Zed's presidency started off strong. Most of the other student council members were also pro-zombie and a few even were zombies. He started making changes right away. He kept his promise and after one more week of waiting, zombies were back in human classes and allowed to join any and all school activities. Eliza kept careful track of data by polling the student body to prove that Zed's actions did have student support, and that was enough to convince the city council and school board to allow the rule changes to remain in place. Zombies were back to where they were right before the homecoming game, and Zed still wasn't slowing down. Right now he and several other student council members were working on a petition to add zombie holidays to the school calendar.
After about a month of neither Addison nor her parents giving in to each other's wishes, her parents finally started to ease up on her punishment. But only part of it. Addison could use her technology again and was allowed out of the house more, but she was still expected to let them know where she was at all times, her parents finally gave their permission for her to wear her hair down since they realized that there was really no point of trying to convince her to hide again when the entire town had seen her walking around with her white hair for a month. But they still forbid her from seeing Zed and were still trying to crack down on the Zombies, with little success. After the city council decided to let the zombies return to being fully integrated in the schools, Missy and Dale continued to fight it. She was also still banned from cheerleading until she gave up her 'Zombie obsession' as her parents put it.
On a Thursday morning, Addison walked to school with an extra spring in her step and an even brighter smile than usual. Bree met her outside the school doors as they walked in.
"Good morning Addison, what has you all fired up today?" Bree asked.
"Hi Bree, and I have got the best news and the greatest idea ever, but I do need your help." Addison said giddily.
"What is it?" Bree asked.
Addison began to explain, "Both of my parents are going to be out of town this weekend, they have some conference to go to. I was wondering if you could ask your parents if I could stay with you so I don't have to stay at Bucky's house."
"Of course, Addison, I'm sure they'll say yes."
"Great now here's the thing I was thinking about, I can call your mom to get official permission but I'll tell her the conference is next week."
"Oh, I wonder why that would be?" Bree said with a sly grin on her face.
Addison blushed, "This is the first time in months I could have as much time with Zed as I want without worrying about my parents finding us together. So, Bree will you please do it, we can still have a sleepover next week." Addison promised.
"Of course Addison, your secret is safe with me, as long as Zed doesn't shout it out loud to the whole school when you tell him. What exactly are you planning?" Bree asked.
"I don't know, and I don't care I just need to be with him for more than 30 minutes and constantly on the lookout for Z-Patrol." Addison said.
"Well, good luck Addison, you're gonna need it, and I expect all the details." Bree demanded.
"You got it, Bree, thank you." Addison said.
At lunch, after she had finished eating, Addison whispered to Zed. "Hey Zed, I have some good news to tell you."
"What is it Addison?" Zed asked.
"Come with me to the safe room." Addison then left her seat and started walking away.
Zed quickly followed her, almost tripping himself as he jumped up from the table in his rush.
Both Eliza and Bonzo were smirking at Zed's reaction and Bree also had a wide grin on her face.
Once in the saferoom, Zed latched on to Addison's hand and asked her again, "What is it Addison?"
"Do you have any plans this weekend?" Addison asked.
"Not really, why? I've got a feeling you have some plans that I'm going to like." Zed answered.
"My parents are going to some conference for the weekend, so they'll be out of town for 3 days." Addison told him.
"OK, and what are you going to be doing?" Zed asked excitedly.
"I was gonna stay at Bucky's house but I convinced my parents to let me stay with Bree instead, but I think there was a communication error and Bree's parents are going to think that the conference is next week." Addison smirked.
"I've got a feeling I like where this is going." Zed said.
"So how about you come over to my house, you can actually come inside and we'll have a movie night and then we can spend all day together either in Seabrook or Zombietown." Addison proposed.
"I definitely like where this is going. It will be great to have a human date night." Zed said.
"Will you stop with the human date thing, every date we have is amazing whether it's Zombie-style or human style or even if it's 5 minutes by the barrier." Addison told him.
"Deal, but I'll have to leave by 10 to make it back to Zombietown before curfew." Zed reminded her.
"That's fine, it will still be a hundred times longer than what we've been doing for the past month." Addison said also letting her excitement show now.
"I can't wait to see you tomorrow Gorgeous." Zed said.
"Me neither Handsome." Addison agreed.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. After they parted ways down the hall, Addison looked back to see Zed sprinting away and letting out a WHOOP. She just laughed to herself before she met Bree, Bonzo, and Eliza who she decided to immediately fill in since they had also seen Zed's reaction.
Eliza just smiled, "Well good luck to both of you, but I am going to give Zed so much crap over this because I guarantee it will be all he talks about for the next week. He is going to be so annoying I can already tell."
Addison blushed, "This will be the only normal thing we've been able to do since my parents met him."
"I know, that's why he's gonna be annoying, he already talks about you, football, or Zoey every other sentence. If he ever spends more than an hour with you his face will be stuck in his googly-eyed trance for the rest of the day." Eliza laughed.
"Whatever, let's get to class." Addison said, trying to change the subject.
It was now Friday evening, her parents had left town that morning, thinking Addison would go home with Bree after school, but Addison was at her house still, almost trembling in excitement. She had ordered a veggie pizza for her and Zed to share and popcorn ready to be put in the microwave once they started the movies.
She heard a knock on her back door, with a grin she quickly ran to open it.
"Good evening Beautiful." Zed said.
"Good evening Handsome. Are you ready?" Addison asked.
"I was born ready to spend time with you, and now I finally have you all to myself." Zed said walking in the door and wrapping his hands around her waist.
"Would you like a tour?"
"Of course, its not every day I visit the Mayor's house."
Addison gave Zed a quick tour, Zed of course was very polite, but he thought most of the house was pretty boring, it didn't have any of the bright colors or character that Zombietown did. He was surprised that Addison's room was just as bare as the rest of the house.
"Addison, I thought for sure your room would be covered in cheer memorabilia." Zed said confused.
"Oh, it was, but after the game, I was mad at everything so I shoved it all in my closet and haven't found anything to redecorate with." Addison admitted.
"I promise someday, we'll be ordinary and you will be a cheerleader again."
"I know, but for now I don't need to see a bunch of posters and trophies to remind me. Oh maybe I could commission Bonzo for some paintings, my parents would flip if I had a Zombie's art in my room." Addison giggled.
"I'm sure he'd love too, now let's get back downstairs, I'm honestly starving right now." Zed admitted.
"Whatever you say." Addison agreed.
As they got their first slices Addison asked Zed what kind of movies he liked to watch.
"I don't really know, I've seen mostly kids movies with Zoey, since that's about all they show at the theater in Zombietown."
"Really?" Addison was surprised.
"Yeah, I think we usually get movies after they run at Seabrook's theater and only the kid-friendly movies. No monster movies obviously, or anything above a PG level of violence so that we aren't set off or inspired to fight for change or anything." Zed said sarcastically.
"That is so dumb, just one more thing we have to change, so again what movie do you want to watch? Do you like musicals?" Addison asked.
"Yeah if you don't mind me singing along if I've seen it before." Zed said.
"You know I love it when you sing, anyone in particular?"
"Well, Zoey has kept saying how we are like Troy and Gabriella in High School Musical. So how about that and we can compare notes." Zed suggested.
"Sure, HSM marathon tonight." Addison declared.
"So, you like them too?" Zed asked.
"Of course, who doesn't like High School Musical?" Addison said.
"Fair point, but is there a reason you especially like it?" Zed pressed her.
"Well now that I think about it, East High does have a lot in common with Seabrook, there's even a song called Stick to the Status Quo. Which we definitely aren't anymore." Addison said, brushing her hand through Zed's hair.
"Agreed, but what I'm asking is how you feel about Troy Bolton." Zed kept up his interrogation.
"Alright, I may have had a poster of him in my room when I was like 8 but that's all."
"I knew it, even in Zombietown pretty much every girl except Eliza acted like they were in love with him." Zed rolled his eyes.
"Don't be jealous Zed, Troy Bolton has nothing on you." Addison reassured him.
"Really? I bet I could take him, I'd like to see how he plays football."
"Oh, I know you are stronger, even without a Zom-boost. Plus you can sing and dance and play football while he acts like it's singing or basketball to the end. Plus, you are much more handsome in my opinion." Addison admitted and sealed her statement with a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you gorgeous." Zed said.
"So with how much you seem to know about HSM, should I be jealous of Gabriella?" Addison teased him.
"No way, you are the only one for me, and no one could be more perfect than you are. Inside and out." Zed immediately set the record straight.
"Good answer handsome." Addison said.
They started the movie and their popcorn, both enthusiastically singing along, as they watched both agreed there were similarities but that their version was much better, if more difficult. Addison did laugh out loud when Zed pointed out that Bucky was like Sharpay but on steroids.
After the 2nd movie ended, Zed looked at the clock and saw it was almost time for him to go. "Addison I have to leave in about a half hour." he whispered. By this point both were snuggled up together on the couch, Addison was leaning her head against Zed's shoulder, with his arm wrapped around her under a Mighty Shrimp blanket.
"Alright, just a few more minutes, I could stay right here, right now forever." Addison asked him.
"Me too, just a few more minutes." Zed yawned.
"Let's start the last movie, I bet Now or Never will wake you up if you start singing it." Addison suggested.
"I'm too tired to sing but we can try." Zed said.
They started the movie, but both were leaning into the warmth, softness, and comfort of being together. Both felt their attention to the movie drifting in and out as they grew sleepier. Until both closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, as the sunrise began to shine through the windows it revealed both Zed and Addison, still sleeping on the couch. Both had laid down on their sides, Zed had his arms wrapped protectively around Addison's torso, spooning her from behind, with their legs entangled.
Zed could feel the bright sunlight shining in his eyes. He squinted as he opened them, confused, the sun normally didn't shine through his window in the mornings. He looked down and saw a head of short white hair in front of him, he inhaled and all he could smell was Addison's sweet scent. In his drowsy state he thought to himself this must be a dream, and relishing in the comfort he felt right then with her in his arms went back to sleep tightening his hold around her and pulling her even closer.
Addison soon stirred, as she opened her eyes, she immediately had a smile on her face. She didn't know why, then she noticed the arms wrapped around her, and her back pressed against someone's firm, cool chest. She felt a moment of alarm, then safety as she realized it had to be Zed, only he could make her feel so safe. She closed her eyes, before popping them open a moment later in realization and startled, she shouted "Zed!" and tried to spring from the couch, tumbling onto the floor.
Zed's eyes opened the moment he heard Addison shout and she left his arms. He sat up abruptly in shock seeing her lying on the floor as the realization dawned on him as well. "Oh ztergoge, it wasn't a dream. Oh no, I am so dead."
"Zed what are you doing here?" Addison demanded in a whisper.
"I don't know? The last thing I remember was us watching the movie and telling you I had to leave soon." Zed sounded very confused.
"Me too, I think we both fell asleep." Addison realized.
"Accidently." Zed clarified
"Accidently." Addison agreed.
"Addison I'm sorry I promise you I didn't plan this." Zed said guiltily.
"Me neither Zed it was an honest mistake on both of our parts." Addison told him.
"But it's wrong of me, I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that I should have been able to control myself." Zed kept going on.
Addison placed a finger on his lips to quiet him. "It's alright, nothing bad happened, for a moment it felt amazing before I started panicking, but that was just because I was surprised that you were here, not you. Honestly, that was the best night's sleep I've had in a long time."
"In all honesty, I started waking up a few minutes ago, but when I saw and felt you in my arms I assumed it was a dream and just went back to sleep." Zed admitted.
"Really, so out of curiosity have you had that dream before?" Addison asked.
"I don't know, I usually forget my dreams but I know there have been plenty of mornings where I feel more rested than usual and I immediately start thinking of you." Zed admitted.
"Well do you want to know a secret? I've had dreams about you too." Addison revealed.
"What kind of dreams?" Zed asked.
"Usually small things, just having you beside me, kind of like last night. Or walking through the light garden or safe room." Addison told him.
"Really? That's good to know you think about me even when you sleep." Zed joked.
"At least now I know you do too." Addison returned his smile.
"Again, I'm sorry though, I should have been able to stop myself." Zed started sounding guilty again.
"Zed I'm not complaining, in fact…how about we do it again?" Addison said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Really, how, when?" Zed burst out in excitement.
"Well, I don't think I should be home all alone, it would really be safer if I had a big, strong, handsome knight in shining armor to protect me from any monsters that might try to break in." Addison stepped closer to Zed, both now standing up.
"Well, if you need me on guard duty, I suppose I could stay a few more nights. I can't let anything happen to my beautiful princess." Zed played along.
"My hero." Addison said as she leaned forward for a kiss.
Zed smiled as she pulled back. "Alright what time is it anyway?"
Addison looked at her watch, "It's about 9:00."
"OK that gives me time to go change clothes before lunch-wait a minute, my dad must be worried sick, forget your parents he's gonna kill me first. He knows I came here last night, and expected me home before curfew. And if he asked Bonzo or Eliza if they've seen me they'll never let me live this down." Zed started panicking again.
"Hey don't worry, do you want me to come with you to face the music?" Addison offered.
"Honestly yes, he may be slightly calmer if you're there too. He can't kill me with a witness around." Zed joked.
"Don't worry, how about we eat breakfast, and then we'll go together." Addison said.
"Deal." Zed agreed.
Both Zed and Addison snuck out her backyard, careful not to let any of Addison's neighbors catch a glimpse of Zed, and then after they snuck into Zombietown hand in hand, they walked nervously up to Zed's door and knocked.
Zevon opened the door immediately with a look of surprise on his face.
"Zed Necrodopolis where have you been?" He demanded
"I'll tell you inside." Zed said, pushing his way into the house with Addison holding his hand behind him.
"Addison, what are you doing here? Oh no, what did you two do?" Zevon groaned.
Zed and Addison once again sat on the couch.
"You two have some explaining to do."
"Nothing bad happened Pops, I promise you that. So you know how I told you Addison's parents are gone for the weekend so we took the chance to have a date night when they can't stop us." Zed re-explained.
"Yes, and I expected you home by curfew." Zevon confirmed.
"That was the plan but we were watching a movie and both of us were so tired we accidentally fell asleep."
"Really, you fell asleep?" Zevon asked.
"Yes we had a wonderful night watching movies and I asked Zed to stay for just a few more minutes and then we woke up this morning." Addison said.
"So, I don't want to ask this but did you sleep together?"
Zed rushed to explain, "Yes we slept together on the couch…AND by that I mean we were ONLY sleeping nothing else I promise you Pops."
"Yes absolutely nothing else happened." Addison said, now blushing beet red.
"Calm down you two, I believe you both, I know both of you are smart enough and responsible enough to not do anything too stupid. I know you both are crazy about each other, but I trust you two both to draw a line."
"Thank you, Pops." Zed said.
"Thanks Zevon." Addison repeated.
"But while I understand that this was an accident, Zed at least try to let me know where you are, I was worried you were hurt or picked up by the Z-Patrol or something." Zevon asked.
"OK Pops I promise to keep you in the loop." Zed vowed.
"Good." Zevon said.
"Speaking of which, Addison's parents are still gone for the next two days, and if it's still OK with you could I stay over at Addison's house? Please." Zed begged, giving his dad puppy dog eyes.
Zevon tried to keep his stern face, but couldn't help smiling, "Alright, you can go, but I have a few conditions."
"Anything Pops." Zed promised.
"First you have to go find Eliza, Bonzo, and Zoey, I asked them to go look for you. And also for the next 2 weeks you can do some extra chores around the house for worrying all of us." Zevon said.
"You got it Pops." Zed said.
"Thanks for not being too hard on him Zevon." Addison said gratefully, excited she could still have more time with Zed.
"Oh its fine, I just don't want to have to hear any more details than I need to. Just be safe you two. Plus if I know Eliza and Zoey they'll both be giving you earfuls of their own."
"Oh I know, I'm almost dreading facing Eliza more than you Pops." Zed admitted.
"Go on you two better get out of here, I think they said they were headed in the direction of the powerplant."
"Thanks Pops, see you later." Zed said, taking Addison's hand and leading her out of the house.
Zed and Addison walked around Zombietown for a while searching for their friends. Bonzo was the first to spot them
"Zed!" Bonzo shouted, running up to him and crushing him in a hug. "Gronze gra?"
"I'm fine Bonzo, I promise I was just-." Zed tried to squeak out.
"ZED!" Zoey cannoned into him. "Where were you?" she demanded.
"I was…"
"Zed there you are do have any idea how worried we were." Eliza interrupted again slugging him in the shoulder.
"Ow! OK now that everyone is here I promise I am completely fine. It got too late last night, and I was too tired to walk home so I just slept at Addison's house." Zed explained.
"You had a sleepover with Addison without me? Can I come next time?" Zoey asked.
"OMZ Zed I can't believe it, actually I can believe it, knowing you two, but seriously you slept in the Chief's house? Did you want to get arrested again?"
"Yeah maybe next time, if there is a next time Zoey." Zed promised her.
"So, there's gonna be a next time? How do you feel about this Addison?" Eliza interrogated her.
"I would love for there to be a next time, and Zoey I would love to have a sleepover with you someday. But Zed and I already have plans for tonight." Addison told her.
"Zag grin rar?" Bonzo asked.
"Since her parents are still out of town we are just making the most of the time we have to spend together. But I promise Zo, someday we can have Addison come to our house for a sleepover." Zed agreed.
"Alright Big Bro." Zoey said.
"OMZ," Eliza's grin suddenly grew twice as large, so did you two try anything new last night?"
"No, no, absolutely not." Zed immediately protested
"No, we did not do anything new." Addison's face was now red as a tomato. "For your information, we just watched some movies and then fell asleep."
"What did you think they were doing?" Zoey asked.
"Oh, nothing I just assumed that with all that time on their hands they had time to try a new game or something. But I guess I was wrong. So Zed where exactly did you sleep?" Eliza continued her interrogation.
"On the couch." Zed deadpanned wishing for this conversation to be over.
"Gronze Addiska zazrg?"
"In my bed." Addison said, trying not to let her embarrassment show.
"Sure." Eliza gave her and Zed one more knowing look, before exchanging a glance with Bonzo as they were back at Zed's house.
"How about you head inside Zoey, I just need to grab a few things." Zed told her.
"Alright see you later, Bye Addison, Bye Bonzo, Bye Eliza." Zoey waved as she entered their home.
"Goodbye!" The three friends waved back.
"OK Miss Perky Von Cheerstick you're smiling and blushing around Zed even more than usual what really happened last night?" Eliza pressed.
"What we told you already, anything else I plead the fifth." Addison said.
"So something did happen." Eliza continued.
"Nothing bad, and not what you're thinking." Addison tried to keep up her defense
Zed quickly ran out of the house. "Eliza did you have to start interrogating me with Zoey around?"
"Zed when we spend half the morning looking for you because you disappear the night before you lose all privacy rights, so now that Zoey's gone do you have any more news to share?" Eliza asked.
"No, you two have heard enough. All that happened was I slept in Addison's house. End of Story." Zed repeated.
"Are you ready to get out of here?" Zed turned to Addison
"Oh yes, we don't need any more accusations leveled at us." She said in a fake snooty accent.
Eliza shouted after them as they walked away, "Don't do anything you don't want to tell Zoey about!"
Zed and Addison both refused to look back as they returned to Seabrook, still being cautious not to be seen by anyone. Zed and Addison got back to her house safely, both being masters of stealth when they wanted to be.
"So Zed what do you want to do now?"
"Well, I think we should follow Eliza's suggestion."
"Oh really what would that be?"
"Let's play some board games, I bet you have a ton of things I've never even heard of before."
"OK." Addison giggled, "but don't expect me to go easy on you just because it's your first time."
"Don't expect me to go easy on you either, I always play to win."
"How about this one?" Addison asked.
30 minutes later, Zed drew his card and with a grin on his face, moved his piece and shouted "SORRY!" As he bumped Addison's last piece back to start and moved his into the safe zone.
"How are you so good at this and no fair, have you played this before?"
"I promise this is the first time I have ever played Sorry, I just have brains and luck on my side."
"I don't believe you, but the game isn't over yet."
"It will be soon."
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch buster."
"How about we make this interesting, whoever wins gets to choose the next game."
"Deal."
After a few more turns Zed once more had a triumphant grin on his face.
"Don't you say it mister."
"Sorry! I win Gorgeous." Zed said moving his piece into home.
"Fine you win, what do you want to play next?"
Zed went back to the cabinet with all of Addison's games, after looking around for a few moments he grabbed one and hid it behind his back before Addison could see.
"Come on Zed what is it?"
"I'll give you a hint, what's the forecast for today?"
"I don't know its warm and sunny?"
"Emergency Alert the forecast is predicting a twister will touch done in Seabrook in 3, 2, 1." Zed then jumped forward and grabbing Addison spun her around before letting her go.
"O yeah this could be fun, I wonder who's more flexible a cheerleader or a Zombie?"
"Its on Pom vs. Zom!"
The game started out easy enough but spin after spin caused them to become quite entangled, neither was giving an inch though, Addison's years of cheer training made her almost as flexible as a Zombie, and of course neither of them flinched away from close contact with the other. They finally ended up with their arms and legs completely crossed with each other, and Zed hovering over Addison when on the table beside them Addison's phone started ringing.
"Are you gonna get that?"
"No way, I am not giving up I bet you can though, I bet your big strong arms can reach it better than me."
"Alright," Zed untangled himself slightly before grabbing the phone, when he looked at the screen he almost dropped it in fear. "Addison it's your Mom." he whispered.
"Oh great. Well give it here I can still talk to her like this, maybe."
Zed pressed the answer button and then pressed the phone to Addison's ear, she held the phone in the crook of her neck and shoulder.
"Hi Mom." Addison said,
"Yeah I'm having a great time with Bree, we watched a bunch of movies last night and then just had a lazy Saturday in so far. What are you up too?"
"Oh yeah, your conference sounds really interesting." Addison said rolling her eyes with a smirk at Zed.
"I don't know we'll probably have dinner soon and then we're gonna play some games."
"Yeah I love you too, see you in a few days. Goodbye."
Zed was silent almost holding his breath the entire time, but once Addison hung up and looked at him they both burst out laughing.
"I can't believe that worked."
"I feel like this has to be the most awkward phone call I ever had to witness."
"Think about me, I had to sound calm when you're standing over me like that?"
"What you mean like this?" Zed asked as he leaned in closer to her, "Oh no I'm falling!" Zed shouted as he let his limbs go limp and he tumbled on top of Addison like a ton of bricks.
Addison couldn't help but fall as Zed smushed her into the floor. Addison tried to wriggle away but Zed caught her and pulled her close, so that their faces were less than an inch apart. He stared into her eyes and said, "Oops looks like you win." Before jumping up onto his feet.
Addison laid on the ground in surprise, trying to get her bearings for a moment as Zed grinned down at her.
"Haha very funny, what do you want to do now? Are you hungry?"
"You know me, when am I not hungry?"
"Good point, how about we order something, I doubt we have anything in the kitchen I could make."
"Alright you choose I have no clue what most Seabrook restaurants have."
"How about we order from Rivals, I think they have good veggie burgers and fries."
"Sounds delicious."
Addison placed the order and while they waited they put away the games and they looked for things to tidy up around the house but thanks to Missy it was already pretty much spotless.
The doorbell rang and Addison answered and paid for the food. They sat at the kitchen table as they enjoyed their meal.
"You know what, this tastes like caulibrains but better."
"Really?"
"Yeah, there's more flavor, I assume this is what meat is supposed to taste like?"
"Yeah this is actually pretty close, not quite there but still pretty good."
"Someday you should bring a bunch of these to Zombietown I guarantee everyone will love them, and like you even more."
"Maybe when I have a sleepover with Zoey I will."
"I just know she's gonna ask me every day you don't come over you know, you've created a monster."
"Zoey is too cute to be a monster and besides I think I already have my hands full with one cute monster."
"I thought I was your knight in shining armor here to protect you from the monsters."
"Who says you can't be both?"
"Alright then." Zed said, pushing his finished plate away from him, he grabbed Addison and carried her bridal style back onto the couch before placing her down.
"So, who are you, my handsome knight or handsome monster?"
"I'm the tickle monster!" Zed said as he attacked Addison's stomach, Addison spasmed wildly in her laughter before she got enough focus to fight back at Zed, but no matter what she did he wasn't laughing, only keeping a knowing grin on his face.
"Wait. Why aren't you laughing?"
"Because I'm a zombie, if I focus I can't be tickled. I can make my nerves undead."
"No fair, you've been cheating all day."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Zed said before once again launching his attack on Addison.
Addison tried to fight back once again, once she aimed for Zed's sides, he let out a nervous chuckle and Addison knew she found his weak spot. Soon they were both rolling on the floor both fighting for dominance until Addison ended up on top, pinning Zed down and he lifted his arms in defeat.
"Truce, Truce." he laughed out loud.
"OK truce, but I need to claim my prize."
"And what is that?"
"This." Addison leaned down for a kiss, but it only lasted a moment so that Zed didn't have time to react at all before she jumped up.
"OK now that wasn't fair, you didn't give me a chance to congratulate you properly."
"Just wait for later lover boy." Addison said with a flirtatious wink.
"OK I can wait," Zed said, suddenly at attention.
"It's getting late, I'll go get changed into my PJ's and you can use the bathroom to change, then we can watch another movie. I'll be right back down."
"You got it."
Zed grabbed his bag and went into the bathroom to change. He dug around for the clothes he brought, specifically the Seabrook Football T-shirt and Mighty Shrimp-themed pajama pants that Addison had gotten him as a gift after the second football game. He also decided to brush his teeth to freshen up, and as he was searching for his toothbrush in one of the pockets of his bag he pulled out a piece of paper He froze and slowly opened the note.
Dear Zed whatever you're doing be safe. Please.
Zed groaned, Seriously dad. He thought, do you really think I would do that? Then his traitorous brain reminded him, Hey Addison's changing upstairs.
"No stop it don't be dumb Zed!" He yelled at himself in the mirror. His brain wouldn't shut up about how great the last 24 hours with Addison had been, they had barely left each other's side, waking up feeling her wrapped in his arms, how close they were playing twister and their tickle fight. "No Zed bad Zombie. You are not ready for that."
"Zed what's taking you so long?" Addison knocked on the door.
"I'm coming." Zed said as he opened up the door, but seeing her standing there did not help his train of thought.
Addison stood before him wearing one of his t-shirts, it was dark green with a large maroon Z stitched to the front, and hung down just touching her knees, and wearing pink pajama bottoms that matched his quite well.
"Hey! Earth to Zed seriously what's wrong?"
"Girl you look delicious, oh I mean gorgeous." Zed said automatically before he tried to regain his normal brain function.
"You look pretty handsome too, pink is totally your color." Addison said patting his chest.
She then turned around to walk to the couch and Zed froze again, on the back of the shirt, Necrodopolis was written in zombie and that made his brain short-circuit even more. Stop thinking brain! Zed thought to himself.
He hurried to sit beside Addison on the couch but he still couldn't focus.
"So Zed, what do you want to watch tonight?"
"Uh I really don't care you pick one of your favorites. Surprise me."
"OK um, Oh I know lets watch this one.
Addison grabbed a DVD and started playing the movie, but Zed didn't react to it at all.
As the movie was playing Addison noticed that Zed seemed much more distracted than last night, he wasn't singing out loud to the songs or making his own commentary.
"Zed are you sure you're OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine just tired."
"Yeah, it has been a long day. Are you ready for bed?"
"Yeah sure."
"OK let's go." Addison said standing up,
"Go where?"
"Up to my room silly, it will be much more comfortable than having to squeeze together on the couch."
"Right of course." As Addison walked up the stairs, Zed followed much more slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. Addison entered her room and Zed was about to follow her, but he froze in the doorway.
Addison sat down on her bed and noticed him just standing there. "Zed what's wrong, you can tell me."
"I…I… don't think I should do this."
"Do what?"
"This I… how do I say this?" Zed entered the room and sat down next to Addison, but he couldn't look her in the eye. "So…you know how Eliza and Pops were joking about us sleeping together and trying new things?"
"Yeah."
"Well, when I was changing I found a note from Pops telling me to be safe. And…"
"Safe from what?"
"And he also slipped in some protection."
"Protect…Oh, ooh." Addison started blushing profusely and then she couldn't get any words out either.
"And right when I found it my brain made me think about you changing upstairs and how much time we spent together today and playing twister and waking up with you in my arms. And then you knocked on my door looking like that and you have my name on the back of your t-shirt and then that was all I could think about and I've been trying to not think about you all night and…"
"Zed stop its OK."
"No it's not I should be able to control myself."
"Zed no one is perfect all the time, everyone has thoughts like that sometimes and given the situation, especially when even we've been joking about sleeping together all day, it only matters that I am with you, this has been one of the best days ever, but if you don't want to sleep in here I'm fine with that. We both know we aren't at all ready for that step, and your dad is just trying to be a responsible parent but still give you freedom."
"So you aren't offended by my zombie boy brain?"
"Of course not, you are not the only one who has thoughts like that sometimes."
"Really?"
"Do you have any idea how good you look in your football jersey? Especially at the end of a game when you're all hot and sweaty?"
"No, I don't I guess, but if we're confessing, I can never look away from you, especially when you're in your cheer uniform." Zed said, a small smile returning to his face.
"See you and I are both the same, we're teenagers. We love each other inside and out, it's only natural. Do you feel better now?"
"Yeah, thank you Addie, I was really freaked out, but you calmed me down, like always. Gar Gar Gaza."
"Gar Gar Gaza Zed. So, would you rather sleep downstairs? And/or separately?"
Zed leaned forward and pressed a firm kiss full of emotion to Addison's lips. "What do you think, Gorgeous I want to be by your side every moment I can get."
"I agree wholeheartedly."
They both laughed as they jumped up and then pulled up the covers, both laying down before tucking themselves in, Zed turned the lamp off on the bedside table. Zed's head was resting on the pillow and he wrapped his arms loosely around Addison, gently spooning her. Addison's head was nestled on Zed's arm, and she snuggled back into his cool chest. As he wrapped his arms around her, Addison couldn't help grabbing onto his hand, pulling it close to her heart. Both felt absolutely at ease and within a few moments, both drifted into dreams, both seeing visions of their other half lying beside them.