A Suite and Magical Life

Chapter 4: The people who hide their feelings usually care the most

January 6, 2007

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Zack Martin was not usually a person who sat and reflected on his thoughts, feelings or recent events. Even his decision making reflected that: he usually did whatever his heart thought was right, focused on making the decision the correct one, and bore the consequences without complaint. However, that cold January evening, he found himself in the penthouse of the Boston Tipton, watching the snowfall, he found himself thinking about Alex and reflecting on his feelings, and the many moments, both treasured and frightening alike, that he had spent with Alex Russo.

He gave brief and cursory responses to Maddie Fitzpatrick and London Tipton, who were trying on dresses in anticipation of an event taking place a few days later. They had wanted to look their very best and had asked the impeccably fashionable Zack to provide feedback for their clothes. Even in his current state of half-presence, he still gave pointed opinions regarding the clothes, which were deeply appreciated by the two girls. They were also keeping an eye on him, at Mr. Moseby's request, while Carey and Cody were at the Museum of Natural History.

Zack watched the brilliant sunset as it left the sky with streaks of many colors: paddy yellow, raspberry pink, blood red and many others. He had never been one for goodbyes, and it made it all the more painful to say goodbye a second time. He had only spent around a month with Alex, but knowing he'd have to leave her eventually had broken his heart a second time. The angst of the second goodbye was still fresh in his mind, as the Martins had only returned to the Tipton Hotel that very afternoon.

He and Alex had talked about all things he'd gotten up to since he moved to Boston: she laughed at the "haunted suite" prank, cried at the Christmas blizzard story and had been more than a little curious about the date incident with Maxine (Max), among his many rollercoaster adventures. Zack knew that she had likely already come up with new ideas for pranks based only on his many adventures. This caused him to smile, in spite of his deeper feelings churning chaotically within him.

Zack had noticed that Alex had been acting differently around him: she was increasingly focused on her appearance, she had started wearing perfume around him and had gone out of her way to try and spend as much time as possible with him. She had also been particularly jealous (although she had tried desperately and failed to hide it) about Zack having fallen in love with Madeline "Maddie" Fitzpatrick. However, Alex still remained snarky, sarcastic and playful: all the things he loved about her. Even now, there was never a dull moment with Alexandra Russo.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks: Zack had fallen in love with Alex Russo. But did she love him back? He thought back to when he had told her about the girls he'd dated since moving to Boston and the adventures he'd gotten into because of his heart and realized that she had been clearly jealous. She had also made it a point to spend as much time as she could alone with him along with attempting to get as close to him physically and mentally. She really did love him back.

But what could they possibly do? They were faced with an impossible situation: they were both barely teenagers and they lived in different cities. He knew from what Maddie and London told him that long distance relationships never worked. They would be forced to remain apart. What if she fell in love with someone else? He had seen two of her classmates, Riley and Dean Moriarty, and knew that it was possible. His heart roared with despair. Just the very thought of Alex dating someone else broke his heart and brought tears to his eyes.

He wished he'd told her how he felt before he left New York City. He wished he had noticed all her many hints: they were obvious enough, but Zack had been cluelessly obvious to the undeniable truth staring him in the face and he too had suppressed his feelings, for fear of being hurt. He wished he'd told Alex Russo that he loved her. He wondered what would've happened if he had told her. Things would definitely be very different from what they were now.