dedicated to: sam_baileyy

Next Week.

"Load them up!" Ashton shouted, instructing Jack and Jack on what to do with their band equipment.

I placed the box of aux cords down on the small truck we had hooked to the back of Shawn's truck. We were filling it up with our special equipment. Everything was going to be amazing for this performance. As a matter of fact, this is going to be the first real road trip I've ever taken. The guys have been on plenty, or so they say from all the gigs they've been traveling to before. One was even out of state in Canada. I imagine being on the road with them for tat long. But at least I'm not going to be the only girl, Sarah and Aria are here too.

"Let's go, people! Hustle up!" Ashton kept exclaiming.

"You know, it'd be easier if you helped too, Ash." Jack stated after dropping the drum piece he and Johnson were lifting into the truck.

I moved away, Jack ended up standing right besides me and when no one was looking I flashed him a smile.

"If I helped then who would do my job?" He pointed back at himself, immediately going back to ordering the guys to do what he wanted them to do. It was funny, none of the other guys seemed to mind. We all know how Ash is, he's Ashton Green! And Ashton Green doesn't like to help, he likes to order, and that goes for everything.

"It's almost a 20 hour drive to Coachella." Sarah spoke carrying out a box and walking out of the house Jack, Johnson, and I were walking back into. "It'd be better if you helped so we could leave already and not get there late!"

All three of us laughed as we entered the house. It soon dimmed as once we stepped in and became approached by another tall figure who was stepping out of the house behind Sarah. We stood in awkward silence, looking up at Cameron who was bringing out an electric guitar.

The tension started to rise between both guys.. Judging how things were previously left last week, neither one of them has even been in the same room as each other until now. Not even when we were working on writing new songs for the performances they spoke of each other.

"Sorry, your in my way." Cam looked directly back at Jack for a moment before darting them back down to me. "Hi, Zo."

I felt Jack's sudden reaction race behind me. I was lucky enough to stop him before he actually did something stupid. Flaring my eyes up at him, I mouthed him the word 'Stop' before turning back around. My eyes met with Cam's, giving him a small shake to my head in disappointment towards the way he was acting lately. The way both guys were actually. Our shoulders gently brushed against each other's as I past him with Johnson awkwardly joining begin me. Both guys barely had a minute to themselves before they went again on there separate ways.

"Is something going on?" Johnson asked in a whispered tone behind me.

I shook my head and continued walking down the stairs to the basement. Once I was down in the practice room, I looked up. Johnson was right behind me and Jack was just coming down the stairs. My argument was going to be in him now.

"Is this how you two are going to act for the rest of your lives?" I asked wisely, crossing my arms to look up at Jack.

He seemed ticked off, wanting an argument with me was probably the last thing he wanted right now.

"What about the ride up to Coachella? That's almost a whole day in a car with you two and this is what it's going to be like?" I questioned him.

Jack finished the flight of stairs. I didn't mind Johnson overhearing is because he already knew about us. Heck, of it wasn't for him we probably wouldn't be here right now. He's the only other person besides Sam who knows what's going on behind the curtains.

"Zoey, relax." He persuaded.

"I think I know what's going on here.." Johnson stepped in, an understanding look on his face. "Did Cameron find out about you guys?"

I was about to answer but Jack cut in.

"Cameron didn't find out about anything because there's nothing going on between Zoey and I that we should be hiding in the first place." He spoke looking back at Johnson deadly in the eyes.

Johnson didn't seem to pay attention to him, he went back to look at me and the state of shock I was in. Well there we have it, Jack Gilinsky has spoken. I knew I was messing with the wrong guy after all. This jealousy thing has turned him into something more. At first I thought it was cute in a way, but now he just took it overboard.

"Dude." Johnson looked at him then back at me. By the time Jack noticed what he said it was already too late. I was already storming out of the basement with no intention in turning back.

And that's when I noticed Jack meant his words. When he didn't come running after me. He didn't even try to stop me.

Here's to the next 21 hours.

Next Morning.

We've been driving for more than an 10 hours already. The night has drifted away and the sun was now coming up leaving the sky in a grayish-blueish color and fog.

I couldn't lie, I actually made it this whole ride without talking to either guy. Jack nor Cam. After we finished packing up our equipment, we divided ourselves into two cars. Shawn's truck wasn't big enough for eight people, and towards the end of the night even Sam joined. So now we were nine. Sam insisted on driving Shawn's truck because he was claustrophobic and liked driving so that's what he did; much to which Jack later joined in with him. Like I could care less. They were driving behind us anyways. Then Ash showed up with a minivan he rented, one in which was big enough for the rest of us to join in. So that's what we did. Ash drove and Cam sat besides him on the passengers seat. Behind him in the other two chairs sat Aria and Shawn. I had to admit, the two hit it off instantly. I already explained to her the situation and she promised she wouldn't tell a soul. Then in the last row of the minivan sat Johnson, Sarah, and I in the middle between them. It was probably the most uncomfortable place to be in. The middle.

Sarah was sound asleep by now. I managed to stay silent the entire drive through up to now. I was only on my phone scrolling through all my social media and catching up on what's going on around the world. We left at the break of night, 8 o'clock sharp. Not like we had enough time to sleep, we were up all afternoon loading the truck and packing our bags. So now we were off and it's 6a.m. now. I had no sleep because again, I'm in the middle, there's no place to lean on. I closed my eyes but it's not like it lasted long enough. I was fine though, I guess it's all the nerves I had built inside of me. The band playing at the biggest music and arts festival of the year.. Going to California.. Being on my first road trip ever.. Meeting Hamilton..

All these things and more had me overwhelmed. But the thing that bothered me most was what Jack said about me. How could he say that there was nothing ever going on between us? I thought there was.. And I thought it felt it too. But I was mistaken and I won't let myself fall for it again. I'm better than that.

"Hey.."

I looked away from the sight I held in front of me of Ashton driving the car up the main roadway. Turning to my side from where I heard the name call I noticed it was just Johnson.

I haven't spoken a word to him either.

"Listen, I figured you're not ready to talk but I just have to say it.." He continued whispering slowly, not wanting Ash or anyone else to know what we were talking about. "Jack didn't mean what he said."

I couldn't let him finish. Already I was quietly laughing to myself, not believing a word he just said. "If he didn't mean it then why would he say it?" I shrugged my shoulders. "He knows that you know about us.. Or whatever we used to be.. So why did he feel like he had to say that stuff?"

"Because maybe he's afraid of falling for you?" He stated. This time my eyes looked back at him in utterly confusion.

Jack raised an eyebrow, knowing that what he said had a point. "You've heard the story of Adriana.. Right?"

I nodded my head.

"Well, then you also know that she was his first for everything.. He owned up to her and she broke him down just like that." He snapped his fingers. Ash couldn't hear, he was too consent rated on the road and usually he zones out of the world when he's focused. "He just said that because he felt he was owning up to someone again. That jealousy thing he has going on with Cam.. Yeah, it never happens." He shook his head. "At least not with just anyone."

There was a long moment of silence..

"So that's why he said that, Zo." He nodded, "He's just afraid of being hurt; so he pushes himself out."

My mind was left blankly thinking about that. Taking a moment to let the information sink in. It could be true, what Johnson was telling me.. Adriana did hurt Jack by cheating on him with his own cousin. I wouldn't be surprised if backing out was what he felt like he needed to do to get away from being hurt like that again. But it's not going to happen, not with me at least.

"He doesn't have to think of me in that way." I shook my head, looking back up at him. "I'd never do that."

"I know." He agreed. "But he doesn't."

There was a long period of silence again between us.

"He really does like you, Zoey. Maybe a little bit too much that he doesn't know how to control it." He smiled warmly. "Talk to him." He nodded. "It's not like you can ignore him forever.."

He had a point there. I did have to talk to him. Today of course, but I'm not so sure of talking about it right now..

"Guys wake up!" Ashton exclaimed. "We'll reach a rest stop in about one hour and we'll be stopping for gas and something to eat for breakfast."

Slowly, heads started rising up. Sarah rose up besides me and I don't think I've ever seen her hair so crazy.

"Mmm... What time is it?" She yawned.

"7a.m. Pumpkin." Ash joked. "Rise and shine!"

Great, so now I have an hour to think about what I'm going to say...

***

We arrived at the rest stop as soon as the sun was bright and early in the sky. Everyone was awake now except for Sarah who went back to sleep again.

Sam and Jack arrived behind us with the truck Shawn's car was carrying behind it.

There was quite a lot of people here, mostly families with their big dogs and small kids.

"Okay, why don't you girls go and start making the line at Dunkin' Donuts or something? Cam, Sam, Jack, and I are going to stay out here and get the car ready for the next 10 hours." Ash looked back over at us.

We all agreed to his plan, the next moment rushing out of the car to do as we were told. First in line was Shawn with Aria, then came Johnson and I, and finally Sarah all the way in the back with a blanket around her still sleepy body.

All of us reached the front of the rest stop. When Shawn opened the door for the rest of us to pass, we were stopped by Sarah's voice. Turning back to her, we all stopped what we were doing.

"I have to pee." She added a bit sleepy.

All of us just laughed. Taking her by the hand, I pulled her into the cold building.

"Let's go." I smiled.

Shawn and Johnson laughed as Aria and I too her in.

"We'll be right back." I chuckled looking up at both guys. The next moment I escorted her with Aria behind us to the women's restroom.

Sarah was the first one in. There were two other women in there when we stepped inside. A blond lady with an infant and a much older looking lady besides her. They were quick to leave and leave just us three girls alone.

We did what had to do and returned back over to the sinks to wash our hands. All I could think about now was what Johnson told be about Jack. Maybe I was a little too hard on him. But he still shouldn't have said that. He should know by now I'm not like that Adriana girl. I'm just Zoey..

"Everything okay?" Aria asked walking up next to me to wash her hands.

I nodded reassuringly. I didn't want her to worry or anything. This is suppose to be a good time for all of us.

"So you and Shawn?" I playfully smirked, messing around with her a little.

Aria blushed and tried to hind it. I noticed my predictions were right after all.

"Aww!" I chuckled. "So you do like him!"

"Calm down, nothing's going to happen." She chuckled.

"What? Why?" I looked back over my shoulder as I pulled out some paper towels from the wall besides the sink.

"You know the rules." She shrugged her shoulders. "No dating the band members."

"Yeah but that goes for me because I'm family and Ash is afraid we'll turn against each other if something doesn't go well in the relationship." I recalled.

"Still.. We just met?" She dried her hands too.

"Well, whatever it is you guys plan to do in the future.. I'm sure it'll be fine by Ash." I chuckled. "It only took me one night to fall for Jack." My expression changing to then quickly frown. Jack and I will never be right in Ash's eyes. Aria's the lucky one.

Aria got closer to me, her hand falling over my shoulder in sympathy. "Is that why you and Jack are hiding behind everyone's back?"

The look I gave her spoke for me.

Aria sighed and looked down. Thankfully Sarah had left to step outside for a moment, something about asking Shawn to get her what she wanted to order before hand right after she peed.

"Your cousin seems like a good guy." She nodded. "If he really loved you and cared about your happiness, that stupid rule wouldn't matter. When he sees how perfect you two are for each other, he'll be the one that'll feel like he needs to hide his face."

A small pat was left to my shoulder before Aria told me to think about it and left.

So that's what I did. I stood alone there in front of the rest stop bathroom mirror. For the first time in a while I felt like I've received the best piece of advice ever. It's all just some stupid rule. How could we have been so thoughtless?

I inhaled a deep breath before releasing it back out. The room suddenly started growing bigger and bigger around me. I felt like the necessity to get out so that's what I did.

Gripping my hand on the handle, I started to pull the big heavy door out. Only it didn't turn out to be so heavy after all as I felt a stronger force push it out from the other side. I didn't have time to catch on with what was happening before the body stepped inside and shut the door close behind its figure. His body stood tall in front of mine and blocked my exit. I was trapped.

"Jack--" I didn't have to time to finish my argument before I felt a pair of two warm lips crash against mine in a long and lingering kiss.

Though this was exactly what I wanted, I was fed up. I was still angry at him for saying that and I wanted to talk it out. Not like he cared so much for that part, he just cut right to chase.

My palms raised to his chest, pounding on it for him to pull away. I was running out of breath, my feet were moving me backwards towards the sinks again. Once I felt my back hit the countertop, was when I had gained enough strength to push him away. I'd gain much more strength than I humanly thought possible as he now stood a couple four feet away; almost touching the other end of the wall.

We remained standing there, eyes looking back at each other while we gasped for air. This was rude and completely out of the blue. Not to mention, he scared me to death when he caught on to me.

"Are you insane!" I exclaimed, whipping my hand over my lips to feel a dab of blood start to gush out from an opening in my lips. His teeth were probably caught onto them before I pushed him away. Bad decision.

"What's gotten into you, Jack? One moment you say we're nothing and the next you pin me up against the wall?" I sassed. "Make a decision already!" I turned around back towards the sink, tapping the faucet to let water wash upon my hands so I can then bring them up to clean my bloody lip.

"Look I'm sorry okay?" He stepped closer, still gasping for air a little. "I didn't mean to say that it's just--"

"I know." I cut in, looking up over the mirror in front of me. "Johnson explained everything on the way."

I finished cleaning my lips, rushing over to dry my hands and lips with a new paper towel before I noticed I left behind a speechless guy.

The piece of paper towel I had in my hands was thrown into te trash. Running a hand through my hair was all I did before bringing them back down to cross around my chest.

"I'm not her, Jack." I shook my head. "And I'm devastated that you'd actually think that of me."

"I know." He jumped in. I just gave him a smart look. If he knew that then he wouldn't be acting like this. "Okay I didn't.. But I know that now." His hands gripped my shoulder.

Jack tried to make me make eye contact with him. It didn't work though. I tried long and hard for him not to get what wanted, but I've learned to keep him pleasured.

"I don't want to argue with you, Zoey." He acclaimed. "Not talking to you because I made you upset these past 10 hours have been killing me! I don't want to keep pretending like everything's okay because it's not.."

"So you admit that I'm not like her?" I asked reassuringly.

Jack nodded his head. A sincere look growing upon his face. I was about to respond to that before I was completely shunned again.

A pair of warm, wet lips pressed against mine. They caught me by surprise. My eyes shot wide open as he pressed harder, soon fluttering back close as the force decreased in a more passionate kiss. Jack's hands rose up to my waist, gently squeezing. My body was then effortlessly lifted up from the ground, taking a seat over the countertop besides the sink. I latched my arms around him, bringing his touch closer to me.

I told myself I wasn't going to do this a hundred times. But how could I resist when this God-like boy is standing in front of me begging for my forgiveness. He made a mistake. I'm not going to hold a grudge against him.

"I'm sorry." Jack whispered between kisses. "I'm sorry." His wet kisses trailed down my jaw. Nudging my head with his, he planted a trail of wet kisses down my neck.

My fingers intwined with the hair in back of his head.

The room got heated. I've never felt this excited about a guy before. Never in my life have I had a make out session in a public women's restroom. My heart was racing with nerves and temptation.

I couldn't take it anymore. Bring my hands up to his cheeks I brought him back up to kiss my lips. He didn't mind it.

Jack's hand skimmed down the bottom of my shirt, going under it to rise beneath my bare skin. His fingertips dug to the surface, sending chills down my spine. The sensation had me in sync. Getting more into the feeling I bit my lip, not knowing much I remembered they were pressed against his.

Jack winced in my sudden action. I drew away to take a look at him. He still didn't seem to mind it but I did.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?" I cupped my hands over my mouth. Reaching over to touch the lip I injured. Jack let me proceed, keeping his eyes on me the whole time. The stare made me feel a little aware of what was going on. When I flickered my eyes back up at him I found him smiling. His behavior became questioning but before I could actually ask him what was going on, Jack opened his mouth.

"Be my Girlfriend." He gave off a small smile.

My eyebrows furrowed, trying to recall what he just said.

"I'm sorry, what?" I chuckled.

"You heard me." He smiled brightly, hands caressing my thighs. "I like you, Zo. A lot." He chuckled. "Why not make it official?"

"Official for us or the whole world?" I asked.

Jack remained silent. Not like I didn't see it coming because I did.

I let out a quick sigh, moving him away to get down from the sink. I do want to make us official trust me. But the fact that it really isn't going to be official for the world is pretty upsetting. I've seen the way girls look at Jack when we're all out in the streets. Sometimes I just want to take his face and kiss him all around just to prove he's not interested. I'm no one to say, maybe he interested. But in my eyes that's just the kind of stuff I want to do. On the other hand, there's Ash. I'm sure if he found out he'll be furious. One, because we broke his rule. And two, because we hid it from him all this time. Either way, there's just no way around him.

"Hold up!" Jack exclaimed, grabbing me from my arm to pull me back from the door I was walking towards.

I turned me back to him. His eyes were wide and mouth agape. "What did I say?"

"It's just too soon, don't you think?" I spoke, mentally praying he'll agree with me.

"No?" He implied. "We've had a thing for each other for months now." His hand fell from his grip. "But you can't seriously be thinking about exposing us to your cousin, do you?"

"No." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "But this is a lot to think about. I love Ashton. He's given me everything so far and for that, I'm very thankful."

Jack walked closer to me, hands coming up to my shoulders. "I love Ashton too. But we can't base what we have over one man's opinion."

My eyes looked down in disappointment. He was right, very right.

"I can't lie to him." I shook my head.

"And what have you've been doing this whole time?" He questioned. "We'll work through it. We don't have to hide anything for now or go too extreme. We'll keep being the same two people we always were until we feel like we're ready to tell everyone else. Especially Ashton."

There was a small pause. I looked back at him with yet another questioning look in my eyes.

My thoughts were soon interrupted as the same pair of wet lips came in contact with mine. This time it was a soft and more meaningful kiss. It was almost as if he was comforting me.

I didn't even realize my eyes were closed until they fluttered open with the touch of Jack's lips decreasing against mine. A small smile curved in his lips sending me chills down my body.

"So what do you say?" He asked one last time. "Wanna be my Girlfriend?"

There was really no question about it. I wanted to be with Jack, even if it meant hiding behind my cousin's back for a while. Just until we're sure of ourselves.

"Yes." I smiled, closing my eyes.

I didn't have time to open them back up at my pace before I started leaning closer to Jack. My hands cupped his face again. My lips coming in contact with his in my cheerful state.

I laughed upon his kisses after the quick one I placed upon him. Pulling him closer by having my hands rest above his hip bones.

We got so into our kiss seconds later that we became completely unaware of the restroom door opening again.

I pulled away immediately. Jack didn't seem to mind the lady that just walked in. If it was up to him, we'd still be kissing me in the women's restroom. Oh my God, how embarrassing!

The lady's eyes looked right at us then back at the sign in front. Making sure it was the right place.

"Is this the women's restroom?" She furrowed her eyebrows.

I nervously opened my mouth to speak. Luckily Jack was right behind me and he took care of the situation.

Bad decision.

"Yep." He smiled, lacing our fingers together besides me to walk us out the door the lady walked in from. "Oh, and I wouldn't recommend the big stall, we just had sex in there."

The ladies eyes grew wide, gasping as she turned around to the stall Jack was talking about. Even I gasped a little, looking back at Jack as he laughed his way out of the restroom with me behind him.

Finally, once out in the open space I released my hand from his. No one was around, thank God, to see Jack and I come out at the same time from the same bathroom. And since no one was around I also took matters into my own hands and slapped him across his shoulder.

"I can't believe you just said that!" I exclaimed. "You left the poor woman scarred for life!"

Jack just kept laughing, not minding what he just said and how I was reacting towards it. Of course, I didn't take it seriously. But there was so many other ways to go about it!

"It's not like she knows us.." He laughed.

My hands crossed over my chest. I was growing impatient with him and he noticed it.

"Alright, alright," His hands rested over his heart, a players smirk growing on his face. "My bad." His arms reached out to bring me into an embrace. Still having my arms crossed over my chest I let him embrace me.

"Zoey?" Another voice asked.

I pulled away from Jack's touch, darting my head back to see it was Ash and Cam walking through the front door with Sam behind them.

"Ash!" I got nervous. Shit!

"Um.. What's going on here?" He asked getting a bit mystical about things.

I was shunned, frozen solid to the spot.

"Your cousin's got some temper there, Ash." Jack pointed out, looking back at me. "Did you know she's claustrophobic?"

"No?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Well, she was just telling me how she had no sleep these last hours because she felt claustrophobic in your car. She told me she was feeling sick from that so I was just trying not to make her feel worse." He explained. "Trust me.. She needs all the sleep she can get."

Ash remained looking back at us. I noticed Cam in the back giving Jack a pinning look in his eyes. He wanted to says something so bad but chose to restrain himself.

"You should let her ride with us." Sam stepped in, looking back at us and nodding his head. "We have more than enough space in Shawn's truck for just us two guys."

Ash gave a look of polite disapproval towards us. I knew he wasn't going to agree with this new arrangement, especially after what he witnessed.

"I... Don't know?" He shook his head.

"Oh come on," Sam stepped in again. "She's obviously tired. She can rest in the back. We have blankets and pillows back there. Jack and I will be out front driving."

Nothing Sam was saying seemed to be pleasing him so o decided it was time for me to step in.

"C'mon Sam, it's just sleeping." I begged.

Ash took a moment to sigh. Looking back from Sam back to us, he just shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, whatever."

Deep down, I was screaming in excitement. Not that what Jack told them was entirely false, the whole claustrophobia story, yeah that part was true. I'm just glad I get to finish the rest of the trip besides my boyfriend.

"Well." Jack clapped his hands, walking up besides me and looking out front towards the guys. "Lets eat some food."