A/N: Kicklover109 suggested this graduation dinner moment. I appreciate all the ideas! They're finally getting the writing juices flowing! Thanks! (I hope it's what you wanted)


The graduating class of 2021 had gathered in the gym. Principal Lee was attempting to get them all into alphabetical order, but very few were actually listening. Addison and Zed were among them.

"I wish my name started with an N," Addison sighed. "I'm all the way at the end!"

"That just means that I'll be already seated again and ready to cheer for you the loudest when it's your turn," Zed replied with a playful flick to her cap's tassel. "Have I told you how lovely you look in pink?" he added.

"Many times," she said with a giggle. "And I love that your hair matches your cap and gown. Though that hair is making the cap sit very precariously."

"Don't touch it," he sighed. "Zoey and Eliza have bobby pins holding it in place and I kinda hate that fact."

She smiled and leaned up to kiss him, but their graduation caps kept bumping.

"Later," he said with his trademark grin. "After we've thrown these stupid things, I'm going to spin you around and kiss you properly."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"See that you do."

Suddenly, Principal Lee's voice broke the moment. "Necrodopolous, Zed!"

"Didn't get your Zombie name put on your diploma?" Addison teased.

"No. Thankfully. Zed Jacob is quite good enough."

"Necrodopolous, Zed!"

Zed rolled his eyes. "I guess I'd better go before she calls the Zombie name."

She blew him a kiss. He caught it and dramatically smooched his hand.

"Weirdo," she laughed.

"Your weirdo," he said with a wink before running off to line up.

Addison sat and watched her friends get in order and impatiently waited to get to the Ws.

Finally, everyone had entered the stadium and waited through the speeches. Addison had almost fallen asleep when her phone buzzed. She pulled it out as stealthfully as she could and glanced down.

Hey, u busy? she saw on her screen.

Maybe a little she replied.

Too bad. I was going to offer an ice cream run.

Addison rolled her eyes. Only her crazy boyfriend would be texting her during graduation.

Rain check? she texted back.

Ugh, fine.

You'd better pay attention. She's on the Ms

My name is pretty hard to miss. I've got this.

And true to his word, Zed didn't miss a beat, standing proudly at his name and striding with his usual swagger across the stage. Addison cheered as he turned his tassel to the other side of his cap.

What seemed like hours later, Addison's name was finally called and she crossed the stage as proudly as she could. She did her best to smile and not laugh as Zed shouted, "That's my girl!" as she received her diploma.

Once Principal Lee declared them graduates of Seabrook Senior High School, the students threw their hats in the air and cheered. And then the race was on to find friends.

Zed ran to Addison and, as promised, swept her up and spun her around. As soon as her feet hit the ground, he instantly bent down to kiss her properly.

"All right, all right, family show here!" Eliza teased as she joined them.

Bonzo laughed. "Elizaka, zat broo grizble? Quig ziz grevarig zeg'at grathig taz!" (Eliza, are you new? This is them we're talking about!) He dramatically put his knuckles to his forehead. "Zeddiska!" (Zeddison)

Zed broke the kiss and glared at his two best friends. "Grugazel brung," he muttered. (F*ck off)

"Zed!" Addison scolded.

"Not sorry," he replied, bending to kiss her again.

Finally Bree caught up to the group. "Ahhh! Class of 2021!" she shrieked. She hugged Addison and turned to Bonzo. "Hi, Bonz."

Zed groaned at another interruption. "Don't you kiss her!" he said, pointing with a strict finger to Bonzo. "This apparently is a kiss free zone! Nope!" Zed said as he pulled Bonzo away. "It's time for pizza. Let's go, Romeo."

"Wha?" Bree asked as she watched her boyfriend get dragged away.

"Blame Eliza and Bonzo," Addison said as she began to follow them. "Let's find our parents and get out of here."


Two weeks later, Zed was helping Addison and Missy decorate for "their" graduation party. Zed knew the party was really just for Addison, but he appreciated Missy faking her way through it. He was making progress with her. Slow progress. But baby steps was still movement.

"I've never seen so much pink and green in my life," Zed whispered to Addison as he hung another streamer (the obvious job for the tallest around). "And I sat amongst 200 people dressed in pink and green robes."

Addison shrugged. "She's not trying to keep up with the Joneses, she's trying to run them over."

"Ah, how very Missy Wells of her."

Addison tapped her nose to show he was right.

"I just can't believe she's letting me "share" this party with you," he said with air quotes. "I'm kinda surprised I'm allowed near the party with all the bigwigs coming."

Addison sighed. "Well, it's probably slightly tactical on her part. If her daughter's Zombie is at the party, it's showing her support for abolishing all the anti-monster laws. It's showing to be very popular in the polls right now."

"Aww, I'm your Zombie?" he asked with his grin.

"Did you miss the rest of what I said?"

"Oh, I heard it. Doesn't matter, though. Let her use me as a political pawn." He shrugged. "It just means that I get to be here. I'll take what I can get."

"How are you so optimistic?"

Zed shrugged. "My mom always told me to look on the bright side of life."

"Complete with the whistle?" Addison asked with a giggle.

"Huh?"

"From Monty Python? The comedians? We'll watch it later. Anyway, I think it's great that you try to be so positive. I'll need to claim some of that while the Council members and all those bigwigs are here. I used to get "Oh, Addison! How lovely you're growing up!" But now it's usually just, "Oh, Addison. Hello." Which is fine, because it's not like I want to have a conversation with them anyway. But I could definitely use someone in my corner."

"Well, you'll still have me, Bonzo, Eliza, Bree and the Wolves. Plus, I think the best person in your corner just showed up."

Zed turned Addison around to see Nana E coming in the door.

"Where's my graduate dove?" Eleanor called.

"Nana E!" Addison screeched as she ran to her grandmother. "I am so glad you're here!"

"As am I, my little love. No one else has been here to make you feel bad, have they?"

"No, you're still pretty early." Addison glanced over and saw Zed shaking hands with Papa O. "Did you ditch Papa?" she asked with a giggle.

"Not my fault he's too old and couldn't keep up!" Eleanor said with her infectious laugh.

Zed and Otto joined their girls and Otto hugged his granddaughter. "Look at these graduates!" he said. "We blinked and they grew up."

"Careful, you'll blink again and we'll be through college!" Addison teased.

"Bite your tongue, young lady! I'm not ready for that," Eleanor said with a smile.

Addison decided to skip mentioning marriage. She knew that she and Zed were destined for it, but she didn't want to freak him out, just in case. (Little did she know that wouldn't have been the case at all)

Eleanor patted Addison's shoulder. "Anything else need done?"

"Mom might need help in the kitchen setting up the food. We've got the jolly green giant in here decorating," Addison replied.

"Food is definitely my domain. C'mon, Otto. Let's see what trouble Missy got herself into." Eleanor began to walk away but then stopped. "Oh, is the harpy and her lackey coming today?"

Zed didn't even try to hide the burst of laughter that came from him when he heard that. Nana E's sassy mouth never failed to slay him.

Addison had a hand in front of her mouth to stifle her laugh. "I honestly don't know. Jay and Kat never RSVP'd. I'm willing to bet they will show up since there will be some high up people here. But they won't stay long—"

"Because some low down people will also be here," Zed added.

"And what do we say about that?" Eleanor asked.

"That they can go pound salt," Addison and Zed replied together.

"That's right! Ok, I'm off to fix whatever your mother has done in there. You keep hanging ridiculously high streamers and I'll see you soon. Love you!"

"Love you too!" they replied together again.

Zed beamed. "She's the best. Just. The. Best."

"You'll get no arguments here. Now, hang this pink roll up."

A few hours later, the party was really winding down. Addison, Bree, the Zombies, and the Werewolves were all settled at one table and the rest of the guests seemed to keep their distance (Nana E and Papa O notwithstanding).

"I'm bored," Eliza moaned.

"I know. I'm sorry, E. This isn't a Zombie mash by any stretch of the imagination," Addison whined. "I did not think it would go this long. Everyone just wanted to be here to get the credit for hanging out with the Zombies and the Werewolves."

"So why are Jay and Kat still here?" Bree asked. "They look so miserable and they're basically the only ones left."

"Zirry'iz zeng gride zapzel," Bonzo deadpanned. (That's their usual face)

"Bonzo!" Bree chided. "That's not nice!"

"He's not wrong," Addison said with a shrug. "They just want to say that they stayed the longest. Ugh, but why do they keep looking over here?"

"Because they're waiting for something to happen," Zed said. A suspicious grin split his face. "Something like this…"

And with that Zed, leaned down and playfully nommed at Addison's ear. She giggled loudly which of course sent Jay and Kat into a rage. They instantly stood up and left the room.
(A/N: Search YouTube for a video called "Rock Me | Meg & Milo (Meg Donnelly & Milo Manheim) " by Meg & Milo. At the 15 second mark, that's what it would look like. 😊 )

Eliza put her face in her hands. "Way to go setting Zombies back 20 years. The ear and everything? You know what that means here."

Zed shrugged. "I figured that would get them the most." He winked before popping a pretzel into his mouth.

"Zedski," Bonzo said, laughing and shaking his head.

Just then, Eleanor and Otto walked over.

"Zed, did you do what I think you just did?" Eleanor said, hands on her hips. "Did you just bite Addison's ear to make Jay and Kat uncomfortable?"

Zed gulped. "Um, yes, ma'am."

Eleanor burst into laughter. "I should scold you for an hour for that one, but I can't! The looks on their faces were too priceless. Well done!"

Zed's sigh of relief was audible.

Eleanor pulled Addison up to give her a hug. "Now, I'd suggest you all get out of here before the hammer falls for that move."

"Good idea," Addison agreed, hugging her grandmother tightly.

They all exchanged hugs and kisses with the grandparents and Eleanor and Otto left.

Addison poked her head into the kitchen. "Mom, we've got to get the Wolves home. I'll see you later. Thanks for the party! Love you!" she hurriedly said before running out.

"Thanks, Mayor Missy!" Zed called as well, hurrying their friends out before anyone found out about Zed's prank.

"You know I drove, right?" Wynter said as they ran to the street where the parked cars were.

"Yep. Now drive home!" Addison said, hugging each of them quickly.

Eliza and Bonzo hurried into Bree's car and Addison hopped into Zed's. The 3 cars pulled away quickly with all the friends laughing loudly as they escaped.


End note: Please know, if you have left a review for this story, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! They keep me motivated to keep going. You guys are awesome!