His Name Is Kirby Jones

“Hello Zoey” he said, snapping Zoey out of her daze. He looked over her, taking in how pretty she looked in her dressed. It was clear she’d been dancing, with the light layer of sweat that was on her forehead.

“Um…Hi Kirby” Zoey stuttered, and Zack gave her an odd look. Kirby smirked slightly.

“Do you guys know each other?” Zack asked confused, and Kirby turned his head back to Zack, and nodded.

“Yeah, we met today at the pool…” Kirby explained, and looked back at Zoey, who still seemed stunned.

“What are you doing here?” Zoey couldn’t help but ask.

“Ronnie invited me, we met after you left…” Kirby explained, and Zoey looked at him incredulously.

“He just invited you! You just moved here!” she argued, and Kirby shrugged.

“What can I say? I’m a likable person.” He teased, and Zoey found her lips tugging into a smile.

So are you and Zack friends?” Kirby asked casually, and Zoey blinked, suddenly remembering why she was angry in the first place.

“Actually, we’re best-” Zack began, but paused as he saw the angry look on Zoey’s face, glaring at him.

“Correction: were best friends.” Zack mumbled, and Kirby chuckled, as Zoey stepped closer, and shoved Zack slightly, but only making him step back.

“Can’t believe you told Jonah!” she snapped annoyed, and Zack blinked and then realized he had actually done something wrong.

“Well, I didn’t know where you were going with him and what you were going to do!” blurted Zack, nervously, and Zoey glanced at Kirby, who looked amused by it all.

“Argh, you’re so frustrating!” Zoey snapped, and Zack sighed heavily.

“I’m sorry alright?” he said, and stepped closer warily. Zoey sighed, and it gave Zack the sign, it was okay to hug her, which he did.

“Just stop snitching…” she teased, and Zack nodded, but without her noticing crossed his fingers. He’d always snitch if it meant Zoey was in trouble.

“So Kirby Jones, do you like dancing?” Zoey asked hopefully, wanting to go back and feel that euphoria she felt before. Kirby smirked, and rubbed his stubbly chin.

“Do you like broken toes?” Kirby replied smartly, and Zoey chuckled.

“I’ll risk it.” She teased, and this time embraced the fluttery feeling in her stomach. Kirby nodded, and Zoey led the way back to the house, where Kirby and Zoey had their first dance.
--

When Zoey awoke that next morning, she was beyond exhausted. When Elena and she got back to Elena’s house about one o’clock, true to Zoey’s words that she had told her father previously, they had however stayed up till four, talking about their night.
Elena was beyond happy when she heard that Zoey and Ronnie had spent ‘quality time’ together, mainly due to the fact that her best friend rarely does anything like that. Also the addition that Ronnie Gink was gorgeous just added things to the matter. She was also pleased to hear that Zoey had danced with the new kid, Kirby Jones.

If Ronnie was gorgeous, then by god Kirby was beautiful. It was the just how laidback he was, dressed so casually but still looked as if he made an effort. He had a playful smile all while dancing with Zoey, and whenever she wasn’t looking, he was watching her.

After their dance, Kirby excused himself for a drink, and sadly never returned. Zoey kept up high spirits though, self-satisfied that she had a brilliant night.

Elena offered Zoey a lift home, and when Zoey was outside of her house, she realised what an amazing night she had, hoisting her bag on her shoulder, and swinging her purse on the other one, she made her way up the small porch before unlocking the door and letting herself in.

“I’m home!” she called; it was noon so the boys should be up.

“Hey baby girl, have a good night?” Marcus called from the kitchen. Zoey eagerly dropped her bags and went into the kitchen, where Tommy, Kennedy and Jonah were playing cards, while Marcus was making sandwiches.

“Hi Daddy…and yeah it was great!” she said enthused, and kissed his cheek. Jonah was watching her carefully, and bit his lip to prevent blurting out what happened. Tommy noticed his nervous attitude so swiftly kicked him under the table, to gain his attention.

“Fuck!” Jonah swore, Tommy realised he had kicked a little too hard.

“Jonah!” Marcus boomed, and Jonah quickly apologized. “Goldfish!” Kenny shouted triumphantly.

“I hate this game…” Tommy mutters annoyed and Zoey chuckles as she pinches some grapes from the fruit bowl, popping them in her mouth, chewing then swallowed.

“So, what happened last night?” Tommy asked curiously. Zoey shrugged.

“Danced, the usual…it’s a party.” She said and noticed Jonah tensed.

“Alright, order’s up” Marcus said, placing the plate on the table, Kennedy greedily took one, then Tommy and finally Jonah got one.

“Not having one?” Marcus asked his daughter who was glancing at her phone. She shook her head.

“Luc at the library?” she asked, and Marcus nodded in reply.

“He’s back at four.” He added, and Zoey nodded, not really caring.

“You know, I’m really tired, I’m going to take a nap…” Zoey said, and left the kitchen, only for footsteps to follow her. She halted by the stairs, and turned around to see a sad-looking Kennedy.

“I’m really sorry for being mean to you and being rude…you didn’t look horrible, you looked really pretty and I’m really sorry – ” Kennedy babbled desperately, and Zoey quickly silenced him by covering his mouth.

“It’s okay Kenny, just don’t do it again…it actually upset me.” Zoey admitted, and Kennedy nodded quickly. She let go off his mouth.

“Cross my heart hope to die.” He vowed, doing the motion across his chest. Unable to be angry any longer, Zoey gave a smile and Kennedy instantly hugged her tightly.

“Love you” he murmured, and Zoey sighed with content.

“Love you too” she murmured back, kissing his head three times before letting go, and told him she was going for a nap. Nodding, Kennedy went back to the kitchen and smiled satisfied.

“Made friends?” Marcus asked, helping himself to his third sandwich. Kennedy grinned.

“The best of” Kennedy replied simply, and Tommy shook his head in disbelief.