Author's Note: I would like to apologize for a major inaccuracy. See, my math was off. It turns out Zoe and Lemon are both twenty-nine, not twenty-eight, because Zoe was born October 24th, 1982, meaning she would be sixteen-years-old in February of 1999. Lemon would also be 16, because she was supposedly sixteen when her mother left, which was in 1999. We know George and Wade were in here class. So, they should all be older. I could always make the story take place two years earlier, but then Lemon's mom would still be around, which would change the whole direction of her character. I explained in my author's note for chapter two why I thought Zoe should be fourteen, and I stand by it. Unfortunately, that leaves me with only one option; keeping what I have despite the fact that it is inaccurate. I probably would not do this if I had caught my mistake before posting the other chapters, but at this point, it makes more sense this way. I hope you can forgive me. Also, in the author's note at the end of chapter two, I meant to write, "-why Lavon is notin the gym class." I realize the absence of the 'is not' was probably a little unclear. Also, it was supposed to say, "we know Lemon, Lavon, Wade, and George were all in the same grade," sorry about the confusion. My grammar is not always so great, and I do not have a beta, so I am completely to blame. Bright side, Lois Lane has always been horrible at that sort of stuff too, and her life worked out pretty well. Please forgive me, and I hope you enjoy this update.

Also, my choice of songs are not necessarily a reflection of my personal taste. I looked up country and popular songs of 1998 and 1999. These are the websites I found.

popculturemadness/Music/Charts/1998

/library/bltop25of99

/library/blcmtop25

I tried to use songs that were on more than one list or by an artist that was on a list multiple times. I know that people in Alabama do not only listen to country, hence the pop. I also tried to use songs that you can dance to, and songs that highschoolers would be listening to. Some of the songs were good, but you just couldn't dance to them, so I had to veto them. If you have any opinion on the songs I chose, or suggestions for the future, please let me know.

Reviews are always appreciated. Have a nice day.

Chapter Five

The party was already going in full swing by the time they got there. Zoe was still trying to calm down a little, but she was doing a better job of hiding it. The four of them entered the house where the party was, a light blue American Foursquare.

"Bill." George called to a boy Zoe recognized from the tackle game.

"Hey George." The boy said. George went over to slap hands, and Lemon leaned in to whisper to Zoe, "That's Bill Pickett. He's got a major bad for Addie, that's the girl whose house this is. Anyhow, he's been followin' her 'round like a lovesick puppy for months now, and she hasn't glanced twice. I'm not sure if she is not interested, or just playin' hard to get. In the beginning, it was pretty plainly the former, seein' as how she had a boyfriend at the time, but they broke up three weeks ago, and if you want my opinion, I'd say her interest is a bit peaked. Of course, no girl really wants to jump back in after a break-up. Aside from that, it's nice bein' wooed sometimes."

Zoe nodded, only half listening. Lemon's gossipy tendencies would be great for an avid socialite, but Zoe only needed to know enough to survive, she could care less about the sorted details.

George was saying hello to a bunch of the guys; he was clearly very popular. Lemon gave Zoe a few more gossip snippets, and then went to join George. Zoe didn't know what had happened to Wade, not that she really cared of course.

"Hey." A boy behind her said. "Haven't seen you around here before."

Zoe turned and smiled at him. "No, I'm new here."

"Well, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Logan."

He stuck out his hand and she shook it, "Zoe."

"Pleasure to meet you Zoe. Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"

Zoe couldn't help but chuckle, "Do you the honor?"

Logan shrugged, "What can I say. My mother rose me up a gentleman."

Zoe sighed, "Well, I guess that's a good thing. It's just not the sort of thing you hear in New York."

"You're a city girl." Zoe nodded, "In that case, I insist you allow me to show you how we party down south. Beginning with a dance."

"It's not a square dance is it?" Zoe asked teasingly.

Logan laughed, "Come on, one dance."

Zoe looked down at his outstretched hand, "Well, you certainly are determined." She smiled, and took his hand. The next song started, and Zoe relieved to hear "This Kiss" by Faith Hill blaring through the loudspeakers. Okay, so it was country, but it wasn't some hick with a banjo. Faith Hill was fairly mainstream as far country singers go. Logan led Zoe out onto the floor. She realized she was a little nervous. She was an okay dancer, but she was no Ginger Rogers. This was her first party here, and she was certain that just about everybody here tonight went to her new school, and at least a third of them had to be in her grade. She didn't want to make a fool of herself. Maybe it wasn't the world's best idea.

Wade made his way over to Fiona Parker. She didn't exactly have the prettiest face, but her cup size more than made up for it. She was one of those girls who developed early. Kind of like Zoe.

Wade mentally slapped himself. He was not going to think about that girl. He was not going to let her ruin his night. Some girls are just really good at ruing things, and it did not take Wade long to figure out that Zoe Hart was one of them. But, dammit, he needed to unwind. He needed to relax. He was going to have a good time tonight.

"Well, if it isn't the prettiest girl in the room." Wade said as he walked up to her. She turned to him and smiled, "Oh, Wade, I'm hardly that."

"Well, I guess I'm not the best judge, seein' as you're the only one I've noticed."

Fiona giggled, "Well, daddy did by Patty and me new outfits this weekend. Course, her's is a bit more … sexy."

"Not from where I'm standin'." Wade smiled. Girls with sibling rivalry issues were way too easy. " 'Sides, you know what they say about girls in sexy outfits, don't ya?"

"What?" Fiona asked, looking fascinated.

Wade leaned in and whispered, "That they needed the outfits to make up for what their bodies couldn't do." Fiona giggled, "And from where I'm standin', I'd say you're not the sister 'at needs the help." Fiona smiled and brought her drink up to her lips, "Whatcha drinkin?"

"Whatever's in the punchbowl," Fiona said with a shrug.

"How 'bout I get you a refill and when I get back, we continue this conversation somewhere a bit more … private?"

Fiona smiled playfully, "What makes you think I'm that kind of girl?"

"What?" Wade asked, playing dumb, "The kind who likes her privacy?"

Fiona giggled, "Privacy, is that what their callin' it these days?"

Wade smiled innocently, "I just thought we could talk; might be fun to get to know each other a little better." His smile morphed into a smirk, "How we go about getting' to know each other is entirely up to you."

Fiona giggled and bit her lip, "Well, it has been some time since I've had some … uh … privacy." She handed him her cup.

Wade smirked. Too easy.

He made his way over to the punchbowl. The song that was playing, something dumb by Faith Hill, finally ended, which Wade was grateful for, and was replaced by Amazed by Lonestar. It was a little slow for his taste, but not bad. He was just glad Addie was done with the female singer ballads. We get it. Girl power. Now move on already.

He poured some punch into Fiona's cup and started to head back over to her, when he caught site of a familiar-looking brunette, wrapped in the arms of one of the Mackenzie brothers. They were slow dancing. Well, naturally, it's a slow song. Still, it was a weird sight. Zoe, the abrasive, quick-witted when vocal, snarky girl looking as innocent and acquiescent as any ordinary girl would, slow dancing with a guy at a party.

It bugged him a little, seeing her close up against some guy, slow dancing. He did not really want to think about why. Without thinking, he put down Fiona's drink, walked up behind Mackenzie, and tapped him on the shoulder, "Mind if I cut it?"

Mackenzie looked down at Zoe, who was looking up at Wade, confused, "So long as the lady doesn't object, I don't have a problem with it, not that I wasn't enjoying myself, of course." He smiled at Zoe, and she returned it.

Both boys stood looking at her, waiting for the verdict, "Oh," she said, as if only just realizing that they were waiting on her (which maybe she had) "Um, actually, I was thinking I might take a break. This Kiss and half of Amazed is enough to tire anybody out." She stepped out of Mackenzie's arms, which Wade noticed made his stomach unclench slightly, even though he had not noticed it was clenched in the first place.

"Thanks for the dance." She said, smiling.

"My pleasure." Mackenzie said in response, "I'll keep an eye out for you at school."

He headed off, and Zoe went to sit down.

"Well," Wade said, following behind her, "should I be insulted?"

"What?" she said, only just realizing he was following her.

"You're fine dancing the night away with Mackenzie, but the second I show up, suddenly you're all danced out."

"His names Logan."

"Yeah. Logan Mackenzie. He's one of the Mackenzie brothers. There's four of 'em."

"Isn't that all the more reason to call them by their first names?" Zoe said smartly.

"I use last names a lot, okay? I like it. Anyway, don't change the subject."

"Which was what exactly?"

"Were you actually tired, or did you just not want to dance with me for some reason?"

Zoe snorted, "I didn't peg you as the insecure, needy type."

"I'm neither," Wade said, offended, "I'm just curious is all."

"It wasn't exactly personal." She said slowly.

"What's that supposed to mean? Either it was, or it wasn't."

Zoe sighed, "Look, dancing with Logan was nice. Simple. Good looking guy asking me to dance."

"He's not that good looking." Wade mumbled. She didn't seem to have heard him, and he was glad. That was a pretty lame, embarrassing thing to say. She might start to think he was jealous or something.

"Then you come over, and I have to choose who to dance with, and I know you, sort of, I'm mean, you're not exactly a stranger anymore, and suddenly it gets complicated. I don't have a lot of simple in my life right now. I was enjoying it. I need simple."

Wade nodded, "Okay, I get it. You need to keep things simple."

"Why are you repeating what I said?"

"Just tryin' to show I understand."

"Repetition doesn't necessarily show comprehension."

Wade shook his head, "You are a piece of work, you know that? Why is it you always feel the need to pick a fight with me?"

"I don't-"

"Yes you do. Ever since I met you, you're yellin' at me or talkin' down to me. I know that's not how you are with everyone, not George, or Lemon, or your dance partner over there." He nods in Logan's direction.

Zoe looks up at him, but doesn't say anything.

"Seriously, what's that about?"

After a minute, she opens her mouth, but before she can answer, somebody behind her asks, "Wade?"

Wade looks up, "Fiona." Shit. He forgot.

"I was beginning to think you got swallowed by black hole somewhere between here and the punchbowl."

Wade shook his head and chuckled, "No, I just got uh, sidetracked for a minute."

Fiona looked Zoe up and down, "And who might you be?" she asked, mock-sweetly.

"Not someone with standards so low as to be looking for Wade." Ouch. "Don't worry. He's all yours." She walked off, and Wade watched her, then turned back to Fiona.

"Sorry about that. For some reason, that girl likes annoying me."

Fiona shrugged, "Maybe she likes you."

Wade burst out laughing, "You miss what she just said? Trust me, hell will freeze over five times before her and I ever share so much as a peck on the cheek."

Fiona smiled, seeming satisfied.

"Ever since I met you, you're yellin' at me or talkin' down to me." The words echoed in her head as she made her way to the couch. A couple was making out on the other end, but it as a pretty big couch, and Zoe had enough room to sit and think.

Was it true? Was she unfairly mean to Wade? Okay, the guy bugged her. That was plain from the moment he had invaded her personal space at the practice. He was rude and crude, and he seemed to like provoking her. She hated guys like that. Plus, of course, she hated that he had seen her so vulnerable. Still, was that it? Or was there more. She thought about all the times she had chewed him out about something. There was when they met, but he had totally deserved that. Plus she hadn't exactly been feeling sociable, and he practically forced her to talk to him. Then there was after he picked her for tackle. Okay, that had been nice. But Zoe didn't like to be in someone's debt, and he clearly felt like he was doing her some big favor, which he so was not. Then there was the car ride to Harley's. So maybe she had sort of swindled him into giving her a ride, but he did not have to do it. Still, he had done her favors, and she supposed she should show some gratitude. However, for some reason, she just did not want to. He bugged her, but more than that, she realized, she sort of liked yelling at him. Because being annoyed with, mad at, or disgusted by someone was like dancing with Logan Mackenzie; it was simple. Some times, when you're life sucked, it was easier to find someone to take it out on than to deal with it. And the day Wade had provoked behind the reception desk, he had all but volunteered to be her catharsis.

The next time Wade saw Zoe was when he found her hiding out in Addie's kitchen.

"Not much of a party person?"

He asked as he came up behind her. She jumped. "No. I mean, I am, sometimes. I'm just a little tired."

Wade rolled his eyes, "This anything like the last time you were tired?" he asked sarcastically. She didn't say anything. He started heading back to the party.

"Wait." He turned, surprised, "Um, look, I wanted to … apologize."

That he wasn't expecting. He raised his eyebrows.

"What you said before, about how I act towards you, you were right."

He crossed his arms across his chest, "I'm listenin'."

She took a deep breath. This was going to be harder then she thought, "I've been going through a … a kind of rough patch lately, and I guess I was looking for a scapegoat. And you made it, well, kind of easy." She smiled at him awkwardly, "but, you've done some really nice things for me, picking me in gym, and giving me a ride home, not telling anyone about how sick I got, buying the mouthwash for me-"

"Nice of you to notice."

"Could you not interrupt me? I'm trying to apologize here." He raised an eyebrow at her, "Sorry. See, there's that whole, making it easy thing. Anyway, I shouldn't be taking my issues out on you. Some of the stuff you do or say really is horrible, and I maintain the right to make a stink if you deserve it, which, face it, you often do, but sometimes you are actually kind of decent, and I should acknowledge that."

"That's your idea of an apology."

"It's the best I can do right now. Take it or leave it."

Wade burst out laughing for the second time that night, "Lucky you ain't involved in makin' peace with other countries, 'cause darlin', if you were, we'd be in world war three right about now."

She gave him a look, "So?"

"So?"

"Are you going to accept my apology?"

Wade thought for a minute, "I'll take it under consideration."

Zoe rolled her eyes, "You know, if I'm going to try and be more grateful when you're decent, you could try and be decent more often. Kind of a quid pro quo sort of thing."

"You're not helpin' your case darlin'."

"Can you stop calling me that, please?"

"You're pickin' a fight again, you know that right?"

"Well, it's annoying."

"You pickin' a fight?"

She rolled her eyes, "No, the name."

"Why, it's pretty tame. I could come up with way worse things to call you?"

Zoe huffed, "You know what, forget it. I take the apology back. If you're not even going to make an effort to be amicable and respectful, I don't see why I should have to."

She crossed her arms and headed out of the kitchen. Wade went after her, "Hang on."

"What?"

He sighed, "You really tired?"

"What?" she asked, this time more confused then angry.

"Before you started apologizin', you said you were tired. That true?" she nodded, unsure where he was going with this. "If you want, I can give you a life back. This party's about dead anyway."

"What about your little friend from earlier? Won't she miss you?"

"Why," he asked, stepping closer to her, "You jealous?"

"Ew! God no."

Ouch, "You're loss. And if you must know, she and I finished … talkin' 'bout thirty minutes ago."

Zoe nodded, "What about Lemon and George?"

Wade shrugged, "They'll get a lift from someone." Zoe bit her lip, unsure, "Look, don't worry. It wouldn't be the first time I took off with the car and left them stranded." Zoe looked up at him in shock, "I'm kiddin'. Geez, you're easy." She scoffed. "So?"

"I guess. I mean, if they're cool with it." Wade nodded.

He asked George and Lemon, but they might not have heard him. They were a little … busy. Still, they did not protest, and that was good enough for him.