Authors Note: Chapter 50 already! I can't believe it!

I'm trying to figure about nearing an end to this story eventually. Most likely I will turn it into a series, as I feel like I've still only just begun. Hope that's okay with everyone.

One last note, there's a link up in my profile for Alicia and Cheryl's clothing described in this chapter.

Chapter 50: Taking a Chance

One week later…

The guys, Ashley and I had all arrived back home a few days ago.

Before we had left Long Beach, I had told Zak that he could tell Ashley and the guys my story if he wanted too, that I didn't think I could do it myself.

So, once they had returned from their meal out, and after Zak and I had finished eating, he had gotten them all together in his room and shared my story.

He then had called me to come over, and Ashley and the guys all gave me their support and assurances that they felt the same way Zak did, that I had nothing to blame myself for.

It was a relief to have it all out in the open, but I knew I still had one more person to tell.

Cheryl.

Once I had gotten over what little of the lockdown I had done, and the guys had recovered, we had driven back to Vegas.

Yesterday, I had sat Cheryl down and told her everything I had told Zak about my past.

It hadn't been quite as difficult with Cheryl, probably because she already knew some details, but I still had ended up crying.

Cheryl had cried too, but she also shared the same feelings as the others, nothing had been my fault.

I hoped that now, with my past revealed, I may finally begin to heal.

Earlier in the day, Zak had called and invited Cheryl and I over for a swim and barbecue at his place.

All of the others would be there, Aaron, Jay and Ashley, and Billy and his wife, Diana.

"Come on girl! Don't wear black for once! Dress girly! Zak won't hate it!" Cheryl said, pushing clothes at me.

Apparently, while I was away, Cheryl had gone shopping.

Not only for herself, but for me as well.

She had picked up several "girly" outfits, and used the excuse that they were delayed "congrats on the job" gifts.

I took the clothes she had chosen for me to wear today, and couldn't even begin to imagine myself in them.

For starters, she had gotten me a bikini.

A bikini!

Even though I was slim, and according to Cheryl, had an "awesome figure", I normally always wore a one piece bathing suit.

I was just too shy and self conscious to wear anything less.

It was a beautiful, definitely girly, bikini.

The top had thin string like straps, that would tie at the back of the neck. It was mainly dark purple, with pale beige spots on the cups, and a small, pink tassel hanging from between them. The purple and beige were covered with a geometric pattern of pink and white designs.

The bottom was the same shade of dark purple, with the same geometric pattern. It had large strings for ties on each hip, with pink tassels at the end of the strings.

"One of these could get yanked and I'd be exposed!" I exclaimed, pulling lightly on one of the ties.

"Oh for god sakes! No one is going to pull on them. Besides, that's part of the fantasy for the guys when they see you in it," Cheryl grinned.

"Not helping," I mumbled shyly.

"Oh come on, it's so pretty! It'll look so cute on you!" Cheryl said.

I sighed and then held up the outfit I'd be wearing over the bikini.

I had to admit, I kind of liked it.

It was a two piece outfit, a top, and a full length skirt.

The fabric was a light and breezy gauze like material, white in colour, but thick enough that it wouldn't show what I was wearing underneath.

The top had sleeves that could be worn up partially on the shoulders, or not on the shoulders at all, giving it a strapless look. The fabric cinched in under the breasts, to be form fitting over the torso, and ended just at belly button level.

The skirt would rest low on the hips, and had a beige, crochet waistband that was attached to the white, gauzy material of the skirt.

"Come on…you've been dressing mainly like the guys around Zak since you started. Just do it this one time, and if his eyes don't bug out of his head, I'll never bug you again," Cheryl commented.

I thought about it.

"What will you be wearing?" I asked.

"Come see," she said with a smile.

I followed Cheryl into her bedroom and saw her selected outfits laying on her bed.

She also had chosen a two piece bikini.

It was white, with a bright pink, purple and aqua coloured floral pattern across both pieces.

The top was strapless, with a sash tie in the back.

The bottom gave a bit more coverage than mine did, as hers was all one piece.

"I notice the bikini you chose for me shows a bit more skin," I grumbled.

"Because you're more toned, you're not covered in freckles, and you barely show skin!" Cheryl said with a laugh.

I rolled my eyes in mock annoyance.

Her coverup outfit was a plain yellow dress, strapless, ending just above the knee, and had some small ruffles over the bust area.

If I could stay in my coverup, she'd be showing more skin than me.

Before I could say a word, she spoke up.

"Aren't you even just a little bit curious to see Zak's reaction?" Cheryl asked.

Damn it…

I had to admit, I was curious.

I hadn't worn anything nearly this feminine around him.

And now that all my secrets were out, I was curious as to what the status of our "relationship" would become.

Everyone around us knew we liked each other, even some of the fans believed we were dating, based solely on promotional material for the show, and our interactions on our social media accounts.

Zak had said he couldn't be involved with me if I couldn't open up.

Well, that part was over and done with, and we had gotten closer since I had opened up. I mean, we had shared a bed right after the conversation, and had slept for hours snuggled up to each other.

So, what was going to happen now?

Maybe Zak was unsure about making a move, knowing that with my lack of a love life, I needed to go slow.

Maybe I needed to make things a bit more clearer.

I took a deep breath.

"Alright…I'll wear what you got me-" I started, and Cheryl "squee'd" in excitement. "But! If I feel uncomfortable revealing the bikini, no pushing me…" I added.

She frowned slightly, but then her eyes lit up like a lightbulb had turned on over her head.

"What if Zak pushes you?" Cheryl asked, with a grin on her face.

Oh god.

"I'll die of shyness and it won't matter," I replied, walking back to my own room to change, Cheryl's laughter echoing behind me.

I changed into the bikini and despite my shyness about showing that much skin, I had to admit, I did like it.

I then pulled on the skirt and matching top to wear over the bikini and looked in a full length mirror I had on the wall.

I liked this outfit too.

Despite the fact I always hated skirts or dresses, this skirt was ankle length, so I found it didn't bother me so much.

And the material was so comfortable and breezy, it would be great in the Vegas heat.

I decided to leave the sleeves off the top down off my shoulders, finding it looked better that way.

I twisted my hair up into a messy bun, not wanting to have my hair down today, as it was quite warm out.

I put on just a slight bit of makeup, making sure it was waterproof, and then I grabbed a pair of stylish flip flops from my closet that I figured would be suitable enough if Cheryl asked to see them, and slipped them on.

I grabbed my "beach" bag, basically an over sized purse that hung over your shoulder and was open at the top, and walked out of my room just as Cheryl walked out of hers.

"Oh my god! You look so cute! And like a girl!" Cheryl exclaimed.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, okay, thanks. Let's go before I change my mind," I said, walking downstairs.

"You didn't put sunscreen on beforehand did you?" Cheryl asked, as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh crap, I forgot," I said, starting to search my bag for it, but Cheryl stopped me.

"No, that's a good thing silly!" Cheryl said.

I looked at her as if she had sprouted a second head.

"How is that a good thing?" I asked.

Cheryl giggled.

"Because, you silly, innocent girl, you apply sunscreen with your beau in viewing range, and then, when you get to the areas you can't reach, like your back, you ask him to do it!" Cheryl explained, with a grin on her face.

Oh…

"Hell…I'm going to die today," I mumbled as Cheryl grabbed her keys.

Cheryl laughed.

"Don't die before you get to put sunscreen on his back," Cheryl smirked.

Ooo...

Cheryl laughed, I must of had a smile on my face.

"See? Today won't be so bad," Cheryl said, as she walked outside.

I silently took a deep breath.

Here goes nothing, I thought.