Addiska, 1:11pm

I'm having a horrible time babe

Addiska, 1:11pm

I don't think I'll make it

Addiska, 1:12pm

Ugh will you pick me up after?

Addiska, 1:12pm

Make up an excuse to need me? Pleaseeeeweeeeeeee

Zedekiah Jacob Necrodopolus, 1:13pm

Lol Addy you're at your cousin's graduation! You're supposed to be happy for him

Addiska, 1:15pm

Have you been to a Seabrook graduation? They're awful! And then I have to do forced family time. Save me! I look cute today!

Zedekiah Jacob Necrodopolus, 1:17pm

I'm not getting you because you look cute, only because you asked nicely.

Zedekiah Jacob Necrodopolus, 1:18pm

I'll be there in twenty, waiting out in the front.

Picture pictures pictures. Everyone wanted pictures with the cheer captain and his family, the mayor and her nephew who was graduating, the chief of Zombie Patrol and his graduating nephew.

Addison had to be in all of them. Her and her mom had come to an agreement: Addison got to plan the vacation that summer and Missy got to pick out her dress for graduation.

The dress was horrible. It was pink and knee length, covered her shoulders and had no designs. "Simple, modest, and pretty," is how Missy had described it.

Addison had been pulled into every picture imaginable. It was the middle of the day so there wasn't a need for flash. She put on a smile and took every picture they wanted, even the obligatory family picture of the mayor, the chief, and their daughter.

After thirty miserable minutes of snapping pictures, Addison turned to her mom and said, "I need to go."

"Go where?"

"Zed came to pick me up. He…wants me to watch Zoey."

Missy gave her a disbelieving look. Addison put on a pouty face. "Please Mom. I came and I put on the stupid dress and heels. Let me go have fun."

Missy rolled her eyes. "We're supposed to go to Bucky's graduation party."

"I'll be there later. I just need a break from…them."

"You mean your family?"

Addison nodded. "Please? Pretty please?"

"Ugh, fine. But I need to see you get in his car."

"Thanks Mom!" she said excitedly. "Let's go. He's in the front."

Addison led her mom back through the gym and the empty halls. "Are we even supposed to be here?" Missy asked.

"I have the keys to get in," Addison explained. "For cheer purposes but, yeah, I have master access."

Missy took that as a good enough answer. They went through the main doors; Addison looked around and spotted Zed's truck across the parking lot. They walked over and saw Zed sleeping on the steering wheel, the windows rolled down.

Addison reached in through the open window and poked his shoulder. Zed groaned, then sat up. He blinked tiredly, giving her a slow smile. "Sorry, I'm just so tired," he said, then yawned.

"Why are you so tired?" Missy asked.

"Zoey has the flu," Zed explained. "So I've been sleeping on Eliza's couch. We were half sleeping and definitely watching movies when someone asked to get picked up."

"Oh! Movies!" Addison exclaimed, laughing.

"I want her back at seven," Missy told Zed.

"Yes ma'am," Zed said. Addison walked around the hood and climbed in on the passenger side.

"Bye Mom."

Bucky had signed on as Addison's first real employee. He and Addison had similar responsibilities, except he was in charge of the nine to twelve year olds and Addison had five to eight year olds. They operated in the same building in two different studios, with the same company name and did everything but practice together. It was like Bucky was captain, making routines and supervising, and had volunteers (or assistant captains) helping the kids learn (the same for Addison).

Zombeans was expanding more that summer. They had even accepted twenty-two humans. They were still mostly funded by Nancy McAllister. They had sixty-four kids and sixteen volunteers. Along with Bucky, Addison had hired an intern from Southeast New Hampshire University to do the paperwork and another college kid to help with the finances. Neither of them were happy with a sixteen year old girl as their boss but sucked it up for the references and money.

"I'm surprised you applied for the job," Addison said to her cousin during prep week. "Doesn't cheer at White Mountain start in June?"

"I'm, uh, taking a gap year."

"What?"

Bucky nodded. "Yeah. Don't worry, I still get my scholarship. But…I just needed a break."

Addison raised an eyebrow. "From what?"

Bucky looked at her sadly. "My parents kicked me out."

Addison's face crumpled. "What?"

"I was getting milkshakes with Zach and someone took a picture and sent it to them and the next thing I know I'm on the street."

"Bucky…"

"It's fine," he assured her. "I'm staying with Tracey, until he leaves. And then…"

"Stay with us," Addison offered.

Bucky shook his head. "My mom cut me off. You aren't allowed to get involved, according to Mom. It's bad."

"That's so stupid! She can't control me!"

"No, Addy," Bucky said. "Her and your mom made a deal last summer. Mom doesn't meddle in your affairs and your parents don't meddle in ours. Plus…" He glanced around the empty studio. "Your dad's been helping me out under the wire anyway."

"But-but you have no place to live! A-and—"

Bucky sighed, then placed a hand on hers to quiet her. Addison looked at his hand, then up at his face. "We both knew this was coming, Addy. I stood up for myself and they told me their beliefs. Uncle Dale says to give them some time before trying to come to peace. But I need you to trust me."

"But I'm worried about you."

"I'll be fine, don't worry," Bucky said with a reassuring smile. "I got to keep my car, I've got a job, and I have two people who I know love me."

She furrowed her brows. "Two?"

"Zach, and you."

Addison softened up. She wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him and he hugged her back. "Okay, I trust you. But just call me if you need anything."

"I will."

Addison looked up at his face and smiled. "You have your phone?" she asked.

"I have a new one, same number," he answered. "Uncle Dale rocks. Helped me with finances and shit."

"My Dad is pretty awesome."

Bucky laughed and patted her shoulder. "Now let's get back to work. I need some dolla dolla bills y'all."

Addison laughed and pulled away from him. "You're so old school."

"I don't understand this agreement you and Janet made."

"It was at your birthday last year," Missy explained. "Kitty had been on my case a lot about you and I was sick of it. We made a deal not to mess with the others parenting styles. Then at Thanksgiving, after you snapped on her, we made a…a contract, of sorts."

Addison raised an eyebrow. "A contract?"

"We used to do it a lot as kids," Missy elaborated. "It says that she can't argue or correct or even make a snippy comment about my family. And I can't with hers. Those are the terms."

"But I didn't sign this 'contract,'" Addison pointed out.

"You're not even sixteen," Missy stated. "Contracts signed by minors aren't legally binding."

"So then why do I have to listen to your stupid terms of agreement!"

Missy tapped her nose repeatedly. "Bingo. Only me and Dale have to. So you—"

"Can help Bucky!" Addison exclaimed, catching on.

Missy grinned and nodded. "Dale's been wiring him money but it'd be easier if we did it from your account than ours. Are you okay with that?"

Addison nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, of course. Anything to help."

"Good. I can't just let my favorite nephew suffer."

"I'm telling the cousins you said that!"

The kids were on their fifteen minute break. Addison never made her share of volunteers come in early or stay late to learn the routine so they used break time to their advantage.

Addison was in the middle of teaching when Zed and Eliza came running in. She groaned and paused the music, waiting for them to reach her. "It's operational hours, so this better be important," she told them. But she let her 'anger' fade when she saw how frantic they both were.

"Can you do me a favor, like I did with you?" Zed asked.

"What're you talking about?" Addison asked, more curious than angry.

"I got Bucky a place to stay for the summer," Zed explained in a rush, "because of your parents and his and shit."

"All you did was tell me to let him stay here," Addison pointed out.

"That's besides the point," Zed stated. "Eliza's mom just kicked her out and she's turned all of Zombietown against Eliza so please just let her stay at your house for a few days."

Addison looked from Zed to Eliza. She looked worse for wear; her clothes were dirty and ripped and she had cuts on her exposed skin. Eliza wouldn't even look at her.

Addison looked back at her group of volunteers. "Go watch the kids. And tell Bucky I need to see him." she told them. When they didn't move, she shouted, "Go!" which had them all running toward the yard.

Addison returned her attention to her boyfriend and friend. "E, are you okay?" Addison asked gently.

She sniffed, running a hand under her nose and shook her head. Addison was shocked to see Eliza so broken and fragile.

"Come on to my office."

"You have an office?" Zed asked in disbelief.

"I've always invited you down here," Addison reminded him as she led them out of the studio and toward her office. "There's a bathroom in there, a first aid kit, and a couple of outfit changes. If you want."

"Um, that'd be nice," Eliza whispered.

Addison bent down and used the keys on her I.D. badge to unlock the door. She grabbed her cheer bag from the chair and handed it to Eliza. "First aid kit is in the bathroom, clothes in the bag. Bathroom is right there." She pointed to the closed door.

"Thank you," Eliza muttered, then went into the bathroom.

Addison looked at Zed. "What happened?" she asked.

"Evangeline wanted to see Eliza before practice," Zed started. "They were hanging out at this underground coffee shop—the usual—and then Azalea caught them. Azalea is like her parents because they're all from like, the fifties. Racist, homophobic, I've told you all this."

"You have."

"Long story short, Eliza got in trouble. They don't let Zombies leave Seabrook so they couldn't send her to conversion therapy—thank god. But, they said she had to choose between being a Scythes or be a dirty lesbian. Mind you, all of this was happening in the middle of Zombietown."

"Where was Eva?"

"I don't know, I didn't get there until everyone started…they threw rocks and dirt and anything they could get their hands on at her. They publicly humiliated her and—it was awful."

"But…but there are tons of nonstraight Zombies."

"You think anyone's gonna stand up to a crowd of angry adult Zombies? We may be undead but we're not stupid."

Addison frowned. "That's stupid and awful. How-How could everyone just standby while Eliza—who's everyone's friend one way or another—was being demonized for who she is? Where were you?"

Zed held his hands up in defense. "I was home with Puppy. Then Mitzi came and found me. But by the time I got there, it was swarming with the Patrol. They were dealing with the mob and…" He shivered and said lowly, "The fire."

Addison jaw dropped open. "Fire!"

Zed nodded solemnly. He sat down in one of her chairs and Addison sat on her desk. "They burned all of her stuff."

"Like…"

Zed nodded, not needing to hear the rest. "Except it was her own family. I've…I've never seen her like this. I didn't know who to go to. I don't even know what to do."

"That's…" Addison didn't even know how to describe it.

Eliza came out from the bathroom dressed in a pair of pink jeans and a plain pink tee shirt. She kept her jacket and her boots, throwing off the usual Seabrook attire.

Both Zed and Addison looked at her, a mix of concern and expectancy. Eliza cleared her throat and brushed a curl from her face. "Addison, could you text Eva for me?" Eliza asked. "Just to check on her."

"Yeah, of course."

Addison straightened up, pulling her phone from the pocket of her leggings and sending a text to Eva. As she was waiting, someone knocked on the door of her office. Zed looked at her in question and she nodded, letting him open the door for Bucky.

Bucky looked around, from Zed, to Addison, then stopped on Eliza. "Eliza? Why are you wearing Addison's clothes?"

"Not important," Addison said. "I need to leave. So you're in charge now."

"What?"

"There's only three more hours until their parents come," Addison said calmly. "They've eaten, and now they're tiring themselves out. Extend playtime for another fifteen minutes. Then gather them in the big room and put on a movie."

"Wait. Why are you leaving?"

"I'll explain later," Addison said. She walked around her desk and sat in her chair, opening the drawer. "Gotta Kick It Up isn't a cheer movie but it'll do. And after, just put on like Finding Nemo or something. I dunno. No more cheering today. I'll let the volunteers know."

Bucky nodded along even though he was still confused. Addison handed him a stack of DVDs. "If you need help with the projector, ask Bree," Addison added. "And if you need anything, just text me."

"Okay."

Addison's phone buzzed and she tossed it to Eliza, who barely caught it. Addison closed her laptop and stuffed it in her backpack. "See you tomorrow, Cuz."

"Bye?"

"Don't forget to lock up," Addison reminded him.

She got up and ushered everyone out of her office. She made sure she had her stuff then locked the door. Her and Bucky went their separate ways.

Eliza handed her back her phone. Addison didn't look at the messages with Eva, opening her group chat with the volunteers. She told them simply that something came up, Bucky was in charge, and to watch the kids during movie time.

Zed drove them back to Addison's house. The ride was silent except for the radio and Zed humming along to the music (and muttering the words to the commercials). Once they got to her house, Addison asked him if he would be going inside.

"Nah, I have to do a grocery run," Zed said.

"Okay. Come by later though?"

"Yeah. Love you."

"Love you too."

Eliza closed the door and followed Addison up to her front door. "You didn't have to leave your cheer thing early for me," she grumbled.

"It's fine," Addison assured her. She unlocked the door and let the two of them in. "I get three whole sick days which I never use anyway."

Eliza shrugged and followed Addison up to her room. "Turn on the tv or read a book, I don't care. But I need to shower, since I've been working out all day." Addison told her. "You'll be fine for an hour, right?"

"Yup."

"Alright. Mi casa es tu casa."

Addison went into her bathroom and Eliza sat on the edge of her bed, grabbing the remote. A little more than thirty minutes later, Addison came out of the bathroom. She grabbed clothes from her drawer then went back in, getting dressed and drying her hair, then joined Eliza on the bed.

"You watch a lot of children's cartoons," Eliza pointed out.

Addison laughed and shook her head. "Have you been judging my watch history this whole time?"

"I've been watching Spongebob."

"Ah."

"What did you tell your mom?" Eliza asked.

"I asked if I could have a sleepover. It'd be easier to explain once her and my dad are home but one of them needs a warning that you'll be here."

"Okay."

"So how are you?" Addison asked. "After everything, that is."

Eliza shrugged. "I…don't know. I didn't think it'd be like this, you know. I mean, I know that my parents are homophobic but…I'm their daughter. I'm their youngest, the baby in the family. I thought they would be upset for a little, then get over it. Now I can't even show my face in Zombietown."

"I'm sorry," Addison sympathized. "I can't promise it'll get better. But I know that you'll get through this, Eliza. Because there are people who actually care and who will actually support you. Like Zed, and Bonzo, and me and Bree."

"No offense, but I'd rather have my parents over you."

"None taken. I completely understand." Addison looked from the television to Eliza. "I talk all this big talk, but I'm really happy that things worked out with my parents. I'm just a kid, not even sixteen. I can't do anything without them."

Eliza nodded. "Must be nice."

"Don't worry," Addison said. "My mom says to give them time to cool down. Then organize a meeting to talk through it. It's what we're doing with Bucky and his parents. Except we aren't technically allowed to get involved so hopefully my Sweet Sixteen isn't a shit show."

"I love your optimism, but I doubt what might work for Bucky might not for me."

"It doesn't hurt to be hopeful." Addison shrugged.

"Can we just watch a movie? I don't wanna talk about this anymore."

"Sure."

A/N: Hey, I'm sorry about this chapter. Not really a win for the gays, unfortunately. Don't worry, I'm just setting up some good plot! But until all is revealed, send me your thoughts!

Until Thursday!