SPIRIT WEEK

MONDAY: Nerd Day

The week of Nationals was always a fun, if not stressful week. In a show of support, the entire school participated in Spirit Week. Each day leading up to the National Cheer-Championships was themed differently, and as Student Body President, the responsibility of choosing the themes and daily fun activities landed on Addison's already overburdened shoulders.

"Ugh! Why did I pick 'Nerd Day' for a day I was actually going to be at school for?" Addison almost growled into the phone to Zed as she tore through her closet. "I should have put my outfit together BEFORE the day I actually needed to wear it! Thank goodness our outfits for tomorrow are easy."

Zed chuckled, as he sat up in bed and ran a hand through his hair. "Easy for you maybe. And it's not like you've been home long enough lately to do much of anything but crash."

"I know. I'm exhausted. But, the routine looks AMAZING. I just need to get through this week." she said yawning loud before she let out a cough.

"Woah...That doesn't sound good. When did that start?"

"I'm fine. Just a little sore throat and a cough. The sore throat started yesterday afternoon, the cough started this last night."

"Addie…."

"Z, I'm fine. I'll see you at school. Give Milo kisses for me."

"Alright. I'll see you in a little bit. I love you."

"I * cough * love you, too."

When Addison arrived at school, Bree was already waiting for her by the lockers.

"So, I went ahead and posted the activity schedule around the school. Everything is set up in the quad. All we have to do is show up!"

Addison yawned loudly as she opened her locker. "You, are a lifesaver, Bree."

"And you have been working way too hard. Practice ended at 9 last night, what time did you leave this time?"

Addison yawned again. "Eleven."

"What? Why?!"

"A few of the freshman needed some extra help. And then Grant was worried about one of the lifts."

"Girl. You've stayed at practice until almost midnight every single day for the last few weeks! How are you going to have enough energy for Friday? All of this hard work and practice is for nothing if you're not 100%."

Addison started to cough.

"And now you're sick!"

"Bree, I'm fine. I'll sleep on the plane Wednesday morning."

Bree glared at her. "Don't make me talk to Zed."

Addison let out a soft laugh. "Like he hasn't already been on my case. But, he gets it. He put in extra hours making sure the team was ready for State."

"Whatever you say," she said skeptically. "All I know is that your skinny behind better get some sleep soon."

"Yes, ma'am!" Addison laughed as she gave a salute. "I'll meet you in the quad to kick off the games."

"I'll see you there."

As Bree walked off, Addison leaned her head against the side of her locker door. She was exhausted. But with Nationals at the end of the week, there just wasn't enough time to do everything she needed to do and sleep. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.

"That is NOT what I would call a nerdy outfit!" Zed laughed as he walked up behind her.

Addison jumped and opened her eyes. "I'm up!"

Zed sighed and closed her locker door, pulling her into a hug. "Gorgeous, you're dead on your feet."

"I'm fine," she said before she let out a hard cough. "So, what were you saying about my outfit? See, I was awake."

Zed rolled his eyes. "What I was saying is that this is the sexiest nerdy outfit I have ever seen," he said motioning down to her short plaid skirt, white shirt, and plaid tie. "And the pig-tails are a nice touch."

"Yeah, well it's all I could come up with this morning," she sighed. "By the way, I love the suspenders and pocket protector."

Zed swung his backpack around and dug in, pulling out two pairs of black framed glasses. "Thanks. And don't worry, I've got you covered…here," he said handing her a pair.

"Awww, you got these for me?"

"Sure did, I even put tape on the bridge."

"You sure know the way to a girls heart," Addison giggled. "But seriously...Thank you." She stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. "What would I do without you?"

Zed smiled and leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss. "It's a good thing you never have to find out."

"You ready to head to the quad to start Spirit Week?"

He smiled and kissed her once more. "Absolutely. Are you going to be my partner again this year? We do work pretty well tied up together," he said throwing her a wink.

Addison giggled. "Aren't you supposed to partner with Emory? She's Senior Class Vice President."

"Do I have to?"

Addison let out a laugh, which quickly turned into a cough.

"Addie..."

"Z, I'm fine. I'll see what I can do about partnering up." She grabbed his hand and started to walk towards the quad.

TUESDAY: Movie Day

"Bree, you're a life saver," Zed smiled as he gave her a large hug.

Bree laughed, pushing him off of her. "You know, that's not the first time I've heard that lately."

Zed reached in his bag and handed her back the glitter lotion she had loaned him. "This was exactly what I needed. Thank you."

"Keep it. In case you need touch-ups throughout the day. Edward Cullen needs his sparkle."

"Now I just need to look brooding...how's this," he said as he tried his best to brood.

"Gar za ug zodyat."

Zed looked over to Bonzo and rolled his eyes. "It takes an idiot to know one, Han."

Bree laughed and smacked both of them in the chest. "You're both good sports for letting us pick out your costumes for movie day. So, thank you. Right, Addie?...Addie….ADDISON!"

"I'm up!" Addison said as she picked her head up from Zed's shoulder and coughed.

"Awwww. Edward, Bella, Han Solo, and Princess Leia...Don't you four look adorable in your matching Movie Day couples outfits," Eliza said sarcastically as she walked up to tables in the quad.

"Hey, E," Zed said as he high-fived her. "What took you so long this morning?"

Eliza motioned down to her outfit.

"And you're supposed to be…."

"Katniss Everdeen."

"Who?"

Eliza rolled her eyes and threw her hands up in frustration at the same time that Addison smacked his arm.

"From the Hunger Games," she told him before coughing for the twentieth time since they'd met at her locker this morning.

"Addie, that cough is getting worse. You need to go see a doctor," Zed said as he straightened out the brown wig on her head.

"Thanks. You'd think I'd be better at wearing these things," she whispered. "And I don't have time to go to the doctor. I'll be fine."

"What time did she call you last night, Zed?" Bree asked.

"10:00."

"That's what I thought. What was wrong last night?" Bree asked tapping her foot.

"Nothing was wrong. I was just going through the music making sure I had the counts dictated. I needed it on paper before we leave tomorrow," she said coughing several times before sneezing.

"Alright, that's it," Zed said as he stood up from the table. "Let's go."

"Where?"

"I'm bringing you to Urgent Care."

"Oh thank goodness!" Bree said as she let out a sigh of relief.

"But practi..."

"I'll take care of practices during and after school," Bree said, cutting her off.

"But, Z...what about baseball?"

"Murphy can run practice. I'll text him in a little bit. Don't worry about it."

"But...but...I hav..." she started before coughing once more.

"Addison. This is not up for debate," he said as he pulled his phone out, dialing a now familiar number. "Hey, Gloria. I just wanted to let you and Mayor Missy know that I'm bringing Addie to Urgent Care...She's been coughing up a storm for a couple days, she has a sore throat, and she hasn't been sleeping...Thanks…I'll see you this evening." He hung up and picked up their backpacks. "Alright, all taken care of. Let's go."

Addison tried to sigh in defeat, only managing to cough some more as she stood up and took her boyfriend's outstretched hand.

"Can you PLEASE make her get some sleep?" Bree asked as she hugged them goodbye.

"I'll do my best."

One prescription for antibiotics and a steroid shot later, Addison was being tucked into Zed's bed with Milo laying across her feet.

"Alright, I'm going to go shower off my Edward Cullen sparkles and hair gel," Zed said as he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"How am I supposed to sleep when you say things like 'Edward Cullen' and 'shower' in the same sentence?"

Zed feigned offense. "And here I was thinking you liked our showers best."

Addison giggled and pulled him down to her. "Don't worry, silly boyfriend of mine...Zed Necrodopolus showers will always be my favorite," she whispered against his lips before kissing him. Her hands wound through his hair, pulling slightly. Zed moaned as she bit his bottom lip.

He pulled back, taking in a ragged breath. "Not happening, Gorgeous."

"But we haven't done anything since the day of baseball tryouts. This is the first time we've even been alone since then," she whined as she pulled him back down for another kiss.

Zed tried his best to untangle himself from her. "You need to rest."

"But don't you want me?"

Zed sat up and looked her in the eyes. "Addison Meghan Elizabeth Donnelly. I ALWAYS want you. But right now, you need to get some sleep. You have worked way too hard on this routine to not be on that flight tomorrow morning on your way to Nationals. You and me...we have the rest of our lives. And I fully plan on taking advantage of that."

Addison sighed and snuggled herself further into the covers. "Fine...I guess you have a point."

Zed smiled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "I love you. Get some sleep."

"I love you too. Now go shower before I change my mind."

It was dark outside when Addison opened her eyes. With Zed's scent surrounding

her, she was tempted to fall back asleep, but the delicious aroma and sounds of laughter coming from downstairs were enough to pull her out of bed. She scooped up Milo and went to find Zed.

"What's all this?" Addison smiled as she walked into the kitchen to find Zed and Gloria sitting at the kitchen table playing cards.

Zed dropped his cards to the table and went to her side. "How are you feeling?"

Addison snuggled into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Better. Where are Pops and Peanut?"

"Zoey had a presentation at school tonight. And I'm glad you're feeling better," he smiled as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "We made you chicken noodle soup."

"You did?"

"Yup. Here, sit," he said as he moved her around and pulled out a chair for her. "I'll get you a bowl."

"Thanks, Z," she said with a tired smile. "So...what are we playing?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Gloria laughed.

"I'm guessing you're teaching Zed how to play Gin?"

"That and how to cook soup. You up for a hand?"

Addison let out a dramatic sigh. "I guess...as long as you're ready to lose."

"Really? You do remember I'm the one that taught you."

"Alright you two," Zed chuckled. "No more cards. Addie, eat," he said as he set a bowl in front of her and kissed her cheek.

"You're lucky you're not feeling well."

"You're lucky Zed stopped me from kicking your butt."

Zed looked between them. "Really?"

Gloria laughed. "We've played a few times over the years."

Addison moaned appreciatively around a spoonful of soup. "This is exactly what I needed."

"Good! You look world's better."

"Are you saying I looked bad?"

Gloria held in a laugh. "Answer that very carefully, Zed."

Zed waved her off. "I've got this." He turned and looked at Addison, reaching up to brush a stray hair away from her face. "You know you're always gorgeous. But you look more like you after that shot and some rest."

"Smooth," Gloria smiled.

"Always," Zed said with a wink.

Addison playfully smacked his arm. "Thank you for making me go to the doctor, and for making me sleep."

"Don't mention it. Just promise me you'll get some more sleep over the next couple days."

"I promise," she smiled up at him. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too, but you're going to be amazing!" he said hugging her.

"And I feel like I'm intruding on a moment here," Gloria said standing up and putting the playing cards back in their box. "I'll bring you home when you finish your soup. Just meet me in the den," she said as she walked out of the kitchen.

Addison watched her walk off before turning back to Zed. "I wish you could come."

"Me too. But, squad only. Principal Lee's orders."

Addison buried her face further into his chest, mumbling "Stupid orders."

Zed laughed and held her close. "Video chat?"

She shook her head yes.

"Morning calls to Milo?"

"And you," she said against his chest.

"Suuure..."

Addison sighed and pulled back to look at him. "I expect daily pictures of the two of you."

"You got it, Gorgeous. And I expect a live video as you accept that trophy!"

She smiled and pulled him in for a kiss. "You got it."

"See you Saturday?"

"I'll be there when you step off the plane."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm apologizing in advance for the slightly shorter chapters this week. It's Halloween and my schedule is PACKED!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! (a day early) What is everyone dressing up as this year?

DWTS: ….There are no words for that performance….Okay, maybe a few...OMG THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Perfect score well deserved! And can we just discuss that lick….