Haley Dailey [Suite Life]

Chapter 10 - Sick Kiss

A week passed, and Haley went everywhere Zack, Cody and Bailey went. The four became pretty close. The Chris situation was behind everyone, and every time the guy came into view, all Zack would have to do was give him a mean look and he would back off. Oh, how he loved that, that he inflicted fear in someone who deserved it. Honestly, he never wanted to forgive the guy for doing what he did to Haley... and Mr. Moseby never wanted to forgive Zack for punching someone in front of passengers, but he didn't care. At least Chris learned his lesson.

Speaking of Haley, it was her turn to present her history paper. This was one that he actually did... with Haley's help. He refused to be like Chris, though, and use her—he asked for her help and she gave him ideas, and once his paper was written, she read it over and gave him pointers.

"I wrote my paper on Mary Antoinette," she began and Zack jumped out of his thoughts. She continued, and he didn't really pay attention to what she was saying. It was those eyes again... and admittedly, her mouth. He recalled how much he wanted to kiss it back in her room when he went to see if she was okay after he punched Chris. She had just drank that full bottle of water, and her lips were moist from the liquid. He couldn't help but stare and want to make his lips moist with that same water as well.

There was no stopping it... His feelings for Haley were growing faster than Woody's appetite. That was really saying something since the guy was always hungry.

Zack let out a breath. Yes, he had it bad, and for a girl who was still insulted by people because of her appearance. Sure, she had zits all over her face, but her hair was sleek, her eyes were beautiful, her mouth was intensely inviting, and her figure... Her form-fitting pink shirt and blue skinny jeans made heat travel from Zack's neck to his hairline.

Applause jolted Zack out of his thoughts and Haley went and sat down. He watched her as she did so. She sat a row over and three people in front of him. Since when did he have it bad for a girl, a girl who thought that he thought of her as just a friend?

Someone nudged him and he looked over at the guy sitting next to him. "What?" Zack asked.

"It's your turn to present. Miss Tutwiler called your name three times already."

"Oh," Zack said and stood up. He went to the front of the classroom, paper in hand, and about started speaking, but he made the mistake of looking at Haley. His voice caught up in him, and he had stage fright for the first time in his life.

"Um..." he started, not remembering a thing that he, Haley, Bailey and Woody rehearsed the night before in Cody and Woody's room. All the paper had on it were notes for his presentation. He looked at Miss Tutwiler. "Um, Miss Tutwiler..."

"Don't tell me that all that's on that paper is a title," she said.

"No, for once I actually did my report." The whole class gasped. Was it really that shocking? Yeah, maybe it was. For him. "I just... need a bathroom break."

Before his teacher or anyone else could respond, he left the classroom and went down the hallway. He leaned against the wall near the restrooms. "Man, what's wrong with me?" He slapped the paper over his face.

"A lot of things. Where do you want me to start?"

He put the paper down and saw his brother standing there. He let out a huff through his nose. "Miss Tutwiler sent you after me," he surmised.

"Yeah, but I also wanted to see what's going on with you. Last night, you did surprisingly well when you rehearsed your report in front of us. Actually, this is by far the best assignment that you have ever completed on your own. The only assignment, really."

Zack looked away from him and leaned his head against the wall. "Yeah, I know. I was ready for it, but... I guess I just froze."

"Why?"