About a week after Thanksgiving while walking through the halls at school between classes, Bree and Addison were in the middle of a very important conversation. "Hey Addison, I have a question for you."
"What is it, Bree?"
"What are you getting Zed for Christmas? Because I'm trying to think of ideas for Bonzo and I've got nothing. And I feel bad because I just know Bonzo's going to make me something beautiful like he did for Halloween, and I've got nothing."
"Oh man, you're right, I haven't even been thinking about it, so I can't help you very much, I need to think of an idea for Zed too."
"Do you want to go to the mall on Saturday and look around together?"
"Oh yeah, that sounds so fun. I'm in."
"Oh, and we could go get our nails done and relax at the spa beforehand."
"That sounds amazing, I don't know about you, but I've been so busy with school and cheer, I haven't done very much relaxing outside of spending time with Zed. I think I could use some girl time that isn't cheer-related."
Just then Eliza walked past and joined the conversation. "I know I'm gonna regret this but what are you two so smiley about?"
"Eliza, great, we're just planning to go to the mall on Saturday to look for Christmas presents for Zed and Bonzo and we're also going to get our nails done. Do you want to join? We could really use your help." Addison asked.
"Yeah, giggling over makeup and doing each other's toenails? No sale. But I swear you lovebirds must share brains because earlier this morning Zed asked me to help him look for Christmas presents for you. Since I'm a girl, I'll know what you'll want apparently." Eliza said in mocking imitation of Zed's voice.
"Well, we kind of want you to come and be our second opinion too, no one knows Zed and Bonzo as well as you. And trust me the spa will make it worth us dragging you around all day."
"Come on Eliza, you can have girl time with us." Bree begged. "Please?"
"Fine I'm in, I'm sure going shopping will be less annoying with you two rather than Zed and Bonzo, and I will go get my nails done with you, but that's it, no total makeovers."
"Of course not Zom-bae, you're already killing it just being you."
"Thanks, Addison, see you Saturday then I guess."
Later that day Zed found Eliza at her locker. "So have you decided yet?"
"Yes, and I'm afraid I've had a better offer."
"What are you talking about?"
"Instead of helping you and Bonzo, I'm going to help your girlfriends find stuff for you."
"What? I asked you this morning and you said you didn't have any plans on Saturday but weren't sure if you wanted to help us. When did this come up?"
"Later this morning, but like I said they made a better offer."
"And what was that?"
"Getting our nails done, and girl time, it has to be better than hanging out with you two asking me if every possible thing you find is something a girl would like."
"Well, what am I supposed to do? My brain is literally empty of ideas."
"You got that right. Look, if you find something you think would work, take a picture and send it to me, and I'll give my seal of approval or disapproval. And besides, literally no one knows Addison as well as you do, you know what will make her happy, trust yourself. And by the way, while your gift was good at Halloween, you better get me more than a piece of paper for Christmas."
"Don't worry, I've known you for years, I've already got your gift all wrapped up."
"What is it?"
"I'm not telling you anything."
"Remember, with how all of you are acting I practically have unlimited power over how your guys' first Christmas will go, so don't tempt me to do anything I would regret."
"Peace, peace, I surrender, but I'm still not telling. But I promise you'll love me and Addison so much you'll be willing to do my homework for the rest of the year."
"Considering both you and Addison worked together that might be true, and also because we'll be on break so you should be done with homework for the year."
"OK Miss Smarty Pants, but I'm not going to ruin your surprise. Even though it's gonna be amazing."
"Fine. See you later Z good luck."
A few days later, Addison, Bree, and Eliza were happily relaxing and getting their nails done at the spa.
"See Eliza, isn't this wonderful?" Bree asked
"I'll admit it's kind of nice, oh OK really nice, especially that foot massage. That felt so good I almost bet they fixed my draggy foot. Maybe I should have taken the Aceys' offer that one time, even though I should have smelled the obvious ploy to steal my computer. Man, I would give anything to have it back. Sorry, this is supposed to be relaxing."
"I knew you would like it. And don't worry you aren't bringing down the mood at all." Addison said with a knowing grin that Eliza didn't catch. "Can you show us your nails yet?"
"Sure, they should be dry by now," Eliza held her hands up, revealing her now dark green nails. "I can't believe I found a shade that matches my hair, and it doesn't look half bad."
"It looks great Eliza, you're rocking it." Bree gushed.
"So, what did you two get? Let me guess Mighty Shrimp Pink?"
"Maybe, but we're cheer captains, we have to show school spirit." Bree said, "Right Addison?"
"Oh yeah, totally Bree, but like everything else, I'm breaking the mold." showing off her freshly dried nails that alternated pink and green and lightly coated with silver glitter, "We need to show both off both sides of Seabrook don't we?"
"Yeah, you're right, those look great Addison."
"You know as much fun as this is, can we change topics, all this pretty talk is making me feel greener than usual."
"OK, so Eliza, you said, Zed and Bonzo asked for your help too, where are they in the gift search?" Addison asked.
"So, you didn't hear this from me, but Zed feels like he's in the same place you are, panicking over finding the absolute perfect gift, even though literally everyone knows you will both love each other even if you each got socks for Christmas. Bonzo, may or may not be working on something, or he may also be looking for something, he isn't as panicked as Zed, but is still feeling the pressure."
"Awe, poor Zed I should tell him not to worry."
"No, don't tell him I said anything, I told them to keep me updated of any developments, and he knows I'm with you, if you tell him not to worry now, he'll know I told you."
"OK, I'll trust you and Zed's judgment of what you think I would like."
"So can we get this show on the road?"
"Yeah, let's go." Bree said.
The three friends spent most of the day at Seabrook's mall, which just recently opened to zombies, so it was Eliza's first time there. She didn't really care that much about most of it, least of all the countless stores filled with rows upon rows of pastel pink or blue clothing, but Addison and Bree did have to drag her out of a few stores like Radio Shack, the Apple Store, and Best Buy.
Both Addison and Bree were busy looking all over for anything their respective boyfriends might like, letting their thoughts of creating the perfect first Christmas get the best of them. Eliza gave her advice whenever they asked for it, but while she did think most of the things they picked out sounded good, nothing yet so far really seemed like the one. Meanwhile, she was also fielding text messages from Bonzo and Zed, so she was feeling pretty busy the entire time.
Finally, at the very last store in the mall, Bree finally found something she was confident that Bonzo would absolutely love, and both Eliza and Addison gave their seals of approval. After making her purchase, all three decided to take a break at the food court. Addison and Bree suggested getting froyo, and Eliza rolled her eyes at the wide array of options on the menu, settling for vanilla with Addison, while Bree decided to be adventurous with a bowl of double vanilla.
"Ugh I can't find anything, nothing here screams Zed to me."
"Addison you don't need to worry about getting him something perfect, you could give him a lump of coal and he would still worship the ground you walk on."
"I know, but I still want to make this special. Hmm." Addison went over the many things she had found that day in her mind, but still, none of them felt quite right to her. "Hey Eliza, does Zombietown have a lot of stores?"
"Yeah, of course, why?"
"Could we go look there? I've got a feeling I'll have better luck finding something for Zed there than here."
"I have no problem with that, but we'll have to be on a lookout for our green giants, sounds like they've been crawling high and low over Zombietown looking for something for you two, but what you two would like in Zombietown, I have no idea what those guys were thinking. Well, they probably weren't since they don't have me with them."
"I would love to have something from Zombietown, and I really think I'll have better luck searching there than here."
"OK Let's go, but we'll have to be on the lookout, so they don't see us."
They walked back through Seabrook, stopping to drop Bree's gift off at her house before heading into Zombietown. Eliza led them through most of the stores, and while everything did feel a lot more Zed to Addison, she still couldn't find anything that felt like the one. Both Bree and Eliza were trying to help, but Addison didn't feel quite right about anything.
"Oh, Eliza what am I going to do, nothing screams that it's the one."
"Seriously Addison, Zed isn't going to care at all what you give him, he's literally guaranteed to love it just because it's from you."
"I know, you're probably right, but I don't know what to choose."
"We have one more place to check out, if you don't find anything, we'll check the list of everything we've seen already, and I'll help you make a decision. How about that?" Bree suggested.
"Alright, sounds good."
They walked into the final store on the block, like most of Zombietown, this one was much more vibrantly colored a bright neon green and dark maroon, but also more rundown than the stores at Seabrook. The inside was a bit dark and gloomy, but none of them were bothered by it. Covering the shelves of this store were tons of different arts and crafts supplies, and random repurposed junk that had been given new a new life in Zombietown.
"Grallo!" A tall Zombie was standing behind the counter, in the middle of artfully painting a birdhouse.
"Grallo Mr. Mortenson. Guys this is Bonzo's dad, but he understands pretty much zero English, so it's OK if I need to play translator."
"Grallo, Mr. Mortenson." Both Bree and Addison said.
"Grallo, Breezka, ez Bonzo ztillr grood to gru?"
"Gra Bonzo's grreat." Bree said, "We've met before." Bree said to Eliza and Addison.
"Well, maybe that will make this a little easier. Addison, if you can't find anything you like, but have any ideas, Mr. Mortenson can make it for you, he's just as creative and skilled as Bonzo."
"Great, um I don't know enough Zombie to ask him, so Eliza can you explain I'm looking for something for Zed and ask if he has any ideas."
"Sure. "Ellaz buzcarr gore regarlo argh Zedska. Anargh Idear?"
Mr. Mortenson scratched his head for a minute, his eyes slowly scanning the entire store before his face broke into a bright smile and he rushed over to one of the display cases and carefully held up a silver chain with a simple Z pendant on it, "Guzta?" He asked bringing it over for them to see.
"Yes, that looks so great, and I know Zed will love it!" It was slightly tarnished, but to Addison, the fact that it wasn't perfect just gave it more character. But then her face fell slightly as a new thought crossed her mind.
"What's wrong Addison if you want to change it, or something he'll be happy to."
"Um, how do I put this…Carn I teingr paper?"
"Gra." Mr. Mortenson set down the chain, and reached over the counter to give her a pencil and a piece of paper to draw on.
Addison leaned over the counter, drawing out her idea. She revealed it to the others, and Bree let out an involuntary "Awe!"
Addison explained it to Eliza who then translated to Mr. Mortenson.
He looked at Addison's drawing before taking the paper himself and redrawing a much more precise design, that was even more beautiful. "Lark gris?"
"Gra." Addison said. "Carn gru makez grat?"
"Gra."
"Wow that will be pretty cool, and I guarantee Zed will love it," Eliza said, "even if it's so sweet I feel like I could get a cavity looking at it."
"That means she approves too Addison, she just doesn't want to admit how amazingly adorable it is."
"Howlr longr?" Addison asked.
"Gree dayz." Mr. Mortenson said, holding up three fingers.
"He can call me and then I'll call you to pick it up." Eliza offered.
"Thanks, Eliza, Grazias Mr. Mortenson."
"Gru Bye!" Everyone called out as they left the store, all now in much better spirits.
"So what do we want to do now?" Bree asked the others.
"As much fun as this has been I think I've had enough girl time, especially when pretty much all we talked about was your boyfriends all day."
"We understand Eliza, thanks so much for your help." Addison said.
"We couldn't have done it without you." Bree agreed.
"Bye!" Eliza called out, walking back to her house after bringing Addison and Bree back to the barrier.
"What are you going to do now Addison?"
"I don't know, probably try to talk to or see Zed tonight."
"Hopefully I'll be doing the same with Bonzo."
"Do you think they felt as clueless as we did this morning?"
"Zed probably, I feel like there's a really good chance that Bonzo is making something amazing for me, so he was probably a bit calmer, but then I bet Zed made him get worked up too."
"We'll just have to wait and see then, text you later Bree."
"Bye Addison."
Earlier that day Zed and Bonzo set out on a similar mission and had similar luck as their significant others. They started by walking through all the stores in Zombietown, but Zed and Bonzo couldn't find anything worthy of the pedestal they placed their girlfriends on. Bonzo had been working on something for Bree, that Zed did agree would look incredible when finished, Zed though was starting to stress himself out big time.
"Ugh, Bonzo there's nothing here that I can get Addison. Do you have any more ideas?"
"Zo. Zo guck arg Breezka ezer."
"I think we should go look in Seabrook, they're bound to have something Addison will like."
"Gra." Bonzo agreed.
They were about to walk through the barrier when Zed heard his favorite sound in the world, but at that moment, it only made him panic.
"Quick Bonzo hide behind here." Zed pulled him behind an old concrete wall and made him duck down.
Bonzo followed along but looked at Zed like he was crazy. "Zat?"
Zed put his finger to his lips, signaling quiet and whispered. "They're coming."
Both Zed and Bonzo slowly peeked over the wall and could see their friends walking away further into Zombietown.
"I'm sure you can find something that Zed will love here." Eliza was saying to Addison.
"I hope I do."
"I still think those football T-shirts with his face on it would be a good gift." Bree suggested, laughing.
"I already got him one of those as a joke during football, we have a matching set." Addison was saying as they walked away.
They heard one more burst of laughter from Eliza, but couldn't hear her most likely sarcastic remark before they couldn't hear them anymore.
Zed and Bonzo stood up and looking all around them, slowly walked through the barrier and into Seabrook and headed to the mall.
"Gru harv T-shirt?" Bonzo asked him with a grin.
"Yeah, like she said, Addison got it for me, partially as a joke, and partially in congratulations that Seabrook was changing."
"Grrwinz?"
"No, we actually haven't worn them at the same time I don't think. Addison said that she would have worn it to games, but she was always in her cheer uniform, but I know she has one too. Plus, the whole hiding from Bucky thing stopped her before. I had no part in making them, I was just as shocked as everyone else when people started wearing them, I liked it I guess as an ego boost, but it was also kinda weird."
"Give Addiska clothez?"
"She practically raids my closet every time she's at my house already so I can't give her clothes for a Christmas gift. Let's hope Seabrook has something good."
Zed and Bonzo walked around for a while, checking out nearly every store there was. They did get a little distracted a few times, such as Bonzo staring in awe in an arts and crafts store, especially at the nearly endless variety of paint colors. While Zed got a bit distracted walking through the sporting goods store, he did have to laugh to himself when he found a rack full of Zed t-shirts. He considered getting one for Eliza as a joke but didn't want to risk the goodwill she had lent them so far that day.
Zed wasn't having very much better luck, anything he could find in Zombietown felt unworthy of Addison, while all the stores in Seabrook were too perfect. Zed didn't want to get something generic, he wanted to find something as unique as she was. Eventually, Zed and Bonzo walked into one of the last remaining stores, and while Zed was perusing the aisles Bonzo grabbed his arm and dragged him over to a display case.
"What is it Bonzo?"
Bonzo pointed to one of the items. "Grarrm Gaggletag." And then further above the display to show the other things that would go with it.
"Oh My Z, Bonzo, that will be perfect, which ones should I choose though?"
Zed and Bonzo spent several minutes discussing the different choices before calling the clerk over and Zed asked him to help make the purchase. Now that Zed finally found something he once again had complete confidence in himself and that he had found the perfect gift for his perfect girlfriend. Soon after paying, both Zed and Bonzo walked out of the store with smiles on their faces. Zed because he had found his gift for Addison, and Bonzo because he had a bag full of new art supplies that he would soon put to good use. Zed also sent a picture to Eliza and she sent back two thumbs up, and a message that Addison would definitely love it. In addition to a comment that she almost doesn't want to be in the room when they exchange gifts since they're gonna be so sickly sweet to each other.
"I'm getting kinda hungry, how about we hit up Cheery on Top? Have you had it yet Buddy?"
"Gra, datr arg Breezka". Bonzo answered.
They walked to the food court and got their froyo, and surprise, surprise, they both got vanilla. They happily chowed down before it soon disappeared, and they got up to leave. As they were about to head out the doors, they were stopped by a security officer, with a stern but polite smile on his face.
"Hey there gentlemen, I don't suppose I could check your bags for you?"
"Why?" Zed asked slowly.
"We just want to make sure everyone's following the rules you know, we don't want shoplifting or anything so we do random security checks."
Zed felt a flash of annoyance, he knew this random check wasn't very random. He and Bonzo were the only zombies they had seen in the mall all day. "Of course, officer." Zed plastered a fake polite smile on his face as he held out his bag and dug the receipt out of his pocket.
Bonzo's face had also fallen in shame, he just held his bag and receipt out without saying anything, he knew from experience that most authority figures acted worse if he spoke to them in Zombie.
The officer looked through Bonzo's art supplies and checked his receipt, seemingly satisfied he handed it back to Bonzo. He then rummaged through Zed's bag and pulled out the box, and even opened it up. Zed rolled his eyes in annoyance at his carelessness.
He looked up at Zed with an inquisitive look on his face. "Are you sure you bought this?"
"Yes officer," Zed kept his voice even and polite. "Here's the receipt."
He scanned the receipt suspiciously, but then grudgingly handed everything back over to Zed. "Well, everything seems to be in order. Enjoy the rest of your day you two." The officer said before walking off.
Zed quickly reached in, and made sure everything was all right and just how it should be, and letting out a sigh as he and Bonzo walked out the door. "Well, that sucks I guess Seabrook isn't as changed as I thought."
"Gra. Zum grumans." Bonzo agreed.
"I should have known there were still walls between us and them. Of course, people still see us as untrustworthy monsters."
"Gra, but they'rrre agrenderr." Bonzo tried to look on the positives.
"You know how I told you about how horrible Addison's family was to her at Thanksgiving? Well, they hated me, and all of us just as much, they called me a monster every single sentence. I didn't let it bother me then because Addison needed me. While I heard most of it before, I also told myself that Seabrook was changing but I guess I was wrong."
"Zedski." Bonzo said, "Seabrook ez changr, becarze gru. Gru and Addiska arh changr Seabrook. Grat gru alwaz zay?"
Zed let out a small smile through his frown. "Baby steps are still progress."
"Egzactly. Gru jugarr footballgr, bazketballgr argh predzki. I'm en Garuzic, arrrt, argh Greerleadarr. Rree nevarg crear pasar. Gru did allr grat."
"Thanks, Bonzo, I needed that, you're pretty good at pep talks, no wonder you're a great cheerleader. You're solidly in between Eliza's sarcasm and Addison's loving pep talks.
"Zo bezos." Bonzo laughed.
"Yeah, no thanks. I love you, but the only kisses I want are from Addison. Come on let's go home."