As Addison was getting ready for school on Monday, she heard her mother call from downstairs.
"Addison, there's someone here to see you!"
Addison was confused as to who would be here at 7:30 in the morning. She finished getting ready and walked down the stairs, when she got to the bottom she looked toward the front door and smiled. Zed was standing just inside the door wearing his backpack and a happy grin.
"Hi Zed what are you doing here?" She said, leaning in for a side hug.
"I'm here to walk you to school of course, are you ready to go?"
"Yep, bye Mom, bye Dad." Addison called out.
"Have fun at school you two." Missy waved goodbye, while Dale just waved as he was talking on his phone.
Addison and Zed walked down the street hand in hand and for once not worrying about people seeing them. They could see some of Addison's neighbors do a double-take at Zed, but they tried to ignore it by focusing on each other.
"How was your day yesterday?" Zed asked Addison.
"Oh it was the same old, except my parents are actually trying to show they accept me and you now, Mom even asked me for some changes I thought should be made to the zombie laws, so I think we may have a new ally on that front."
"Oh really? That's great."
"They're still kind of nervous about the Halloween Block Party, but my mom is going to make an announcement inviting Seabrook citizens to it, and my dad said he'll lessen patrols on that day to help everyone feel accepted."
"Even better. "
"But my parents did give me the talk and established the ground rules about you. Like I can see you but you can't come in the house if they aren't home, and we have to keep the door open if you're in my room. I can go on dates with you but I have to let them know where we're going and I will have a curfew on school nights." Addison elaborated
"You know I think we shouldn't have introduced our parents to each other cause Pops laid out all the same stuff. I think they're conspiring against us. Pops said it was one thing for us to be sneaking around when your parents wouldn't accept me, but now that they are I have to respect their rules to stay in their good graces. Oh, and your Dad gave me the dad talk when he took us home on Saturday."
"He did what did he say?" Addison groaned.
"Just the basics don't hurt you or he'll throw me in containment forever. No funny business, that sort of thing."
"Yeah, my parents said that all these rules would be the same for any boy I was dating not just you."
"I'm just glad we can walk in the broad daylight now."
"Me too. But that doesn't mean we have to follow all their rules." Addison said with a wink, "I think its pretty obvious if they aren't home what they don't know won't hurt them."
"I'm glad we feel the same way. I can hardly believe they are actually letting you come to a sleepover after they found us together like that."
"Well, you were brilliant, how did you think to weaponize Zoey's cuteness?"
"She's used it on me and Pops ever since she could talk, but I am scared she really is going to enforce the no boys allowed rule. She'll probably kick me out of the house once you get there."
"I'll make sure you aren't let out in the cold."
"And, aren't you excited to cheer again?"
"I am way fired up, Bree screamed so loud she almost made me deaf when I called her. She said my spot is guaranteed but I am still doing a tryout this afternoon at the beginning of practice."
"I hope you have fun, just no flying unless I'm there to catch you. Or spirit sticks, those are bad luck."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about either of those things. And you have basketball right?
"You bet, I'm ready to hoop it up."
They soon arrived at school and went their separate ways to class.
"See you later Zed."
"Bye Addison."
Zed was at practice after school, and he was having fun. Unlike the football team, everyone accepted him immediately and he already made some more new friends. They were currently working on a new play Coach showed them. Thanks to his height advantage, Zed was a natural post player, and once he got the ball, practically nothing could stop him. He probably wasn't as much of a game-changer as in football, but Coach and all his teammates were glad that he joined and were excited for the season to begin.
"Alright boys, let's try it one more time before we call it day." Coach called out before blowing his whistle.
"41 Zed!" Ryan, the point guard called out. The other post player ran to the corner just outside the 3-point line. The guards passed the ball around the outside, switching positions and setting screens as they passed, waiting for an opening or for the defense to slip up. Zed's job was to follow the ball on the inside trying to get open and looking for a pass.
After a few rounds of passing, Zed finally found his opening. Ryan passed him the ball as his defender was still getting set. Zed caught the ball, quickly pivoted, and drove through the lane, ending the play with an easy lay-up even as the rest of the defense converged on him.
Coach blew his whistle. "Alright great job boys, I'd say you've all got that new play down pat, we are going to be so ready to face the Eels at our first game next week. Just remember you don't need to rush it all the time, this play allows you to wait for an opening like what Zed and Ryan just did. So one more thing before we finish practice, on the line gentlemen."
Zed and the rest of the team ran to the end of the court ready to finish practice with one last killer.
Zed was leaning forward ready to go, he looked over to his right side to see Ryan, sharing his same determined look.
"You ready to go Z?"
"You bet Swagner."
Coach blew his whistle, and the team was off, first to the free-throw line, then back, to half-court, and back, the 2nd free-throw line, and back, and finally full court, and back. Like always Zed and Ryan were out front leading the pack, but in the end, Zed finished just ahead of Ryan like usual."
Both of them were panting, but gave each other a high five as the rest of the team finished up behind them.
Coach called them in for a huddle. "Overall great practice today gentlemen, I'm glad to see you rested up over the weekend. You all did great on the shooting drills and learning the new play today. Does anyone have anything else to add?" Coach waited a few moments, but most of the team was still panting but smiling. "Alright, then Zed break us out."
"Let's go Mighty Shrimp break. On Five. Huh!" Zed led the breakout before the team broke up and headed for the locker rooms.
"I'll beat you one day." Ryan told Zed with a smile as they walked towards the locker room.
"You're doing great I can't help I've got mad speed skills. You're always the only one close to me when we're conditioning Swags."
"I'd still like to see you on the cross country course, you'd be eating my dust then."
"You know I'm a footballer dude, I'd never give that up, and plus it would make Coach cry if I did."
"I know, but I'm built for distance not sprints, I like basketball but it's not my true sport."
"I totally agree football is totally my thing, even though we both dominate both." They gave each other another hi-five.
Ryan was probably Zed's favorite person on the basketball team. He was running cross country while Zed was playing football so they hadn't met before basketball started. Both of them had almost limitless endurance that had served them well in practice so far, Zed often relied on his height advantage but he could sprint down the court when needed, and Ryan was definitely the fastest overall on the team. He was a few inches shorter than Zed, but that made it easier for him to get around Zed when they played against each other. Zed knew if he wasn't a zombie it wouldn't even be close.
"So how was your weekend dude?" Ryan asked.
"It started out bad, then good, then really bad, then really good. The good news is that Addison's parents may finally be accepting me."
"That's great dude, I don't know how anyone that sees you two can doubt that you two have the real thing, its like you two live in a love story or something. I totally ship you guys."
"What's shipping?"
"It's when you think two people should be together, like Percabeth, Hiccstrid, Jlaire, Zeddison."
"Zeddison?"
"Yeah, Zed+Addison. Don't you read books or watch movies?"
"Of course I do, obviously not as much as you, I swear you are always either running or have your nose in a book."
"Is that a problem?" Ryan asked with a grin.
"No, you should always be yourself it's the coolest thing. Speaking of, want to come to the Zombietown Halloween Block Party?"
"Yeah, that sounds cool, am I allowed to though?"
"Yeah, Mayor Missy is going to invite Seabrook residents to it. It's gonna be lots of fun and hopefully, bring the town together."
"Yeah sure sounds fun. See you later Zed, I have to get going."
"Bye Ryan, See you tomorrow."
Zed finished cleaning up and was heading to his locker before he would wait for Addison to be done at cheer. The school was mostly empty at this point, he did give Mr. Zeck a hi-five when he passed him pushing his mop down the hall.
He was about to turn the corner to Addison's locker when he saw Eliza peeking around the wall.
"Hey Eliza, what's up?"
Eliza flinched in surprise when she heard him before turning around and grabbing both of his arms. "Zed listen to me, just stay right here and don't freak out." She whispered to him.
"Why what's wrong Eliza?" Zed also lowered his voice.
"There's something you aren't going to like at all, but you cannot go full-Zom or we'll all be right back to square one. And you'll be thrown in containment two days after Addison's parents finally accepted you. Got it?"
"OK, I promise I won't go Zombie, whatever it is it can't be that bad."
Eliza slowly let go of his arms. "Alright, but stay calm Z."
"I'll be fine," Zed gave his confident smile one more time before poking his head around the corner. What he saw immediately made his blood boil, his Z-band vibrating on his wrist to keep him calm. He jumped backward. "Eliza, you better hold me back." He growled.
At cheer practice, Addison had just performed the tryout routine perfectly to the acclaim of the rest of the cheerleaders who gave her a round of applause.
Bree stepped forward and blew her whistle to get everyone to quiet down. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I think Addison did great so, who thinks Addison should join our squad?"
Every single hand was raised high.
"Well looks like it's unanimous! Welcome back Addison." Bree said, handing her a pair of pom-poms and the uniforms. "I made sure to save your uniforms for you, Addie." Bree whispered.
"Thank you Bree."
"Now who else thinks Addison is captain material?" Bree asked again.
Again every cheerleader's hand shot up.
"Looks like the aye's have it." Bree said with a smile. "Welcome to the team Co-captain Addison." Bree said, and giving her own Mighty Shrimp Jacket, this one thankfully said Addison and not Kacey.
"Thank you, Bree, and thank you everyone I have so many ideas for cheer, like starting an outreach program, I believe cheer can help bring this school together, more than just winning trophies. But that's not to say we are going to crush next year's cheer championship. We can make wins for everyone." Addison promised. "Speaking of, we have one more order of business to attend to, we have one more potential shrimp recruit who is trying out today!"
"Addison what's going on?" Bree asked confused.
Bonzo pushed open the gym doors and everyone turned towards the sound in surprise.
Bonzo started running and took a flying leap, flipping over the heads of the rest of the cheerleaders before landing perfectly.
"Za Za Za Za Za Za Za." Bonzo clapped and danced, he then showed off more of his own dance moves before ending with a cartwheel off to the side.
"Thank you Bonzo, all in favor of welcoming our first Zombie cheerleader?" Addison asked.
Again all hands went up. Including Addison who had a smile on her face, and Bree who wore a slight blush, that she really wished would go away.
"Welcome to the Might Shrimp, wear our colors with pride Bonzo." Bree said.
"Grazias." Bonzo said, hugging both Addison and Bree for a moment, leaving Bree taking a few seconds to get her bearings back and control her heated, grinning face.
"OK um now that everything's out of the way, let's get started with running our new routine. Everyone in position, 5, 6, 7, 8."
Practice was great Addison thought, it was no longer the Bucky showcase, it was everyone just having fun and giving their all. Bonzo proved to be a solid base for any stunts, Addison and Bree both took turns flying during practice with Bonzo throwing them up and catching them with ease. But he and Bree both seemed to freeze for a moment when he caught her the first time. They tried to play it cool, but Addison couldn't help smiling at them.
Addison was a great leader, she gave suggestions to help others improve much better than Bucky ever did, and everyone loved having her around, plus when it came to cheer, no one could deny how skilled Addison was. Not only could she perform even the most difficult moves, she could also break it down step by step to make sure everyone understood it.
After practice ended, Addison left the gym to grab all her stuff from her locker before she would meet with Bree to plan the rest of the week's practices before she would walk home with Zed when his practice got out. She had just grabbed her last book when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and her stomach dropped.
"Hey," Pierce said, "how was your day?"
"Good until now," Addison said rolling her eyes. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted to make sure you're fine after that zombie interrupted us the other night. But I can see you made it away in one piece." Pierce said, as his eyes traveled up and down, Addison was wearing her cheer uniform for the first time in a month, and for the first time she felt self-conscious and wished she wasn't wearing the short skirt. "What do you say we finish what we started, we could even borrow that saferoom over there to get some privacy."
"No, Pierce, for the last time I have absolutely zero interest in dating you, and I was so happy that Zed was there to save me from you."
"Oh you have got to be joking that monster attacked us, and really, you would rather be with a braindead zombie than me, when you could have all of this?" He asked, gesturing to himself.
"Definitely, Zed is twice the man you could ever be, but I guess I should thank you for one thing."
"What's that, was it how I rocked your world?"
"No, you were able to prove to my parents what I've been trying to tell them all along, that humans can be monsters just as much as any zombie, and a zombie can be much better than some humans."
"So what I'm hearing is you need some more convincing, well I can't complain about that." Pierce then started to lean his head forward and cupped Addison's chin in his hand.
"Don't even think about it." Addison said with a nervous glare, backing into her locker.
"Oh, I'm not, trust me this will feel like the most natural thing in the world." Pierce kept up his cocky grin before leaning down.
"No, it won't." Addison said, before pulling back and knocking him right in his nose with a solid punch, putting all her strength into it, not holding anything back at all.
"Ahh, why did you do that?" This time Pierce had a tear running down his face, and his nose was already starting to bruise, a trickle of blood flowing out.
"I told you no, and you obviously don't understand the word, but you should. It means stay away from me or else."
"Argh, you hit my face, that's my moneymaker, Little Shop of Horrors is this Friday, I can't have a broken nose!"
"You should have thought about that before you tried to use me like some object again." Addison said. "I wasn't going to let it happen a second time."
"Whatever, your parents already know the zombie attacked me before, I'll just tell Principal Lee he attacked me again and he'll be thrown out of school, and into containment. Then you'll come crawling back to me."
"Fat chance of that happening since my parents know what really happened on Saturday. They know how your story was total bull."
"Whatever, I can still get our brainless president expelled and there's nothing you can do to stop me." Pierce then ran off down the hall.
Addison just stood there worriedly for a few moments, before she heard steps running down the hall from the opposite direction.
"Zed!" she heard Eliza yell.
Zed ran up and asked her, "Are you OK?"
"Yeah it's fine, I totally showed him whose boss, I don't think he'll try again, and if he does I'll give him another lesson." Addison said cracking her knuckles, "But it sounds like he's gonna try to blame it on you and I don't know how to stop him."
"Don't worry about that, look up there." Eliza said, pointing at the ceiling,
Addison looked up and saw a security camera.
"How did you know that was there?"
"This is the same hallway where the Aceys stole my computer, we were about to turn the corner when we saw Pierce walk up to you and I had to hold Zed back from doing anything since I knew if he hurt Pierce at all there would be irrefutable evidence against him."
"I wanted to stand beside you the moment I saw him, but Eliza forced me to wait and gave me her plan to let Pierce dig his own grave unless absolutely necessary. And you were amazing. As usual."
"So Eliza, you're sure it caught everything?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure they don't have sound, but they had to see Pierce trying to kiss you and then you punching him in self-defense. I'd say there's enough evidence of him being a creep to stop him from making any problems. And if not, you have two witnesses right here."
"Good." Addison said.
"I'm so proud of you, you faced your fear and showed him who's boss." Zed said as all three headed back towards the gym, Zed placing his arm around her shoulders. "And looking great doing it, I've missed seeing my favorite cheerleader. How was your first practice?"
"It was great, and the whole team welcomed me back and even made me captain already."
"I'm so proud of you, and I can't wait to see you at my games, even though you might make me miss every shot."
"I'm sure you'll find a way to focus, I'll probably have trouble remembering my dance moves if I'm watching you run up and down the court."
"OK, that's enough Zeddison. Some of us would like to sleep tonight." Eliza said, bursting their bubble.
"Sorry Eliza I can't help it, she's the cutest cheerleader I know."
"I don't know why I hang out with you two when you're together."
"It's because you love us." Zed supplied.
"I like you individually, when you two are together it's way too much."
"Maybe you should see what you're missing Eliza, is there anyone you're interested in?" Addison asked.
"Ha ha ha, no." Eliza deadpanned, "I don't need someone hanging on my arm making me sappy and goo goo eyed whenever I see them like you two. I have much more important goals in mind."
"What are you working on now?" Addison asked.
"Still the pet thing, mostly for Zoey, but also because it's probably the simplest thing to change since it technically doesn't involve humans in any way yet."
"Speaking of changes are you excited for the Halloween block party?" Zed asked.
"I don't know what to expect from that, either no humans besides Addison and Bree will show up, or a bunch of humans come and then maybe we get change, or someone messes something up and then zombies will be blamed all over again. Zed why do you keep inviting humans to our parties?"
"Hey, no risk, no reward, and everything will be fine, the Mayor and Z-Patrol Chief approve of the plan. Nothing will go wrong, and if no one else shows up, at least they will see the true side of us and we can have them fighting with us instead of against us."
"Well, I guess it's still better than your football plan."
They entered the gym and Bree ran up to them, "There you are Addison, and you two, did you guys know Bonzo was going to try out for the team?"
"Actually yeah, he's been coming over the past few weeks to get lessons from Zoey, he wanted to make a good first impression."
"What? Bonzo's a cheerleader now? Zed if you become a cheerleader too, I'm hacking my Z-band and going feral forever. I can't have all my friends be prissy pink cheerleaders." Eliza exclaimed.
"Ahh come on Eliza, cheer is contagious." Zed prodded her.
"Yeah so is pink eye."
"Yeah, Zom-bae don't knock it until you try it." Addison told her.
"I don't think so, but I suppose you two are the coolest humans I know so maybe with Bucky gone and you three on the team cheerleaders aren't too bad anymore."
"Don't worry, now that we're back here on the team and everyone's together it will be better than ever. Maybe we can get more Zombies on the team. Soon we'll be changing the world through cheer." Addison promised.
"Fine, I guess it can't hurt to have more people joining my revolution. Even if they are cheerleaders."
Addison and Bree turned to each other and started discussing their cheer plans for the rest of the week
"Your revolution?" Zed asked Eliza.
"Zed literally everything you've done since you became President has been my idea. This isn't the Zombie Uprising I always dreamed of, but it actually works for some reason. But this is still my chapter of history. Oh, speaking of which I need to ask Mr. Z with his help rewriting the history textbook."
"Ahh Eliza, you know I couldn't do any of this without you." Zed said, giving her a hug.
"OK that's enough, save it for your girlfriend." Eliza said, wiggling out of his embrace.
"You don't have to tell me twice. Zed said, running forward and grabbing Addison around the waist and spinning her around."
"Zed haha stop, I was talking to Bree." Addison said laughing.
"I was just following directions from my chief of staff." Zed said.
"I did no such thing, but I do like the title." Eliza said.
"We were almost done anyway." Bree said. "I'm ready to call it a night. Is Bonzo still here somewhere?"
"Oh yeah, I passed him in the hall he was grabbing some stuff from the art room." Eliza said.
Just then Bonzo walked through the doors, everyone else could see that his backpack was stuffed with different art supplies sticking out randomly.
"Hey Bonzo, what are you planning with all that?" Zed asked him
"Inzpirar, newz projectra idegrar." Bonzo said, he had a smile on his face that Zed had seen plenty of times before.
"Well, Buddy I can't wait to see it. Have fun."
"Gra!" Bonzo said, he started running as soon as they left the front doors of the school.
"Zed what's going on with Bonzo?" Bree asked.
"Oh he gets like that sometimes, he'll come up with a new idea for an art project or a song or something and it will literally be the only thing he can think about. I bet he'll be up all night working on whatever he's planning."
"Well see you guys later." Bree said, walking towards her house.
Eliza turned to go to Zombietown, "Zed are you coming?"
"I'm walking Addison home, don't worry I have plenty of time before curfew."
"Of course you are, such a gentleman." Eliza said sarcastically. "See you later Addison."
"Bye Eliza."
The shadows were just beginning to lengthen, but Zed still had plenty of time before curfew as they traveled to Addison's house.
"So, were there any more new developments at cheer practice?" Zed asked.
"You should have seen the look on Bree's face when Bonzo ran in and flipped over everyone, I'm pretty sure she actually swooned, not to mention, when Bonzo sent her flying and then caught her, they both just froze and stared into each other's eyes. I bet they looked just like us at the pep rally. Bree still hasn't admitted to anything yet."
"Bonzo hasn't either, but his sketchbook is filled with drawings of Bree, one time I even caught him carving her face into an apple at lunch. But he clams up whenever I ask him about it."
"What do you think is taking so long?"
"Well not everyone falls in love at first punch," Zed joked, "we can help push them together, but still give them time."
"I know I just want all my friends to be as happy as I am." Addison said smiling. "Plus I'm pretty sure Bree is doing much better at Zombie Tongue than me because she wants to talk to Bonzo so badly."
"Well like you said, cheer can bring people together, but if they are still taking too long we can always play matchmaker."
"What do you know about matchmaking?"
"Well, right from the start you caught my eye, and something inside me came to life. I'd say I'm shooting 100% when it comes to human-zombie relationships."
"Do you think we are ever that obvious?"
"Addison literally everyone tells us we're too obvious. That ship sailed from the pep rally onward. I mean, Eliza, Bonzo, Bree, Bucky, Zoey, Ryan, all three of our parents, Principal Lee, Mr. Z, Coach-"
"OK, I get it. We aren't afraid to show how we feel about the other."
"I'm glad we aren't except in front of your parents, that is the one place we have to be on our best behavior."
"Don't worry they do actually seem to like you now that they actually are getting to know you. Soon they will know you're great, just as much as I do. Just keep being you around them and they'll like you just as much as your dad and Zoey like me."
"That's impossible, they will never like me as much as Zoey loves you. To be honest I think she's starting to see you as a big sister."
"That's amazing, I always wanted a younger sibling. And you're right I love Zoey just as much as I love you."
Ping! Addison's phone vibrated, and she checked it with a giggle. "So Zed you know how I said my parents are starting to like you now?"
"Yeah?"
"My dad just sent me a text to let us know he can see that you're with me and remind us not to take any detours. Maybe he doesn't completely trust us yet."
"Well there goes my composure, at least I made a good third impression on them. And it is probably for the best I don't want to get distracted, miss curfew and then wait for your dad to get me out of containment."
"He did send a smiley face so he's maybe joking, maybe."
"Well let's get a move on we don't want to keep him waiting."
"We're only a few more blocks away, I think he can be patient with us. I want to spend as much time with you as possible."
"You know I always want that too, maybe we can slow down for few more minutes."
They continued their walk still chatting about their day and joking about their friends. All too soon they arrived at Addison's door, giving each other one more hug before parting ways. Dale opened the door and waved good night to Zed, thankfully he had a smile on his face so they must not have taken too long. Zed turned to walk back to his house, ready to eat, do some homework, and call it a night.