Chapter 17

Again, I don't own any of these characters

Cody just stood there in shock as Bailey looked at him in confusion. Finally he turned to her.

"Maybe I should have gotten checked for a concussion. I think I'm seeing things..."

Tapeworm laughed. "You aren't seeing things, Cody. Its me..."

"How...What...What are you doing here?"

Tapeworm laughed again. "I assume the same as you guys. Going to college..."

Cody was confused. "I don't understand..."

"I guess I should explain. I live on the other side of campus. I saw Max on campus a few times, but I wasn't sure it was her. I saw her earlier tonight and was about to go up and talk to her when Theo went up behind her and took her off. I followed them back here not knowing whose place this was. I called campus security and waited to make sure everything was okay. When Max came running out, I went up to her. She was surprised to see me too and that's when she explained to me that you were inside..."

Cody just shook his head. "Wow..." He cleared his head. "Tapeworm, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancee, Bailey Pickett..."

Bailey smiled. "Nice to meet you. Cody has told me a lot about you."

Tapeworm smiled. "Likewise. You can call me Chester if you like..."

Cody and Max just stare at him and speak at the same time. "Chester?"

Tapeworm laughed. "Why do you think I didn't mind being called Tapeworm?"

Bailey paused. "How did you get your nickname anyways?"

Tapeworm shrugged. "At a hot dog eating contest Cody and I were in, I ate twenty hot dogs in two minutes..."

"Wow..." Bailey turned to Cody. "How did you do?"

Cody sighed. "Two..." He paused. "Tapeworm was one of my fellow Math camp survivors..."

Bailey nodded. "Well, its nice to finally put a face to the stories..."

Tapeworm smiled. "Thanks. And I look forward to getting to know the young lady who from what Max tells me has Cody wrapped around her little finger..."

Bailey blushed but Cody grinned. "Guilty. You know, Tapeworm, you seem different..."

"Different how?"

"Well, your not so...so..."

Max interrupted and laughed. "Strange?"

"Well, I was going to say withdrawn..."

Tapeworm laughs. "Probably right on both counts. I was kind of forced to open up..."

Max turned to him. "What do you mean?"

"When my dad was transferred, I had to start all over again. Without you two and Zack around, I had to branch out on my own again. I was forced to break out of my shell..."

Everyone nods. "Good..."

"Speaking of Zack, Max tells me he's up at UCONN. That must weird to be separated from each other for the first time since Math Camp..."

Cody nods. "It is..." He turns to Bailey and smiled. "But, he left me in good hands..."

Tapeworm smiled. "Good. I'd love to see Zack again sometime."

Bailey smiled back. "Well, we're supposed to head to Hartford this weekend to hang out with Zack, Cassie and our friends Woody and Addison...You both are more than welcome to come with us."

Max smiled. "Sounds like fun."

Tapeworm nods. "Sounds good to me..."

"We'll even make sure its a surprise for him."

Tapeworm checks his watch. "Its getting late, and you all must be exhausted."

Max sighs. "You're right."

"Cody, its great to see you again. I hope we won't be strangers."

Cody smiled. "Of course not. Feel free to stop by anytime..."

"I may do that. My roommate is...interesting to say the least..."

Max laughs. "Join the club. What's the story with yours?"

Tapeworm pauses. "Let's just say he likes to stay up all night on his computer checking out...various websites..."

Cody nods but Bailey and Max haven't caught on yet. "What so bad about that?"

"Well..."

Cody leans over and whispers into Bailey's ear and her eyes grow wide. "Oh..."

Max huffs. "Okay, who's going to tell me?"

Tapeworm sighs. "Tell you what, I'll walk you back to your dorm and I'll explain on the way..."

Max nods. "Alright..."

Cody and Bailey walk them out and say goodnight. As they close the door, they hear a loud "Ewww." Cody can't help but laugh.

Bailey turns to him. "You ready for bed?"

Cody pauses. "In a little while. I should probably do the reading for tomorrow before I get to bed..."

Bailey smiled. "I think it will be okay if you don't. At the least, I think Bill will understand."

"How about this. I do the reading for Biology and the reading for everything else between classes?"

"Okay, but that's it. I'm supposed to be taking care of you, remember?"

Cody smiled and kissed her cheek. "I know. You always do."

They both proceed to finish their Biology reading, and fortunately, it was mostly things they already knew. It was close to midnight when they finished, and Bailey had to drag Cody to bed. As they laid there all snuggled together, Bailey turned to Cody.

"Chester seems nice..."

Cody can't help but laugh. "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to calling him Chester..."

"I know, but he does seem really nice..."

"He is. Tapeworm is a genuinely good guy."

Bailey paused. "Maybe the kind of guy Max could go for..."

Cody just looked at her. "Bails..."

"What?"

"Are you thinking of matchmaking?"

Bailey smiled. "Maybe..."

"Just remember, they've been friends for a long time..."

"We were friends first too and look how we turned out..."

Cody paused. "I know, but while we were friends, I was also in love with you the whole time..."

"Who's to say maybe Chester wasn't with Max?"

"Bails...I know your heart is in the right place, but don't try to force something..."

"I'm not trying to force anything. I think they would be a cute couple..."

Cody sighs. "Maybe..."

"Cody, there's nothing wrong with wanting everyone to be as happy as I am. I've met my knight in shining armor, and we both know Max wants to as well...A little push won't hurt anything..."

Cody smiles. "You seem pretty confident about it..."

Bailey smiled. "I am..."

Cody paused. "Sounds like we have another bet brewing..."

"It sure does..."

To be Continued...