A/N: Okay, soo I love L4D, and I've been reading fanfics non-stop for a week or so, and wanted to throw my own out there. This fic could go in all sorts of directions, I've been brainstorming for a few days and I'm really excited to see how things turn out. R&R, Lovelies!

Disclaimer: I do not own Left 4 Dead, sadly.

Chapter 1 - Frienemies

"Coast is clear!" Kat declared proudly, after smashing in another Infected's head with her trusty baseball bat. She clutched the bat's handle with one hand and wiped her forehead with the back of her other, grinning at her zombie-killing progress. 'James and Nikki would be so proud!' The thought of her two best friends made her smile falter. She hadn't heard anything about either of the two since the infection started.

'Stupid zombie apocalypse.'

Ali peered around the corner. "Are you sure? If I get my face eaten in the dressing room, it all falls on you, Freakazoid." Walking over to some shirts, she started browsing. "Honestly, I get my pick of anything in the store and I have to spend the moment with you," she made a face at the last word.

"Yeah yeah, whatever, Queen Bee. Just pick something suitable for the occasion. No mini-skirts or bedazzled blouses." Of all of the people it could havebeen, she just had to get stuck with Alexandrea Strickland. The world really was going to shit. They'd been bickering the whole way down the strip mall, getting much-needed supplies. They came across the Hollister store and Ali had insisted they go inside.

"How about this?"

Kat turned around and her brows shot up. "Really? I thought I said no bedazzles."

"These aren't bedazzles, these are SEQUINS. Have you no class?" Ali huffed and shoved the blouse back onto the rack. She resumed her search.

"No, not anymore, since the school has been overrun with zombies. The universe must not have wanted us to graduate." Her comment began in a snarky tone, but as she finished the last sentence, a real disappointment set in. She can kiss that cap and gown goodbye.

She found a long-sleeved, skin-tight navy shirt, a black half-sleeve zip-up jacket, jeans, and a pair of comfortable brown leather boots that went almost to her knees. "This is decent." She glanced over at Ali and asked, "Got anything yet?"

"Not anything that the both of us agree on." Ali frowned at the selection in front of her. Why did she have to be so picky? After a couple minutes, she found herself with clothes thrown over her head. She pulled them off of her and glared at the guilty Kat, who just shrugged and walked over to the dressing room, pointing inside.

"Change into that. I'll guard the door, and you do the same for me when I change after."

"Fine. You'd better not let anything eat me." She hurried into the changing room and shut the door. She took off her shirt and skirt she'd been wearing and got into the clothes Kat had given her. Glancing into the full-size mirror she realized it didn't look too bad. She took a moment to take in her appearance, distraught that she hadn't been able to bring her makeup bag. She realized that she was almost the opposite of Kat, who was a short, long-haired ginger with bright green eyes. She herself was tall, with gray eyes and black straight hair to her shoulders, and her skin was tanned from going to the tanning bed. The outfit was just a green jacket over a pink long-sleeve shirt, with jeans and the same boots as Kat but in black instead of brown. Kat's voice snapped her out of her mirror-gazing. "What?"

"I said are you dressed yet? I need to change now so we can get the hell out of here."

The door opened and Ali stepped out, getting a nod of approval from Kat, who switched her places. Kat shut the door behind her and started getting changed. Ali picked up the bat and kept watch.

"You know how to use that, right Ali?" A snicker followed the comment from behind the dressing room door.

"Yes, I can use a bat. Can you zip up that jacket?"

"You've seen my style, zippers are my specialty!" Kat stated smugly as she zipped up the current topic of their discussion.

"Too many zippers for my taste, but whatever floats your warped boat."

The door flew open then, and Kat walked out. "Ready to go?" She picked up her backpack and headed for the exit, with Ali on her heels. She had no idea where they'd be going, so she just headed down a familiar, residential street, hoping to find a place to crash before they started for out of town the next day.

This was going to be fun. Not.