Hey There,

Welcome Quogan-shippers! It's another beautiful Thursday. Let's kick this one off right shall we? Not only with this chapter picking up where last week's left off, but from Logan's perspective (mostly-wink wink). This one will also begin my coverage of the LAST episode before "Chasing Zoey" also known as the Prom episode! AHHHHHHHHG! We're getting SO CLOSE! I can see it shining off in the not so far off distance! But first, the Rollercoaster episode coverage. Enough of my yakking, let's get to it!

Special thanks to the few of you who just favorited this story or placed it on your Story Alert List. Or the few of you who placed me as a favorite authoress on you favorites list, or on your author's alert. I can't thank you enough for such high praise and hope you're still enjoying.

Special thanks to my reviewer {and friend}: Rose-Aki (Thank you so much for your feedback, about my sweet take on Logan. Also about featuring Vince and James more in these last couple of chapters. Because I was WAY anxious about how people were going to react. And you're RIGHT! Gleb's plan would totally work to help Quinn forget about the crowds too! Why didn't I think of that? AHH! And I HAD to have their dance as seen through the eyes of Vince. He so ships it, and I really had too much fun illustrating how much he ships it and how stark the contrast is between him and Lola. Knowing you liked it, made it that much more fun! I was glancing over some of the first chapters this week and they have come SO far from that first kiss on the bench. They've grown so much together and I can't WAIT for the three little words FINALLY come out. I'm already drafting exactly how that will go and-SO EXCITED! Your words, your talent and your kindness really keep me going and I hope this only makes your Thursday a little brighter! Hope these words are reaching you very well! Take Care and Much Love!)

Standard disclaimers apply! - I don't own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted plots and amusement. Most will be returned unharmed.

Enjoy!

"The Collective Trails of a Quinnventor… And Logan"

Chapter 27 - This Really BITES!

((Logan's Perspective))

I did finally sleep some, this morning. After not getting much sleep for several nights in a row. And even then the only way I think that worked. Was I had to keep imagining I was holding onto my girlfriend… and not the pillow I was actually hugging when I woke up. I hope my roommates didn't notice

after I gave Chase such a hard time about the giraffe he hugged for years. Because Zoey had given it to him. He's probably still hugging that ratty thing all resown together in England. He's probably even kept the silly "friend" one Zoey had picked out for his care package… and for the first time, I'm starting to get why!

I really don't want to know the teasing Michael could give me as revenge. If he saw me now, or what he would tell James about it either.

I slept so GOOD in fact I nearly overslept and missed homeroom. But I did just manage to get there, just as the final bell rang. And sit in my assigned seat before another tardy was marked against me. So obviously I didn't get to meet with Quinn this morning like I had other mornings. I had only gotten a cup of coffee from the cart and RAN to class.

Already being a little out of it, from not having a chance to even kinda wake up yet. Imagine my shock when Quinn is standing over my desk with an unhappy face and her arms crossed. Right in homeroom, after attendance was taken. Knowing we both had roles to play and not knowing what she was doing. I said, "Morning Quinn? I-Is something wrong?"

"Oh! You bet something's wrong." She began, and I started to sweat under my collar. Even if I seemed completely aloof on the outside. She seemed mad and the thing that made me worry was… I had no clue what had set her off.

So I ended up saying, "I know we were supposed to squeeze in some dance practice this morning." I made up a lie on the spot to cover for standing her up for breakfast this morning. I explained, "I haven't been sleeping well so when I fell asleep last night… I almost overslept. I didn't mean to stand you up, it just happened."

James backed me up, "He's telling the truth about that Quinn. He really was out this morning even though Michael and me both tried to rouse him."

Michael just HAD to add his two cents, adding, "Yeah, the way he wouldn't move at all we almost thought he was dead. But then he started talking and we knew he was just dreaming-"

"That's ENOUGH! She GETS it!" I told them both as they laughed in my face. Everyone's a comedian today!

"I know, all that," Quinn said with an eye roll. "You're not the only one who's been losing sleep lately. This isn't about any of that."

But now I was more worried, even if I tried to hide it, as I asked. "Well, what is it, then?"

She finally cleared up. "I lent you my notes to help you study, and by chance that notebook also had the study schedule I've developed to tutor other students who want help ace-ing their exams in it. Remember that?"

"Yeah? What about it?" I asked as I looked around to remind her ALL of our classmates were staring. Including our friends, who were all seeming to enjoy this. I couldn't rule out that they could all be in on it too, the way they all seemed to be smiling the same way.

Quinn went on, as if she didn't care about their stares. Saying, "It wasn't till I'd flipped to next weekend's appointments. That I realized you'd made some altercations to these plans. Like clearing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday entirely without my knowledge or permission… What have you got to say for yourself?"

Oh! That's what had her all steamed, I thought she'd already noticed that.

I reminded her, "You'd made those plans before you knew we would be helping teach all of these dances. The week before prom will be review week, and we'll need to review ALL of the dances we've been learning. All this time-"

"I'm well aware, of all of that." Quinn cut me off. "But what gives you the right to re-arrange my plans without so much as an 'okay' from me?"

I know she's trying to be intimidating, and I could hear the "oows" and "uh-OH"'s around us. But it so was not the best time to be completely turned on by her. I had to take a full breath before I answered.

"We're partners," I reminded her, and a few people in the back of the class whistled. "Not like that! Give us a break! We're dance partners who were asked to teach these chumps who think they can dance. We've been in this together from the start and I knew you needed more time than you were giving yourself… or me, to do that. If we're gonna give these guys any chance of looking good. It's gonna take time."

Our classmates wanted to argue with me, but they all ended up admitting they needed work. Even though I'd gotten the rest of the room to agree with me, even the teacher was nodding her head and had been attending these dance classes. Quinn still looked upset and warned. "No matter how you think you're helping me, or not. Never again do anything like that without my consent… You got it?"

"Got it." I said unhappily and she went back to her desk. Still, all put out.

I hoped she'd just staged this whole thing because she'd been getting teased. That she'd been getting more questions about whether or not we were an item. I'd caught wind of some of the stupid rumors about her, the most aggravating thing about the most recent ones was that none of them were really about me at all. They were just all LIES about Quinn. Stupid ones that seemed so made up! They were all aimed at her personally and they were all the kind of things that would make typical girls cry. But I heard Quinn telling Lisa she wasn't worried about it. That she knew the truth about herself and nothing else mattered... but I could see it bothered her too and she was trying her best to hide it. Especially while she was in front of Brooke, Mark, and their followers.

So I really did think at first that whole thing in homeroom had been nothing more than a tactic. Trying to dodge even these pathetic ad-libbed stories from including me. Or she'd wanted to show we're not a couple, in a memorable way… to leave me out of it.

But as she ignored my texts and flirts ALL throughout the morning. As the day went on and she still seemed pretty steamed whenever I saw her. I got to a point where it was all I could think about. She really was mad at me and I had to fix it… NOW! I couldn't stand this thin ice we were sliding around on another moment. Especially when we still had to dance this afternoon and if we were still at odds… It would change the whole tone of the dance. DRAMATICALLY if she's still THAT pissed! Have you ever seen people trying to dance the Tango when they're angry?... I did NOT want my feet or ankles stomped!

So right before my last class before lunch. I caught her hand and tried to pull her into one of our palm tree-surrounded hiding places. Just to talk… and convince her that even though she's mad. Not to hold a grudge or even worse of all, end this.

But she tugged back and complained, "I can't play around, I have physics class to get to. On the other side of campus, I have to bolt or I won't make it."

Which would be fine, if she'd EVER denied me like that before… Nope! That settles it! I had to talk to her and defuse this whole ticking time bomb of a problem RIGHT NOW! I couldn't let another minute go by like this.

So I told her, "Fine, then I'll walk with you." Not liking it that we were out in the open and too many people were all around us. It put a crucial hurt on my plans to win her over, that we were in public! I couldn't hold her, kiss her, or convince her to not be mad here! I couldn't even hold her hand! I had to give that up too, so I shoved both my fists in my pockets. That way I wouldn't forget and grab them.

But Quinn was too wise, "Isn't your next class right there?" She pointed at the doorway, in sight.

"This is more important," I said starting to walk beside her. But she blocked me telling me.

"Logan! Don't skip. These are nearly all exam prep classes now Hardly anyone's teaching anything new any more.." She said sounding exhausted. Probably as tired of giving me the runaround, as I was. Or giving her own exam-prep courses, to so many dumb people, I hoped it was that.

I told her firmly, "You heard me, some things are more important and I'm exempt from this class's exam anyway. So let's go. You don't wanna be late."

She took a deep breath and started walking fast as she'd hinted she would need to. I had my Jet-X nearby, but I wanted to talk to her. The ride would be too quick, so I just kept up with her pace and asked. "So… this morning? What was that about?"

"Exactly what it sounded like," Quinn said, while I tried to keep my face from looking too upset. People were watching us walk together and some ninth graders were even pointing us out. Quinn continued as if she didn't notice any of it. "I called you out on something you did. That I'm still in sort of a recovery mode of trying process..."

"Are you super busy then? Or are you ignoring my texts on purpose?" I asked her.

"I'm busy! I wouldn't be that cruel!" She spelled out before clarifying. "I've just been spending my morning making sure all of these people even know about the changes you made. Because I didn't!"

"Of course, they do." Now I was rolling my eyes. "I didn't make fictional changes, I cleared it with every single person-"

"Except me!" She's still mad, but at least it isn't like she's not talking to me.

"I know, and I'm sorry… I won't do it again. But I was only trying to help and give us more time." I shrugged.

"For dance practice?" She asked and I admitted to her now. While all of our friends weren't glaring holes into us.

"That's my story, I'm sticking to it."

"Looogan!" She made my name sound like a complaint.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"This sounds like it's all leading up to another one of your convoluted plans." She pointed out.

"It's not, don't worry… I'm gonna have to go look that word up now. But I'm sure it's not what you think-"

"It means a highly intricate and complex plot that's hard to follow and obscure." Quinn saved me the trip to the library or a computer. How is she so freaking HOT? All the time when she knows things like that.

I asked her, "Can you say that again? Slower?"

She elbowed me and told me to "Quit it!"

"Look, it's not going to be anything major, okay?" I tried to promise her, and made a mental note, to keep things simple as I said it. "Just, please, leave those days open for now and don't plan on anything else. This is Tuesday, give me the next few days to figure it all out, Okay?"

"To figure what out, exactly?" She pinpointed, even pinching her fingers together in the air. Like she was already mentally using her pressure point squeeze on me. Again, I hope that's not it and that's just where my mind went when she did it just for emphasis.

"I'll let you know as soon as I find out." I finally promised, and it sounded a little more legit.

She didn't want to, but she finally agreed to this and told me, "Now go back before you miss your class."

"See you at lunch?" I asked hopefully.

But she told me, "Can't… I gotta meet with Zane Copeland during lunch. He's failing his physics class and begged for my help last period. He needs to get the best score possible to pass at all or play football next season. I'll see you in dance warmups though." Then she took off at a run to make it before the final bell. She even runs like a hot girl, even from the back.

I snapped out of my trance and ran to class myself. I tried to get through that class time because I'd lied. This class period isn't one of the exams I could skip. But I didn't want Quinn to know her boyfriend was just another dummy. No! I wanted to impress her and give these final grades my all. So she could hopefully one day brag, that her boyfriend isn't just great-looking, rich, and Hollywood. But I would like her to know I have a brain too, even if it's not as bright as hers.

Lunch was no treat either! I was bored out of my mind with no hand holding mine under the table. No one saving their smaller overcooked bits of French fries for me because she knows they're my favorite. Or no book to read over her shoulder. Some of the stories were even pretty good, sometimes. The books that she brought with her, were better than looking at my friends' same faces all day anyway. Besides they were all too busy making goo-goo eyes at each other to ever notice! And if all of that wasn't distracting enough. Her little concentrated face, furrowed brow and tendency to devour books would definitely do the trick…

Saying I missed her would be an understatement. But I was so distracted, I have no idea how it happened. But SOMEHOW my cheeseburger ended up in the fountain. It was still good, but it was a little soggy. I ate with Lola, Zoey, Michael and Lisa today.

I missed Quinn so much I was asking them, "How was physics class?" Because I was hoping that would get them talking about the things my girlfriend had taught them today. Even I knew physics better than the kook they've got teaching it. Quinn has said that herself.

But instead of talking about Quinn, like I was hoping to, Zoey got all excited about a possible field trip. To "Mystic Mountain" which is the closest theme park to campus. Even if it is the smallest too, none of us had any idea that mentioning this. Would send Michael into a complete panic attack. But it did!

Hysterically, he's terrified of rollercoasters… yeah, you read that right. He's afraid of rollercoasters! And he calls me a baby! Have you ever heard anything so stupid in your entire life? My grandparents ride them, my super small cousins, step-brothers, and step-sisters do too (Even if they're all technically removed and Dad is single right now… well, he's not married right now). The ones tall enough, all ride! But Michael who plays basketball, football, and is such a man's man is scared to death of them?

I never knew any of my roommates were afraid of anything so childish. If anything I thought Chase would be the guy friend afraid of something that dumb. When I pointed this out to the rest of my friends. I have no clue why. But Lola acted like I was forgetting a secret friend code and when I leaned in for her to clue me in… forgetting this was Lola. She bit my ear, till she drew blood! What was she? Some kind of confused vampire?

So I had to walk to warm-ups to meet my secret girlfriend, who's already steamed at me. Explaining a bite on my ear that was given to me by another girl. Even if this girl is totally weird, in a committed relationship with another one of our friends. AND one of Quinn's best friends as well as one of her roommates (I'm not claiming that piranha today, for obvious reasons). It doesn't make it any easier to say to anyone's girlfriend… especially when Gleb and Paulina are openly laughing at me when I told them why my ear was bleeding.

Gleb even slapped me on the back and said, "Ooohh! My friend, you are so screwed!"

I agreed too loudly, "I KNOW!" I knew that, but I felt a little worse when Gleb said it, anyways.

And Paulina was telling me to "ice it before it swelled." Then I heard her saying to Gleb, "See? Even the undiscovered American actresses are all sharks! Look at those teeth marks!" Then she teased, "You could just tell people it was a piercing gone wrong."

"Piercings don't normally leave this many holes. What tool did the piercer use? A Bear trap?" I said. With no humor and that only seemed to make my pro friends laugh harder. But I somehow knew Quinn wouldn't find it so funny.

And I was right.

She'd come in normally but came rushing over to me when she noticed I was sitting, holding napkins from lunch and ice to my ear. She'd thrown down her stuff by the door. "What happened to you? Let me see?"

"Lola," I said first, might as well get it outta the way.

She gasped loudly, "Are these teeth marks?" Quinn asked looking at the wound.

"Yeah, she asked me to lean in like she was gonna whisper something in my ear. Then she bit me instead." I tried to explain and Quinn was already walking back over to her bag claiming she had something for it.

As she went she said, "She has Vince as a steady boyfriend. What does she think she's doing? Going around and biting other guys? Was Vince there?"

"No." I did answer that as she rifled through every zipped pouch attached to or loose inside of her bag.

"So it's 'okay' for her to just take a bite out of anyone she pleases? What is she THREE?" Quinn angrily searched on.

"I don't know, but if that's the kind of girlfriend she is. Vince has my sympathies because she's definitely a bite-ter." I said as she was still searching, but still looking at my ear and trying to decide the best way to treat it.

Paulina and Gleb (grinning ear to ear at me from where I could see them around Quinn's waist) were heading out of our little practice room to set up for class. But I know they were just giving us time, we only needed premixed music and a floor. They'd both winked at me as they left. And Paulina had said, "There Logan, I see you're in good hands. Don't forget to stretch before you two step out here. Can't have either of you straining something now."

But I was glad, Quinn was super close working on whatever damage Lola had caused. Close enough that I could smell her soap mixing with her perfume and shampoo. That mix was the magic, and she had to keep touching my face and neck. I hadn't gotten to be this close or have this much of her attention today. I kept trying to look at her and she kept turning my head away and looking at the bite from different angles then telling me to "Hold still. Let me help you."

Leave it to her to have even plastic gloves and everything she could need on her. After a little bit, she said, "Only four teeth marks are bleeding. The others are just the print of her teeth. They don't seem very deep, even the ones that cut… but it does look irritated, a little jagged, and very red. That can't feel very good."

"It doesn't," I said as she touched one of the bleeders with a silicone-protected finger and I hissed.

"Sorry," she apologized hissing with me, before warning me. "This is gonna feel really cold, but it'll sanitize and soothe some of that discomfort. Should numb it too."

Whatever she was doing felt so nice my eyes closed. I think my arms wrapped around her waist too, while she was leaning so close. Trapping her a little, because she had to stand there and tell me, "All done." Like please let me go… so I did. Even if I really didn't want to.

I tried to lighten the mood by asking, "So what's the verdict, doc? Am I going to lose my hearing in this ear?"

"Oh, no. Nothing that serious." Quinn assured.

"You're sure, I'll still be able to hear all the music today and at Prom?"

"Sure, but maybe no earphones today, I had to tape the wounds closed." She advised.

I tried to be cute, "You're certain I don't need to chop the rest of it off now? So that I don't catch some rare form of actress rabies from Lola? Where I'll never be seen out of the drama department again? Am I ever gonna be the same, am I going to live?"

And she did smirk, "Oh! You'll be just fine… I think."

"You think? That didn't sound too sure." I said catching her wrist and tugging her back to me. While she was still within reach, she was still wearing the rubber gloves and still had used medical supplies clutched in her fingers. When I asked her, "Aren't you forgetting the most important part of this treatment?"

"No," She said confidence back in full swing. God! She's Hot! "I assessed the damage, sanitized and cleaned the wound as well as treated it and covered it." I hoped she was going to tell me every step. She never caught on to my teasing. "They don't exactly make bandaids for this kind of thing I had to get creative. But if you can just wear the tape for a couple of class periods, the medicine has a better chance of working. The bleeding already seems to have stopped… What could I have missed?"

I caught her about her waist again, hugging her from the seated position I was still in. While she stood. "You forgot to kiss it better," I informed her and finally. She tried to hide it from me, but her face broke out into the first real smile I've seen all day. I began to tug her back down closer and I pulled stronger now, reeling her in.

She was letting me too, she was nearly seated in my lap facing me like yesterday. Even if she complained, "You're not gonna let me toss these things and wash my hands first?"

"Nope, this is too important! I haven't gotten this ALL DAY! It can't wait." I told her and she gave the top of my head a peck before twisting out of my grip. Escaping me too quickly to catch again.

"Sorry, but that's all I can spare for such a fussy patient." She laughed as she rushed for the sink in the corner. Pulling off the gloves as she went.

I leaned my chair against the wall behind me with my arms out at my sides. "You don't fight fair! Picking on a person who already got bit by a piranha today. Or Paulina's calling her a shark."

"All nicknames she deserves right now," Quinn agreed over the sound of the running facet. "Even if Shark is more likely, believe it or not, in your case. If Lola really were a piranha you wouldn't have had any ear left, they clean to the bones. And I'm not picking on anyone. I'm still very upset with you."

"I know. And I really am sorry." I said again as she came back to where I was still sitting. She let me take her newly washed hands. As I said, "I've missed you all day."

She finally let me pull her down to me and she sat on my lap like she had yesterday. Let me pull her closer as she was facing me with her legs around my waist and arms around my shoulders. Just letting me hold her when she finally said, as she'd let out a breath, "I've missed you too."

I hugged her tight as I could, before I finally got to kiss her. And I was glad she'd waited like she had. Because when we finally kissed for real, it was just Heaven… after so much Hell.

I told her for the millionth time since we got together. "You've gotta not let this much time pass between these moments. I can't stand it."

"I know, me too." Quinn admitted. Planting a kiss on the tape and bandage she'd put on my ear before helping me hide it better in my hair. She told me. "I just got so busy, and I couldn't seem to stop all day till now… Not till it's time to dance again." She said that like it made it her so happy. She was that happy to be dancing with me… she looked forward to it the same way I did. And she'd hugged me so tight. I felt like I'd just sent another mushroom cloud above our heads.

Before I even knew what I was doing I was dipping her backward and kissing the living daylights out of both of us. While she laughed and kept right with me. I wasn't the only one who had been holding back all day. When we ran outta breath, she said, "Okay. We better save the rest for the dancefloor and get to stretching. We'll probably even end up Tango-ing again, and we should probably save some of that fire for then."

"You think I can say that I hurt too much to dance?" I teased pointing at my ear. Even though there was no WAY I would skip on this. I just wanted to hear what she thought.

She didn't even pause, telling me. "Nope, if you can lift and dip me the was you just did in that chair. You've got no arguement, you better shake that booty."

She said as she passed and gave me a playful wink and swat on my butt. Which people have done to me a million times, on any of the teams I've been part of. She has even done it once or twice when we were on the wrestling team together. It's STILL something completely different coming from her! If she'd thought I was gonna just let her stretch in peace after that. And after being starved all this time. HAHA! She had another thing coming! No, there was no need to worry about ANY dance we did not having enough heat. We should come into that gym with a fire warning.

After trapping her against the dance bars for quicker make-up make-out (that she'd laughed through). She did make me stretch and prepared for the actual class. Even though I doubted anyone would miss us if we ditched. Quinn kept swearing, "Nope! We would be missed, we're too famous for this now, get to stretching, mister."

And I got to watch her switch from teaching book stuff all day. To nearly pro dancer against those bars. I'd always been so distracted with getting ready myself. I'd never really watched her till the other day, when she had been wearing that red practice skirt. Today she was wearing bright orange and I STILL had to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't stare. But she was just too much of a freaking knockout. I had to kiss her again before we went out there before I had to really watch myself. Because I didn't have a character to hide behind today. If I grabbed her up and kissed her during class today… I could blow our cover.

So we got to walking around the room and helping out wherever we could. Teaching Mambo first, Swing Dance later, and Tango as required this week. Of course we had to give several examples and ended up doing whole parts of our dances again. But Gleb and Paulina were doing the same thing on their end of the floor.

After those three dances had been covered, Then Quinn and me were back to our Victorian dance again … and it felt like ages since we'd done that. Even though I know we'd done this dance last Friday and this was Tuesday. We've had to be so focused on all of these other styles. We were asked to do it centerstage like always and show them how it's done.

I didn't need to be asked twice, I stepped center court and bowed to Quinn on cue. Feeling all of the room follow along. She still smiles at me like she enjoys that part too much before she curtsies back. I take her hand pull her close as I can get away with and danced the steps that had started it all. But it was still our dance, even while we were alongside the pros. They were for once trying to match us and watching us.

I don't know how many times I thanked both Paulina and Gleb for giving us that little pinch of time to ourselves. Before we had to be in public again, and watched so carefully. If I hadn't been with her just those few fleeting instances I would have done something REALLY stupid out there. And probably during our dance. She was just too damn foxy that whole performance, so sure of every move by now. Even when I pulled all my switch-ups to keep her guessing. She knew my moves before I could even make them. She knew exactly what she was doing and I could barely take it. Confidence on Quinn is the SEXIEST thing I've EVER seen her wear… and I'm powerless against her, in the BEST way.

When we did the second to last dip with still no foul-ups or slip-ups on my part. One of the younger girls called to us. "Can you guys, make the last dip that really hot one where you go down with her, Logan?"

And a bunch of other dancers in that area backed her request up.

Quinn was about to make excuses, but I beat her to it. Promising, "Sure thing!"

"Sure thing?" Quinn repeated, looking at me like. 'Really?'

"I've got you." I assured.

She said without moving her lips, a fake smile plastered everywhere. For the first time since we started dancing. "Yeah, I know you do, that's not the problem. That was a slip-up, when we did it the first time, a really risky one, at that. Can we really handle one that hot today?"

I was thinking, I've been good all day, it was a request, and I NEED this...So where's bad. I'll make it happen… but it wasn't till we did it and I looked at Quinn's face that I saw it. She hadn't said that warning because she didn't want me to slip up, or she didn't trust me. She'd said it because she was just as turned on as I was and she could barely handle it when we locked eyes again. Because it was written all over both of our faces for a blink, and I thought she was worried about someone else noticing.

But as the free dance music for the slot after every serious dance class cracked up so loud. Breaking the spell and when I glanced around us, everyone was already freestyling. I grabbed her waist and kept her there for a moment. Because I realized. She'd been just as terrified of showing me that look on her face, because now I know what it meant.

I whispered to her, "You're beautiful, don't be so shy. I've never seen you so confident and relaxed for our dance before today."

"Till now," she whispered back, almost full turtling back into her usual self-conscious self. Her shoulders wanted to come up over her ears. "Look how it all backfired."

While I still had her I told her in quietly as I could, to still be heard over the music. "Don't be like that, I wanna know whenever I can make you feel that way. Otherwise I'm going to think it's always only me. The same way you felt with Mark." I thanked her for letting me see. While she was walking away still trying to wipe the flush from her face. How had I never noticed THAT before now.

And why weren't the sprinklers turning on to put out THIS fire! Damn! Quinn really did need to check those things before summer vacation. That can't be safe for ANYONE!

(Zoey's Perspective)

Call me crazy, but I'm still not a part of all of this Prom pandemonium. I know it's less than two weeks away. I still have no idea what I'm doing, are we eating before or after Prom? Are we going to any of the after-prom spots, or will we be hitting the make-up dance the following Saturday? That's the chance for ANYONE who missed any dance all year to make that up (Even if you haven't missed a dance it's the biggest last blowout every year! Nobody's even talking about that yet… it's all Prom, Prom PROM!).

I have no dress, no shoes, no corsage selections, no jewelry picked out or hairstyles planned… None of it… And I really always thought I'd be more into all of this when it got here. I used to have a prom Queen Barbie! Who didn't?

But now it's nearly here and I'm still… I don't know… bored with it.

All I've got is a date with my boyfriend because he asked me. Like a month ago he asked me, and the day circled in red on the dorm room's calendar hanging on the wall. Which I think belongs to Lola, I don't see Quinn picking the sexy firefighter's calendar of Lola's hometown. And that's not James' fault, he keeps trying to plan things and hint around for clues as everyone else is trying to plan their Prom night out. I just… I can't seem to get excited about it… any of it. For some reason, I don't even know.

I know that must mean something's wrong with me. But I still have no idea what that could be. I mean… everybody else can't go five minutes without mentioning it. Or planning dance practices with their dates so they look good dancing together. Which James and I have been doing too… that's been fun.

But I don't know, it just all seems like… a lot of work and… I feel so uninspired.

So instead of dwelling on all of the things I DON'T know and CAN'T help. I have been focusing on the things I could do. Things that could motivate me back into the right attitude for this overrated right of passage.

Which surprisingly has been the possibility of Logan and Quinn, being a thing. Ever since I've noticed Logan having an undeniable soft spot for Quinn. And I've only been drawing more and more evidence to back that theory up ever since (with Vince more than anyone… but Lisa too). I've been wondering at several things I never have before.

The looks he gives her, the way he always seems to be watching her, listening to her better than anyone, or even the way he lights up when she's mentioned. The way he's never looked happier lately, than when he's dancing with Quinn. Today had been the best yet because some of the heat from their dances yesterday had spilled over into the dance they'd been teaching us all along. Quinn had been confident and more flirty out there. And after that final dip, WHOO!

Little sweet and innocent Lisa grabbed me and said, "He's gonna wish he was back in Greenland, he's gonna need an ice bucket … Hell! I need one after that."

I laughed with her as I admitted, "Me too!"

I have been really trying to think of a way. That we could subtly test Quinn's side of things. To see how she thinks or feels about Logan. Because I really do think there could be something there on BOTH sides. I hope there is! But Quinn is not always the easiest person to interpret. I wasn't gonna try anything too weird, or obvious, really. Just something that could make her react on any feelings she might or might not be carrying for him. Because I really wondered if Quinn had any clue, that Logan's interested. And it's tricky because Quinn's so flipping smart! It hasn't been easy thinking up ways of doing this.

She's brilliant but she can be so oblivious to her impact on people.

So instead of thinking up a way to fool her. I had planned to test this theory when the right instance came along. And I kind of hoped for Vince and Lisa to be around for it too. Because they're both so insightful and open to the idea… I had no idea that would be Lola biting Logan's ear. Because honestly, I never would have thought of that happening in the first place. But as my grandfather always says to my grandma whenever she catches him cheating at golf or bingo, "You gotta take your wins in life wherever you can."

But Lola did bite Logan and now I'm sitting with our friends after dance class, in the bleachers. My feet hurt, so my shoes are off. But so were everyone else's, even the boys. I had my legs all folded up comfortably beneath me. Trying to feel more relaxed since this dance practice had gone so much better than all of our most recent ones. We were all starting to look and feel like we knew what we were doing.

Lola was memorizing a script she was supposed to know off-book by tomorrow. Lisa was helping her run lines. Vince and Michael were slightly away from us exchanging history notes and tips for exams that they'd heard comparing their different teachers. It was a very chill atmosphere. The practice skirt I'd gotten today was turquoise, but it was also torn all the way around the bottom seam by someone we'd worn it before me. Not caring in the least, James' head was in my lap, and he was almost asleep as he hugged my legs tight like a pillow.

That was when I got the reaction I've been HOPING for.

Quinn marched up and asked, "Any of you want to kindly explain to me why I had to just tape Logan's ear back together? You know, before class?"

I supplied, "Lola bit him. And no, I have no clue why even though I saw it happen."

Vince was hearing about this for the first time. "Wait a minute? Lola, bit someone? My Lola? And his ear had to be taped back together?" Vince repeated, hoping he'd heard wrong.

Lola waved off, "Quinn's over-dramatizing, I didn't bite him that hard."

"No," Quinn rationalized. "Just hard enough for four of your teeth to draw blood. And you've treated him before, you know how he carried on. You would think I'd put him through major reconstructive surgery… but he'll live. The point of this query is to ask you WHY?"

Lola shrugged, "I saw my chance, I took it. Nothing more."

Quinn said, "Well, may I suggest that the next time you get another idea like that. Maybe bite a boy who's a little less fussy and who actually belongs to you. Not that I'm saying to bite Vince, unless he's into that… The POINT is! You can't just go around sinking your teeth into anybody. You're a person, not an alligator."

But Vince had seen his chance, and he was taking it. He just HAD to stir the pot, as I was hoping he would. "Not that I'm not agreeing with you, Quinn. That babe, you should only be biting me, and not that hard, please."

"Okay." Lola chirped happily. Giving Vince a kiss on the cheek.

Vince continued, "But Logan is a free agent, not claimed by anyone exclusively. Unless you know something we don't. You sounded like he belonged to someone."

"He doesn't, you're right, thankfully," Quinn said rather quickly. "If he had a steady girlfriend, and wasn't a complete dog, Lola would have to watch her back." She said pushing up her glasses on her nose. "But Prom is in less than two weeks now and he's bound to be looking for a date. I'm sure he'll still have plenty of options, but he shouldn't have to explain that one of his best girl friends took a chunk out of his ear because she felt like it. It doesn't really set us off on the right foot with whoever he ends up taking." She'd done a great job of rationalizing, but she seemed a little keyed up and nervous somehow.

Lola wrapped her arms around Vince's shoulders from behind and told Quinn to, "Aww! Lighten up Quinn! It's not like anyone dating Logan will stick around for another date AFTER that."

Quinn smirked and reminded Lola, "There was once a time the same could be said for anyone you dated, Lola."

"QUINN!" Lola complained and covered Vince's ears. Even though he laughed and assured, that he'd already known that.

"I'm not saying things haven't changed," Quinn said holding her hands up in surrender. "I'm just saying maybe don't judge him too much. Who are any of us to say we have any of this relationship stuff figured out any better than he does?"

Vince acknowledged, "Sure, totally not you defending him… AGAIN."

And that made me wonder out loud. "Any chance he'd take you?"

"Excuse Me?" Quinn asked me.

I specified, "Logan, he has had plenty of girls asking him, but he hasn't asked anyone yet. Has he? Is there any chance he would ask you? To the Prom?"

"Me?" Quinn asked in a high-pitched voice that sounded a little strangled and panicked to me. "Why would you even ask or think that?"

James said, from my lap, all sleepily. Eyes not even open, "He has been dancing with you more than anyone. In and outside of class. You're both famous for it all throughout campus, even inspired a club that meets on Saturday nights. I think what Zo's asking is more why hasn't he asked you?"

Vince backed James up, "He claims he's only ALWAYS dancing with you because you're the best. And You Are! But we can also see how he lights up around you, how you light up each other. And you still don't have a date yet either, do you?"

She admitted, "No, not yet. But I'm not so worried about that, I'm perfectly happy to go stag if I must. I'm not missing that Prom for nothing. No matter how inconvenient it will be for Brooke when I show up."

"For Brooke?" Lola repeated.

"Why even bring up that heifer?" Lisa asked.

All before I could ask, "What makes you say that?"

Quinn explained, "Some really stupid rumors I've been dodging all day. But don't worry, I'm already working on a solution. If I need any help you'll be the first to know. But for now, I've got it covered."

I had to ask while I could, "What if Logan did happen to ask you? Even if just to go as friends? What would you say?"

Quinn's smiled sadly and said, "That… would never happen. This is Logan we're talking about, he's great but he's also got a reputation to uphold. He's probably had five more girls ask him just during this class period alone. He's not going to have any shortage of offers. And even if he did-"

Lola finished for her, "You're probably the last person on planet Earth he'd ask. You or me, one of us is last… maybe you're second to last, Quinn."

AND QUINN LOOKED SAD! YAY! Not that my friend is sad, God no! But these thoughts had made her look sad. That means there could be two sides to this very new thing happening here… or was it really all that new?

Even if Quinn said, "See, I'm second to last on the planet. I'm not the only one saying so."

As if on cue, Logan showed up next to her and said, "Come on guys, class is over. We've still got other classes to get to. Go change before we're all late." But he caught Quinn's hand and said, "Not you, just yet, Gleb and Paulina need to talk to us."

Then he hurried us on, but held Quinn's hand the whole time and pulled her along with him back over to Paulina and Gleb. To talk about something they'd needed her input on.

SHE WAS SAD! She's totally thought about it, she would totally go with him if he'd asked her. Shut UP! AND this time! She could possibly have a relationship that wouldn't be so damn lope-sided and one-sided… so unrequited! Because Logan is dead gone on her too. I just know it!

Lisa and me were gushing off to the side, when Lola wasn't listening. I could have shot her for not reading the room back there. Even though it had been helpful to my perspective… Why did she feel the need to keep talking like that when Quinn is obviously affected by it?! Did she really not notice our bespeckled friend's arms crossing in front of her? The way she'd still kind of sadly looked at him when he showed up. Have I really been this blind too?

But Vince too! Had noticed that Quinn has totally thought about it and wouldn't mind going with him. And we three promised to keep this on the down low. Because we thought nobody else was interested. I really did believe that.

But James surprised me, once again with his greatness. When he'd asked me in our next class, "So… you think Quinn wants Logan to ask her to the dance now too? Don't you?"

"You think I'm crazy don't you?" I asked him.

But James just smiled. "I've never had a friend, let alone a girlfriend, who cared about all of her friends the way that you do. You're not the kind of girl a guy finds just anywhere, you know?"

I tried to explain, "When Quinn started liking Mark, I helped them get together. She said she had a crush on him and he wasn't into her at all. I saw that change, I though he really liked her and treated her, the best that he could. Since that's gone so much more terribly wrong for Quinn. I keep wishing for some way to make it up to her. If she were to have a good date to Prom. Someone I knew wouldn't hurt her, that would be… better than going stag! For sure! And Mark could eat his heart out a little if it's someone attractive, popular or who treats her like a person. And not a pet rock!"

James agreed, "He really didn't treat her very well at all. And she loved him… clearly, to be as hurt as she was."

Not meaning to, I ended up confessing to my boyfriend, "Everything has been so nuts since I got back from London. Since Chase left, since you arrived and Quinn got her heart broken, Vince came back and now he's with Lola… but I know that I just don't want Quinn's Prom night ruined because of Del Figgalo's Crap or the sci-clubs Bull. If Logan is the best person for that and he'll treat her right and make her happy… why shouldn't that happen? Especially if it would probably make him happiest too?"

"It does seem to mean a lot to Quinn, and Logan. He's being very selective about who he's considering to take." James agreed. Before he asked, "But… why doesn't all of this Prom stuff seem to mean more to you?"

"What?" I asked and he pinned me neatly in place with his next words.

"Everyone else can't stop thinking about, talking about Prom. And the only time I hear you mentioning it is if you're talking about this. It's never about what we're doing, or any of our plans… Why is that?"

And I felt like I had to be honest with him. So I told him, "I don't know… I'm just not as into it as I thought I would be."

James put and arm around me and kissed my forehead. Guessing, "Maybe you're just tired from all of the extra hours we've been dancing together. I'm sure when Prom gets here it'll be a blast, because we'll be together and we'll totally be dancing with all of our friends too."

"I hope you're right." I said, and I really did hope he was right. That I could get out of this slump I was in and that we could still have a great time together. ALL of us!...

But even if all of us do go, have dates and have fun… someone will still be missing… and I don't know why that makes my heart hurt. Just even thinking his name…

Was this about… Chase? No! NO! I'm crazy, that's not… why would that even- it couldn't be that!

"Miss Brooks!" The teacher called.

I answered quickly, "Yes ma'am?"

"Finish the equation on the board." She commanded handing me a dry-erase marker for the board that smelled like cough syrup even if the marker claimed it was raspberry. I'd like to give her a raspberry! But instead, I smiled, took the marker, and said, "Sure, thing." While I prayed I remembered this theory correctly.

Maybe the field trip to 'Mistic Mountain' was just what I needed. What we all needed! Maybe we were all just too stressed out about exams and Prom to enjoy it. Yeah, a day of running around with friends and classmates. It may even be a day and night we never forget. Or maybe that would be more of our Prom night? Who knows, all I do know is that I'm gonna have to pray for better days and understanding ahead. And I'm gonna totally need to begin this equation again, my numbers all look more like letters.

((Vince's Perspective))

I heard some whispers and giggles behind me in class… The gossipy kind. And I thought I'd heard a friend's name mentioned in there too. But I really did think that there was no way this friend would be getting whispered about. Not when she's dedicating so much of her time to helping SO MANY other people around her. I've even seen her helping teachers understand their material better… No one was that heartless, right?

Wrong!

It turns out my new group of friends really are as rare as I've believed all along. And that Brooke person… is just another self-obsessed show pony. But even horses don't put down others to feel big. That's the only way I can still identify her as human and not slime. Apparently, she and her friends are spreading all kinds of tales about Quinn. Things so gross I didn't even feel right repeating them. They were personal and completely fabricated, they HAD to be. Brooke was hoping she won't get asked out for Prom, and apparently, this plan hasn't been working. Quinn has been getting asked regularly around campus.

So today, this Brooke person upped her game. Because I kept noticing younger girls whispering in the halls. I noticed Brooke's followers [I remembered seeing them at the auction] were boasting about how well Brooke's plan had finally worked. Especially when she had started using stories Mark had told her as inspiration.

Needing to do SOMETHING… ANYTHING to not let these cheap floozies win. I turned to James and asked him what I should do. Because of all of the new friends I've made. I think he may be the person I've gotten the closest to, besides Lola [of course].

At first he was thinking Zoey was the best person to talk to. But even he admitted to being biased, he turns to her for nearly everything since they've gotten together. I can't even blame him, I feel the same about Lola. But I didn't even feel like Lola would take this seriously as I would like, Zoey may not either.

Before we could even begin looking for her, James had another idea. Because another one of our friends had just walked into sight. A person that both of us believe could possibly care for Quinn far more than he's letting on… Okay, maybe that's all me. But James believes me enough to turn me around and point him out saying. "Maybe Logan can be an even bigger help on this. Whether he likes her or not."

I agreed with him! "Let's tell him."

James helped me strike up the conversation. Not only is he Logan's current roommate, but he's been on Reese's good side longer than me too. James greeted, "Hey Logan, where are you heading?"

"Uh, the library for some studying? Why?" He'd answered.

James asked, "Again? Wow, great to hear you're preparing for your exams like that."

"I study… I do…" He got defensive, as he always does when I'm around.

I said, "We know you do, I just really needed to talk to someone about what I just heard in my last class period-"

Logan tried to dodge us, "Can't it wait, I'm supposed to be-"

James said, "It could… but it might be dangerous if we let it spread much further."

Logan did ask, "Spread? What in the hell are you two talking about?"

I tried to cut the chase, "I've been hearing rumors about Quinn all day."

"Quinn?" He repeated, before asking. "What rumors?"

I repeated the ones I'd heard and Logan practically growled, he'd been hearing the SAME things. In his last class, but he didn't know who was making them up. I told him I'd heard Brooke's clique singing her praises, even saying how they'd been twisting stories they heard from Mark. All so that she wouldn't have a date to Prom.

He asked me, "Are you sure they're the ones who did it?"

I assured him, "Oh! I'm certain, I recognized all of their terrible faces at the kiss auction." After that, I asked Logan, "What can we do to stop this?"

He told me, "Don't worry about it! I'll take care of it, you guys just let me know when the whispers stop. Leave it to me." And he was gone in a flash. Still heading for the library, but with a new purpose now.

I really hoped he could help her. While James told me, "I know he's a jerk sometimes, but he's kind of a master string-puller too…If anyone can help, he can."

And I really hoped James was right... while I also couldn't help but hope that maybe... just maybe! This could be the push he needed to ask her out himself. I hadn't thought of it when James suggested speaking to him. But I was totally thinking after he'd said, 'he would take care of it.' Can you blame me?

(Logan's Perspective)

I still had to go to the library, just like I told Vince and James. But I was't gonna tell them it was for tutoring. I also wasn't going to let them know I had a meeting with the Dean I had to go to either. Hopefully giving EVERYONE a trip to 'Mystic Mountain' and not just Quinn's class. I wasn't gonna let them into any of those plans just yet. I also wasn't gonna get into why Quinn wasn't tutoring me (Which is because we always end up making out everytime we try and we're alone. Even if I do still learn something every time). I also heard a few other ugly rumors while I was there. So I started spreading some rumors of my very own. Like how James grandma is always leaving him messages sang like a musical on our answering machine. And Chase is being a real ladies man in London.

Chase wouldn't mind when I explained to him what's been happening. Who cares if Zoey hears it, She's dating JAMES! She'll know it not true. And if she doesn't then she's a lot dumber than I thought.

But none of them were strong enough, funny enough. I needed something good if I was gonna squash these bitches. I needed to shut them down! So KNOWING I was gonna regret it, and that Michael was gonna kill me for this. I started spreading the rumor about him being scared of rollercoasters.

Which isn't a rumor at all, it's true!

So that's how I ended up hanging upside down covered in spitballs Michael and Lola shot at me. Until Michael finally let me drop and started to talk about overcoming his fear. Because I told the whole school about Michael being terrified of Rollercoasters… The WHOLE school.

I couldn't tell him why, he wouldn't listen to me, he was too mad. Lola just didn't let the opportunity to make it worse pass her by if you ask me. That's why she'd been spitting spit balls too.

Worst of all was when I had been talking to Quinn on our dorm's landline and I had just gotten out my story about Michael (forgetting this had all happened in her class today too)… That was when Michael had caught up to me and overpowered me. Before I could even hang up with her or know what was happening, I was tied up and hung upside down… It's not the first time this has happened. I hung there long enough for all the blood to rush to my head and give me a splitting headache.

So when he finally let me drop, before he left with our friends. I just lay there, on the floor on my back still covered in spitballs. And still recovering from having the wind knocked out of me when he'd dropped me on the floor. My head ached, I couldn't focus my eyes. When I thought I was alone… Quinn came and found me.

I heard her call out quietly after closing our dorm room door. "Baby? Are you alright?"

I told her, "Don't look at me." I wanted to cover my face, but I was still tied up pretty good. I know my arms hadn't been originally tied up by Michael. But I was so silly and out of it, I'd tangled myself pretty good in the rope trying to finish untying myself.

She found me anyway, still laying on the floor where Michael had let me drop. And still covered in spitballs. Quinn came over and immediately started helping untie me better. She did say, "Wow! Didn't know you were into this sort of thing."

I laughed, even though it hurt everywhere, and told her, "You know I'm not! And if I were, I would have already used that trick by now."

"I'm not judging, I'm just checking to see if you're alright. I can't believe I'm hoping Michael did this as some bizarre punishment-"

"He did," I let her know.

She started tugging on the knots, claiming. "Yep, this looks like Michael's sloppy work. He thinks he's an expert, even though I've shown him numerous times, that he isn't."

"Are you?" I asked trying to flirt and she flirted back.

"Let's just say if this had been my work you wouldn't have been able to move at all until I wanted you to." She informed me.

And I accused, "So not fair telling me something like that when I'm tied up like this." I said moving around as she laughed.

"Please tell me those aren't spitballs?"

"They are, Michael's mostly but some are Lola's too." I explained and her face was priceless. I explained, "Michael can't beat me up, all the time when he's mad because I'm his friend so he usually gets creative like this with his punishments."

"Why in the world would you tell such a secret about one of you're best friends? If not your best friend? Even if it is true?" She asked.

But I didn't want to tell her about the terrible things people had been saying about her. I didn't want her to even know any of that had been happening. Any of what Vince had heard or what I had heard myself. But before I could even think up a good lie, she was already asking, "This wouldn't by chance be about the rumors Brooke and her harlots started about me, now? Would it?"

I tried to tell her it didn't but she saw right through me and kissed me anyway. Well, it was a peck I felt bad accepting because a few of those spitballs went into my mouth. Saying, "Thanks for trying to help. But I already took care of them and they won't be messing with me again."

"What makes you so sure?" I had to know how she'd pulled that off.

She promised, "I'll tell you later, why don't you go take a shower first, and try to feel a little better first. Then we'll get some dinner. Just us, I'll tell you all about it. As well as my plans to help Michael conquer his fears that I've been thinking about all day. You know when I wasn't taking down Mark's Temptress and her Trollop Twin Besties. But maybe let me handle that, I really don't want Michael killing you." She'd said smacking her folder full of blueprints. She finished helping me untangle myself from the rope and asked, "How's that sound?"

"Perfect." I breathed as I let her help me up.

When I was standing again I swayed around all dizzy. She guided me by holding on to my waist and laughing as she told me. "If anyone asks I'm tutoring you though, that's our story we're sticking to that… okay?"

"Yeah, that makes more sense than the truth right now, but that could be because of the upside-down part."

"I beg your pardon," Quinn said in that sassy way. DAMN! Why did they have to cover me in other people's spit? I can't really do anything till I clean up and that little peck she'd snuck earlier. NOT FAIR! I wanted to really kiss her, we were alone, this was BULL #$%! I had to agree, that a shower had to happen first. That was step one. But looking at her, all four of her… I really didn't want to go anywhere.

"Michael had me tied up and hung upside down till all the blood rushed to my head. So, I'm kinda silly right now." As I nearly fell two more times, Quinn laughed and helped me grab what I needed for a shower and then helped me get out my door.

She advised, "Careful you don't faint in there, don't let the water run too hot. It'll only make that feeling worse."

Which was good advice, that I took, but that doesn't work when all the guys around me. Ran their showers as hot as they could go. I almost passed out twice. But the important thing is I didn't. I did clean up and then straightened out. It just took a minute.

When I came back out, clean, and was getting dressed. I realized Quinn had helped me in my trippy dizziness and she'd picked out my clothes for me to wear when I was grabbing aimlessly in my closet… she'd put these things in my hand, while she claimed whatever I had grabbed myself didn't match… that, and I think it was two shirts. I'd grabbed other things I needed (my shower stuff, underwear… you know essentials). Which was a first, she'd never picked anything like that for me before. So I was looking at the things she'd picked a little differently now. Red shirt and Black shorts that were already favorites. But now they had a whole new reason to be.

When I was heading back to my dorm, I ran into Michael and James as they were leaving.

Michael who was supposed to be too mad to even be talking to me told me, "Take all the time you need in there, good buddy."

While James said, "Yeah, we're both off to spend the rest of the night with our girlfriends. Dancing or studying-"

Michael finished for him. "Or making out till curfew! Hope we DON'T see ya SOONER! BUH BYE!" He said running past me and ruffling my hair. While James thumbs-upped me and waved.

Why are all of my friends so flipping WEIRD?!

Things all made better sense when I was back in my dorm which was looking like Dr. Frankenstein had moved in and had taken over the coffee table. My girlfriend was on her knees in a lab coat, heat protective gloves and safety googles. Greeting me, "Hey Baby, feeling any better now that you're no longer bamboozled in our friend's collective spitwads?"

"Sure," I said as I locked the door and told her. "Sounds like we have the place to ourselves for a while. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" I said as I came in got behind her put my arms around her and started kissing my way down the back of her neck.

She laughed, "I may have t-told Michael about my plans to help him overcome his f-fear. And also promised James-James some more mac n cheese if they let me use this place as a lab and tutoring classroom, just for tonight. We have till curfew unless you want to g-go- That tickles!"

I dipped her backwards [towards the couch] and planted a kiss on her lips that hopefully let her know how much I had been holding back when I'd left earlier. While she was still tilted back I put myself between her body and the coffee table full of mad science. Her head was pillowed on the couch cushions behind her, till we stopped and asked. "Was that really you earlier teasing about tying me up. Or did I just think I heard that because Michael kinda dropped me on my head?"

She giggled happily, "That was really me and I would have tied you back up my way if you weren't covered in masticated projectiles."

"Damn," I complained pulling her into another kiss that she laughed through. Nothing is better than the feeling of that laughter tickling my throat. Before I made her promise me to save that for another night.

She promised, and then I asked her, "So what's with all the chaos behind me? I know you didn't just build all of this to pass as tutoring."

"Nope," She smiled, "You guessed right, since I promised you dinner with just us and I promised to cook for you sometime. I thought tonight could be a goodnight."

"You're cooking dinner? Right now?"

"Uh-Huh," She smiled before adding shyly, "Is that okay?"

"Are you kidding?! That's AWESOME!" I hugged her before I asked. "Can I help?"

"Yes, but hold on… just let me." She changed around all kinds of glassware that had been heating over bunson burners. To let some cool and others have a chance to cook. Then when she'd changed every single one she turned back to me and took my hand. I had no idea what she was making but everything smelled FANTASTIC.

She took me over to the single bed, which was my bed. And she helped me into a heavy apron first that matched hers, expertly tying it around my waist. Then she draped a lab coat around me and helped me into the sleeves explaining. "Some of these beakers and test tubes can sputter when they're really bubbling. I don't want to take any chances of you getting burned. Okay? I promise this can all come off when it's done."

She'd left it wide open I had to hug her and ask, "Really? You want it all off?"

"LoGAN!" She complained but let me steal a few kisses. "You know, that's not what I meant."

"You said all and you were pretty turned on today in dance class…" I lingered by her ear, "Not that you were the only one."

"God!" She said before pulling me into another kiss that even shocked me how hot it got. When she pulled away she complained. "You had to flirt while wearing all of this science gear too-"

"What's that?" I asked, wearing a grin that was making my cheeks ache. It was too mischievous. I asked, "Are you saying that seeing me dressed like this is having some kind of effect on you, maybe even as much as dance class?"

"No… no, to say something like that to you would be completely confounded." She said turning away from me and crossing her arms.

I put my arms around her waist and pulled her against me, to whisper directly in her ear. "But between you and me, is it doing something for you?"

"Yes." She said begrudgingly.

"Yeeeeeeah," I drew out and she smiled whispering.

"One might even say this is the worst affect of ALL. But you didn't hear that from me, I could never give you that much power over me, willingly. I know you'd use it for evil at some point, and I just couldn't do that." She did her best to stay firm. Still not looking at me and facing away.

I kissed her forehead, her neck and her shoulder as I promised, "I will never abuse this power. I swear on my game systems that I will ONLY use this for good… and when I REALLY need you attention and seriousness. Or maybe just when I want this reaction." I'd just said before I pulled her into a deep kiss, that she'd returned too well to seal the promise.

Before we stopped she grabbed me into one last kiss. And whispered, "It's probably a blessing that we're not ALWAYS in the same lab together. If I had to see you like this every day, I might have to take drastic measures to control myself."

"Like what?" I had to know.

She said, "I'm not sure, maybe I'd be using rope to tie myself to my seat. But really you are too damn cute, and if we don't get back over there. Dinner's gonna burn. So… let's get to work- Oh! Wait a minute!" Then she pulled out a heavy duty pair of protective gloves. Like the ones already protecting her hands. She helped me slip into them telling me, "If you wanna touch anything on that table's surface. Even the metal table itself right now, you're gonna need these. Trust me."

"I do, you know." I said as she looked up at me with question marks. "I trust you." I let her know and she smiled.

"Quit distracting me, or we'll end up calling for pizza." She warned. Before she pulled me back over to her workstation and got to work. I have no idea, even now all that she'd fixed. But EVERYTHING was INCREDIBLE. I even had to agree with James about the Mac n' Cheese too. It was so good Quinn had to stop me from eating James' share of that. Quinn's traveled all over the world with her parents. Just like I've traveled with my Dad for his work and crazy vacation plots during his time off. While all of it seemed like a blur to me, because of the whirlwind way my Dad always ends up doing things in the movie biz. It seems that unlike me, Quinn has studied all the different cultures, she picked up a few talents along the way in cooking and now I wished I could have done the same. The things that she has learned to cook were all things I'd never had before. And I couldn't remember anything tasting like that before, in the best way.

So after dinner, when I'd coaxed Quinn to come sit with me on the single bed. Because the couch was covered in boxes of reboxed glassware and lab equipment labeled "FOOD SAFE" in all caps. And the Coffee table was still way too hot to the touch.

Quinn began to ramble the moment we were close to sitting on it, "Did you know that I have to keep my chemistry set separate from my food-safe kit? Yeah, once such heavy chemicals have been used. It's hazardous to let something you plan to ingest touch it. Even though it's been cleaned, sanitized and is glass."

She was nervous, clearly, and I told her. "Quinn, nothing's gonna happen and we're just sitting here while all that stuff's there. It's just a place to sit, I promise… okay?"

She let out a breath before letting me hold her and saying. "Okay."

I told her, "Don't be nervous, it's just us and I'm never gonna do something you're not ready for."

"I know," She admitted before just saying. "It's been a big week already and it's just starting. We've both admitted to being... "turned on" by the other... the first time-"

"But it wasn't the first time it happened." I corrected, trying to be cute and get her to relax more.

She did smile a little more as she said, "Yeah I know, same here, I kept thinking it but never said it."

Now I was saying, "Same here. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna try something. Okay? It just means we're on the same page and we're… you know… thinking about stuff."

"Yes…" She sighed against my neck. "That is what it means. Thank you for saying it so clearly."

"Was that it? That's why you were so anxious just now, about sitting here?" I tried to understand how she must have been feeling.

She explained, "Well, you are my boyfriend, even if it is in secret, this is your bed and… I know that so… Yeah, I guess so..."

I reminded her, "We've lain in your's before together, in your dorm. We've laid together in the infirmary a few times [nearly every time one of them was in the infirmary wink-wink] and on our trip I visited your room once and remember the pillow fight [chapters 18 & 19]."

"Yeah," she said, but didn't sound too convinced. "But when we were together in my bed I was passed out from exhaustion [Chapter2-winkwink!], that was so at the beginning I remember less of it now than then and it was the lower bunk so you kept hitting your head. You moved us before I even woke up."

"But it happened." I still held on to facts.

Quinn went on, "In the infirmary… that wasn't either of our personal beds that was a hospital cot free for anyone more like our bench-"

"Our bench?" I repeated.

"You know, the one where all this started." She said, but she was all panicked.

"Yeah, I do... it was just really nice to hear you call it that." I tried to flirt and get her to relax.

But she was still flipping out. "It's different, sitting here knowing this is your personal space. And on our trip, I barely got to use that bed because we kept sleeping together on the couch."

"How's it really that different, it was a bed and we were in it?" I asked, tacking on. "And nothing serious happened besides some major making out a few times."

"I just…" She tried to explain and I could feel her hands twisting around behind me like that would somehow help her explain. "This is gonna sound terrible, really. But I'm just starting to realize that I'm not used to anyone liking me this much back… apparently?" I couldn't help it I chuckled. Quinn went on explaining, "Because Mark would never let me near his bed. Now we're on yours and I'm just affected… I don't mean to be… but I am. Just sitting here with you. Just kissing you and… I know that's pathetic-"

"No, it's not, because I am too. Believe me." I had to let her know. "Since we've been dancing more and since you've been getting so much more confident in those rehearsals. I have been having the hardest time sleeping here, at night. Even on the nights, we do get to make out some before bed."

"You really have?" She asked me adorably. When I shook my head up and down, she lay flat beside me on her back and again she breathed. "I thought that was ALL just me."

"Nope, me too, and where are you going get back over here." I tugged her back to me. "But after this little bit of time here with you. I think it'll be a little easier now."

"Really? Why? How?" She asked all eyes sparkling with wonder.

I let her know. "It's not just hard to sleep because I want you so much or even knowing you want me. It's also hard because I miss you so much. I can barely stand it."

"Logan," she said softly, before admitting, "That's the exact same way I feel."

I shared, while we were at it. "And you should probably know that, No one… has ever cooked like that for me before."

"My methods are quite unorthodox aren't they?" She smirked self-consciously. As she adjusted more to sitting with me the way we had in the gym earlier. When she'd sat in my lap facing me, only now I was flat on my back and she was on top of me.

"No, that's not what I mean." I tried to explain. "You know my mom's not really in the picture, at all. My Dad doesn't really cook or bake things… he grills, which is completely different. It's easy enough that he taught me how, otherwise we always eat out and he has world-class chefs working for us at home and whenever I'm with him on the road. Home-cooked meals were only something I experienced whenever I got to be with my Dad's parents."

"Your grandparent's who were at your Dad's almost wedding?" She asked me and I nodded.

"This is the first time I ever had anyone cook like that, just for me besides them. If you'd used pots and pans, I would still be saying that to you right now." I tried again to make her understand how much this meant to me, and still fell short.

Because she had to ask, "Was it a good thing? Because if it wasn't I understand, and I promise I won't-"

But she'd relaxed enough at this point where I knew it was okay to kiss her. And I'd kept kissing her until she'd gone limp in my hold and till she had climbed completely on top of me. As we'd laid flat across the foot of the bed. "It's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me… really… even though that hot tub stunt was up there too [chapter 20]."

She gave me an extra squeeze and said, "I'm so glad you liked it."

I had to bring up, "That isn't the only first tonight either, you also picked out these clothes for me when I couldn't see straight."

She said, "Well I couldn't have you walk all the way to the showers. To realize not only had you grabbed two shirts, but I don't think either of them were even yours. They both looked like they would tent you. So I'm guessing they were Michael's or James'." She smiled, still pinning me happily in place. Our bodies fit together like puzzle pieces, cut to fit against the other perfectly. And I couldn't think of having to say goodnight… I wouldn't, till I had to.

"These may be my favorites for a whole new reason now," I told her and she bumped my nose with hers.

"So after a day that started off with me mad at you. Then consisted of you getting bitten and tortured by our friends. Did this at least make your night a little better?"

"It did, but it's still missing the two things," I said, knowing there were still two things that needed clearing up. Then I told her, "Still have to tell me how you stopped Brooke's rumors first."

"Oh right!" Quinn realized she'd completely forgotten. But I had been bringing my A-game to relax her. I almost forgot too, if I'm being honest.

"That was easy," Quinn claimed but I didn't believe her. "I just had to confront Brooke about it in the audio-visual lab and let, Jeremiah Trottman do the rest of the work for me. I knew he wouldn't be able to resist a scoop like that one. Happening right in his lab and where multiple girls were corner Brook on her slaughter."

I cut in, "So I really didn't need to tell Michael's secret to everyone?"

"No, you didn't," She spelled out, but she thanked me anyway and said. "I can't think of anyone else who would risk so much just to help me, like you did."

At least she appreciated it.

She went on talking about Brooke's confrontation. "I was just one case she'd tried to sabotage. There were at least twelve other girls that found their way to the lab. They all called her out over the live newsfeed too. Brooke made up stories about all kinds of people she didn't want to see at her prom. She's acting like she's already the Prom Queen, even though the voting hasn't narrowed down that far yet. It's still anyone's game."

"Who did you vote for? I didn't like any of the choices." I asked with a grin and she really did trap me now.

"Logan! Lola was on that ballot." She said fully sitting on my chest. I tried not to show how much I was loving this, but I couldn't stop laughing.

"Yeah, and you heard what I said. I didn't see anyone on the ballot I liked." I laughed even though she was trying to scold me.

"Lola was on there, So was Lisa, Zoey, Stacey, Mo… they were first ballots so they had EVERYBODY who signed up. Even Rebecca's name was on there, and she's been suspended for the stink bombing thing [chapter 12]. And you had trouble voting? Even though you had to vote for more than one?"

"Why weren't you on there?" I asked her, because I had been wondering since I noticed she was the only person NOT on that paper.

She said, "Are you kidding? I'm not Prom Queen material, I'm nowhere nearly popular enough for something like that."

"Well, you got one of my votes, I wrote your name in the blank and I don't think I'm the only one who did. I know Lisa and Vince both wrote you in too. We were all in that same class period together. And the ballot said, to 'write in anyone who the Prom council missed.' Who even is the Prom Council Anyways?"

She shrugged, "Beats me."

I got back to my point, "Anyways If Vince and Lisa did that and I didn't even tell them I had. I bet our other friends have too. Who knows who else thought of you too."

"Well, that's very sweet of you, and them if they did that… but believe me those few mentions of my name are not gonna pull off an underdog win of epic portions. It's just gonna be something we laugh about at reunions years from now."

"I don't know Pensky," I shrugged. "You did go on the news tonight and bust Brooke for being a total bitch to a lot more people than just you. Not to mention, you've been pretty famous for teaching a lot of people a lot of different things. Dance isn't the only thing like me either, and I was on the King ballot, I'm just not all that shocked."

"Did you even sign up for that?" She asked in a tone that told me she already knew my answer before I said it.

I said it anyway, "No. I didn't need to. I go without saying… but what I'm trying to say is that I think you do too. Or you should at least be in the running."

"That's completely illogical!" Quinn tried to argue one last time before she changed the subject by reminding me. "You said there were two things that could have saved the night. One was telling you about how I stopped Brooke. What was number two because you never said?"

"Well, I was gonna ask you if we could make out till we have to say goodnight. But if you're still too nervous sitting here… We can just talk too. This has been really nice."

"It has," She snuggled me close and rolled us so that we were facing each other and she wasn't on top of me anymore. But as she pulled me to her, she giggled, "But making out would be better, and plus. We kinda have some making up to do, don't we?"

The last thing I said was "Thank God!" Before the rest of our time was spent doing just that. Making up for all the lost time today.

As long as we were together like this, all of the other stuff would work itself out. I knew we could handle anything, just as long as I got to keep her with me. Just like this.

That's all folks!

Well for this post at least! But I will be back next Thursday if not sooner with another chapter. And it too will be covering more of my hidden moments from the Rollercoaster Episode. and YES! Theme park shenanigans are being drafted as well! Yay! Can't wait for you all to see it! So I'm trying to get these all to you as fast as I can. And we're almost there! PROM is coming! So excited! Thank you to ANYONE reading these words! Please review if you can, I would love to hear from you. Hope these words are reaching you well, have a great day! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85