He makes a tough choice

The trio spent a few minutes in the hot tub laughing at Zack’s expense. Every time the laughter died down, they would look at each other and burst out in hysterics again. Anyone out for a late night hike could have easily mistaken the teens’ laughter for a pack of hyenas. It was that uproarious.

The laughter finally died down after a sigh and a few light chuckles from the boy being laughed at. He looked to the brunette sitting next to him and pointed to her. After a few head shakes and a finger wag, he spoke.

“YOU! You’re bad. We can’t take you anywhere!” he mocked.

“Me? I’m not the one flashing an erection in front of two bikini-clad young women, Zack!” Heather jokingly responded.

“Well, it’s a compliment to the two loveliest ladies in this hot tub!” laughed Zack.

“Uh, Zack, we’re the ONLY two ladies in the hot tub,” Victoria rolled her eyes.

“Well, then you’re the two loveliest in the whole park!” he laughed. The girls both rolled their eyes.

“Aww! Thanks, Zack!” Heather smiled.

“Thank you, Zack, you’re so sweet!” the other girl responded.

“I try,” Zack sulked.

“You do more than try, Zack. Whoever ends up with you is going to be one lucky lady,” Heather said while flashing one of her infamous grins as she moved closer to him. Victoria mirrored her actions.

“Yeah, about that,” the conflicted boy said as he moved across the hot tub again. "I’ve got something to say to you both and the longer I wait, the more it’s going to hurt. Vicky: For the past two years, I’ve thought about nothing more than being with you. I’ve been hooked on you since the day Brandon introduced us. Every time we were together, I tried to gather enough courage to say something to you, but failed every time. I came on this trip with the intent of finally asking you out. And just like every other time, I couldn’t do it. Yes, we fooled around a bit, but it wasn’t my intention to leave it at that,” Zack sighed as he finished.

“So you still want Vicky. In that case, I’m happy for you both,” Heather grimaced as she stood to exit the hot tub.

“Wait, Heather. I'm not finished yet. The last few days, you’ve somehow made me feel the same way I’ve felt for Victoria. I don’t know how you did it, but thank you. Every moment we’ve spent together has been wonderful. From the foot massage to our time behind the water fall, to right now. You’ve mesmerized me, just the same as Victoria has. Just like her, I can't stop thinking about you,” the boy sighed again.

“So, you’re choosing me?” the sultry brunette asked.

“I wish it were that simple. There’s no easy way to say this, so here it goes: You are both extraordinary women. While there is much about you that is different, my feelings for each of you are the same. Vicky, if I choose you, I break Heather’s heart. Heather, if I choose you, I break Victoria’s. There is no way on earth that I can pick one of you over the other. I refuse to do that to two of my closest friends, especially right before we go off to college, so I’m going to have to choose neither one of you. I’m sorry,” Zack choked out as a tear rolled down his face.