Author Notes

So this weeks chapter gets really heavy it also doesn't really go along with the movie (I hope that's ok) but there's gonna be a lot of Zeddison fluff.

"You can't just leave us, Zara," Zevon said tears brimming his eyes as he looked down at the infant in his arms. "Zoey's only a baby. She's gonna need her,"

"Mommy," a small voice said interrupting him. "Where are you going?" A seven-year-old Zed walked up to her clutching his stuffed dog Zander close to his chest.

"Zed, go back to sleep," Zevon said as the young zombie let out a loud yawn. "Zeddy, come here sweetheart," Zara said kneeling down and sitting him on her leg. "Mommy has to go away for a while," She said as she wiped her tears away.

"Will you be back?" Zed asked his sparkly brown eyes meeting her green ones. "I .. I don't know sweetie." She said looking anywhere but at him. He forcefully jumped off of her.

If Zed was being honest He didn't know what was going on, but he did know something.

For the past couple of weeks, his mom and dad had been fighting. It always started with "Their just kids they need you" and Zara would argue "I can't handle two kids, after Zoey is born, I.. I'm leaving." And every night Zed would cry himself to sleep, the thought of waking up without his mom being there scared him. He loved his mom her stories, her hugs, the way she made the darkest cloud go away, her smile alone could light up a room.

Zed's mind was spiraling out of control he was confused as to why his awesome rockstar mom would just leave him and his new baby sister, he was mad at her for tearing their family apart. At that moment he wanted to drop down on his knees and beg her to stay, but all Zed could say was,

"just.. just GO!" His little voice shaking with each word. "Zeddy, sweet-"

"I SAID GO!" Zed said interrupting her, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. "If you don't want to take care of Zoey I will! And I will ALWAYS be there for her. No matter what!"

And with that being said Zara picked up her bag and walked out the door.

Zed turned around to see his dad staring back at him with tear rimmed eyes. "Zed why did you do that" Zevon said looking down at his son.

"Because dad, I hear you guys talk every night she said that she couldn't take care of me and Zoey," Zed said his tears flowing freely.

"Son, are you gonna be ok?" Zevon asked pulling his son into a tight hug. "I don't know dad I really don't know. But I'll try to stay strong." Zed said Zevon gave him a small smile "that's ok son but, we're gonna be ok. I mean yea it's gonna take some getting used too, but we'll get through this." He said pulling his kids into a warm embrace.

October 19 the date was burned into his brain. All Zed wanted to do was curl up and stay in bed all day. Zoey doesn't remember what happened but he remembered every moment. And it infuriated him, how could someone do that to their kids especially a newborn baby girl. But Zed didn't have time to think about that now, cause he heard Zoey's little footsteps running into his room. Sure enough, the door flew open and a little green haired blur ran in and jumped on him.

"TODAY'S THE BIG DAY!" Zoey yelled as she landed. "Are you excited to see me play or the cheerleaders," Zed said with a fake pout. Zoey threw her arms around her big brother, "Of course I love seeing you bash heads with the other team, but if I get to see real-life cheerleaders then that's just a plus." She said booping his nose.

"Awwww how did I get so lucky, I have the best little sister ever," Zed said standing up and putting her on his hip as he walked down to the kitchen.

"What are you even talking about. If anyone here is lucky it's me I have the coolest big bro ever!" She said laughing as Zed put her down.

"Yea your right, I am pretty cool," Zed said popping his collar, which earned him not only a laugh but a soft punch to the arm as well. "Ok fine let's just agree that we're both pretty lucky, deal?" He said holding out a fist. "Deal," Zoey said bumping it.

Zed hung his head low as he walked through the hallways of Seabrook high school. He slowly walked to his locker and sighed resting his head on the door.

"Hey Zed," Eliza said softly. The first place Zed went to after his mom left was Eliza's house, he needed to go somewhere, where he could just take a break and Eliza's was his first choice. She had always been like a sister to him(before Zoey came of course). "Hey E," He said sadly, as he lifted his head and opened his locker.

"So you've got the big homecoming game today." She said trying to cheer him up. Seeing Zed so sad really hurt her. Zed only shrugged in response.

"I mean Go Mighty Shrimp!" She said trying her best to imitate the cheerleaders. Zed chuckled softly and turned to her. "E you know I love ya, but promise me you won't become a cheerleader that was weird," Zed said shivering at the thought of Eliza in the bright pink uniforms. "I'll do you one better I pinky promise," She said holding up her pinky. Zed smiled and hooked her pinky.

"Thanks," Zed said closing his locker "you always know how to make me feel better," He said as they started to walk to homeroom. "Don't mention it, it's the least I can do?" Eliza said.

As they turned the corner Eliza crashed into Bucky "Hey watch-" Bucky froze when he saw who it was. Bucky would never admit this but he had formed a crush on the girl zombie. "Uh I'm sorry," he said quickly walking away.

"That was weird," Eliza said as she dusted herself off. Zed had watched the whole thing and knew exactly what was going on with the cheer captain. "E he totally likes you." He said as if it was obvious(which it was) "Zed are you serious that was Bucky, you know jazz hands Bucky." She said imitating him. Zed laughed "look at it this way if he would've crashed into me he would have said 'get out of my way zombie and stay away from Addison' or something along those lines," he said walking into class.

Eliza only smiled as she sat down. She would never admit this but she had grown pretty fond of the cheer captain.

Lunch his favorite time of the day, Zed and Eliza made their way to the back of the cafeteria. "What's that," Eliza said pointing at a pink envelope that said 'To my dear Zedikins'

Eliza unsuccessfully stifled a laugh. Zed half-jokingly glared at her. "What that's hilarious," she said as she sat down.

Zed rolled his eyes and opened the envelope. Tons of silver confetti fell onto the table, he took out the note that read 'Cheering for you with all my heart Love, Addy'.

From across the cafeteria, Addison hid behind Bree as she watched Zed open the letter. "He's looking at it, he's looking at it!" She was practically beaming with excitement. "Woah down girl, keep that up and you'll ruin the surprise." She said sarcastically. Addison playfully smacked her arm, "He already knows who it's from I used his secret nickname" Addison said her eyes never leaving Zed. "Which is?" Bree asked, "Well if I told you then it wouldn't be a secret now would it." She said matter of factly. Bree shook her head and laughed as she sat down.

Zed smiled and looked towards his "secret" admirer. Her blue eyes made him forget all about the events that happened all those years ago. Addison caught Zeds brown eyes and made her way towards him, only to be stopped and spun around by Bucky.

Earlier that morning after crashing into his crush Bucky stumbled into the cheer lounge to find Addison sitting in one of the pink arm cheers he couldn't believe he was doing this. "Umm Addison can I talk to you," He said just above a whisper "I don't know are going tell me how much you disapprove of my soulmate, or are you gonna make fun my hair again?" She said sternly.

"Addison I'm sorry for that it's just you know what happened to our grandfather," Bucky said shivering at the thought. Addison was stunned Bucky never apologized to anyone really. "You were brainwashed too," Addison said jokingly. Bucky nodded yes. "But, here's the thing I like this girl," Bucky said averting his eyes to the ground. "That's great is she on the team, do I know her," Addison said happy that she was actually talking to her cousin about something.

"No she's not on the team," Bucky said still looking at the ground. "Well, who is this mystery girl." Addison said jokingly Bucky chuckled "you know the girl zombie that Zed always hangs out with," Bucky said a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth as looked off dreamily. "OMG! You're really head over heels for this girl" Addison said as she jumped up and down. "Shhh ya I know I can't believe it either." Bucky with a big smile on his face.

"Addison I need your help," Bucky said "Stop doing that," Addison said shrugging out of his hold "I'm kinda in the middle of something," she said gesturing to Zed who had stopped walking towards her and looked around awkward. If Addison were in a cartoon a lightbulb would have appeared over her head and went "ding" because she got a great idea. "Why don't you come with me to their table," Addison said grabbing his wrist.

"Hey Zed," Addison said as she finally reached him. "Uhh, are you supposed to be talking to me," Zed said pointing to Bucky. "Oh speaking of him he has something he wants to say to you," Addison said pushing Bucky in front of her. "Hey Zed good luck at the game today," Bucky said sheepishly. "Than-"

"Bucky," Addison said cutting off Zed to glare at her cousin.

"What else do you want me to say," Bucky said frantically. "Apologize," She said through gritted teeth. "Right I'm sorry for giving you such a hard time about my cousin," Bucky said scratching the back of his neck. "Thanks, man," Zed said giving him a bro hug.

Addison looked at Bucky again when he looked back her confused she whispered "ask him" she said again through gritted teeth. "Oh hey um Zed" he started "wassup," Zed said quirking an eyebrow. "Umm well, you know that girl zombie you always hang out with," Bucky said running a nervous hand through his hair. "You mean Eliza," Zed said waving over to the girl. Bucky and Addison's eyes widened. "Hey Z, Cheer Stick, Pompoms," Eliza said as she walked up next to Zed. He rolled his eyes "Eliza you know Addison I thought you liked her" He said. "One sec," Addison said as she turned her cousin into a small huddle. "Addison what am I gonna do," Bucky asked "Well you could talk to her, she is right there," Addison said turning around.

"Eliza, Bucky here needs to talk to you," Addison said grabbing Zed's hand. "Umm bye guys E I'll see ya later," Zed said as he was pulled out the cafeteria. Since it was The homecoming game everyone got out early.

Eliza stood there staring at her soulmate in very awkward silence. "Listen I'm really sorry about the whole pep rally spirit stick thing," Bucky said "oh uh it's ok," Eliza said dismissively. "Hi I'm Bucky," he said holding out his hand. "I know who you are." Eliza said confused "you know cheer captain Bucky the person who thought all zombies were bad, I want you to Bucky the guy who's nuts about you," Bucky said grabbing her hand. "Hi I'm Eliza," she said shaking his hand. "Well Eliza, would maybe wanna be my date to homecoming?" Bucky said slowly. "I would love to be your date," Eliza said with a smile. Just then the end of school bell rang as students began to exit the cafeteria, a boy and a girl walk home hand in hand.

"So Addy you and me homecoming?" Zed said as they walked to his locker. "Zed Necrodoplis are you asking me to homecoming?" Addison said stopping in front of him. "Why yes I am Addison Donnelly," he said pulling her into a hug. "I want to win this game then dance the night away with my one and only," Zed said turning her in a smooth dance move. "Well I would love to go with you, but," Addison said trailing off.

"but," Zed said asking her to go on. "It's my parents, you saw how Bucky was my parents are way worse," Addison said sadly. Just then the end of school bell rang "I gotta get to practice I'll see you later." Addison said stretching up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek.

As she walked away Zeds mood went from sad to happy as he got another(not so) amazing idea. "Eliza said not to swipe right but what's the worst that could happen he said as he made his way towards Zombietown.

Author notes

Uh oh, another cliffhanger I'm sorry I had to set this up for next week's chapter. I bet you guys weren't expecting that but it'll all make sense into the next couple of chapters.

I hope you all have a Happy holidays and New Year! I promise to get my upload schedule together by next year.

I love you all so so much. Thanks so much for reading and I'll see you next week BYE!