The next day when the wolves showed up, Zombietown was a flurry of activity. About a dozen wolves came, and they brought some extra clothes and animal furs that they had. None had any sort of formal clothing among them, but that wasn't a problem.
The zombies were used to creating their own Zombie Chic fashion out of the drab coveralls, so they could do a lot more with a lot less. Within a few hours and Zinnia's expert help, all the wolves had suits and dresses repurposed out of the clothes and fur that they brought with them or borrowed from the zombie residents.
Once everyone's outfits for the night were all sorted out, the wolves and zombies split up into different houses to get ready. Willa and Wynter walked over to Eliza's house, and they were already animatedly discussing their hair, nails, and make-up for the night. Zed could see Zoey following close behind them as they walked across the street.
Bonzo led Wayde and a few of the guys to his house to get ready, and Zed invited Wyatt and a couple of others to get dressed in his house. After pulling his tux out of his closet, he gave Wyatt his room to change while he got dressed in the bathroom.
He glanced in the mirror after pulling his suit on, he gave himself his best smolder. Addison was right, red was definitely his color. He couldn't wait to see her tonight. He hadn't seen her since that morning when she left to get ready with Bree after all the wolves had their clothes sorted out.
He stepped out of the bathroom for the next wolf to use and he thanked him and walked in. He walked past his bedroom door and heard muffled growls from behind it.
"Wyatt?" Zed called, lightly knocking on the door, "You need anything?"
Wyatt opened the door, and Zed had to admit, just to himself, that Wyatt did indeed look handsome in his dark, fur-lined suit. But he had an annoyed pout on his face and he was holding the tie over his neck. "Howl the heck does this thing work?"
"I'll show you." Zed gave a light chuckle and moments later everything was in place. "You clean up well."
"Thanks, you too zombie." Wyatt smiled back, he glanced around nervously for a moment. "Hey Zed, can I ask you something?"
"Sure what is it Wyatt?"
"You can't tell anyone this OK?"
"Sure what is it? Another wolf secret?" Zed grinned back.
"Not exactly, look I…you know Eliza pretty good right?"
"Yeah, we've known each other since we were in diapers, she's my best friend and like my second sister."
"OK how do I get her to like me?" Wyatt asked with a blush.
"Excuse me?" Zed had been noticing the way those two acted around each other all week but he never expected to hear that.
"Look I like her and would like to be more than friends so I was wondering if you'd have something I could use to break down her walls more."
"Um first off if you want romance advice on Eliza I doubt I'm the guy you want to talk to. Also, you know you can never tell her you asked me right? Because she'll probably kill you and then me." Zed joked.
"Yeah I have a feeling that wouldn't go over well, obviously the way to her heart is not your brand of sweetness that you and Addison have."
"Honestly, I think the best advice I can give is just be yourself around her, and also you need really thick skin but you probably know that already."
"Yeah, I've been spending all week around her silver tongue." Wyatt agreed.
"I don't really know," Zed looked up, running his hand through his hair, "Obviously she'll want to take it slow, maybe just ask her to dance tonight? I don't really know what to say, I'm pretty sure she shot down literally every idea I had about Addison until she got to know her at the Zombie Mash. Best of luck though, despite what she would say I think you two can have lots of fun together, plus I know Eliza can take care of herself. Really dude, I'd say be patient, take things slow and see what happens."
"Thanks, Zed,"
"And to be perfectly honest you are literally the first guy I have ever heard her call handsome."
"She thinks I'm handsome?"
"A lot more than she finds me apparently." Zed joked.
"Makes sense." Wyatt shot back with a grin.
The other wolf exited the bathroom and Zed was once again on tie duty.
"Come on let's go." Zed led the way out the door, Bonzo and a bunch of the other wolves were already waiting. Eliza was leading Willa, Wynter, and a few other wolves, along with Zoey who was tagging along behind her, to Zed's house too. All their parents were already standing around and chatting, cameras clutched in their hands, and even Willa and Wyatt's parents had shown up.
"Zed!" Zoey shouted, running up to him, "You look great!"
"Thanks, Zoey, I like your nails." Zed noticed they were painted purple, the same color as Willa and Wynter's claws.
"Thanks, werewolves do amazing nails. Where's Bree and Addison?"
"They're both getting ready at Addison's house and then them and their parents will come over to take pictures with us and then we'll head to Prawn all together."
"I can't wait to see your face when you see Addison's dress!"
"Why? Is it that pretty?"
"Yes, you'll probably turn pink when you see it, that's how hard your heart will be beating."
"Then I can't wait, you and Addison keep building the suspense." Zed grinned back. Then his eye caught someone walking up to them. "Hey Zoey, I think there's someone here to see you." He pointed behind her.
"What?" Zoey turned around. "Willow! What are you doing here?" She ran toward her new friend.
"Winona and Waylon said I could come to play with you tonight, all the adults are going to stay here while the dance is going on and talk about stuff, like letting the rest of us come to school."
"Yay! I can't wait to show you my room and all of Puppy's toys and I can show you cheering and we can howl at the moon all night, this is going to be so much fun. Oh and I can invite Kinzley to come over too!"
"I know, I had to beg to come with them but they said yes! And I can't wait to meet more zombies!" Willow shouted excitedly along with her new friend.
A few feet away, Wyatt walked over to the girls. "You all look great. Ready to spend the night on the dance floor?"
"Of course, we own the night remember?" Willa smiled at him.
"Maybe a little, but I'm going to be at keeping the party going remember? Don't expect me to slow dance with you buster." Eliza warned him.
"How could I forget, whatever's fine with me, I know I'll be walking in with the best zombie DJ on the planet."
Eliza tried to ignore the way her face was twitching like she wanted to smile wider at him for no reason, so she tried to change the conversation. "Want to make a bet?"
"About what?"
"I bet ten bucks that when Zed sees Addison the first words out of his mouth are Girl you look delicious."
Wyatt glanced over at Zed where he was still talking with Zoey. "I feel like you know something I don't but sure, I'll play, deal." Wyatt reached out and they shook hands.
"Sucker." Eliza grinned at him. "Oh look here they are now."
Two cars were pulling into Zombietown and parked a few yards away from the quickly growing crowd. Bree's parents got out of one, and Addison's parents and Addison and Bree got out of the other.
Zed's vision tunneled as she stepped out of the car behind Bree. He couldn't stop his eyes from scanning her beautiful gown from her white sneakers that were just revealed by the raised hem. The light blue fabric hugged her curves perfectly, leaving her shoulders bare. Her beautiful hair was done up in a simple, yet intricate-looking style. Make-up simple yet perfect, she was wearing the charm bracelet he got her at Christmas like always, and sparkling earrings hanging from her ears. And her newest addition, her moonstone necklace rested against her neck. Everything about her screamed beauty and perfection.
Zed slowly walked up to her. "Girl you look delicious, oh I mean gorgeous." He smiled.
"Now you're getting fearless." Addison giggled back. "Boy, you look delicious too." She whispered as her own eyes were scanning his suit up and down.
"Ha pay up!" Zed heard someone shout happily in the distance but he couldn't drag his eyes away for anything.
"I've been waiting to see this forever and it is better than my wildest dreams."
"I can't wait to spend the entire night with you." Addison smiled and they finally met in a tight hug. Zed's hands met over her bare back, sending excited shivers down her spine.
"OK, everyone! Pictures!" Missy called out and started getting everyone organized.
Everyone was using Zed's porch as the staging area, and after nearly an hour later and what felt like a hundred poses and millions of camera flashes from all the parents they were finally ready to leave, almost.
"Wait, I want everyone to be in a picture!" Zoey called out. In moments everyone was gathered around smiling for a picture, Zed holding up Zoey in the middle of the crowd with Addison by his side, surrounded by both zombies, werewolves, and a handful of humans.
"Say Brains!" Zevon called out.
"Brains!" Everyone smiled as a thunderstorm of bright flashes nearly blinded everyone.
"Is everyone here?" Willa called out after everyone took a moment for their eyes to adjust. "Lead the way Zed."
"Let's go!"
"Hold on. Addison," Missy walked over to Zed and Addison. "I know we agreed for all your friends to stay over at our house tonight, but just how many should we expect now, that you've um…expanded your pack?"
"Um…I don't know. Hey Willa!" Addison called out.
"Yes Addison?"
"Where are all the wolves going after Prawn? You're welcome to come to my house if you want to spend the night."
"Thank you, Addison, I think most of them will just head back to the Den, but Wynter, Wayde, Wyatt, and I would love to join you if we can."
"Of course. So four more people Mom."
"Alright, that sounds doable. Have fun you two. We'll see you at midnight. After we talk with our new neighbors from the woods. We'll all be at your house Zed if you need anything before its Prawn is over. Call if you need us."
"I will, Bye Mom. Bye Missy." They both waved and led the crowd to the school.
Seabrook High was lit up for the special night with pinks, blues, and purples shining everywhere. The main entrance was crowded with all the teens and excited parents arriving. Bucky and his loyal Aceys strutted out the door of their pink limo, all looking perfect in their matching pink and blue glittery suits.
Bucky stopped near the entrance and motioned his entourage through the doors ahead of him. "After you." He smiled as they passed. "Prepare to make way for your king." He was about to follow when he heard something behind him. He turned around and saw flashes of color that definitely weren't Seabrook pink or blue. "What's that?"
As his limo pulled away from the curb, it revealed a large crowd of zombies and werewolves marching to the doors together. Happy and excited grins on their faces with Zed and Addison in the lead.
"It's zombies." Bucky smiled.
All his Aceys turned around.
"And werewolves!" Jacey added.
"In formalwear?" Stacey sounded surprised.
"They look good." Lacey butted in with appreciation that was agreed to by the others.
"You guys all made it, and you all look great you guys, though not as good as me." Bucky grinned. "Zombie Chic, nice." He met Zed with a fist bump.
"Thanks, Bucky, you're all very…sparkly." Addison said diplomatically.
"Thanks Addison."
"I love your dress."
"Thank you Stacey."
"Well, let's get this party started!" Bucky motioned everyone else in ahead of him before rejoining Lacey as he walked into the gym.
Zed and Addison walked slowly through the gym arm in arm. Addison loved seeing it transformed for the night, it looked beautiful and everyone was already having so much fun, the zombie students and even the wolves were spread around talking with humans in happy, and excited groups. But she forgot all that when she caught Zed's eyes shining down on her.
"What are you thinking about?" Zed asked her.
"Just how amazing this night is, Seabrook is more united than ever, and it's all thanks to us. We brought change to Seabrook and we fixed history and everything, and I get to be here with you. Remember the beginning of this year?"
"Like it was yesterday. The greatest day of my life was when we had our first…punch." Zed smiled.
"And we promised we would be side by side under the broad daylight?"
"Of course."
"Being here with you is even better than I could ever dream, I don't know what I would do without you."
"You don't need to worry about that ever Addie, but you're right we have gotten closer and closer to someday, everyday zombies and now werewolves are being more and more accepted. And it's all thanks to you."
"And you, and Eliza, and Bonzo, and Bree, and Wynter, and Willa, and Wyatt."
"Oh alright, it's a team effort. We're all part of the pack."
"Yes, we are." Addison smiled, lightly tapping her necklace. "Are you still wearing yours?"
"Yep, it's right here." Zed said patting his tie. "So, what did you want to talk about?" Zed asked as they moved to the dance floor. Eliza began playing the music, but right now it wasn't so intense so they could still have a conversation.
Addison kept her hands firmly gripping Zed's. "When you lifted the wall to save us and the Moonstone…."
"Yeah…?"
"We all got out and then I went back in to bring you with us, and I told you it was time for us to go, but you said Zo and apologized to me. Then you let go of the wall and pushed me through the hole before I had any clue what you were doing. Then…" Addison began to slightly tear up. "Then the wall fell and you weren't there with me, and I was so scared." she buried her face in his chest for a moment, inhaling the delicious scent of his cologne to try to calm herself down. "You are never doing anything like that again Zed Necrodopolis!" She nearly shouted, when she looked up at Zed again a fire was burning in her crystal blue eyes. "Don't you ever try to sacrifice yourself for me ever again! I can't live without you. I need you in my life always." Addison's voice quieted down again and she hugged him tight as they gently swayed to the music.
"Don't worry Addie, although to be honest, I perfectly agree with my actions, I know I will always do anything for you, and I'm sure it wasn't just a random decision, I don't remember everything but I'm pretty sure there was something that made me do that like I must have assumed we wouldn't both have time if we went together."
"I don't care. Promise me."
Zed pulled her flush against him. "I promise Addie, if we are ever in a life-threatening situation like that ever again, I promise I will do everything in my power to protect you, but I won't just sacrifice myself for you. I will always be with you. Always."
"I know Zed. Always." Addison agreed. "I will always protect you too."
Zed and Addison smiled at each other and as they were slowly leaning in closer Eliza gave an announcement. "Alright Here's a slow song for all of you love birds, that means you Zeddison!"
"Eliza." Zed grumbled playfully. "You know, I like this song," Zed said as they started slowly swaying to the music, "but I think there's a different song we should dance to."
"I like the way you're thinking, I can almost see it." Addison agreed.
"Can I have this dance Gorgeous?"
"Yes, you may Handsome."
Addison took Zed's hands and he smoothly lifted them to his shoulders and he then placed his hands around her waist. They started to gently sway to the music playing, but both were lost in the melody beating in their hearts, deaf to the real world as Zed softly started to sing, and Addison happily joined in.
You're from the perfect paradise (Ohh)
I'm living on the darker side
Ooh I had a feeling if you got to know me
Right from the start you caught my eye
Something inside me came to life
Addison couldn't help the smile and blush that painted her cheeks, thinking to herself, I felt the exact same way.
Ooh I got a feeling now you really know me. Addison sang, gently running her hand through Zed's hair, feeling him leaning into her touch.
Someday this could this be this could be ordinary. The entire time they had been pulling each other closer, but now they separated so Zed could twirl Addison out and back into his arms.
Someday could we be something extraordinary
You and me side by side
Out in the broad daylight
Addison couldn't help leaning her head against Zed's shoulder as he pulled her close again.
If they laugh we'll say.
Addison placed her hand over Zed's neck again and they continued to sway to the music in their own little world.
We're gonna be someday
Someday someday
We're gonna be someday
Someday someday
We're gonna be someday
They finished their song, and Addison stretched up as high as she could reach, while Zed leaned down, slowly closing the distance between them, but a heartbeat before they could…
"ROAARRR! I am PROUD to be a ZOMBIE!" They turned to see Eliza standing with Wyatt at her DJ table, all Zombied out while he was holding her Z-band beside her. Wyatt howled to the ceiling before placing her Z-band back on her wrist and when she looked over at him again she was smiling.
"OMZ when did that happen?" Addison asked, laughing with surprise.
"I think it's been going on since the moment they met. You'll never guess what. Wyatt asked me for advice about Eliza!"
"What did you say?"
"Good luck, never tell her you asked me for advice, and just be yourself."
"Alright, I approve. You better not have made things difficult for them."
"No, I would never. I mean I'll never let her live anything down but she'll probably take forever to admit anything."
"You're probably right." Addison agreed, "Now where were we?"
"I think I know." Zed grinned down at her, once again they were barely two inches away when Bree ran up to them. Interrupting them just before they could make contact.
"Zed, Addison there you are!"
"What is it Bree?" Addison asked.
"Have you guy's voted for Prawn King and Queen yet?"
"No, do we really have to?" Addison asked.
"Well, I guess you don't have to, but they'll start counting the votes soon so this is your last chance. Kevin, I mean Jacey and the rest of the Prawn committee asked a bunch of the cheerleaders to spread the word."
"Do you want to go vote then?" Addison asked.
"We might as well." Zed nodded, and they started walking away from the dance floor.
"Do you still want to win?"
"I thought it would be a big deal being the first zombie on the Prawn Wall of Fame, but after this week with the wolves, and spending tonight with you and seeing everyone having fun here. I don't need to be on a wall. It's just like you said, Seabrook is united. Besides we're only freshmen, we have plenty of chances to become king and queen. As long as I'm with you, I'm already a king, because you will always be my queen."
"Alright Zed, then what do you say we vote for Bucky? He did help us a lot this week. Plus realistically he's probably the person that's most likely to win anyway.
"Sure, if its not me, or Bonzo, I suppose it wouldn't be too bad if Bucky won. Who should we vote for Queen?"
"I don't know, I'm not even sure who's officially Bucky's date or if him and the Aceys just all came together."
"How about we cover our bases then and each vote for one of them."
"Sounds like a good plan Zed."
So that's what they did, filling out the ballots and dropping them in the box. Afterward they each grabbed a glass of punch before they rejoined their friends on the dance floor.
A few minutes earlier Wyatt and Eliza were swaying to the music up at her DJ table. "So you made this playlist?" Wyatt asked.
"Yep, can't you tell?"
"Well, it's not like I have much experience listening to human or zombie music, but I think I'm starting to get a sense of your style."
"So are you really all out of danger, now that you have the Moonstone back?"
"Yep, totally. See?" Wyatt let out a snarl as his eyes glowed yellow.
"How does it feel when you go wolf?"
"Like nothing can stop me from doing anything, I could go chase after anything and I would catch it, like I could climb the tallest tree in the forest, like I can track anything through the darkest night. I haven't felt this free in ages. All my senses come alive, it's the best feeling in the world."
"It must be nice."
"It is, I think you should feel it too." Wyatt revealed a toothy grin.
"What, you think I'm a werewolf too now Fido? I'm already wearing one of your necklaces and it didn't do anything."
"No, of course not, show me the real you, without the Z-band, just like you told Zed, you don't need to hide."
Eliza nervously played with her hair for a moment. "Oh no, OK I know I say we should smash our Z-bands, but I don't know if I can control it. The last time…was not pretty."
"That's a lie, you could never not be pretty."
"You…you think I'm pretty?" Eliza said, with just the faintest blush beneath her gray skin.
"Well yeah, I'd have to be an idiot not to see it, I'm assuming Zed has never called you pretty."
Eliza rolled her eyes. "Please, Zed has only ever called two people pretty in his entire life, Zoey and Addison."
"So anyway, come on, show me the real you, Zed was more or less in control."
"When he had Addison, she has his zombie under some crazy love spell, which won't work on me. I don't want to hurt you or anyone else."
"Awe you do care, that's what I'm here for, I'll be your Addison and it will be fun, just be yourself it's the coolest thing."
"OK, but only for thirty seconds, and less if I start to do something stupid or crazy when I'm brainless. I don't want to hurt you."
"Don't worry, you'll never be brainless, I promise to keep you safe."
"OK then." Eliza revealed an excited smile. She unlatched her Z-band, she had long since hacked it enough to be removed relatively easily in case she needed it in an emergency, but as she said, she wouldn't have trusted herself to be in control down in the cave.
She handed her Z-band over to Wyatt and felt the familiar rush of strength and intense emotions, but she was surprised, she didn't feel that hungry, and the massive reservoir of rage that lived just beneath the surface of her mind was nowhere near as strong as at the homecoming game. She looked over at Wyatt, and then all the other heartbeats around her disappeared, she could only hear his. She didn't notice at first, but the moonstone on her neck was glowing emerald green against her pale gray skin. She smiled a feral grin, and he smiled right back.
"Go on, say it Eliza. I know you want to."
"ROARRR! I am PROUD to be a ZOMBIE!" She roared and spread her arms wide.
"AWWWOOO!" Wyatt howled beside her, moments later replacing her Z-band on her wrist.
When Eliza opened her eyes again, she was back to normal, and couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
"How was that? Did you feel the call to the wild?"
"I felt something. I don't know how to describe it, but wow. Like I could feel the strength, but I was still me."
"Well not to scare you, but while you did, your moonstone started glowing."
"Really?"
"Seriously. I don't think I've ever seen one glow green before, other than when ours were running out of power."
Eliza's mind started racing, "Could this mean…You know what Fido, it can wait till later, this is going to take some research, but for now, let's keep dancing."
"Gladly, all that I want to do, is spend the night under the broad moonlight."
"I suppose I can allow that." Eliza turned to her turntables. "There, I set the next few songs to play automatically, let's take this to the dance floor. Besides Bamm is next and I'm not missing that from up here."
"I can't wait to see your masterpiece then." Wyatt smiled as they rejoined the rest of their friends.
Bamm did indeed play next and Zed, Eliza, Bonzo, and the rest of the zombies took over the dance floor to a massive round of applause when they finished until someone suggested a dance battle to see who really has the best moves.
Everyone divided into three groups; wolves, humans, and zombies to come up with a game plan, and all the other humans looked to Addison for leadership as captain. So she quickly came up with a plan and told everyone else what to do. "Everyone got it?" She asked, seeing everyone nodding she put her hand in the middle for a breakout. "Let's go Mighty Shrimp Break! On Five! Huh!" Everyone cheered and soon all three groups were ready
The cheerleaders went first so Eliza had time to set the beat and rejoin the zombie horde.
We're about to bring it on, on, watch me shake it like a pom-pom,
Yeah, shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it like a pom-pom.
Yeah, get sick get sick get ill, lean back with the zombie tilt,
Ayy, with a zombie tilt, Yeah, a zombie tilt.
New kids on a new block, werewolves do the moonwalk,
Do the moonwalk Do the moon, ayy, ayy do the moonwalk
AAAWWOOO!
By the time everyone finished, pretty much everyone forgot it was supposed to be a competition and everyone just joined back together to dance the night away, they were divided but now they were all united.
It was near midnight when Prawn was set to finally end, and Bucky ran up to the small stage set up in front of the DJ Booth. He turned the music down and called for attention. Shrimpy stood beside him holding two sealed envelopes and two gold crowns.
"Now the moment I've, I mean we've all been waiting for. Let's see who our Prawn King and Queen are!"
Everyone had finally stopped dancing and was looking up at Bucky excitedly.
"Lady's first." Bucky picked up one of the envelopes and ever so slowly opened it, building anticipation. The rest of the gym was filled with a drum roll played by Bonzo and soon everyone was joining in.
"And this year's Prawn Queen is…My baby cousin, and one of the best cheer captains in Seabrook's history…Addison Wells!"
"OMZ. What? I won?" Addison had no idea this was coming, she knew Zed's goal was to be on the Prawn Wall of Fame, but she had never really wanted it. She was just happy to spend the night with Zed, and now all the rest of her friends, but being chosen as Prawn Queen, was just the cherry on top.
"You better get up there Gorgeous."
Addison left Zed's side for the first time all night and ran up on the stage. Bucky placed the golden tiara in her hair, careful to not mess up her fancy do.
"Thank you everyone!" Addison shouted over the crowd's claps and cheers. "Thank you for voting for me."
"OK, now let's make this about me!" Bucky interrupted, "Time to find out who our Prawn King is, as if there's any question. Bonzo drumroll please." Bucky rubbed his hands together in anticipation and ever so slowly opened the second envelope. He was drawing this out much longer than he had for Addison's.
"And our Prawn King is…Bu- What? I should have known, you just had to keep up your winning streak didn't you?" But Bucky was still smiling.
Addison tore the envelope from his hand and smiled even brighter. "Our Prawn King is Zed Necrodopolis! Get up here Zed!"
Now everyone was cheering, the zombies loudest of all, but even they were nearly drowned out by all the wolves howling.
Zed and Addison hugged on stage before Zed kneeled down so Addison could place his crown on his head, but she also playfully twisted it so it was crooked, and Zed didn't bother to fix it.
Zed just smiled. "Thank you all. Now let's get one more dance in! Eliza! Hit it!"
Eliza pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the two of them. "Hold up! We're getting our first zombie on the Prawn Wall of Fame!" she announced happily. "Say Brains!"
"Brains!" Zed and Addison both smiled.
After she took the picture she tapped on her phone within moments one last slow song played, and everyone paired up, including herself with Wyatt.
Addison and Zed were dancing in the very middle of the dance floor as the music played all around them.
"So you got your wish, after all, my King."
"Not at all how I planned but it worked out in the end, my Queen."
"You know the only bad part of this being the best Prawn Night ever?"
"What is it?" Zed asked with a slight look of panic.
"It's going to be hard to top this next year." Addison smiled, giggling at his expression that quickly shifted from fear to confusion to relief.
"Who knows? Maybe vampires will join us next year."
"If they do, they'll be welcome to join us." Addison laughed.
"Of course, even though we'll have to get rid of garlic bread in the cafeteria."
"For sure. And in case I haven't mentioned it yet, I have to say, red is definitely your color."
"Have I mentioned that your dress is definitely all you hyped it up to be? I only wish I could match it."
"Stop you look perfect."
"And so do you."
As the music ended, Zed pulled Addison closer, one hand gently caressing her waist, and the other raised to lovingly hold her cheek. While Addison reached around the back of his head to pull him even closer to her as she stood on her tiptoes.
Zed twisted his head slightly to the side to meet in the middle, just as amazing as always as they sent all their emotions to their other half through the contact of their lips, when they finally pulled away, they finally noticed all the wolves howling and all the zombies and humans clapping for them. They just smiled and hugged each other closer, waiting for the applause, howls, and wolf whistles to die down.
Bucky stood upfront telling everyone to announce they could all go home. Most of the wolves split off to head back to the Den while the humans and zombies mostly went their separate ways, but there were several mismatched couples walking each other home as well. Everyone in Addison's group started making their way down the familiar streets to her house.
"So Addison, how did your house become the after-party?" Willa asked.
"Well…" Addison grinned nervously in the dark, sharing a glance with Zed. "My parents figured this was the best way to make sure we were supervised tonight and plus if all our friends came over too we wouldn't be able to get away with anything. Not that we would be doing anything."
"You better not if we're all sleeping in the same room." Eliza warned.
"Eliza, who do you think we are?" Zed asked, sounding jokingly offended.
Eliza deepened her voice in her best Zevon impression. "Hey Eliza have you seen Zed? He was over at Addison's last night and never came home."
"That was one time, and an accident, and nothing bad happened."
"I'm just saying."
"Enough of that, we're almost home." Addison ordered her friend as they were indeed walking up to her porch.
Missy was there to greet them at the door and she let loose a shriek of delight seeing Zed and Addison wearing their matching crowns, so while everyone else got to escape to various rooms to change, Zed and Addison had to make it through one last round of pictures.
"OK Mom, I think that's enough, I feel like the queen of England." Addison jokingly complained, with a yawn.
"Alright, I see you've had a long night, and a long week, but remember you two, Dale and I will be checking on you."
"Yes, Mom." "Yes, Missy." Zed and Addison both answered, and Addison couldn't hide her blush and Zed only could because of his zombie complexion.
Zed and Addison both went their separate ways to change and soon rejoined their friends in the living room.
The wolves were already building a nest of some sort out of the pillows and blankets that Missy had set out.
"You sure you guys don't want an air mattress or the couch or anything?" Addison asked.
"No worries Addison," Wayde grinned up at her. "Our beds are normally just a nest of furs spread out over the floor."
"And we already tried the bed in the guest bedroom, and it was way too soft." Wynter added.
"We'll be good here." Wyatt continued, finishing each other's sentences with practiced ease.
"All four of you?"
"Yeah, we always sleep in groups." Willa explained.
"Ok, it's just that my parents wanted the guys and girls separated."
"Please I think we all know that rule only applies to you two." Eliza smirked.
"We've always done that, and if your parents have a problem, I will be happy to explain it to them." Willa grinned.
"OK then," Addison let the matter drop, "everyone else?"
"I'z OKZ wiz couch argh." Bonzo said.
"Are you sure Bonzo? I'm pretty sure your feet will be hanging off the end." Bree noticed, mentally measuring both Bonzo and the couch.
Bonzo laid down and he just barely fit, but gave a thumbs up and said. "Ez grr OKZ I dormirr nochez."
"OK if you're sure." Bree agreed.
"So Bree? Want to share the guest room?" Eliza asked.
"Sure sounds good."
"So Zed…" Eliza drew out her question with an evil, teasing grin on her face. "Where are you going to sleep?"
"I guess I'll take a sleeping bag." Zed said trying not to look at Addison.
"Then I'll take a sleeping bag too." Addison agreed.
"Addie you don't need to do that, you should sleep in your own bed." Zed said. A knowing look in his eyes.
"Alright if you insist." Addison agreed. "See you tomorrow or I guess today morning in a few hours," Addison said as he walked back up the stairs. "Come get me if you need anything." She said to all her friends, but really she was talking to Zed.
When she made it to her bedroom she pulled out her phone to recharge it for the night just in time to read a text from Zed. Stay up until your Dad does his patrol ;)
Addison's heart raced in anticipation. I can't wait! She texted him back. And slid into her bed, shutting off the lights. She waited at least half an hour before she heard her dad slowly creak open her door to glance in, and then he moved on downstairs. A few minutes after he returned to his own room, she heard a different set of footsteps moving much more carefully and quietly and he slowly ever so slowly opened the door.
"Addie?" He whispered.
"Come here Zed." Addison smiled in the darkness and pulled up her blankets so he could slide in. "So what exactly is your plan?"
"Simple, I figure your dad has to be just as tired as we are so he probably won't check again, and if he does my sleeping bag is currently stuffed with some very handsome pillows to be my doppelganger. I've set my alarm in a few hours so I can go back downstairs before anyone else wakes up, but we can still spend here and now together."
"Did anyone see you?"
"Well, Bonzo's out already and he sleeps like the dead, but I'm pretty sure the wolves all know exactly where I am, but I'm sure they won't tell. Plus I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. You know that thing that Puppy does when he circles around his bed three times before he goes to sleep, the wolves all did that too. It was hilarious."
"Did my dad say anything about them all sleeping together?"
"Well, I was watching him and he definitely noticed, but he didn't do anything, plus its more like they are all sleeping back to back with more blankets thrown on top. You know Eliza's right and his patrol is only for us right?"
"Well yeah, yet here we are."
"I've got brains and stealth on my side."
"You sure do have something. Thanks for giving me the best Prawn Night ever." Addison leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
"Like I would do anything less. I love you Addie, my queen."
"I love you too Zed, my king."
"Gar Gar Gaza."
"Gar Gar Gaza."
Addison sealed it with a long, drawn-out kiss that she regretfully had to hold herself back from growing too heated. "Let's wait until we really have alone time Zed." Addison smiled at him before twisting herself around so he was now spooning her, his arms snaking around her waist and they both drifted into dreams that couldn't be better than reality, as long as they were together. Like right now. Addison didn't want anything more.
AN: I finally got through the second movie, but don't worry I'm not done yet. I don't know for sure how much longer I'm going to go with this, but as of right now I have a plan to finish the school year, and right now I'm gonna say it's the end of March/beginning of April story-time.
I also want to thank bonesda25 for their great advice and just speaking their mind. I was originally going to follow Zombies 2 much more closely, but that wouldn't have fit this story as much. Thank you so much, I hope you've enjoyed the new direction I took with it. I think this ended up much better than my original plan.
But speaking of that, now that I'm finally done with Z2 chapters I am going to start posting my first draft that I wrote because I still think its great, just doesn't fit my characters as good. It is called When Worlds Collide and will follow Zombies 2 more closely and includes pretty much everything that I skipped over or changed in this story, so go check it out if you want.
Finally thank you once again to everyone who has favorited, followed, or left reviews, you guys are what make me want to keep going.