Chapter 2

A few weeks into the new school year came and went, and Solara couldn't tell if she was blending in or sticking out. On one side, she was doing well in school, keeping her grades up and even getting into a geology club and art club after school. This made her foster parents happy, knowing that she was beginning to at least blend in. But she didn't have many friends. She would talk to her lab partner or chat a few times with someone in her history class, but that was it. She stuck to herself.

Except for Zed. Zed became a thorn in her side.

But it was a good pain. It didn't bother her as she thought. He would come over and tell her a stupid joke or story of something he had done. Offer her an apple or even a cupcake, and even try to get his friends to hang with her too. Zed seemed to constantly want to be around her. And Solara couldn't tell if it made her smile or made her feel very comfortable.

"So, are you pumped for your first game of the season?" Eliza asked as she loaded her books into her locker where Zed stood. Zed chuckled and shrugged. "Pumped? Never thought I'd ever hear you say that word. Eliza is pumped." He joked.

"I'm trying to blend in." Eliza countered, rolling her eyes at her friend.

"No, you're standing out." He commented before wincing when she punched his shoulder. "Keep talking like that and you'll have to play with your feet." She remarked. Zed sighed, shifting his letter jacket when his eyes caught Solara, who was at her locker. Her hair was around her face again, covering her as she dropped her jacket and grabbed it, putting it back in the locker. It was getting cooler in Seabrook. You would need a jacket in the morning but by the afternoon it was back to t-shirts, which she never seemed to wear.

"I'll be right back." He said quickly, jumping from his spot and weaving his way through the crowd to her. Eliza raised an eyebrow, turning to watch him, before turning back to her locker.

Solara jumped when someone leaned against her locker as she was over her bag, packing it up, making her locker slam shut. She turned around to see Zed now leaning against it. His eyes widened as he noticed how she reacted. "Sorry! I didn't mean to!" He quickly apologized.

She pushed her hair from her face and shook her head, brushing it off. "Can I help you?" She asked softly, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"You have an obligation as a Seabrook High student that you must attend!" Zed spoke, grinning.

"And that is?" She asked eyebrow raised.

"You have to come to the first football game, of course! It's the only game that really means something. Well, that and the state championships. And you have to support your friend while he plays." He explained, grinning.

Solara looked at him, confused. "You play football?" She asked, looking as he gave her a look and then looked at his letter jacket. "Never mind. I'm not a football type of girl." She explained softly, moving to walk around him. He jumped quickly and stopped her.

"Come on Solara. It's fun, you must! I would love to see you there. I need something to focus on and it'd be nice to have a friend there."

"What about Eliza?"

"A new friend. Come on Sol, please?" He begged, looking at her. Solara stopped. "W-what did you just call me?" She asked. Zed frowned. "Sol? Short for Solara? Are you not into nicknames?" He asked.

She swallowed and shook her head. "No, I've just…" She blushed, looking down for a moment. "I've never had a nickname." She admitted, embarrassed. Zed couldn't help the smile that crept across his pale face. She seemed, happy to have a nickname. Had no one ever given her one?

"Well, now you really have to come to the game!" He teased and grinned when she seemed to giggle flashing fangs. She turned to look at him. "I'll think about it, okay? It depends on what my foster mom says." She answered. Zed grinned.

"I knew I could count on you. I'll be looking for you in the stands!" He said as he turned to tag along with his friends and head to class. Solara watched him for a moment before turning. She couldn't help the grin and laugh that came from her. He was something, even Solara could admit that.

"No, absolutely not!"

"Come on Eliza, please!"

"Since when did I join the circus of friends?" Eliza exclaimed, closing her laptop, and standing up, watching as Zed scrambled up to stop her before she stalked away. "I don't like the games, Zed. I've already gone to enough and looked at what happened each time."

"Things are different now Eliza and you know that." Zed stopped in front of her, halting her movement. "Please. Solara needs a friend and you know you want to help her."

"I'm not going to help you get a girl!"

"It's not because of that. Solara doesn't have any friends here, and even when she sits with us, you kind of intimidate her." Zed explained. He had gotten Bonzo and Eliza to sit with him and Solara, but there wasn't much talk. Solara seemed to eye the other two zombies, even though they hadn't said or done anything to her. As if she were afraid of what they would say to her. Eliza couldn't help but smirk at the thought. "I can't go to Addison for this and you two seem like you would get along. Please!" He practically begged her; his hands cupped in front of him. Eliza sighed. Even she had to admit Solara was interesting, and they seemed to have the same attitude toward things. The zombie girl rolled her eyes at her best friend, practically a brother to her.

"I hate you! Fine! I'll do it, but if it goes south don't expect me to try and use my nonexistent bubbly personality." She growled, before squeaking when Zed wrapped her up in a hug, picking her up. "Put. Me. Down. Zed." She growled as he sat her down. She couldn't believe she was doing this.

It was loud, that much Solara could understand. It was too loud even for her hypersensitive hearing.

Vivian had been so excited to know that Solara wanted to stay Friday afternoon for the football game. She was happy to see that the girl was trying her best to join in with the school, trying to blend in. So, she gave her a little money for a drink or popcorn and promised the girl she would be there to pick her up after the game. Solara was happy that Vivian was happy, but she really wasn't looking forward to this.

Still, she had promised Zed.

She shuffled up the bleachers to a quiet spot at the top. Everyone, zombies, werewolves, and humans were clustered in their own friend group, watching the game, and cheering on their home team. The opposing team was on the other side. Solara could point out Addison in the cheer squad like she had said. She was the captain now, beside another peppy male that was also class president. Bucky, she believed his name was. They seemed to be the only reason why the audience was watching. She had to admit, they were good.

"Hey." Solara looked up when she heard someone speak up beside her, turning. Eliza smiled softly, shuffling up the bleachers toward the girl. She was Zed's friend. Solara smiled weakly. "It's Solara, right? I'm Eliza." The zombie girl moved to sit beside Solara.

"Figured you didn't want to sit alone, not at your first football game. Plus, I can tell you don't seem to be enjoying yourself?" She asked. Solara couldn't help but chuckle.

"Is it that obvious?"

"That's the same expression I wore at my first game." She teased, making both girls laugh softly. "But since I have one friend on the football team and one on the cheer squad, I'm obligated to come."

Solara smiled. "Crowds aren't really my thing. I've never been one to be the center of attention."

"Me neither," Eliza added. Solara raised an eyebrow. "But Zed said you fight for a lot of injustice? Wouldn't that mean you have to be the center of attention?" Solara asked. Eliza was impressed that she remembered and that Zed spoke about her. "Yeah, but that still doesn't mean I want to be popular."

Solara had to give her that. She watched the game in silence for a moment, hearing the buzzer that signified it was halftime. They were winning, but the opposing team was close. She watched the team as they pulled helmets or gear off and noticed Zed's bright green hair. She couldn't help but smile at him. He seemed famous on the football team. The players high-five him or fist-bumped. And he seemed happy with that. Like he thrived on the adrenaline.

It was then that he noticed her, watching him. She was at the top, with Eliza. Zed waved at her and Solara's eyes widened before she slowly waved back with a weak smile. People had seen her wave and had turned to look at her. Her face flushed red with embarrassment. But she focused on Zed. He motioned toward the side of the field, before beginning to jog over once he spoke with his coach.

"Go, I'll keep the seats," Eliza spoke, patting her on the shoulder. Solara looked at Eliza, before gulping air and standing up. She couldn't just sit back and ignore him. She began to clamber down the stairs, feeling eyes on her. Including a white-haired girl from the cheer team and her confused look.

"Hey, didn't think you had seen me," Zed called once she managed to find him at the side of the field. Solara looked around, wary, as she walked up to him. He couldn't put his finger on it. How she seemed to hide, even if she was beginning to become more open with him. He noticed her outfit, black jeans, and a long-sleeved red blouse with loose sleeves, black flats. She always seemed to wear clothes that covered her skin. "Aren't you hot?" He asked.

"I'm fine." Solara lied, tasting bitter on her tongue. But it was a lie easily told. Zed raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. "So, why did you call me over, besides to get a whiff of your body odor." He found it cute when her nose scrunched up, even if it was in disgust. What was she doing to him?

"I wanted to ask if you were enjoying yourself. I know football games aren't everyone's favorite thing, but it's cool that you came." He said with a smile to her.

She looked away, shrugging, and playing with a strand of her black hair. "It's okay. If you win."

Zed scoffed. "If? We'll win, don't worry."

"Are you going to cheat this time?" Zed raised an eyebrow. Solara shrugged. "Eliza told." He rolled his eyes, before shaking his head. "No, I don't cheat anymore. My team trusts me, and we do everything together now." He explained and she couldn't help the small smirk.

"What? You don't think we'll win? Come on, Sol, give me some support." He teased.

"I mean, from what I know from football; the teams are very close. A few points and the other team will be leading." She explained and couldn't help the small smile that was gracing her lips. There was just something about him, and she had never smiled like this.

"Fine, you owe me a bet then." Zed crossed his arms over his chest, looking over her. Solara raised an eyebrow.

"A bet?"

"Yeah, a bet. If the other team wins, I'll buy your lunch for the next two weeks." He said. She seemed to like the salad bar they had at the cafeteria, but she didn't have the money and didn't press her foster mom for any. She just ate the lunch she was given. It seemed a fair trade.

Solara chuckled. "Okay, and what if your team wins?" She asked.

Zed had to think, before smirking. "You go on a date with me. It's fair trade. Free food no matter what happens." He saw her stiffen but ignored it. "Deal?" He asked.

Solara's eyes widened. A date? He wanted a date with her. Granted, it was a bet, but he wanted to take her on a date? "Well? I gotta get back, half time's almost over. What do you say?" Zed asked again, holding his hand out for her to shake. Solara swallowed thickly, before smirking.

"Alright, deal." She said, taking his hand and shaking it, ignoring the obvious spark that she felt in her fingers. She really hoped he hadn't felt it either. She looked up at him, before pulling back quickly and taking a step away. He couldn't help but chuckle and grin, before taking off back toward the field.

Solara held her hand awkwardly in her other for a minute, looking down at it and trying to decipher the shock. It had to be static, it had to. Right? She heard the cheering begin and knew she needed to get back to the stands.

"What happened?" Eliza asked after a moment once Solara had made her way up. She had almost forgot. She looked at Eliza, before swallowing and turning to watch the game as it continued.

"We made a bet. If the other team wins then he pays for my lunch." She said, crossing her arms and sitting down as the game continued. Eliza chuckled, looking at her newfound friend and sitting back down beside her. They watched the game in silence.

The final point before the time was over, and Seabrook had won. The crowd went wild, cheering and watching the team as they had their own win.

"And if Seabrook wins?" Eliza asked, looking toward the wolf.

Solara swallowed thickly. She noticed Zed pull his helmet off in the crowd and immediately look for her in the crowd. He caught her eyes and smirked, winking. And Solara couldn't help but smile. "I have to go on a date with him."

Eliza's eyes widened. "Zed, you sneaky zombie." She said with a smirk. Still, it was nice to see her best friend beginning to perk up again. He had been sulking since Addison, maybe this was a good thing for him.

"Good luck." She said, clapping Solara on the shoulder. Solara laughed; her face flushed red as her hair fell over her cheeks. She watched the team, smiling.