The Beginning Of The End

"We're heading home," Zack sighed causing Gavin and Victoria's faces to drop in disappointment, "Sorry guys, we talked about it for awhile but...it's what we decided on,"

"Yeah, I just-I need to get some distance from this whole place, and I want to spend the rest of the week with Zack," Chloe explained as she took Zack's hand in hers, "I'm so sorry, Vicky," She tentatively apologized,

Victoria took a slow breath and shook her head, smiling softly, "Don't be, like I said, you do what's best for you and your relationship." Victoria warmly replied,

"Yeah, seriously," Gavin agreed, "And it's not like we'll never see you guys, it's only spring break, right?" Gavin pointed out with a small chuckle which Zack returned,

"Aw, C'mon guys, really?" Heather pouted, "I know this trip hasn't been easy for you, but I don't want to end it so early," Heather said with a small step forward, "Are you absolutely sure about this?"

"Positive," Zack replied with a firm nod, "It's not you guys, I hope you know that this is something we just have to do,"

Heather let out a long sigh, "But...didn't Gavin tell you, you two could just go to my cabin," Lisa pointed out, "You wouldn't have to stay here,"

"Yeah he told us, and Lisa we really appreciate that, but the more we talked about it, the more we realized that we just wanted to spend time together alone. No drama whatsoever, just us at our house, hanging out and do whatever we wanted," Chloe explained while squeezing Zack's hand, "Honestly, thank you so much for convincing your dad, but we're heading home," Lisa let out a slow exhale through her nose and let out an understanding nod,

"Hey, I'm happy you two are doing something to make you happy," Brandon surprisingly said, even after everything that happened, he still didn't feel that much resentment at Zack. At this point, Brandon figured that he just wouldn't, which he was genuinely thankful for, "So you leaving now?"

"Yeah, we were just coming for our bags then...yeah, we're leaving," Zack nodded back,

"Pfft, glad Heather invited us here, what a fun trip this has been," Madison joked out, trying to make light of the situation,

A small laugh was shared from the others, all but Heather who was still upset that her friends were leaving, making her once again pissed at her cousin and Ashley for ruining the trip for them all. "Here, we were almost done packing your things, there's not much left," Victoria said while taking Chloe's hand, "Can you come inside?"

"Yeah," Chloe nodded with a slow, confident breath, "Last time, so I can do it," Chloe added on,

As the girls walked into the cabin Zack turned his attention to his friend, "Gav, you two, uh, well are you coming with? I remember you said you might just leave if we left,"

"Seriously?" Heather asked with another pout, "Ugh, this sucks," She mumbled out while turning around and heading back inside,

"Hey, Heather, come on, just relax," Brandon said while turning around and heading inside along with Lisa and Madison,

Gavin let out a relieved sigh, happy to be alone with just Zack, "Honestly, I don't know, I'll have to talk to Vicky about it,"

"Ah, I gotcha," Zack nodded as he turned back, "Well, I know you drove in with me, but if you stay I'm sure one of the others can give you ride back," Zack said as he opened his trunk, "And you know, if you did head back, us four could still hang out. You know that we don't mind hanging out with you, this is strictly about getting distance from this area, right?"

"Yeah, of course," Gavin nodded back firmly, "It's weird, but I didn't think this week would end up with us just adding Vicky to our friend group," He said with a light chuckle,

"More than that happened, you ended up dating her man," Zack replied with a grin,

"And you ended up dating Chloe...didn't see that coming, like at all," Gavin said while shaking his head, "It seems obvious now, but before, pfft, never would have thought,"

"We didn't either, I mean, I still wonder what would have happened if Chloe wasn't feeling sick that day we came in. Or if she said no to-" Zack started to think aloud before stopping himself, realizing he was about to give Gavin a bit too much information on their first time together. Zack's eyes then grew soft, "I wonder...I wonder what would have happened if I just said no to Ashley." He lowly said, "Maybe then things wouldn't have been so fucked up, for everyone, Ashley and Kurt included,"

"Fuck that," Gavin sharply denied, "Those two were fucked up long before you came into the picture, it's the people Zack, not the event that changes them. Ashley was also crazy; we just didn't know and Kurt...I think we always knew he was an asshole. And you know what, the more I think about them, the happier I am that you're leaving. You don't need this place reminding you of the mistakes and bad times, you two just go back and think about the good shit, make new better memories,"

"Can do," Zack chuckled back with a nod as he turned and leaned against his car, "Oh, by the way, how's that...situation with Vicky? You two figure that out yet?"

"No," Gavin replied with a short head shake, "But don't worry about it, we'll figure it out, we figured everything else out, we got this,"

"Yeah, you two are smarter than Chloe and me," Zack joked, "If we could figure it out then you two can, easily," Gavin laughed back and the two went silent as they waited for Chloe and Victoria for a few minutes. By the time five minutes past Zack's eyes widened, "Oh shit, what are we doing? We can't just make them carry everything,"

"Fuck, some boyfriends we are," Gavin agreed as the two men rushed inside.

While the two teens were talking outside, Chloe and Victoria were having their own moment inside the bedroom, "So, guess this is it, huh?" Victoria asked as Chloe walked over to her Zack's dresser, pulling out the rest of his clothes and bringing them to his suitcase,

"No, this isn't it, Vicky," Chloe denied, "We're gonna see each other again, and...well, I'd love to just hang out with you sometime. Just us,"

"Me too!" Victoria immediately agreed with a wide smile, "I still want to take you shopping for new clothes and-and us four need to go on another double date, that was fun."

"Absolutely," Chloe agreed, "Um, what are you two going to do, now?" Chloe asked while rubbing the back of her neck, "You said that you wanted to leave if we did," Victoria let out a small nod and thought it over, "I'd like it if you came back to town too, all of us could just hang out at my house, my parents aren't usually around and I have a pool," Chloe offered causing Victoria to smile,

"Maybe we could go to a movie too, and I'd love to meet Gavin's parents...and having him meet mine, they'd love him as much as I do," Victoria said under her breath, just thinking about being with Gavin back in the real world, "Maybe we should leave, I...I'll talk to Gavin, if we do, you best believe we'll be coming to your house, Chloe,"

"Sounds good," Chloe smiled back as she zipped up Zack's suitcase, "Okay, is that everything?"

"Yeah," Victoria nodded as she suddenly thought about her pressing questions about anal, she thought that Chloe could have helped her with it, but now she was leaving. The blonde shook the thoughts from her head, deciding to not bother the redhead with this anymore, especially because it'd be a very weird note to leave off on, "I think we're good,"

"Great, now if Zack would-" Chloe started to say only for Zack and Gavin to come rushing into the room, "Speak of the devil," Chloe smirked,

"Sorry!" Both men exclaimed,

Victoria and Chloe both let out some giggled as they watched their boyfriends quickly walk over and grab the bags, "Forgot what was happening?" Chloe teased Zack,

"You know me," Zack smirked back, "This is why I need you around McRose, keep me on track,"

"It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it," Chloe giggled as the four filed out of the room, heading back outside. Zack and Gavin took the lead with putting the bags into the trunk before slamming it shut, "Okay...so, we're good then?"

"Yep, all set," Zack nodded back,

"Hold on! Don't even think about leaving without saying goodbye assholes!" Heather called out,

"Wouldn't dream of it," Zack called back with a smirk,

Once again everyone came out of the cabin gathering by Zack's car. Zack and Brandon shared a firm, but slightly awkward handshake. "Talk to you later?" Zack asked the jock,

"Yeah man, totally," Brandon easily agreed,

Lisa gave Chloe a tight hug while Madison gave them both a quick wave. "You take care, okay Chloe?" Lisa whispered out while embracing her friend, no longer feeling envious as she realized just what she and Zack had,

Heather treated them both to a quick hug before shaking her head, "Leaving early, I should kick your asses,"

"Please don't," Chloe jokingly begged causing Heather to giggle,

"Alright, go on now, before I slash your tires and keep you here anyway," Heather said while backing away,

Zack nodded and looked at Gavin who quickly held out his hand. Zack took his hand and pulled him into a quick hug, "Talk to you later bud,"

"Yeah, I mean, who else am I gonna talk to?" Gavin joked as he gave him a pat on the back before breaking the hug. He turned to Chloe and brought her into a tight hug next, "See you later, hope you'll feel better once you're home,"

"Already do Gav, but thank you," Chloe tenderly replied to her friend,

Victoria ran forward and pulled Zack into a hug, becoming a bit emotional over the event, "I had so much fun hanging out with you two, we need to do it again real soon, okay?" She asked as she squeezed Zack to the point he nearly felt strangled,

"Yeah, if you don't break my spine," Zack coughed out to the sniffling blonde,

"Oh, sorry," Victoria laughed while backing away and wiping her eyes,

"Relax, we'll talk soon," Chloe assured her while walking over and giving her a comforting hug, "Like I said, my house if you guys come back too,"

"Yeah," Victoria whispered back, "I'll see you soon," She nodded while squeezing Chloe tight for a moment. The girls finally broke away, "Okay, you should leave, you'll want to beat the traffic I'm sure,"

Zack checked his watch, "Oh shit, yeah, Chloe let's go," Zack immediately agreed while heading towards the driver's seat, "Alright, talk to you all later," The group waved them off as they got into the car, "Ready McRose?"

"As long as I'm with you Bishop, I'm good," Chloe smiled back before leaning in and giving Zack a full, deep kiss. With that, Zack started the car and pulled out, heading back down the gravel road, ready to head home...with the girl he loved with all his heart.