SPIRIT WEEK
WEDNESDAY: Wacky Hair Day
At 6 am, a still very tired Addison crawled out of bed and made her way downstairs. With Gloria's help, she had managed to pack everything the night before, and her luggage was now waiting by the door. As Addison made the corner into the kitchen her mother ambushed her with a hug.
"Are you ready to bring home another National Cheer-Championship?!"
"Woah, Mom. Dial it down a little. Coffee first."
Missy straightened herself up and smiled. "Of course, dear. It's already ready for you, and breakfast will be ready shortly."
"Thanks, Mom," she said walking over to pour herself a cup. As the first sip hit her lips, she smiled. "So...where's Dad?"
"He had to go run a quick errand, but he should be back any second now."
"What kind of errand needs to be run at six in the morning?"
Just then the front door opened.
"The surprise kind," Missy smiled as Addison set her coffee cup down hesitantly and walked out of the kitchen towards the front door.
"Zed!" she shrieked, running at him full speed. She launched herself into his arms, almost knocking him over. "What are you doing here?"
"Surprise," he laughed kissing her cheek. "Your Dad texted me last night and asked if I wanted to come with you guys to the airport."
Addison looked over to see her Dad walking into the house. "Thank you, Dad!"
"You're welcome, Sweetheart. It's the least we could do after he brought you to the doctor yesterday."
"Best morning ever!" Addison smiled as she hopped down off of Zed. "Wait...if you're here and coming with us to the airport...Who's going to run Wacky Hair Wednesday?"
Zed laughed and pulled her back into a tight hug. "Relax. There are other members of the Student Government and the Senior Class. It's taken care of."
"Well, you better not show up without wacky hair."
"I won't. I promise. I just didn't want your last memory of me before you board the plane to include a rainbow mohawk."
"Rainbow mohawk?"
Zed shrugged his shoulders. "It was Bonzo's idea. He'll do it as soon as I get to school."
"Breakfast is ready!" Missy called out from the kitchen.
"Cheer-Championship style? Zed asked hopefully.
Addison laughed and hugged him around the waist. "Of course! This is no time to mess with tradition. Cinnamon rolls are the key to victory...and coffee."
Zed smiled and draped his arm around her. "Well let's not keep your winning cinnamon tradition waiting."
Zed kept his arm around Addison in the backseat the entire drive to the airport. She snuggled into him and smiled as she took a deep calming breath.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
"Mmhmm. Just enjoying the last few moments of calm."
Zed leaned over, "I love you, Gorgeous, and I am so proud of you. You're going to be amazing," he whispered before placing a soft kiss under her ear.
Addison smiled and looked up through her lashes. "I love you too. Thank you," she whispered as she took his hand and placed a kiss on his palm.
"Alright, here we are!" Dale announced as they arrived at the airport. He pulled the car over to the drop off lane and put it in park. "I'll get your bags, sweetheart."
"Thank you, Dad," Addison smiled. She looked up to Zed and sighed.
"What?"
"Just..." she sighed again
"I know," he said as he leaned in to steal a quick kiss. "Come on." He opened the car door and helped her out.
"Good luck, Sweetheart! Our flight gets in late Friday morning. We'll see you then!" Missy said as she hugged her daughter close.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Alright, honey," Missy said looking at Dale. "It's time." They put their hands out. "Ready?"
"GOOOO TEAM!" they exclaimed in unison. Missy and Dale both hugged her again and blew her kisses as they walked back to the car.
"That never gets old...so adorable," Zed laughed as Addison walked over to him and hugged him once more.
"Don't make fun of our Cheer-ditions," she giggled.
"Oh Addie, what am I going to do with you and your insistence on butchering the English language."
"Love me. I don't think there's much else you can do."
"I think you're right," he smiled as he kissed the top of her head.
"I'm not saying goodbye again. We've already done it twice," Addison whispered, wiping away a single tear.
"Well you know what they say, third time is a charm."
Addison rolled her eyes and playfully smacked his arm. "I love you, Z."
"I love you too," he whispered, running his hand down the side of her face. "Now go rock Nationals, Gorgeous."
As Addison walked through the airport to her gate she heard a loud shriek followed by her name. She looked up just in time to see Bree running at her at full speed.
"ADDDDIIIIIIIEEEEEE!"
Addison smiled and ran to meet her, throwing her arms around her as they met. "BREEEEEEEE!"
They both laughed as they pulled apart.
"You ready to do this?"
"I'm way fired up!" Addison smiled.
"Come on, the rest of the squad is already at the gate. We're about to board!"
They both squealed with excitement as they went to join the rest of the group.
Twenty minutes later, Addison stood in the aisle of the plane making one final headcount before take off.
"That's everyone!" she smiled as she looked around. She took her seat next to Bree and took out her phone, quickly sending an "I love you!" text to Zed before turning it off. "Is it bad that every time I'm on a plane I have Toxic running through my head?"
"What?"
"Toxic, by Britney Spears. You know, the video where she's a flight attendant but really an undercover spy?"
"OMG! I love that song! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Bree said as she looked around the cabin at the squad.
Addison smiled even wider. "Baby, can't you see, I'm calling...A guy like you should wear a warning...It's dangerous. I'm falling..."
"There's no escape. I can't wait...I need a hit, Baby, give me it..You're dangerous, I'm loving it..." Bree sang before throwing it back to Addison.
"Too high, can't come down...Losin' my head, spinnin' 'round and 'round...Do you feel me now?..."
The entire squad joined in for the chorus. "Oh, the taste of your lips, I'm on a ride...You're toxic, I'm slippin' under...With a taste of a poison paradise... I'm addicted to you, don't you know that you're toxic? And I love what you do. Don't you know that you're toxic?"
Addison and Bree smiled at each other before breaking into a fit of laughter.
"This is going to be the best Cheer-Championship ever!"
Zed plopped down in his seat in Advanced Chemistry and let out a loud sigh. Less than thirty seconds later, Bonzo did the exact same thing."
"Really you two?" Eliza said as she looked between her two best friends. "They're only gone for like, what, 3 days?"
"Four," Zed sighed.
"You guys are almost as ridiculous as your hair."
"But she's my other half. I just feel...empty….And don't knock the hair. You know this looks good."
"Za," Bonzo said in agreement.
"You two do realize that I'm away from my other half almost all the time, right?"
"Gra zuzed zo ig."
"It's not like I have any other choice but to be 'used to it'. Look, the girls will be back in just a few days. They're going to be having fun. Maybe you two should do the same….Wanna help me plan the mash for Saturday?" she asked hopefully.
Zed and Bonzo both shrugged their shoulders.
Eliza rolled her eyes. "I give up."
By the time Zed got home from school and baseball practice, he had pretty much decided he was just going to wallow in misery from now until Saturday. He went through his normal evening routine of taking Milo and Puppy for a walk and making sure Zoey had everything together for cheer practice. While he was putting dinner into the oven, inspiration struck. He quickly set the oven and raced upstairs. Fifteen minutes later, he set the phone up on his desk and hit record.
"Hey, Gorgeous. I know you're busy being a super kick-ass captain and getting ready to change the NHSCC forever, but I wanted to let you know I was thinking about you. So, here it goes." He picked up his guitar and started to sing
"Hey there, Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes.
Listen to my voice, it's my disguise
I'm by your side.
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
What you do to me….."
"Oh my God! I swear you're like a real-life Archie Andrews!" Tracey said as he gazed dreamily at Zed from the doorway with Bucky.
"What are you guys doing here?" Zed laughed and set his guitar down and stopped the video he was recording. He walked across the room and hugged Tracey and high-fived Bucky. "long time no see, man! And who in the world is Archie Andrews?"
Bucky rolled his eyes. "Don't get him started."
Tracey gasped. "OMG! Zed! You don't know who Archiekins is?!"
"No...should I?"
"CW...Riverdale...Stud football player, soulful musician, abs for days?" Tracey said glancing down appreciatively at Zed's well defined six pack.
Bucky rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. "Now you've done it. He's not going to shut up about Riverdale until you've watched it. All of it. Trust me...I speak from experience."
Zed laughed. "Archie whoever aside. To what do I owe this surprise visit?"
Tracey let out an exaggerated sigh. "Andrews, Zed. Archie Andrews. And you need to pack a bag. We're taking a teensy tinsy road trip down to Orlando!"
Zed's jaw dropped. "Seriously?"
"YES!" Tracey exclaimed hugging him. "This one over here," he said motioning over to Bucky, "has not stopped talking about our little Addie-Caddie's routine that is supposed to rock the socks off of the NHSCC judges
and I have to see it in person! And …let's not forgotten the epic parties that go on all weekend!"
"We need to leave as soon as I get back from coaching. It's a crazy long drive, but If we do it in shifts we should be able to make it there by tomorrow night without stopping to sleep...And if either of you wrecks my van, I'm going to be seriously pissed.
"Seriously? We're seriously going?"
"YES!" Tracey exclaimed again.
"Consider it an early birthday present," Bucky said. "Now, get packed. You've got an hour."
Addie and Bree were sprawled out across the floor of their hotel room floor going over the practice schedule for the next couple of days when there was a knock on the door.
Bree stretched as she stood up. "I'll get it." She walked across the room and opened the door. "Hey, Zara!'
"Hey, would you guys mind if I hung out in your room for a little while? Katie is snoring her head off already."
"Not at all, girl! Come on in. We're just putting together the practice schedule."
"Hey, Zara," Addison smiled as Bree opened the door wider for Zara to come in.
"Hey, Addison. Hope you don't mind the intrusion."
"Not at all. Actually, now that you're here," she said as she stood up and stretched her back, "I'd love to walk through the opener. I've got a meeting with the production team tomorrow morning and I just want to make sure I have the timing for the lights marked exactly right."
"Sure," Zara shrugged. "As long as I can do it in my pajamas."
Twenty minutes later, Addison was happy with her counts and could feel her chest starting to tighten up again. "Okay, I'm calling it for the night. I need to go take my medicine before I start hacking all over the place again. I'm going to go get ready for bed," she said as she grabbed her train case out of her suitcase and headed towards the bathroom.
"Addie, you dropped something!" Bree called out, holding up a folded piece of paper.
Addison popped her head out of the bathroom with her toothbrush hanging out of her mouth, "What is it?" she attempted to say.
Bree shrugged her shoulder and opened it. "Awwwww! Looks like a love letter!
Zara rolled her eyes. "Really? Could he be any cheesier?"
"Oh hush," Bree admonished. "I think it's romantic! Besides, handwritten love letters will never go out of style!"
"What's it say?" Addison asked, still brushing her teeth.
"My dearest Addison,…..Awww, so sweet….I'm writing this as I watch you sleeping in my bed. You look so beautiful it hurts. I know that I will picture you like this whenever I start to miss you over the next few days…..Awwww," Bree said looking over to Addison. "Okay, where was I...blah blah blah, he's going to miss you..." Bree silently read to herself. "OMG, listen to this part! 'When love runs soul deep, a kiss is no longer just a kiss. It's the place where heaven and earth meet,' that right there is the stuff you save to show your grandkids!"
Addison had finished brushing her teeth and was taking her medicine when she heard Bree gasp.
"Well, that sure escalated quickly!" Bree said with a blush, fanning herself with the sheets of paper. "I take back that thing I said about showing your grandkids!"
Addison walked over and took the pages from Bree and smiled as she read what made her blush. "He sure does know the way to my heart!"
"I don't think that was directed at your heart!" Bree laughed.
"You can't leave me hanging on that!" Zara laughed.
Addison giggled and started to read the letter out loud. "I want to undress you, touch you, kiss you, taste you. I want you hard and hot and deep and fast. And then I want you slow and sweet. I want you under me and on top of me and sitting and standing. I want to see your eyes when pleasure makes you light up. I want to hold you when you come down and try to find your breath. I want everything with you. You're the love of my life, the other half of my soul, and the reason behind every breath I take. I can't wait until you're back in my arms, Gorgeous. I love you." she hugged the letter to her chest. "Ugh, I miss him. Just when I think I can't love him any more than I already do, he goes and writes something like this and I fall even deeper!"
Zara shook her head and looked at Bree. "Are they always like this?"
"Even worse!" Bree said with a teasing smile.
"And that's the way to your heart?" Zara giggled.
Addison laughed. "What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic with a dirty mind and high standards. I want to be treated like a lady in public, ravaged in private, and wooed for all eternity...I'm going to call him!" She said as she ran over to her purse and grabbed her phone. "Oh no! I missed a call...But he sent a video message!" she anxiously opened the message and pressed play. "Oh my God do I love this man."
"I want to see!" Bree exclaimed as she jumped onto the bed next to her. "Wait...I'm not going to be scarred for life am I?"
Addison rolled her eyes and laughed. "No silly, it's just him playing his guitar and singing," she said showing her the video.
"Without his shirt," Bree added.
"What can I say, he knows what I like."
Zara peeked over. "So he really does have a tattoo."
Addison laughed. "What?"
"Zoey told my sister that he got a tattoo, but you know how kids are."
Addison smiled and hugged her phone to her chest before replaying the video again. "Yeah, he got it back at Halloween."
"What is it?"
"My name!" she said proudly.
"And your teeth marks," Bree added.
"And those," she said with a large smile.
Zara laughed and rolled her eyes, "That's so Zom. So, Bree...does Bonzo have one as well?"
"Bonzo has several," she laughed.
"I guess that's not surprising with Zayne being his cousin and all."
"Ah yes, the infamous Zayne," Addison smiled. "The zombie that convinced my cousin to get a tattoo."
Zara almost choked. "WHAT? You're kidding me, right?"
Addison and Bree both shook their heads.
"Nope, he got a green E on his rib cage," Bree whispered loudly.
Zara shook her head and silently mouthed the word "Wow."
"I think he's going to get another one when he asks Eliza to prom...but you didn't hear that from me!" Addison said holding her finger over her mouth.
"So, speaking of prom...Zara...Is there anyone special you're thinking of bringing to the prom?" Bree asked.
"Not really," she sighed.
"There has to be someone..."
"Nope."
"Well, you need a prom date. Who's available?" Bree asked, looking over to Addison.
"Oh no. Please don't try to set me up with someone. The last time someone tried to do that, it was not a fun experience."
"Well, that sounds like a juicy story!" Bree gushed.
"What happened?" Addison asked, scooting closer to her.
"Yeah, I don't think you want to know."
"Yes, we do!" They both said in unison.
"No, Addison, I don't think you want to know."
Suddenly Addison clued into what she was trying to say. "Wait...you and Zed?"
"Yup."
Addison quickly threw the pillow off of her lap and scooched even closer to Zara. "When, where, who, what happened. I need details."
"...Are you sure?"
"I've known Zed since the very first day of Freshman year, and I've never heard this story. So...yeah, I'm sure."
Zara sighed and threw up her hands. "Fine. So obviously Zena and Zoey are best friends and are ALWAYS together. So, Zed and I ended up hanging out a lot. Not nearly as much as Zed, Bonzo, and Eliza, did...do...whatever...but a good amount. Anyway, we were together a lot. And then Freshman year, Mr. Zevon was telling my mom how bummed Zed was about something and my Mom had the brilliant idea that Zed and I should go out together and do something just the two of us without the siblings hanging around. For some weird reason, she thought that would cheer him up. Whatever. So I get dressed up in my best coveralls turned dress, and Zed and I go to the Plaza to hang out and grab something to eat…"
Addison was almost in Zara's lap at this point. "And then what happened."
"And then I found out why he had been so upset. Apparently, he had met a cheerleader and thought she was the one, but then he caught her trying to egg his house and realized she was just as terrible as all the other humans, only to then be proven wrong when he got to know her more. He was terribly confused. He prattled on about it for hours."
"So I'm the reason your date didn't work out?"
"Sorry."
Addison took a deep breath. "I feel like I should be apologizing to you. I mean, he's the love of my life and I'd totally take you down if you tried to get in the way of our relationship...just kidding...kind of...but still..."
Zara laughed and nudged Addison. "Really, it's okay. Zed was a long shot. Every Zombie grows up hearing the stories of finding your other half and having the connection be almost immediate. I knew Zed wasn't for me. I just thought it could be fun for a while."
"Well, as your friend, I'm sorry. As Zed's girlfriend…I vote we now close this topic and never revisit it again."
"I'll second that," Zara said with a smile.
"So..." Bree said as she moved closer to them. "Anything I should know about Bonzo?"
THURSDAY
"Wow..." Zed said as he closed Tracey's laptop.
"It's soooo good, right?!"
"How many seasons do they have?"
"Three! And each one is better than the last."
"You know you two are supposed to be sleeping so we can trade shifts, right?" Bucky said as he finished off yet another cup of coffee. "Not binge-watching the first season of Riverdale."
"But I have to know what happens!" Zed said as he climbed up to the front passenger seat. "Who killed Jason? What's up with Ms. Grundy? Are Betty and Veronica going to kiss again?"
Bucky laughed and rolled his eyes. "You sound like that one back there."
"Hey! Not once have I asked if B & V were going to kiss again."
"You're
right. My bad. I've just had to deal with you recreating the Vixens audition dance."
"It is a great dance," Zed said in Tracey's defense.
"Alright, next exit I'm pulling over. You're up Zed."
"Sounds good man," Zed said as his phone began to ring. "Good morning, Chief," he said as he answered it.
"So, I hear you and that nephew of mine are road tripping down to Orlando."
Zed laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, sir. Tracey is with us as well."
Just then Bucky and Tracey both called out "HI UNCLE DALE!"
Dale laughed. "Well, you boys be safe. We'll see you down there. What hotel are you staying at?"
"Um...that's a good question," he looked over to Bucky. "What hotel are we staying at?"
"All the value resorts were full. We're staying at the Poly."
"Bucky says we're staying at the Poly?"
"Oh, good. We're staying at the Grand Floridian. Would Bucky mind picking us up and bringing us over to Wide World of Sports?"
Zed looked at his phone confused. "Chief, I didn't understand any of that. I'm putting you on speaker." Zed switched it over. "Okay, you're on."
"Hey, Bucky. We're staying at the Grand Floridian, can you bring us over to Wide World of Sports?"
"Sure thing Uncle Dale. Parking is much cheaper than Minnie vanning and much easier than using the shuttle."
"Exactly," Dale laughed. "Okay, you boys be safe. We'll see you on Friday afternoon."
"BYE!" the three of them said in unison as Zed ended the call.
"Okay, I need some translation here," Zed laughed.
Bucky smiled. "Sorry, I forgot you've never gone to Nationals...or Disney World for that matter."
"Really?" Tracey said in disbelief from the back seat.
"Um...Zombie..." Zed pointed to himself.
"Ooooh...right...I always seem to forget that," Tracey smiled.
"Anyway," Bucky said as he navigated the interstate exit. "Nationals are held at ESPN Wide World of Sports, which is a Disney property. The cheerleaders usually stay at one of the value resorts, POP, Animation, etc. which are closer to the complex. We're staying in the Magic Kingdom area, at the Polynesian, or Poly for short. Aunt Missy and Uncle Dale are staying at the Grand Floridian, which is right down the street from us."
"Wait, so you're saying we're staying IN Disney World?"
"Yeah, we're on property."
Zed sat there in shock as Bucky pulled over into the gas station. As Bucky put the van in park, he looked over to Zed. "Are you going to be okay?"
Zed shook his head and smiled. "Yeah, sorry. I've always wanted to go to Disney World, and I just found out I'm going. Not to the parks, but close enough. It's kind of a lot to process."
Bucky laughed and threw him the keys. "Process faster. It's your turn to drive."
"Zoey! Are you seeing this!" Zed said as he stood on the balcony of their hotel room video chatting with his sister. "It's the castle!"
"That's so not fair! I can't wait until I get to go to Nationals and go to Disney World! BUCKY!" she called out, trying to get his attention.
Bucky walked out onto the balcony and looked over Zed's shoulder. "How's my girl doing?" he smiled into the phone.
"Don't even! I thought I was your favorite Necrodopolus sibling!"
"You are!"
"Thanks, Bartholomew," Zed said peering back over his shoulder.
Bucky just shrugged and smiled. "Truth hurts, Bro."
Zoey rolled her eyes. "If I'm your favorite, why did you take my brother to Disney World?"
Bucky laughed. "Because he was moping around and Eliza couldn't take it anymore."
"And I thought it was out of the goodness of your heart!" Zed laughed.
"That too."
"Whatever. I'm mad at both of you…Not really. Just bring me back something!"
"Will do, Zo," Zed promised her.
"Oh, and record the routine for me! I don't want to have to wait to see it on TV!"
"You got it munchkin. Now go get some sleep."
"Night Big Bro! Night Bucky! NIGHT TRACEY!"
Tracey popped his head out to the balcony and blew her a kiss.
"Good night Zoey," Zed smiled as he hung up the call. He turned and looked at Bucky. "So...Eliza?"
"Eh, I was going to ask you anyway. But she did call and say you were making her all depressed. It's just easier to have Zoey mad at Eliza then it is for her to be mad at me."
"That's kind of genius...I'll have to remember that one," Zed said as they walked back into the room.
As he sat down in one of the chairs, his phone alerted him to an incoming video call.
"Addie's trying to video chat again..."
"Don't answer it!" Tracey called out.
"That's like the second video request of declined from her today. I should just tell her we're here," he said unlocking his phone.
"NO!" Bucky jumped off the bed and grabbed the phone from him.
"Why?"
"Because she needs to focus! If she knows you're here, all she's going to think about is how she can get from her hotel to ours."
Zed ran his hands through his hair anxiously. "But I can't just ignore her calls! You know how she can get! She's going to start stressing, and then she won't sleep, and heaven forbid she has a panic attack."
Bucky tossed the phone back to him. "You're right. But no video."
"Yes!"
"And don't go out on the balcony. The fireworks are going to start any minute now."
"There's fireworks?!"
Bucky just shook his head.
"This place just keeps getting better!"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope everyone enjoyed this weeks updates! Feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think!
This goes without saying, but...I do not own the rights to any of the songs or shows referenced in this chapter (Toxic, by Britney Spears/ Hey There Delilah, by Plain White T's/ Riverdale on the CW)
So….Just a heads-up….I won't be updating next week. Life is crazy busy at the moment and I feel like the story is suffering with me trying to rush out two updates weekly while dealing with everything else. I need a week to recharge! I hope you all understand! I promise that I will post the Nationals chapter on November 13th! I'll continue to post on the Instagram page (if you're not following it but would like to, it's CAPS1031)
Have a great weekend!