The next morning was Monday and the first day of school after Spring Break. Zed was walking to Addison's house like always after sending Zoey off on the bus and surprisingly Eliza was tagging along with him, mostly because after his news late last night she had a million questions for him and Addison.
"Not that I believe you without evidence, but seriously? There's a pack of bloodthirsty werewolves living in the forest right outside of town? And no one ever knew about them or locked them behind a wall or gave them Z-bands to control them?" Eliza asked, slightly bitter.
"Well, they didn't seem too bloodthirsty, I mean, I'll admit I was scared but they didn't really attack us."
"What do you mean didn't really attack you?"
"Well, I was running to find Addison and as I got close I heard howling and they had her surrounded, but then when I put my hand on her shoulder she punched me right in the nose.
"I missed that! You know ever since football ended I've so missed watching you get pummeled."
"So anyway, Addison did more damage than any wolves did."
"So speaking of, besides the bus crash how did everything go?"
"Well besides that tiny detail and the werewolves, it went perfectly, but as we rode back her mom called right when I was about to get confirmation, so she hasn't said yes yet."
"I swear you two and Bree and Bonzo make everything the biggest deal ever. Just ask her. Since I know you're going to be acting even crazier until she finally says yes." Eliza rolled her eyes.
"No I can't do that, I'll try to get her alone today…oh, I know probably after school, in the safe room, yeah. That'll work." Zed started mumbling to himself under his breath.
"And you're going to ignore me, just like the powerplant."
"What? Eliza, it's not that I'm ignoring the powerplant, it's just so important to Pops and all the other zombies to have their new jobs, we can't take it away, and it will make Zombietown better and more connected with Seabrook."
"I know, but to me, the powerplant isn't just a rusted out building, it's our heritage, it's where we were born Zed. It's way too important, for reasons we may not even know. I'm not giving up."
"I'm sorry Eliza, but we'll have to agree to disagree. I honestly see it as a good thing. It sucks that it's the powerplant, but it will all work out in the end. "
"Fine, but I'm still fighting. Why do they even need a new cheer pavilion? The place they had the competition in the Fall is still just fine."
"It's about unity Eliza."
"Or erasing our culture. We don't need to be prissy pink cheerleaders to fit in."
"I know, but Eliza it will be fine." Zed told her again to Eliza's grumbled reply as he knocked on Addison's door.
"Good morning Zed." Addison opened the door a moment later and they entwined each other in a hug.
"Good morning Addison, you ready to go back to school?"
"Yeah, it would have been nice to have a few days of actual vacation but I'll be fine." Addison stretched her arms up and let out a yawn.
"Now you tell me," Zed said as they turned to walk hand in hand, "I'm sure we could have figured something out, like our camping idea."
"Zed I'm still here." Eliza reminded him with a light smack on the head from his other side.
"How's it going Eliza?"
"Oh, you know fighting injustice is keeping me busy."
"And looking good doing it Zom-bae. Sorry about my parents, but you can probably guess any reasons I could give to make them keep the powerplant would make them tear it down faster."
"Oh trust me, I've given them plenty of reasons, obviously I've left out any mention of Zombie Mashes or you two. I want them to listen to me."
"Wait, when was this?" Zed asked.
"These past two weeks, while some of us were writing love letters and painting ridiculous signs, or daydreaming about certain cheerleaders, some of us were working to create real change."
"Eliza!" Zed groaned.
"Like she doesn't know." Eliza laughed.
"Speaking of, thanks for helping Zed set it up, but he probably could have used your supervision on site." Addison joked.
"Yeah, just another thing I wish I had on video." Eliza laughed.
"Agh. Are both of you double-teaming me?"
"What do you expect when you make a school bus crash because of a Promposal?" Eliza continued laughing.
"So you have been talking to my parents Eliza?"
"Yeah, well mostly sending them strongly-worded emails that they shouldn't tear the powerplant down, and as Zed knows I've been busy protesting on site."
"I'm sorry Eliza, but I'm sure you'll find somewhere else to have rockin mashes."
"I know you mean it Addison, but I'm going to keep fighting. So back to your real news. Do you expect me to really believe werewolves are real?"
"Yes, of course. I had no idea, and I was super freaked out, then Zed scared me even more, but then I felt safe when I realized it was him, and then they didn't attack us or anything, they howled a lot, but they also talked to us."
"Well, I guess I can believe you."
"I am hurt, when have I ever lied to you?" Zed jokingly demanded.
"Fifth grade, first day of school." Eliza shot back immediately.
"Oh come on, seriously? That was one time. And we agreed to never speak of that again." Zed's tone turned deadly serious.
"What did you do?" Addison was intrigued.
"Um…nothing it's all good right Eliza?"
"No, but lucky for you I don't hold grudges."
"Hah hah hah, now that's a lie!" Zed released a humongous, exaggerated laugh.
"So you aren't going to tell me?"
"Nope sorry Addison, trust me that story will stay only between me and Eliza."
"Really? Eliza?"
"No, I can't forget it, even as much as I want to. It's something we agreed to take to our graves."
"Anyway, back on topic, yes werewolves are real, Zoey's surprisingly excited about it."
"Really? I know she sounded just as fired up as normal on the bus."
"Oh yeah, she spent all last night drawing posters she can hang up around Zombietown asking for a werefriend. She also set out some of Puppy's treats and toys on the porch to lure them to our house."
"Have you told Pops?" Addison asked.
"No, I don't want to worry him with his new job. I think he thinks she's just playing for now. As long as a werewolf doesn't show up at our front porch for a milk bone, we should be fine." Zed laughed.
They finally arrived at school, and they had to end their werewolf conversation as they were soon surrounded by their fellow students. Addison broke away from Zed to head to class with Bree and Eliza, while Zed went to his first class of the day with Bonzo, but he had a much more important question to answer than algebra.
Unfortunately, he had to have a student council meeting during lunch to go over the final preparations with the Prom Committee which was led by Bucky. But Zed was still pretty zoned out as he was daydreaming about the perfect Prawn Night with Addison. Eliza had to elbow him as Bucky was finishing his speech.
"And finally, last, but certainly not least….I'm thinking the Prawn King should get his own corner office. Let's see if we can move out the Math Department. Write that down." As he did, he pointed to his second in command on the Prawn Committee, Kevin. "Which by the way it will soon be time to officially nominate me for Prawn King!" He turned back to Kevin. "Let's keep it understated yet extravagant. And flashy. Got that Jacey?"
"Um, my name's Kevin." Jacey looked confused.
Bucky just shot him a look.
"Right, we changed my name to Jacey, which I love by the way." Jacey nodded along.
"Kevin," Zed spoke up, "you don't need to change your name for Bucky. You should be yourself it's the coolest thing."
"No Bucky's right. Jacey is so much better."
"Alright then." Zed put that issue aside. "Yeah I don't think so Bucky, there is no need for the Prawn King to have an office, and the Math Department deserves their own space. Not that I need an office." Zed whispered under his breath soft enough that only Eliza beside him could hear.
She just smirked and rolled her eyes as Bucky continued his argument. "You really think you can beat King glitter bomb in a straight up popularity contest to be on a stupid wall?"
"Yeah, I think I have a shot, and how great would it be to have a zombie on the Prawn Wall of Fame?"
"Or how great would it be to have our powerplant stay our powerplant?"
Zed chose to ignore Eliza's comment and continued with the meeting. "Alright, thank you Bucky, I guess now we'll vote one the motion to give the Prawn King an office. All in favor?" Zed asked. A couple of hands went up, but far from a majority, most of the yay's obviously had a direct connection to Bucky's influence.
"All opposed?" Zed asked, and he along with most of the student council voted against it.
"OK, looks like the nay's win. The Prawn King will not be getting an office."
"Alright fine." Bucky conceded. But one more thing, remember to vote for Prawn King, and we all want a leader who will make you proud."
"Bucky, you already have the cheer room." Eliza reminded him. "And the Prawn King doesn't have any actual duties or powers or anything that would require an office."
"Well, yeah, I mean of course that's my throne room, but I need an office too. But fine."
"OK everyone I think that's all we have to go over for today so this meeting is adjourned." Zed announced as everyone got up.
"So what's next for you? Let me guess, asking Addison? Again."
"No, I'm going to wait till after she's done with cheer practice."
"Let me guess, the saferoom?"
"Awe, you know me so well."
"Yeah, it's like I've known you since we were in diapers. Or you can't go a day without talking about Addison since you met her."
"Can you blame me when I'm dating the most perfect person on the planet?"
"OK, well I was talking to Bonzo during history and he and Bree want to talk to you guys about the wolves some more, so I'll bring them along a few minutes after the cheerleaders are all done. So watch your time Romeo, I will not hesitate to interrupt."
"What do you think I'm going to do?"
Eliza shot him a dead-eyed look.
"OK, I'm still probably going to make it a big deal, but I'm not going to drag it out or anything it's hard enough not just asking her in the middle of the classroom."
"Yes, because restraint is a word I always associated with you Zed, especially when Addison is around."
"Hey, I can play it cool."
"Sure you can, Z, good luck then, I have to get to class."
"Later Eliza! Zed waved as he turned to walk down the hallway to his next class. He sat down beside Addison just as the bell rang."
"Hey you, how was student council?"
"Great, Bucky's already planning on winning Prawn King."
"Yeah, he probably will."
"What makes you say that?" Zed asked, slightly crestfallen.
"I know Bree and I have worked on bringing him down a few pegs, but for most of Seabrook, he is still Bucky the cheer god, and it has been a long enough time since he lost the fall cheer championship. In a straight-up popularity contest, I think Bucky's pretty much guaranteed."
"I wouldn't bet on it."
"Who else has a chance of winning against Bucky?"
"Oh I don't know, I'm sure our classmates will choose the right candidates, being on the Prawn Wall of fame would be pretty impressive."
"Yeah I guess, but I don't really care about that."
"Why not?"
"So? It's just a poster, who cares? Whoever wins king and queen will be important for a week or two and then it'll be the Spring Cheer Championship and Prawn will be old news."
"OK I trust you, but don't count your chickens before they hatch."
"OK, Zed." Addison was a bit confused about the point Zed was trying to make as Mr. Schwiesow started his lesson.
"Addison!" Zed called out as he walked in the gym later that afternoon as they were finishing cheer practice. "How was practice?"
"Great, we totally got this. Just a few more weeks until competition and everyone is super fired up. Isn't that right Bucky?" Addison smiled as she wiped some sweat from her brow.
"Definitely, the Mighty Shrimp are back in top form, we are going to rock the competition and bring home that trophy! And it's all thanks to our wonderful captains and our amazing assistant captains. Isn't that right Cuz?" Bucky said, throwing his arm over her shoulder.
"Yes, Bucky we've all done a great job, the team is better than ever, I have no doubts we'll sweep the judges off their feet."
"Speaking of…" Zed started, as he walked closer to Addison and grabbed her hand. "Come with me. There's something I have to ask you."
"Alright, See you later Bree, bye Bucky."
"See ya Addison." Bree waved.
"So what is it?"
"Just come with me." Zed wasn't giving anything away as he pulled her along behind him.
Finally, they arrived at the saferoom.
"Alright Zed, what did you do now?" Addison asked with an excited smile.
"Just follow me, and all will be revealed." Zed held open the door like a true gentleman and let Addison enter first.
"Come on Zed what is it?" Addison asked as they walked into the middle of the room, as Zed reached up to turn on one of the lights.
"We need to talk." Zed said, in the most serious tone he could muster.
"About what?" Addison asked, slightly nervous now.
"I never got your answer yesterday."
"For what? I have no clue what you're talking about you crazy zombie." Addison laughed.
"As great as our letters were, and I will treasure them forever, this needs to be done in person and I can't wait a moment longer."
"Just spit it out then." Addison asked, even more confused at what he was going on about.
Zed got down on one knee, so that for once it was him looking up to meet Addison's eyes, with a happy smile on his face that he carefully controlled so he wouldn't look completely crazy. "Addison, will you make me the luckiest zombie…"
Addison looked down at him, wide-eyed with confusion covering her expression, having no idea what he was about to say.
"And be my date to Prawn?" Zed finally let his fully excited smile show, along with a single red rose he pulled out from behind his back. He was thinking to himself, Yes I finally did it, step one to getting on the Prawn Wall of Fame.
Addison let out a relieved breath that she didn't know she had been holding. "Of course I will! Who else would I ever want to go with? And what are you talking about? You asked me this yesterday. Remember when you got hit by the bus? It must have hit you harder than you thought."
"But you never said yes, I was about to ask for your answer when your mom called."
"Oh yeah. Sorry, I would love to be your date to Prawn." Addison smiled and hugged him. "There is no one else I want to spend that night with than you." Addison pulled herself even closer around Zed in a hug that he happily embraced.
"Great, we'll- Wait a minute." Zed turned his head to the far corner. "I hear something."
"What?"
"Hello?" Zed called out. "Is someone there?"
Footsteps slowly sounded against the concrete floor and both Zed and Addison took a step back as the three wolves from the woods stepped into the light.
"Congrats Zombie, it looks like you have some moves." Wyatt smiled.
"Thanks," Zed said slowly, "um...how long have you been here?"
"Long enough." Willa laughed. "Don't worry, we won't tell anyone."
"What are you doing here?" Addison asked.
"We-" Wyatt started.
Everyone turned towards the door as Eliza burst in, followed by Bonzo and Bree. "Alright Romeo, you've had plenty of time you better have done it by now." She called out sarcastically, "We're all ready to go ho…" Eliza trailed off seeing they weren't alone.
Bree and Bonzo both froze as the door closed behind them, automatically pulling each other close. "Screwzywolves." Bonzo whispered.
"See guys, I told you. Werewolves are real. Who would have thought?" Zed tried to ease the rapidly building tension. "Surprise." He said halfheartedly.
"And you brought them to the saferoom?" Eliza asked.
"No we didn't bring them here. Why would I Prawnpose to Addison here if I knew they were here?" Zed said sarcastically. "Um, no offense."
"None taken." Wynter smiled, or maybe showed off her fangs, it was hard to tell.
"So who are you?" Eliza asked.
"I'm Wyatt, this is Wynter, and my sister Willa. Who are you?"
"These are our friends, Eliza, Bonzo, and Bree." Addison introduced her nervous companions.
"And you're really werewolves?" Eliza asked sarcastically, "I mean you obviously aren't zombies, and I've never seen humans dress like that so…"
"You want proof?" Willa asked. As one the three wolves' eyes glowed golden yellow as their necklaces shown with blue light. They let out a snarl and howled in unison echoing around the safe room. "Awooo!"
"OK then. I stand corrected. What do you want?" Eliza asked suspiciously.
"We…want to join your school." Wyatt said after a moment's hesitation.
Willa turned her fearsome glare on her brother. "What?" She hissed.
"We wolves so admire your town, and we'd love to learn more about it, like especially your history and how you've said things are changing for the zombies, we thought maybe we wolves should join with your community."
"Really?" Bree asked, her voice an octave higher than usual. "So you don't want to eat us or anything?"
"No of course not. We don't eat people, we're werewolves, not animals. Have these three ever eaten anyone?" Willa asked.
"No, I'm sorry. Of course, you're right. Zombies aren't monsters and I'm sure you werewolves aren't either. I love your hair." Bree tried to bring her smile back.
"Thanks, we also do nails." Wynter brushed her hand through her braids and displayed her expertly manicured claws.
"So are there more of you?"
"Hold on Eliza, that's a wolf secret, right?" Zed joked.
"For now." Willa was all would reveal. "It's our job to make sure Seabrook is safe."
"So do you really want to join the school? I suppose we can help you get a meeting with Principal Lee tomorrow." Addison offered.
"What's a principal?" Wynter asked.
"She's like the boss of the school." Addison explained.
"Good then, I'm the Alpha, I'm the leader, I'm the one to trust." Willa informed them. I'll meet with your Alpha tomorrow so we can…join the school." Willa shot daggers at Wyatt beside her. "But for now, I don't suppose you could give us a tour of the town?"
"Um I guess a little bit, but it's a school night so we won't have much time." Addison said, "all our parents will be expecting us home soon."
"Alright then. Lead the way." Wyatt motioned to the door.
"Well I guess, we can give you a tour around the school first, so you can know where everything is." Zed started to lead the way out the door. "So you obviously found the saferoom, but don't worry, you have nothing to worry about us zombies as you can probably tell how awesome we are. In fact they're pretty good for being a safe place for zombies when we need it."
"So people have never used them when they finally let you out?" Willa asked.
"Well, they did once, but it was alright."
"Speak for yourself Zed. That whole first day was so stupid." Eliza grumbled.
"But it was one of the best days of my life." Zed smiled down at Addison who was blushing beside him at the memory.
"Why?" Wynter asked.
"Because the first day we zombies were allowed to join the human high school, but we were all sent to the basement, but I wanted to try out for the football team, so I snuck out, but someone saw me and pulled the Z-Alarm and that made everyone panic so then I panicked and hid in the saferoom. But then, Addison hid in the saferoom too, and that is where we had our first punch."
"So Seabrook finally changed only a few months ago?" Wyatt asked.
"Yeah it was pretty slow at first, but thanks to Zed and Eliza things have changed so much more than I ever could have imagined." Bree said, starting to let her nervousness fade away.
"So you guys specifically are changing things?" Wyatt asked.
"Yeah, well first I joined the football team and led the Mighty Shrimp to their first state championship ever. But then things went downhill for a little while because of some…"
"It's alright Zed, Bucky was an idiot, and a jerk for doing that." Addison supplied.
"Anyway, but then I became student body president and worked to change the rules back and keep changing more, then once Addison's parents got on board things really started changing for the better. Now Seabrook and Zombietown are getting closer and more united."
"But not close enough, they still want to bury our culture." Eliza interjected.
"What do you mean?" Wyatt asked.
"They want to tear down the powerplant, the birthplace of zombies to build a shiny new cheer pavilion."
"Yeah, you should be proud of who you are."
"Zar ree arg, ez grueno aror greerleadarrs ez diverrtiza, agrh unizoz."
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Willa asked, the other wolves looked confused too.
"Bonzo said, they are proud, but cheerleading is fun, and it can help bring Seabrook and Zombietown together." Bree translated.
"We zombies have our own language and our own culture," Eliza explained.
"Just like us wolves, we can respect that. Awooo!" Wyatt howled.
"Then you're already better than Seabrook."
"Eliza, things are changing, and that hasn't stopped, has it?" Addison asked.
"I'll admit, we have come a long way, but I'm just so…fired up about the powerplant. Argh, you prissy pink cheerleaders have me using cheerleader terms. Do I look green, greener than usual?"
"Naw, you look like just right." Wyatt answered with a smile.
Pretty much everyone's heads whipped around either to stare at Wyatt or to check Eliza's expression that she kept carefully blank.
"Gee thanks Fido, don't expect any treats from me." She shot back sarcastically.
"Of course not, I don't need treats, I enjoy the hunt."
Zed decided to change the subject after a few moments of awkward silence. "So here's the library, and over there's the gym, and just down the hall are some restrooms." Zed listed off. "Are you really surprised Eliza, you come to all the games, and we're all your best friends."
"Yeah, I know."
"If you want help protecting your power plant, I'll help you out." Wyatt offered.
"Thanks, maybe you have ideas I haven't thought of, since Zed won't let me start a real revolution. I could use more allies, and I have to admit, now that I know werewolves are real, I'd be willing to learn more about you, this town can always use more monsters. And maybe I'll show you how to do it like the zombies do."
"Sounds interesting, I'd be happy to show you the call of the wild." Wyatt laughed again.
"So here's the cafeteria," Zed was continuing his tour, "the student council room is that way, and the hall on the left leads to the main office and entrance."
"We can probably show you more when you come to school tomorrow." Addison said, "I should really get home before my parents try to track me down. School starts at 8 tomorrow, so if you want to meet us out front a little before then we'll bring you to Principal Lee."
"Alright then, see you tomorrow." Willa agreed.
"Wait," Addison stopped them, "do you need a place to stay?"
"Don't worry about us, we own the night." Willa said before she let out another echoing howl and the wolves all ran off down the street.
"OK then, that was…exciting." Bree broke the silence.
"Now that you met them, what do you think guys?"
"Scrarzy." Bonzo said, "Perro monster guzta uz."
"Yeah, Bonzo I know we just have to get to know them and they'll fit right in. They just want to belong in Seabrook, just like we do. Well, see you guys later." Zed replied.
"Bye!" Bree waved to Addison as she and Bonzo turned to her house with Eliza following them. "Hey Eliza are you coming too?"
"Yeah, you two are slightly less nauseating than the other lovebirds."
"Thanks, I don't know to be offended or not."
"Zo, Zedski ez crazy."
"I totally agree Bonzo. Especially since they were apart for two whole weeks, I can't believe they survived that long!" Eliza's sarcasm echoed down the street as they turned away, both Bree and Bonzo laughing along with her.
As Zed was walking Addison home she was looking down at her watch.
"So now that I have your yes…" Zed was saying.
"Zed I wasn't kidding about it getting late, sorry but I really should get home soon before Dad sends the Z-Patrol to find us. It'll have to wait until we call each other later."
"Well then, how about a ride? I bet I can get you home in under ten minutes from here."
"I'd like to see you try."
"Well then," Zed shrugged off his backpack and kneeled down. "Hop on."
Addison took his backpack on her own shoulders before jumping on, wrapping her arms over his neck as Zed grabbed hold of her legs to keep her stable for a piggy back ride.
"So you really think you can get there in under ten minutes?"
"Bet on it."
"OK," Addison pulled herself up to set her watch. "ten minutes when I say go."
"What do I get if I win?"
Addison stretched her neck up and lightly nibbled his ear before softly whispering, "if you win, you get a goodnight kiss. If you don't… no kiss tonight."
"You know just how to motivate me." Zed laughed. "Tell me when."
"On your mark, get set, go!" Addison laughed and held on tight as Zed took off sprinting to her house.