Addison's POV
Zed's been very careful and protective over me the last few days. He tried to talk me out of cheer practice today but I haven't gotten sick since Sunday. Yes, I haven't had my usual appetite and I've had these weird cravings for brain flavored stuff, but come on. I'm mostly over whatever this sickness is. And the squad is counting on me!
I pull my cheer uniform on and check myself in the mirror to make sure I look ok before I leave. I scream as I look at my reflection. Zed comes barreling in through the bathroom door in a panic.
"What?! What's wrong?!" He exclaims, looking me over for something that's hurt.
"I'm gaining weight!" I scream. He stares at me in shock and surprise.
"What are you talking about?" He asks, confused by my statement. I point to my midsection and how tight my uniform looks.
"I've gotten too lazy! And eating too much junk food! I'm gaining weight!" I exclaim my distress. He sighs in relief and chuckles.
"You scared the shit out of me." He says, coming behind me and wrapping me in his arms for a comforting hug. "You can't be so hard on yourself." I pull out of his hold and glare at him.
"I'm cheer captain! I can't let myself turn into a fat cow the last few months of school!" I argue, grabbing my duffle bag off the floor and stomping out of my room and down the stairs. Zed's not far behind me.
"Addy, you know that's not what I meant." He pleads. I turn back and sigh.
"I know. I need to get to practice." I tell him, stepping closer and kissing his lips softly. "I'll see you later, ok?"
"Yeah. You're sure you don't want me to walk you there?" His eyes look worried, so I give him a reassuring smile.
"I'll be fine, promise!" I try my best wink for good measure, but end up just squinting instead. That earned a laugh from him as he kissed me again.
"I'll come pick you up after then." He counters, effectively winking at me as a tease. I giggle and nod.
"I love you! Bye!" I call skipping out the door. I hear an 'I love you too! Be careful!' before I close the door behind me.
XxX
Well this practice has turned out just perfect. I'm sitting on the bleachers giving instructions from here. Bree had noticed how pale I got about half way through from lightheadedness. And now I'm feeling a little queasy. What a great captain I'm turning out to be.
"Ok guys! I think that's enough for today." I say with a sigh. Bree makes her way up the bleachers to sit beside me.
"Are you feeling better, Addy?" She asks sweetly, and I can hear the concern she's trying to hide. I sigh again.
"If I'm being honest? Not really." I say, disappointed in myself. She pouts her lips with a smile underneath and looks at me pointedly.
"You can't really be beating yourself up over this, right? Everyone gets sick sometimes!" She assures, then hugs my side. I giggle and hug her back.
"Breeska!" We suddenly hear shouted from the gym door. We see Bonzo hurrying up the bleachers. I glance over and see Zed following behind more leisurely. Bree quickly stands and hugs her big zombie boyfriend as he excitedly rambles on to her about some new project he's started.
I stand just as Zed reaches me, offering a sad smile before hugging him for comfort. I take in a deep breath of his scent and I feel instantly better. His face immediately shifts from a smile to concern.
"What's wrong?" He asks quietly.
"I only participated in practice about half the time." I tell him with a sigh. "I started feeling lightheaded and nauseous."
"Well I'm glad you didn't push yourself." He says, kissing my hair affectionately. I huff.
"Yeah, I'll just gain 50 pounds and resign as cheer captain." I reply sarcastically. I feel a tinge of hurt hit my heart and I tighten my hold around him. "I'm sorry. I'm just confused why this sickness is lasting so long. I want to get back to normal." I apologize.
"I know Baby." He sympathizes. He picks up my bag and keeps an arm wrapped securely around my waist. "Let's get you home to rest." I nod my agreement, still feeling a little dizzy and nauseous. We say bye to Bree and Bonzo before heading out.
XxX
Zed hasn't let me lift a finger since we've been home. He asked me three time on the way if I wanted him to carry me. Of course I refused. We got back and he wouldn't even let me change clothes by myself! Or, at least, mess around with me while I was naked. I sigh as I flip through the channels on the tv mindlessly.
I'm so bored and frustrated! I groan and flop back onto my pillows Zed so graciously stacked behind me.
"Everything ok?" He asks as he enters the room with a glass of Sprite that he hands to me. I sit up to accept the glass and give him an annoyed look.
"You're not letting me do anything and I'm bored out of my mind." I complain. He chuckles and sits next down next to me. I take a small sip of the Sprite he'd poured for me. I immediately spit out the remnants out of my mouth. The glass tumbling to the floor.
My stomach starts to burn like my insides will be ripped out at any moment. My lungs constrict and I can't breath. I hear Zed hiss beside me, then growl. I'm gasping in each breath. My hand frantically grasping at him for help.
"Grut!" (Shit!) Zed curses. He's quick to scoop me up, running to the kitchen.
He sits me gently on the counter beside the sink and washes his hands at lightning speed. I must have spit the drink on his hand. And I can see the black veins creeping up his arm.
Once he's clean, he grabs my face and pulls me down to drink from the faucet. I take in a few big slugs and start feeling like I can breath again. I pull back and take in some much needed air. But it doesn't last long as I lean back down and puke up any contents of my belly into the sink.
When I'm done, Zed pulls me against him into a bone crushing hug. He's out of breath from his panic.
"Are you ok?" He asks in a gentle whisper. I nod but I'm too scared to speak. I hold onto him like a lifeline, my hands gripping his shirt as the situation all crashes down on me and I start to sob. He rubs my back and lets my cry into his chest.
"You're ok. We're ok." He says, it almost sounds like he's trying to convince himself more than me. After a few minutes, I'm able to compose myself a little better. I pull back but don't release my hold on him, nor his on me.
"What the hell happened?!" I finally ask. He shakes his head.
"I don't know." He says, stupefied. "I mean, I know what happened when you spit your soda on my hand, but-"
"What was that about?" I interject.
"Zombies can't have anything with lime in it. Your drink was a lemon-lime mixture." He says.
"Why can't zombies have lime?" I question.
"The outbreak was caused by an accident with lime soda. If it even touches our skin, it irritates our Zombie and we start to turn full. If we ingest any, we will turn and never be able to go back." He explains grimly. My stomach churns like I'm gonna get sick again.
"Zed, something's not right. I can feel it. There has to be something wrong with me! This isn't just a stomach bug!" I cry in my panic. He pulls me back into a tight hug.
"I know. We're going to figure this out." He assures me comfortingly. Behind my head, I can hear him dialing on his Z-band, refusing to let go of me as he does so. After a couple rings a familiar voice answers.
"Hey, how's Addison feeling?" Eliza asks nonchalantly.
"Is your mom home?" He asks, ignoring her question completely.
"Yeah, why? Did something happen?" She counters in concern.
"We're on our way." He responds without answering her and hangs up before she can ask anything else. He's already scooping me up and heading towards the door.
He's freaking out. I can feel it.
"What are you thinking?" I ask softly, not even bothering to argue about what I'm wearing or anything.
"It has to have something to do with the mark. It has to! Why else would your body react like that to lime! You've had lime stuff before, right?" I nod. His pace is quick as he rushes toward Zombietown.
"Would it be easier if I was on your back?" I offer, trying my best to calm his panic. He shakes his head.
"It won't matter. I just want to get there." He doesn't even look down at me. I place a delicate hand on his cheek to pull his gaze down to mine.
"I'm ok. Calm down." I tell him gently. He slows to a halt and takes a deep breath and lets it out. "That's better." I say with a smile, leaning up to kiss his lips. He relaxes further when our lips meet.
"Ok. Get on my back." He resigns.
