TRY-OUTS

Bright and early Saturday morning Addison, Bree, and the entire Mighty Shrimp Cheer Squad were in the Seabrook High gym re-working their routine for Nationals yet again. After two hours of practice, adjustments, and re-configuring, Addison finally let out a sigh of relief and smiled.

"I think this might actually work, Bree!"

"Girl! This routine is amazing! Of course, it's going to work!

"I need to see it on film though."

"Want me to record it?"

"No, I want to see it with everyone in it. You and I included. What time is it?"

"Um...9:45," Bree said glancing at her phone.

"Yes! Zed should be over at the baseball field by now!" Addison smiled as she grabbed her phone out of her pocket. She anxiously tapped her foot while she waited for him to answer until his voicemail picked up. "Ugh! No answer. I'm going to go run over and grab him. I'll be right back."

At 9:30, Zed walked up to the baseball field to begin setting up for try-outs. As he pulled a pile of aluminum bats out of the storage closet, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He placed the bats down against the fence and looked up to see Charlie walking up to the dugout.

"Hi, Zed. Thanks for inviting me to practice before try-outs."

"Oh, hey...Charlie...right?" he said extending his hand out.

"Yeah," Charlie said shaking his hand.

"Well, Charlie, I'm glad you came out. We still have about..." Zed glanced down at his watch, "Twenty-five minutes before everyone else gets here. You want to gear up and get started one on one?"

"You'd do that for me?"

"Yeah. Let me grab my glove." Zed grabbed his glove, baseball cap, and sunglasses out of his bag and joined Charlie on the diamond. "Let's start with some good old fashion catch," he smiled throwing the ball towards Charlie.

Charlie caught the ball and threw it back towards, Zed.

"Woah, there was some power behind that," Zed smiled as he threw it back. "How long have you played for?"

"Since I was four," he said throwing the ball back to Zed.

"Why didn't you try-out last year? We could have used someone with an arm on the team."

"My parents wanted me to focus on adjusting to high school before I added in sports."

Zed threw the ball back to him. "What about the movie theater? How long have you worked there?"

Charlie laughed, as he caught the ball again. "Since I was old enough to see over the counter, my parents own it," he said throwing the ball back.

"Really? That's pretty awesome. That place was one of the first ones to let Zombies in. So..." Zed said throwing the ball again. "What position do you play?"

"First base," Charlie answered throwing the ball once more. "You're the pitcher, right?"

"Sure am. And Murphy, the other Captain, is the catcher."

"Zed!" They heard being yelled across the field. Both of them stopped and looked over to see Addison running towards them. "Z! I need a favor!" Addison rushed out as she launched herself into his arms and kissed him.

"Woah," Zed smiled against her lips. "Hello to you too, Gorgeous."

"Hi! Can you come record the routine in the gym for me? I need to see it with everyone in it, including me and Bree."

Zed looked over to Charlie. "You want to stay here and warm up or do you want to come watch the cheerleaders for a minute?"

"Come on Charlie! We could use another opinion!"

Charlie shrugged. "Sure, why not."

"Yay! Addison said clapping her hands while she jumped up and down.

"Want a ride?" Zed asked her smiling.

Addison giggled, "Have I ever turned down a piggyback ride?" She jumped onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Leaning down, she smacked a loud kiss onto his cheek.

"You seem to be in quite a good mood this morning," Zed laughed as the three of them started to walk towards the gym.

"I am! I think we finally have the routine where it needs to be!"

"That's great! I can't wait to see it."

"So..." Addison said taking off his ball cap and placing it on her own head. "How was our son when you left?"

Charlie suddenly started to cough.

"Are you okay?" Addison asked concerned.

"I'm fine," he choked out. "It's just...I didn't think that tabloid story was true."

Addison and Zed both started to laugh.

Zed clapped him on the shoulder. "It's not. We adopted a dog the same day that the story ran in the papers. It's kind of become an inside joke with our families and friends."

"Oh," Charlie smiled. "Sorry for jumping to conclusions."

"It's fine," Addison smiled. "But seriously, Z...how was he?"

Zed rolled his eyes and smiled. "Milo was fine. We went for a walk after we talked to you and then he got breakfast. He was curled up sleeping on my bed when I left."

"Did you give him an extra treat from me?"

"Sure did."

"I can't wait to see him this afternoon!"

"I'm sure he's looking forward to it as well."

When they walked into the gym, Addison hopped down and removed Zed's hat and her cheer jacket before jogging over to the squad and getting into formation.

Charlie's eyes went wide. "Um...Zed? Do they always practice like this?" he whispered, his voice cracking mid-sentence.

"Like what?"

"In um..." Charlie motioned to his chest and legs.

Zed gave him an odd look before he realized what he was trying to say. "Oh, you mean in workout clothes instead of their uniforms?"

"If that's what you want to call those."

Zed looked towards Addison, wearing her standard crop top and leggings, and let out a chuckle. "Yeah, it's pretty normal for non-school hour practices. I guess I'm just used to it."

"Z! You ready?" Addison called out.

Zed reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "Ready!" he yelled hitting the record button. As the music started, Zed watched in awe as his girlfriend performed the new routine flawlessly. Her cheer skills never ceased to amaze him. When she cheered, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. "God is a woman," he whispered to himself quietly.

"Yes, she is."

Zed tore his eyes away from the squad to find Charlie staring with his mouth wide open. "Dude! That's my girlfriend."

"I wasn't talking about Addison, I swear!" he said motioning over to the cheerleader to Addison's left. "Who is she?"

Zed followed his gaze. "Brunette, red top, about the same height as Addie on her left?"

"Yeah...Do you know her?"

Zed rolled his eyes. "Something like that. Her name is Kasie, she's a freshman, and she's new to Seabrook this year."

"She's amazing..."

Zed chuckled under his breath and shook his head, refocusing on the routine. When the squad struck their final pose, Addison jumped down from her partner's shoulders to run back over to them.

"So….what did you think?"

"That was awesome! You guys are going to own Nationals," Zed said leaning down to kiss her.

"Thanks, Z," she smiled. She looked over to Charlie. "What did you think?"

Charlie's eyes still hadn't left Kasie.

"Charlie...Hello..." she looked back to Zed and silently asked him what was going on.

Zed rolled his eyes again. "CHARLIE!"

"What?"

Addison and Zed both laughed. "What did you think of the routine?"

"Beautiful," he whispered, still in awe.

Addison gave him a look before looking back up to Zed. Zed just shook his head, "I'll tell you later...All right, I need to drag this kid back to practice. We've got a few guys that should be showing up any minute now."

"Thank you for recording it. Can I just keep your phone so I can watch this? I'll meet you back down at the field when practice ends."

"Sure thing, Gorgeous," he said leaning down and kissing her once more. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

By the time Murphy had arrived to start try-outs, Zed had already decided that Charlie was going to make the Varsity team. His skills far surpassed the other Junior Varsity players that he had been working with that morning, and if he were being honest, quite a few returning Varsity players as well.

"Z-DOG! You ready to do this!" Murphy called out as he walked into the dugout where Zed was sitting.

"Z-Dog?"

"Yeah, I'm thinking everyone on the team needs nicknames this season."

"Pass," Zed laughed, returning his focus to the names on the clipboard in his hand.

"Aww, come on...Please?" Murphy stuck out his lower lip and batted his eyelashes.

Zed looked back up and peered over his sunglasses. "Murph, you know the pout only works for Addison and my sister...and on the very rare occasion she does it, Eliza."

Murphy laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "Whatevs. It was worth a try. You ready to start this thing?"

"Sure am. I made a few notes on positions we need to fill. And um, keep your eye on this kid, here," Zed said pointing towards Charlie's name. "I think he might be a great fit for the starting line up."

"Charles Harrison, Sophomore. First base," Murphy looked up from the clipboard. "You want to put a Sophomore who didn't play for the Shrimp last year as a Varsity starter at First base?" he asked, looking at Zed like he had suddenly sprouted a second head.

"He's good...really good in fact. I didn't want to like him, trust me, but I do. Like I said, keep your eye on him when he's up."

"Alright man, whatever you say."

Just then, whistles and catcalls could be heard from several of the players as the cheerleaders started to fill the bleachers.

"Hey, cut it out," Zed hollered, getting their attention. "Everyone on the field!" He rolled his eyes and looked to Murphy. "Seriously? They act like they don't see these girls on a daily basis at school."

"It's easy for you to say," Murphy mumbled. "You're going home with the Captain. You're a lucky man, Z-Dog."

"Yes I am," he said as he smiled at Addison and threw her a wink, before turning and punching Murphy in the arm.

"What was that for."

"For the stupid nickname. Go ahead and start field

warm-ups. I'll be right back." Zed jogged over to the bleachers where Addison was waiting for him. "There's my favorite Cheerleader."

Addison leaned over the railing and kissed him. "My favorite Zombie. How's the turnout today?"

"Pretty good. We'll definitely have two full teams with reserves. What's with the audience?" Zed asked motioning towards the rest of the cheerleaders filling the bleachers.

"Routine didn't work out. We're done for the day and I figured the guys could use some cheering on."

"Addie, the routine looked amazing."

"It just didn't feel right when I watched it. I tried to rework it a few more times, but it just didn't work."

"Still?"

Addison shook her head sadly. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm about to pull a page out of Bucky's book and pray to the Cheer Gods."

"You'll figure it out. You're an awesome Captain and a phenomenal cheerleader," he said softly kissing her.

"Thank you. Now go run try-outs, Captain."

Zed laughed and kissed her again. "Yes, ma'am."

An hour into try-outs, it was finally time for at-bats. Murphy and Zed took turns calling up team hopefuls.

"Ah, I love the sound of aluminum bats in the morning," Murphy laughed as the Junior currently at bat made contact.

Zed rolled his eyes. "Dude, it's the afternoon."

Murphy shrugged. "Whatevs, man. Whatevs…Let's see, who's next. Charles Harrison?" he called out.

"That's me," Charlie said as he grabbed his bat and stepped up to the plate. The first pitch was high.

"Good eye," Zed called out encouragingly.

The second pitch came fast right down the center. Charlie swung and knocked the ball out of the field.

"C-Baller! That was awesome!"

"C-Baller?" Zed asked looking over to Murphy.

"Too much?"

"Yeah..."

"Whatevs, Dude. You were right. He's making the team!"

Zed laughed and rolled his eyes. "Are you seriously going to try and give everyone on the team a nickname?"

"Sure am, Z-Dog."

"Murphy...Call me that again and you'll be Captain of the JV team."

"You know you'd miss me too much," he said blowing Zed a kiss.

Zed laughed and glanced at Addison sitting in the bleachers. "I'd be careful blowing me kisses, man. My girl has been known to get scrappy at a game."

"Oh my God! I almost forgot about that. That was like the craziest thing ever. What started that fight anyway?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Uh, yeah. That's kind of why I asked."

"Lacey."

Murphy sighed and readjusted his baseball cap. "Should. Have. Known."

"Are you guys still..." Zed asked cautiously.

"We're...talking. With her Dad running to replace Mayor Missy, she's been in town a lot more lately. We're taking it slow. One date at a time."

Zed patted him on the back. "Well, I hope it all works out for you, Murph."

"Thanks, Zed. Alright. Who's up next."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope everyone enjoyed today's update! The afternoon will continue in Thursday's update. If you're loving this story (or hating it, or could take it or leave it...either way) leave me a review and let me know! I appreciate the feedback and want to make this story the best I can!

Quick recap in case anyone got lost with the original characters featured in this chapter: Charlie (works at the movie theater, has a crush on Addie). Kasie (cheerleader, who along with Kelly, had a crush on Zed: Halloween Chapters). Murphy (plays football, basketball, and now baseball with Zed. Has on occasion hooked up with Lacey).

So….Credit where credit is due… I owe a HUGE shout-out to GRACE for helping out, and inspiring parts of this chapter. Thank you for always encouraging me and talking me off the ledge when I need it!

DWTS: Not my favorite performance, but still pretty Incredible (yeah...I couldn't help myself with that one). Keep voting #TEAMWITLO !