Disclaimer: Refer to chapter 1

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Chapter 21

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… The Next Morning…

A small sound was enough to wake London from her wistful dreamtime – or maybe nightmare – and it just so happened that Zack had rolled over on the floor and bumped his head on the hard, dull walls.

A slur of quiet swearing followed causing London to peak over the side of the bed.

"Were you on the floor all night," she asked casually, almost forgetting the events that had followed.

"Yeah," he said looking at her and stopping at that. He scratched his head slowly. Zack didn't know if he had to explain the situation that he and she, they, could not sleep in the same bed (as friends and nothing more) and not arouse suspicion – especially when they were ones who suspecting. He gulped and fluffed his hair as he stood up. Zack loosened his tie and before turning the innocent situation more awkward, he made his way to the door.

"Hey," London said sleepily and without thinking, "Do you know about insurance?"

"Wha.." was all that Zack could say, he had positively no idea where she going with this.

"Insurance. You know, everyone needs insurance… like a back up incase you get hurt." She paused, knowing she wasn't making any sense. She hardly knew how it worked herself.

"Anyway," she snapped out of her trance and continued groggily, "… I could be your insurance. You can use me when you need me. Even if you're committing insurance fraud… if you get hurt, I'll be here."

"What?" he said, his face began to heat up, "London…" But before he could say anymore London had fallen back asleep so he quickly walked out of the room.

When she was sure Zack had left, she opened her eyes and cursed herself for what she just said. Stupid, stupid, stupid, now he think's you're some physco stalker who's going to grab him the moment he gets hurt. I'm so dumb! Oh god, how am I going to face him again. She kicked her legs on the bed like a spoilt princess who didn't get a pony and buried her face into the smelly pillows. "Oh Sparkles!"

…

Zack leant against the bathroom door, his face numb from the ice cold water he splashed on his face. He clutched onto his chest, to feel the unmistakable beating of his heart.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! How can I face London again! After she finally says something nice, after all these years, I mean sincerely nice, I just leave! I can't be… NO! I can't… be falling? Can I?

Zack sighed and fell hard on the floor and took him a few moments to process what he had done. "Shit, I fell."

…

After what seemed like hours, London finally found the strength and courage to leave the crumpled bed. Or maybe it was because she heard the front door open and close. Zack had left the apartment.

She breathed out in relief and as she changed into more suitable clothing. When she had applied all her daily necessities, she made her way to the door and opened it as quietly as possible, making sure not to catch Zack's attention if he was still inside.

Luckily, the coast was clear so London made a beeline for her phone, lying on the kitchen table.

"One message," she chirped, trying her hardest to forget her utter embarrassment at a situation that shouldn't have elicited such emotions.

"London," she read out loud, that's me, she thought, "Thank you for last night. I owe you the world three times over… Tell Zack I thank him from the bottom of my heart too." She opened her eyes wide. "Cody," she finished.

After putting the pieces together, London's hand scrambled as she tried to dial his number.

"London," an enthusiastic voice answered, "I thought you'd never call!"

"Mmm," London answered, smiling that her friend had such vitality in his voice.

"I want to do something I should have done from the beginning when I first found out you were with Zack."

"Huh?" London replied.

"I'm going to clear this whole thing up with dad. I'll tell him everything. I… I… I'm not going to mess anything up again," he spoke firmly.

London could hear the smile on his lips, "Thank you Cody." Things were starting to look up.

"Everything's going to be back to normal," he laughed before he hung up.

As soon as the phone went silent, London's stomach suddenly dropped.

"Normal?" she whispered. "Does that mean everything will back to how it was? Does that mean I'll have to let go of Zack?"

London suddenly found her stomach rising but just as she released the contents of last night's dinner, she ran out of the house hoping for some escape from her fearful thoughts.

Only, the object clouding her mind was standing right in front of her and he was determined to relieve the tension between. Before London could run past, he held her shoulders. She could only melt, but found enough power to remain standing when he let go.

"Let's go eat some beef noodles," he said in a laugh.

She swore she died right there on the spot, if the sudden sound of a car breaking down didn't jolt her to life. Everything's back to normal, they both thought sadly in the back of their minds.

…

Cody left his apartment in such high spirits, it was a miracle that he wasn't defying gravity. He had just come up with a plan to ensure the happiness of all couples – meaning, London and Zack, and Bailey and himself.

He whistled Christmas carols and he marched proudly to his sports car. Aware that people were staring he stopped only to wave at those around him. Nothing was stopping him now. He was in his way to meet Bailey – and start over with her. To hold her hand and never let go.

His plan was simple anyway – he would let some time pass, for the benefit of the fathers involved and simply tell them that things didn't work out between he and London. Simply as that. All that was required was a little pretending.

He revved his car and drove to Bailey's apartment.

…

Bailey's apartment was not too far from his own. Cody hit his head on his steering wheel when he realized that he had passed her building a million times on his way to work, yet had never for one instance in time seen her.

She stood on the curb, kicking the small bits of tarmac that had flicked onto the sidewalk.

She was still as beautiful as the day she… Cody stopped thinking after he parked to the side and she cautiously got in.

"Bailey… I…" He was breathless. After years of a broken heart, it was suddenly on over drive.

"Cody," she blushed softly, her face was red from seeing the man she always loved again and also her regret for leaving him all those years ago.

They sat in his car in silence until Bailey decided to break the dream-like haze they were in.

"I left you because I couldn't get into Yale," she said as she turned her head and looked ahead.

Cody just looked at her and smiled. It was only 30 seconds later that he realized what she had said.

"WHAT!" he jumped, hitting his head on the roof of the car.

"I went to a community college here," she said quietly.

Cody's mouth dropped and resembled a perfect O.

Bailey finally turned her head back to Cody, and he saw the tears welling up and dropping from her beautiful eyes.

He was breathing loudly and his head was spinning but her took her hand, determined not to let go. A small twitch appeared on Bailey's mouth, looking like a miniscule smile. She summoned the courage to tell him the truth. She didn't want to hurt anymore.

"I'm so sorry Cody," she suddenly cried. Cody was still dead silent, "I didn't w-w-want to embarrass you! You didn't get to go but I did but then I realized that I actually couldn't. I couldn't afford it nor could I get a lone. I couldn't let you suffer for me too! I-I-I know you can never forgive me, but please, say something. Scold me, yell at me… anything! I just can't bear to see you like this. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry…"

Bailey held onto his hands as if letting go would be her demise. She kept yelling "I'm sorry" to him, but he wasn't responding. He was still as a statue.

Just before Bailey gave up, Cody regained movement in his body. Instead of lashing out on her he leant in and held her securely. She fit into his arms perfectly. All those years of pining, depression and angst swiftly lifted.

"I missed you more than I could ever believe," he breathed out. He pulled back a little so his face was only a few hairs away from her own, "And I was prepared to miss you a good deal."

With one final look into her hopeful eyes, he closed his a kissed her. She closed her own and kissed him back with as much passion. Everything was back to normal, they told themselves in sweet relief.

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A/N: Sorry for the looonnngg wait. I had just lost motivation to continue, but my annoying habit of needing things to finish has caused me to open up word and write a chapter. Yes, I have planned the future chapters (and surprisingly there's still a lot to go), my problem is actually typing them up into proper sentences and not bits of words. As much as I need things complete, my laziness is just as bad a habit. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that I am awesome! WHAT! Hahaha. Until next chapter! Still smiling!