcastically said.
"Chase I thought you said that you wanted us to start all over, so why can't WE start all over? Why can't you put away happen in the past?".
"Because is not that easy. I have to fight between two things. The first one is to get over that moment we had back at PCA, but it just keep coming back. The second is...".
"What is it?".
"I can't keep you off my mind. I tried and tried, but you also keep coming back. I don't have the strength to stay away from you anymore".
"Then don't". Zoey said as she got closer to him.
"Like you, I still love you, more than Before. I want to be with you, I want to be your girlfriend again". Zoey leaned in a stole a kiss from Chase, who stood frozen.
"Zoey...". Chase said.
"Show me what you want". Zoey replied kissing him again. At first Chase hesitated to accept her kisses, but as Zoey kept kissing him, he couldn't help it anymore, and began kissing her back.
Their friends smiled as they saw what was happening.
"Finally". Lola whispered.
"Our plan did work after all". Dustin looked at Logan who smirked at him.
"Yeah, we didn't only came closer as friends, but me also got those two together". Logan said.
"Life seems so complete now". Quinn said laying her head on Logan's shoulder.
"Just like old times". Michael added.
Zoey and Chase continued kissing until Chase slowly pulled away. He swallowed hard and looked at Zoey.
"This doesn't feel right". He said.
"Do you regret it?". Zoey asked.
"No, I just think that if we want to start from scratch, we need to have a little more patience with what we feel for each other We agreed to get to know each other now that we've grown to be different people, so let's not rush". Chase answered.
"Okay... We'll go steady". Zoey replied with a smile.
Dustin looked at Lola who grinned at him and stood up from where she was sitting.
"Umm... It's getting late, so why don't we get comfy in our tents". Lola announced.
The rest nodded and stood up and starting getting into their tents, but Chase noticed something odd.
"Wait a minute? Why are there only 3 tents?". He asked confused.
"Those were the only tents we had". Logan said.
"So who's sleeping where?". Zoey asked
"Well, me Logan and Dustin are going to sleep in the first tent over there". Michael replied.
"And me and Quinn are going to sleep in the middle tent". Lola added.
"You guys decide what to do with the last one". Dustin said giving them a wink and a smirk.
Zoey and Chase looked at each other and then back at their friends.
"Zoey? You can take the tent and I'll join the guys tent". Chase suggested and Zoey nodded.
"No, no, no, you can't join our tent Chase. It's a small tent and we're not going to have room". Logan said.
"Okay?... How about I join Lola and Quinn, and you Chase can sleep in the tent". Zoey offered and Chase nodded.
"Oh that can't be possible". Quinn said.
"Why not?". Zoey asked raising a eyebrow.
"Because... Remember when we went to that camping trip during our senior year at PCA? We all slept together in a tent and in the morning you were all sore from our kicks. Remember that?". Lola asked.
"Your right". Zoey replied.
"Come on guys... You two can share that tent. There's nothing weird about two friends sharing a tent, right?". Quinn asked.
"I guess". Chase and Zoey responded looking at each other.
They all began to get in their tents. Chase unzipped the tent and let Zoey get in first as he followed. Chase zip it back up while Zoey turned a lantern on. The tent was already set up. There were two pillows, and two sleeping bag's. They both got inside their bags and Zoey turned off the light..
"Goodnight Chase...". Zoey said.
"Goodnight Zoey...". Chase replied turning his body away from Zoey and closing his eyes.
The night was dark and cold. In a couple of hours it started to drizzle and this woke up Zoey. She twisted and turned, but she just couldn't sleep. She sat up and turned to see that Chase was still in a deep sleep.
"Chase... Wake up". Zoey shook him. She heard some steps coming closer to the tent. She slowly turned to where she heard the steps coming from, and saw a shadow of a man starting to form.
"Chase!". Zoey shook him a little bit more harder.
"What? What's wrong?". Chase sat up rubbing his eyes.
"I think there's someone outside the tent". Zoey said scooting closer to him and wrapping her arms around Chase's arm.
"Someone outside the tent? Zoey I think you might of had a bad dream or something".
"It wasn't a dream Chase, I saw a shadow outside".
Chase sighted.
"Look, I'm going to go out and prove that there's nothing out there". Chase said as he crawled out of the tent. He looked around and saw nothing but the river water rushing down stream. He shook his head and walked down towards the river. He knelt down and splashed his face with the cooling water.
"Chase?".
He was so surprised that he accidentally fell into the freezing river.
"Chase!". Zoey said getting closer to the edge.
Chase quickly stood up and got out of the water.
"You okay?". Zoey asked.
"Yeah, you... just startle...me". He's teeth chattering from the cold.
"You should change your clothes". Zoey suggested.
He left towards his car and took a pair of gray sweatpants and a black shirt. He went behind the car and changed while Zoey turned away from him. When he finished, both of them returned to the tent, but one thing they didn't know.
At a far tree, there was Dustin smiling. When he saw his friends enter the tent.
He slowly walked back to his tent, happy for what he accomplished. Chase got inside his sleeping bag and tried to get back to sleep, but he couldn't. The blankets he had on didn't keep him warm. Zoey saw him shivering like crazy, so she suggested something.
"Hey... Why don't we snuggle together? You know to keep warmth".
"Snuggled... Together?". Chase asked shivering.
Zoey nodded. She got out off her sleeping back and layed on top of it. Chase did the same thing. He grabbed his sleeping bag and placed it close to Zoey's. He layed beside her with his blanket on. Zoey grabbed her three thick blankets and covered her and Chase up. She wrapped her arms around Chase and saw how cold he was. He breathed in and out as he started to feel the warmth, and soon fell asleep.
ω
When morning came, Quinn, Lola, Logan, Michael and Dustin we're the first ones to get up. They began to wander how Zoey and Chase did during the night.
"You seriously did it?". Michael asked Dustin surprised.
"Yeah, I think I scared Zoey a bit but it all turned alright, I think". Dustin said.
They walked up to their friends tent and decided to take a look inside. Logan Slowly unzipped the tent and all of them took a look
They saw Zoey laying on Chase's chest, her hands wrapped around his chest while he slept peacefully.
"Well, it seems your plan was a success. Look at them. They look so adorable and comfortable with each other". Lola commented.
"Yeah". Logan smirked.
Dustin then cleared his throat and Chase began to wake up. He tried to move but something was holding him really tight. He looked down and saw Zoey laying down in his chest. He looked back at his friends who we're giving him a big smile. He quickly looked at Zoey and then back at them as he realized what his friends were thinking.
"It's not what it looks like". Chase nervously said.
Zoey slowly started to wake up and saw that she was tightly hugging Chase. She quickly sat up from the position she was in and turned to see his friends, also figuring out what they were thinking.
"It's not what it looks like... Really". Zoey replied.
"We haven't said anything yet". Michael said smiling.
Lola turned her head sideways, looking at Chase.
"Chase? What happen to the clothes you were wearing yesterday? Was he wearing those clothes?". Lola asked Quinn.
"I don't think so". Quinn smirked said.
Logan whispered something in Dustin's ear which made him gasp, turning to Zoey and Chase.
"Did you guys... You know? Do it?". Dustin asked seriously.
"Dustin!". Zoey yelled angrily, but at the same time a little embarrassed.
"Nothing happened between us. Yesterday night, Zoey heard something outside our tent, so I went to take a look and since I didn't found anything I went to the river to splash my face with some cold water, when Zoey startle me and I fell in the water. She help me get out of the water and I went to change clothes inside my car. That's what happen". Chase explained.
"Okay... But, why were you two snuggling so closely together?". Logan asked raising an eyebrow.
"That's because he was shivering like crazy, so we decided to sleep close together just to keep warmth". Zoey added.
"Yeah... Right... Well we just came by to tell you that Quinn just made some coffee of you want some". Logan responded.
"I want some". Chase crawled out of the tent and walked away with the guys, while Zoey went with Lola and Quinn. The guys served each other some coffee as well as the girls. The boys walked over to Chase's car and began talking. The girls sat on some chairs and also began a conversation.
"So Zoey? Are you going to tell us what really happen between you and Chase?". Lola asked.
"What do you mean by "what really happened"? What we told you was all that happen". Zoey said.
"But we wanted something more to happen". Quinn spilled out without thinking.
"We?". Zoey asked confused. She looked at he two girls who refuse to make eye contact with her. She thought for a second and quietly gasped.
"You two planned this didn't you? You made me and Chase sleep together because you thought that something else was going to happen? Isn't that Right?". Zoey asked scoffing.
Lola and Quinn looked at each other and nodded.
Zoey sighted.
"Come on Zoey! How can nothing happened between you and Chase? We saw you to kissing yesterday night, by he fire". Quinn said.
"You guys saw that?". Zoey asked.
"Everyone saw that and it was so cute and romantic". Lola replied getting excited.
"Don't you want to get him back?". Quinn asked.
"I do, but we promised that we were going to start with no rush. That was his condition and I have to respect that. I want you guys to respect that too".
"Okay... Well let you guys work things out without our help". Quinn said looking at Lola who agreed.
"Yeah... Try telling that to Logan, Michael and Dustin". Lola replied rolling her eyes.
Zoey sighted looking at Chase who was talking with the guys at the distance.
"What's wrong?". Quinn asked.
"I... I... Just don't see Chase interested in getting us back together".
"Maybe he's afraid". Lola said.
"What do you mean?". Zoey asked turning to see her.
"He might be scared in trying something with you and you doing the same thing you didn't to him before. Just imagine being Chase. Let's say Chase cheated on you while you and him still were in a relationship. How would you have reacted?". Lola explained.
"I would had done the same thing he did. I would never want to see him again". Zoey answered.
"Okay. Now let's say you forgive him and you both decided to try your relationship again. Wouldn't you feel afraid that he would cheat on you again?". Lola asked.
"Yeah... I guess I would". Zoey replied.
"Then there you go. You need to show him that you really changed and that he can trust you. He just needs some time". Lola said.
"Your right". Zoey said looking back at Chase who noticed Zoey looking at him. He smiled at her and continued talking to his friends.
Conversation between the guys
"So? You and Zoey getting close huh?". Michael teased.
Chase nodded taking a drink of his coffee.
"You guys look great together". Dustin said.
"Yeah well... That's what people told us back when we were teenagers". Chase responded.
Dustin, Logan and Michael shared a smile and looked back at Chase.
"Happy 26 Birthday Chase!". They all patted his back.
"Today's my birthday?". Chase asked confused.
"Yes and we are going to give you the most perfect present". Dustin said.
"That's right. We have huge plans for you my friend". Logan said standing next to him.
"What kind of plans"?". Chase asked intrigued.
"We're all going out for dinner at Burellies, and you are going to take Zoey as your date".
"Whoa, whoa. A date? You are setting a date for me and Zoey?". Chase asked alarmed.
"Don't think of it as a date. We're all going to be taking someone and we're all going to be sitting together. So don't worry of you and Zoey being alone". Logan explained.
"Okay?...". Chase replied.
"Right now we're all going to go over to the girls and we're going to ask them if they want to join us for dinner tonight and then your going to ask Zoey to be your date. Got it?". Logan said as he, Michael and Dustin, grabbed Chase and leaded him over to where the girls were talking.
"Hey girls". Michael greeted.
"Hey".
"So, I don't know if you guys know but Chase here is celebrating 26 years of life today". Logan said and Zoey gasped.
"Oh my god, today's July 14! Happy Birthday Chase!". Zoey said in surprise and hugged Chase.
"Happy B-Day Chase!". Lola and Quinn said also giving chase their individual hug.
"Thank you". Chase replied with a small smile.
"We were thinking in celebrating this special day at Burellies tonight. What do you girls think?". Logan asked.
"That sounds awesome". Quinn responded.
"But there's one thing you need to have in order to get into Chase's Party at Burellies?". Dustin smirked.
"And what's that?". Lola asked.
"You need to have a date, and yes we know that we're going to be celebrating together, but that's the rule Logan here's has placed".
Logan eyed Chase to pop the question.
"Zoey?". Chase asked and Zoey looked up.
"Yeah Chase?".
He looked back at Logan who motioned him to continue.
Chase cleared his throat.
"I was wondering if... If you wanted to be my date?". He finally choke out.
Zoey looked at his friends in surprise as they pretended to be surprised as well.
"Me?". Zoey asked.
"Yeah? I thought that by going out together might give us a chance in getting to know each other a little more. So what do you say?". Chase responded.
"Yes, I'd love to be your date". Zoey smiled.
"Cool". Chase nodded.
"Great, well I have to do alot of preparations for this birthday party, so why don't we get all this camping stuff in your car Chase and let's get everything ready". Logan said as he and the rest of the guys began talking down the tents and putting them in Chase's car. Zoey kept her smile on and Lola and Quinn turned to see her.
"Why's the reason you have that smile on your face?". Lola teasingly asked
"May it be because of a young man called Chase Matthews?". Quinn asked raising her eyebrows up and down.
"I can't believe Chase would ask me to be his date". Zoey replied still not believing it.
"Yeah we neither". Quinn said with sarcasm.
Zoey's smile wore off as she turned to see her two friends.
"Does it smell really sarcastic around here". Zoey asked as she sniffed.
Quinn and Lola said nothing.
Zoey after a coupe of seconds figure out what was happening.
"Don't tell me you guys planned this also".
"Half of it, but it was before we had the talk about us not interfering with you and Chase". Quinn assured.
"The original plan was about us making reservations at Burellies for Chase's birthday but we were not going to show up leaving you and Chase alone, but like always the guys had to Change things before telling us". Lola said.
"So... you think Chase was forced to ask me out?". Zoey asked confused.
"I dont think he was forced". Quinn said.
"I think the guys might told him that it be the best choice for him to ask you out since he has no one else to ask and it be good for you to communicate some more". Quinn explained.
Zoey sighted and nodded. Lola and Quinn felt a bit of sadness on Zoey and decided to help the guys get everything into the car.