Addison's POV
The warm sun felt nice. I relax against Zed's back as he walks us to my house, closing my eyes and laying my head on his shoulder. I sigh contently, feeling Zed shift his head to look back at me but not saying anything in an attempt to not disturb my relaxation.
Somewhere along the way, my mind drifts back to our intimate moment in the Safe Room. I didn't know I could feel so connected with someone else. It was almost like I wasn't only feeling what my body felt, but also his. It sends a shiver down my spine and I hold tighter to Zed's neck.
"Everything ok back there?" He asks. I giggle.
"Mhm." I murmur, pressing my lips against the skin on the side of his neck. Both of us shiver. Something is definitely different, in a good way.
"We're almost to your place." He tells me, trying to refocus on just walking. I lay my head down on his shoulder again and fight the urge to keep kissing his neck.
"You could have said no, you know." Zed mumbles under his breath to the point that I almost didn't hear him.
"What are you talking about Zed?" I question. He shakes his head and pauses, I'm guessing he's debating on elaborating. But then he continues.
"What if I go full zombie again?" His voice sounds scared, almost panicked.
"We went over this," I say gently, "you would never hurt me."
"I know, but no matter how you look at it, I did bite you. And I don't want to accidentally do it again. We don't even know why I turned." He says, voicing his concerns. I kiss the side of his neck again, he stops dead in his tracks.
"Everything is gonna be fine." I whisper, letting myself continue to taste his skin. I run my tongue over the spot and gently suck. Zed is shivering.
"Addy, you gotta stop." He said, but she could tell he was enjoying her kisses. She peeled her lips from his neck reluctantly.
"Well you better get us home quicker then." I tease in a seductive tone, walking my finger across his shoulder towards the spot I had just left. Zed gulps and continues walking, though at a slightly faster pace. We aren't very far now.
The rest of the way, I just mindlessly play with short strands on his hair, staring lovingly at the side of his face or affectionately rubbing my cheek against his shoulder and neck. Occasionally, I feel his grip on my thighs tighten slightly before he relaxes again.
We finally reach the house and he sets me down on my feet on the front porch, making sure I'm steady before letting me stand on my own. I dig out my house key and open the door, Zed following me in, before I shut and lock the door.
As much as I want to just pounce on Zed here and now, I know I have to call my parents before I do anything else. I pull Zed by the hand to the couch and plop down, pulling him to sit beside me, before grabbing the house phone and dialing my dad's number. The phone rings a couple times before he answers.
"Hello?" He asks very confused.
"Hey Dad." I greet.
"Addison? Why aren't you at school?" He asked sounding concerned.
"I'm ok Dad, I just wasn't feeling well so Zed made me come home." I assured him, purposefully making it sound like Zed wasn't there with me. If I'd told him Zed brought me home, he'd probably send a patrol officer to escort Zed back to school. And I definitely didn't want him to leave me alone right now.
"Oh no, well ok Sweetie. Do you need me or your mother to cancel our meeting and come home?" He offered.
"No, no! It's ok really! I'm just going to rest for the day and sit on the sidelines at the game tonight." I assured again. He paused on the other end for a moment.
"Ok, if you're sure. We will see you at the game tonight like we planned." He said.
"Alright Dad." I agreed.
"We love you Addison."
"I love you guys too." I smiled, then hung up. Replacing the phone on the base before turning back to Zed. He gave me an inquisitive look with a raised brow.
"So I sent you home, huh?" He teased with a grin, making me giggle. I then crawled up his body where he sat on the couch, swinging one leg over so I was straddling his hips.
"I couldn't have them knowing you're here with me." I whispered centimeters from his lips. Zed inhaled a sharp breath, his fingers digging into my thighs. I press her lips to his, electricity shooting down my spine. These new feelings when I touch him are incredible! His arms encircle me and he's holding me tightly as our lips and tongues savor each other.
I peek through my lids and sees his eyes screwed tightly shut, like he's uncomfortable. I pull back immediately, his lips seem to follow mine for a second as he leans forward slightly before he realizes I'm pulling away. His eyes open to find my concerned expression.
"What?" He asked hesitantly.
"What's wrong?" I counter, his face shift for a moment to surprise then to one of embarrassment and guilt, his eyes avoiding mine.
"I'm sorry Addy, I'm just trying to concentrate so I don't turn zombie again." He explained. My heart drops.
"So you don't hurt me again." I finish for him, he nods once in confirmation. My fears are coming true, the tears start to prick my eyes again. Zed's head shoots up in my direction to meet my eyes. The tears spill over. I jump off his lap and run up the stairs.
"A-Addison! Wait!" Zed calls behind me, chasing after me. I'm in my bedroom and shut the door before he can stop me. My back pressed against the door to keep it in place. "Addy, please, I'm sorry. I just want to protect you." He says more quietly against the door. A sob constricts my throat.
"Protect me from yourself?! I don't want protected from you! I want you! All of you! I want you to be comfortable around me! Not feel like you have to be restrained!" I rant through my sobs, I suck in a few shaky breaths to try and calm myself. I feel Zed attempt to open the door with a small push, but my body keep it at bay.
"Addison, please let me in." He begs. I stand up from leaning and slowly open the door. As soon as I'm fully in view, Zed launches himself at me, holding me tight yet gently. I grip the back of his shirt as I bury my face in his shoulder, tears still pouring out.
My heart hurts, it hurts so much. To think he doesn't trust himself around me, even when I trust him completely. I know he's not trying to hurt me. But my entire being wants him, all of him. Nothing could compete with how I felt about Zed. Not cheer, not cheesecake, not lip gloss, NOTHING compares to Zed. I love all of them, but I'd give up anything in a heartbeat if it meant choosing over Zed.
"Please stop Addy." I hear him plead, I now feel his body shaking against mine, his own sobs now evident. "I can feel it. I can feel all of it. I'm sorry I'm putting you through so much agony. It's all my fault." What did he just say? I force myself to settle down enough to speak.
"You feel it?" I clarify, he pulls back with a nod as he wipes the tears off his cheeks.
"I have these waves of agony washing over me as soon as I upset you. I can only imagine what you're feeling. Thinking!" His face pains, I can see the glossiness of his eyes returning. "Please don't leave me Addison. I promise I'll be better. Just give me a chance." He begs but I'm still shocked by his words, my chest constricts and I realize I'm feeling panicked and scared. These must be what he's feeling.
"Oh Zed," I sigh, pulling his forehead to press against mine, "I'd never leave you." Relief washes over me and I know it's his emotions. "I was upset because I don't want you to be feel like you have to change or be someone you're not when you're with me. I love all of you and I know you love me enough that you'd never hurt me." Zed smiles, leaning in and kissing me as he relaxes.
"I'm sorry I put so much stress on you. I just thought I was doing the right thing." He says guiltily. I smile and shake my head.
"I know you weren't meaning to hurt me. It was more a me thing." I comfort him. Zed chuckles quietly, then suddenly I'm lifted into his arms bridal style. I squeak in surprise.
"Either way, I do want you to rest up." Zed declared, walking me over to the bed and laying me down softly. I grab ahold of his sleeve as he's about to pull away. He smiled again and kissed my forehead. "I'll be right back! I'm just going to get you some juice." He assured me.
"Promise you won't leave?"
"You can't get rid of me that easy." He teased with an eyebrow wiggle. I giggled and release his sleeve.
"5 minutes." I counter. He stands up straight and salutes at me with a serious expression before rushing out of the room. I giggle at his antics and take the moment alone to change my clothes, and put on some panties.
I take off my cheer uniform and bra before I opted for one of Zed's old tee shirts, that doesn't fit him anymore but is oversized on me, and a pair of pink cheeky panties. I pull my hair up into a messy bun and crawl back into bed.
About a minute later, Zed came back, a tall glass of orange juice and a box of cookies in hand. Without a word, he brings his offerings to my bedside and helps me sit up to take a big gulp of juice before he sets the extra down on the nightstand.
I wiggle under the covers and grab Zed's hand. He smiles and kicks off his shoes as he climbs over me to lay with my back to his front, pulling me by the waist against him. I lay my head back and he leans his in, our cheeks resting against the other.
"Thank you for staying with me." I whisper. I can feel his cheek shift as he smiles.
"I would be a nervous wreck if I didn't stay with you." He said, kissing my cheek. I grin and snuggled back further into him. He hugs me tightly. "Get some rest, I'll stay right here." He said softly, kissing my cheek again.
"Gar garziga." I yawn.
"Zreek garzeep, ag garziga." (Sweet sleep, my love.) Zed whispered sweetly in my ear, but I was already drifting to sleep. Too tired to ask what it meant, I just knew the last part meant love and that's all that really mattered.
