When everyone returned to school on Monday they were in for a surprise. Willa was leading a pack of about two dozen werewolves towards the school doors, but they stopped to greet Zed, Addison, Bree, and Bonzo as they were just about to walk through the doors.
"Hi Willa!" Addison waved.
"Good Morning Addison."
"Are you all joining Seabrook High?" Zed asked.
"Yes, seems our parents got a lot done on Prawn night, I'd love to stay and chat but I have to take everyone to the gym so they can all be registered for classes and stuff with Principal Lee. We'll see you guys at lunch if we don't see you before." Willa waved goodbye to her friends.
"Awwoo!" Bonzo howled.
"Awwoo!" The wolves howled right back.
"Bree's right." Wyatt laughed, "You do have an ear for languages."
"Yep, Bonzo's a man of many talents." Bree agreed, hugging his side.
"Talk to you guys later. Follow me everyone." Willa led the way through the doors the rest of the wolves following behind her.
"Do you think anyone will be scared of them?" Addison asked, "I know Mom is going to give an announcement about everything later today, but most people probably don't know what exactly is going on."
"I'm sure it will be fine, everyone already met at Prawn, and even though the zombie tilt totally should have won, the wolves have got some great moves. I'm sure we'll all be united." Zed reassured her.
"I hope you're right Zed." Addison smiled as they parted ways for their first class.
"Hey Eliza, where have you been?" Zed asked as he sat down in his first class of the day.
"I came early to pack up all my DJ equipment in my locker to take home later."
"OK, did you see all the wolves that are joining the school?"
"Yeah, I was just about to leave when they all entered the gym, and Principal Lee wasn't scared at all. They definitely got a better reception than we did."
"That's because we've changed things Eliza."
"I know." Eliza smiled as their teacher started his lesson.
At lunch, Addison was sitting at her usual table with all their friends, plus a few extra wolves. She smiled seeing that it already looked like a lot of the humans and zombies were welcoming the werewolves with open arms. Most of them were spread out around the cafeteria, smiling and laughing as they got to try froyo for the first time or reminiscing about Prawn night or who knows what.
"I have to admit, I honestly didn't think you all would fit in this easily." Eliza said as she was slicing up her apple.
"I think Prawn helped, plus the three of us never hurt anyone before." Willa said.
"Don't worry, everyone at Seabrook knows no one needs to fear monsters, we're all the same but different." Zed added.
"Speaking of, Addison, when is your mom explaining everything?" Wynter asked.
"I think sometime this afternoon."
"Oh yeah," Wyatt snapped his fingers, "Principal Lee told us we would have an assembly after lunch so everyone can watch it."
"Ezte Grreat!" Bonzo said. "Lezz gr argh matz"
"I wouldn't mind missing some math class either Buddy." Zed agreed, giving Bonzo a fist bump across the table.
"Willa, is everyone liking their first day of school so far?" Bree asked.
"Yeah, but the hardest thing is honestly for all of us to sit still during class, we haven't had this much energy in ages, and being in a classroom for an hour at a time for the first time ever is probably not the best situation for a werewolf to be in, but we're managing, a lot of the teachers don't mind us standing up and pacing a bit."
"That's good." Bree agreed.
"Wait, have you had school before?" Zed asked.
"Yes, of course we did, we teach our pups all sorts of things, although we don't have a lot of the classes you have here we have had plenty of schooling." Willa defended her pack.
Zed raised his hands in surrender, "Sorry, I was just curious."
"It's fine, but out in the woods we would never be still unless we're sleeping. It's an adjustment but we're making it work."
"Cool, have you heard anything about some of the younger kids joining the middle school and elementary?" Zed asked.
"Yeah, Zoey and Willow got all the pups super excited to go to school, they might get to start next week." Wynter said.
"Zoey will be happy, and I'm sorry but I'll be asking for updates for her every day until they get to go to school with her."
"I totally understand. Werewolves are awesome." Wynter added.
After they finished lunch and dumped the trash from their trays, Bucky walked up to everyone. "Hey Cuz, Zed, I've got something to show you."
"What is it Bucky?" Addison asked.
"Just follow me." Bucky said evasively.
"Is it just for them, or can we come too?" Bree asked.
"Sure, the more the merrier." Bucky led the way down the hall until they arrived at the Prawn Wall of Fame, the last panel was covered by a large pink sheet, with Jacey standing by.
"What is it Bucky?" Addison asked again.
"Now everyone can see our new king and queen!" Bucky announced with a flourish.
Jacey pulled a chord and the sheet fell away revealing a giant poster of Zed and Addison after they received their crowns on Prawn Night.
"Wow Bucky, I didn't expect you to get that made that fast. It looks awesome." Zed said.
"Let's just say I know a guy. Anyways congratulations, so I am completely done with Prawn stuff so now," Bucky started leading Bree and Addison away, pulling them by the shoulder. "We need to be hyper-focused for the Spring Cheer Championships on Saturday."
"Don't worry Bucky I know we got this, the team is more perfect than ever. I know we'll take back our title." Addison said as they walked off in the distance. Bree and Addison both shot a glance and a wave back at their friends before they disappeared around the corner.
"Great, now you'll have an even bigger head than usual, you better not turn into Bucky." Eliza grumbled.
"Don't worry I'll still be me."
"So Zed, what exactly is Prawn King?" Willa asked.
"Honestly it's nothing really, I know I was hung up about it, mostly about being the first zombie to win, but basically it means you're popular and accepted, and to be accepted is what we all want, right?"
"Of course, I understand."
"Plus it doesn't hurt that a giant poster of me and Addison looking amazing will be in the hallway for me to admire whenever I want. Now, how about we head to the assembly?"
Everyone sat together in the bleachers, including Bree and Addison who were able to escape from Bucky, not that they weren't super fired up for the competition this weekend, they were trying not to stress about it too much, and Bucky's million questions for them weren't really helping.
"Hey you." Zed smiled as Addison sat down beside them, and they instantly entwined their hands. "I see you got away."
"Yeah, let's just wait till practice, we still have all week to worry about everything. Besides this is important."
"You don't need to worry about anything, you guys are all better than ever." Zed gave her hand a loving squeeze.
"Good afternoon students." Principal Lee greeted everyone, standing in front of a large projector screen set up in the middle of the gym.
"Good afternoon!" everyone else answered back.
"Thank you all for coming, and as you all know we have officially welcomed our werewolf neighbors into our school and community. We are about to watch Mayor Wells' speech on welcoming them all and building a more united Seabrook. It should be starting just about now." Principal Lee smiled and walked off to the side as the screen lit up with Missy standing behind a podium at City Hall from the local news station.
"Good afternoon Seabrook, I am Mayor Wells and I have an important announcement to make. I know there have been rumors about monsters in our town since last week, but I want to put those rumors to rest. There are no monsters in Seabrook, and we've been reintroduced to our neighbors from the Forbidden Forest. They are werewolves, but they mean us no harm and aren't dangerous at all. There is no need to panic. Because of our recent rediscovery, some things will be changing around here. The Seabrook Highschool has already welcomed the wolves for their first day of school this morning and starting next week they will be joining the elementary and middle schools. We are still getting to know our neighbors and more opportunities will be made to integrate them into Seabrook's community further."
"Now I want to introduce two of the leaders from the wolf pack. Please welcome Waylon and Winona Lykenson." Missy smiled as Willa and Wyatt's parents walked behind the podium. Missy stood off to the side, politely clapping.
Winona started speaking. "Thank you, Mayor Wells. Greetings Seabrook, I am Winona and this is my mate, Waylon. We are the Alphas of the wolf pack. We want to thank you all for this opportunity to finally join your town after we have all seen for ourselves that it is now just as safe for us here as it is in the woods. Now I know you probably have all heard plenty of stories over the years but don't jump to any conclusions, we aren't jumping to any conclusions about humans or zombies either, because we know that deep down inside we are all the same. We wish to learn more about Seabrook and we have so much we would love to share with you as well."
Waylon continued with a smile. "We both know that this can mark the start of a new era of friendship between all of us, and we can't wait to get started. We thank you once again for welcoming us, and especially we thank those of you who assisted us in our darkest hour. When the time is right, we will happily welcome all of you into our forest as well, it will no longer be forbidden. It will be open to all who desire peace and friendship."
As Winona and Waylon took a step back and Missy returned from the podium, the gym broke out into a round of applause from the humans and zombies, and a chorus of howls from the wolves.
"Thank you." Missy continued her own speech. "Also the earthquake that happened in Zombietown three days ago resulted from the demolition of the powerplant to build our new cheer pavilion. We anticipate no further risks of damage, and our engineers have inspected all the homes in Zombietown and none are in any danger of further damage. There will also be some construction along 1st Z street to repair the damaged roadway. We will also be sending a work crew to remove the remaining silver-lined fencing that marks the division between the Forbidden Forest and Seabrook, as well as changing the name once the wolves decide what they want their home to be called."
"Finally, the city council and I recently decided to hold a special election next month for the first city council member from Zombietown, and we will also be adding a seat for the werewolves as well so our community can continue to be safe, happy, and unified."
"Oh and one more thing, I almost forgot, remember to support our Mighty Shrimp as they head to the Spring Cheer Championships on Saturday. Go Mighty Shrimp!" Missy smiled broadly.
"That will be all and I will now be taking questions. Thank you."
The projector screen went black as Principal Lee turned it off. "Alright, once again I just want to thank all our students for being so welcoming to our new students, but now it's time for everyone to head back to class."
"Alright, back to math. I wish it had lasted longer." Zed joked to Addison as everyone began standing up.
"I think you'll survive." Addison laughed. "I'll see you later."
"See you Addison." they gave each other one more side hug before separating.
"So Willa, what did you think of that?" Addison asked as they walked through the halls to their next class together.
"It was great. My parents are the real leaders the pack needs."
"Wait, you aren't the Alpha anymore?"
"No, I gave leadership back to them, I would take it back in a heartbeat if they needed me to, but for now I just want to be a kid and go to school, you know?"
"I understand, sometimes I think even just being cheer captain is too much. Like this week, I just know I'm going to hit a stress wall sooner or later. Sooner if Bucky doesn't cool it, he's already driving me a little crazy."
"Don't worry Addison, you are part of our pack, in spirit if not blood, but I can see you are a natural leader, and at so much more than cheer. I don't think I've actually seen your cheer team in action, but after seeing all of you guys dancing at Prawn, I'm sure whatever your routine is it will be the best thing ever."
"Thanks Willa that means a lot. So, ready for study hall?"
"Yeah, but I'm not reading any more history books, I've done enough of that to last a lifetime." Willa laughed as she, Addison, and Bree walked off to the library.
The next few days went relatively smoothly, the new students didn't have any major problems fitting in, besides some of the games during gym got way too competitive, and getting all the wolves at least somewhat up to speed on the school subjects they were now learning. Willa may not have been the Alpha anymore, but she, Wyatt, and Wynter were always ready to help smooth any issues that did arrive between the werewolves, teachers, and their fellow students.
All the cheerleaders meanwhile were hyper-focused. After months of practicing until they could perform every routine in their sleep, it was finally their time to prove they really were better than ever and repair their lost winning streak.
Addison smiled and shook her pom-poms after being lifted in the air at the end of their routine, giving her best cheer smile to the empty bleachers of the gym. Jacey and Tracey set her down on the floor as everyone gave each other congratulations.
Addison ran over to stand by Bree as she blew her whistle to grab everyone's attention.
"Good job guys, I swear every time we do this it gets better and better, the judges aren't going to know what hit them. Now, remember, we are leaving right after lunch tomorrow so make sure to bring your suitcases and all your cheer gear with you to school tomorrow. You can just drop everything off in the cheer room during the day."
"Remember to eat a good meal and get plenty of sleep tonight, we want everyone to be performing at one hundred percent on Saturday. And at the hotel, everyone's room assignments are listed on this paper. Addison said, grabbing a clipboard sitting beside the rest of her stuff. Does anyone have any questions?"
"Zombies grrg Grotel?"
"Of course Bonzo! All you guys are coming with, Addison, Principal Lee and I made sure all of you got the right travel permissions, and also make sure to tell your parents if they can't or don't want to drive there will be Pep Buses heading down to cheer us on."
"We're a unified squad, and we need every single cheerleader if we're going to win." Addison smiled. "Any more questions?" Addison asked, seeing none they broke out to end practice and everyone began packing up to go home, many of them checking to see who they were sharing a room with.
"Hey Addison, I haven't seen the paper yet, who are we rooming with?" Bree asked as she packed her pom-poms in her bag.
"We're with Stacey and Lacey."
"OK, and who's Bonzo with?"
"Bucky, Jacey, and Tracey. Why are you two going to be sneaking out for a walk in the moonlight again?" Addison teased.
"I don't think you have any room to talk." Bree shot back blushing. "If Zed was a cheerleader I think we both know exactly where he would be."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You may have avoided your parents finding you two again, but literally everyone else in your house after Prawn had super hearing. Plus me, Bonzo and Eliza had a bet to see how long it would take you."
"Who won then?"
"Well, Eliza won both, Bonzo bet Zed would ten minutes tops before he made his move, while Eliza bet thirty, and she was exactly right. Then I thought for sure you would be caught somehow, but Eliza was right again too."
"I don't apologize for anything." Addison said, even though her cheeks were scarlet.
"While I wouldn't mind some alone time with Bonzo, I really want him to see somewhere outside of Seabrook, you know? Like how you and Zed went on vacation over Christmas Break. This is probably one of our best opportunities to do so, cause I know my parents like him, but I can't imagine him coming on vacation with us this summer."
"Don't worry Bree, I'm sure things will change soon, who knows, maybe they'll get rid of the zombie travel laws next, hopefully by this summer so they can all go on trips and stuff for the first time ever, plus I'd like to see anyone tell the wolves they can't go somewhere."
"Yeah, are they all coming?"
"Yep, even Eliza said she'd come, she's gonna be riding the bus with a bunch of other zombies and werewolves to get there, and Zed, Zevon, and Zoey are all riding with my parents."
"Ooh, I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that car ride."
"What are you expecting? Zoey will be so fired up about cheering that's probably all they'll talk about all the way down and back."
"I'm just saying, Zed will have to be on his best behavior spending the day with both your guys' parents and Zoey, but that should be easier if you're not around."
"Why does everyone act like we make out in public every 10 minutes?"
"Because sometimes, it does kind of feel like that, I love Bonzo too, but you guys can't do anything without holding hands or stealing kisses if you're within twenty feet of each other. But no matter what any of us say, you know we all love you guys."
"I know, just like I love Zed, and I love all my other friends too."
"So do we have anything else we have to do before tomorrow?" Bree asked.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I need to pack, I've been so busy with everything else, I haven't gotten anything ready yet."
Bonzo walked up to Bree with his backpack, ready to head out. "Gready?"
"You bet Bonzo. Good luck packing, see you tomorrow morning. Bye Addison." Bree said as she and Bonzo left the gym hand in hand.
"Bye Bree, bye Bonzo!"
Addison left the gym to head to her locker and smiled, seeing Zed waiting beside it like usual. "Hey you, what are you still doing here? You didn't have practice or anything after school right?"
"I wouldn't miss walking you home before you leave."
"You'll see me tomorrow, and you'll come to cheer me on for once." Addison said as she emptied out her locker.
"Yeah, but after you leave tomorrow, I won't be able to talk to you in person until you're done."
"Don't worry, it will be fine, I'll still call you tomorrow night and when I wake up in the morning. I promise."
"But it's not the same. Those two weeks you were gone over break were literally the worst and I just got you back." Zed latched onto her hand while she continued packing her stuff.
"Don't worry Zed, I'm sure everyone else will tell you we already spend too much time together. Bree just told me the exact same thing."
"Well, I could never spend too much time with you, but I'm sure most of our friends would agree with Bree's assessment."
"So is Zoey excited?" Addison asked, eager to change the subject, she didn't want to think about another twenty-four hours without Zed either.
"What do you think? She gets to go to a real live cheer competition and see you and everyone else perform, she's ecstatic. I just know that's going to be a fun car ride with all six of us. Too bad you won't be there."
"As much as I would love to ride with you, and Zoey and our parents, you know we won't fit in Dad's car."
"Yep, too bad for that. And I know you've probably been asked this a million times this week, but is the team ready to win?"
"You bet. I know that trophy is as good as ours." Addison said as they walked out the school doors.
"You know Mr. Clevenger was talking to me about track today and practice starts next week, have you decided if you'll join?"
"Sure, it will be fun to do something besides cheer."
"Good, I've been talking to the wolves and they sounded excited to join, but we've also decided that to be fair, they'll take their moonstones off when they're racing."
"They can do that?"
"Yeah, apparently they can go without if for about a day and be perfectly fine, so a few minutes to run a race won't be any problem."
"And no hacking Z-bands?"
"Of course not. I've also convinced Bonzo to try out."
"I'll maybe talk to Bree then, but after everything is done with on Sunday."
"You mean after you win."
"Alright, after we win." Addison agreed, and they continued chatting about their day until they made it back to Addison's house, after sharing a kiss goodbye Addison got to work on packing for tomorrow while Zed walked back home, ready to eat supper and do some homework before calling Addison to tell her goodnight like always.
It was finally here, the cheer championship, Addison had been super excited, along with everyone else, but now, waiting backstage for their turn to perform, Addison was suddenly hit by self-doubt, what if the judges hated everything, or just hated the zombies and disqualified them just because of that? The more her head was racing, the more clammy her hands felt. They had cheered together countless times at games but this was the first time it really mattered, she wanted more than anything to rebuild Seabrook's pride and joy, and show that the town and team were more united than ever, but she couldn't stop thinking about everything could go wrong.
"What's wrong Addie?" Bree noticed how pale she suddenly looked.
Addison tried to explain in whispers so that none of the rest of the team could hear. "Bree, what if something goes wrong, or the judges hate us just because of our zombie teammates? What if we don't win and then everyone blames the zombies all over again? What if…?"
"Addison, breathe." Bree advised, placing her hand on her shoulder. "None of that's going to happen, and you want to know why?"
"Why Bree?"
"Because we are the best Seabrook has ever been and if the judges can't recognize that they need to get their eyes checked. And if they hate zombies, which they won't because there is nothing saying they can't be here with us it's their fault. And no one at Seabrook will blame us for having zombies on the team." Bree pulled her over to the edge of the backstage area. "Look Addison, what do you sitting in the front row, right in the middle?"
Addison glanced out and her eyes were immediately drawn to Zed's handsome face, he was sitting beside Zoey who was cheering loudly along with the team that was currently performing. Zevon sitting beside her, and Addison's parents sitting on Zed's other side, with Eliza, Wynter, Wyatt, Willa, and Wayde sitting behind them, along with dozens of other zombie and human parents and students that had come to cheer them on, all with happy, excited smiles on their faces.
"I see everyone." Addison said, her rapid terrified pulse slowing down just from glancing at Zed and the rest of her friends and family.
"Exactly, everyone's here, not just because they love cheer, but because they love our team and want us to succeed. Addison, I know we aren't guaranteed a win, we have to earn it, and we will earn it from the hundreds of hours we've all spent practicing together since football ended and the team was rebuilt from the ground up, you and me both did that, together. And now we get to show everyone just how amazing we all are, together."
"Thanks for the pep talk Bree, you're the greatest cheerleader in the world. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Addison hugged her.
"Thank you Addison, but I disagree that you are the best cheerleader in the world."
"Let's agree to disagree." Addison laughed as they walked back to the rest of the team.
"Addison! Bree! There you are, we've got five minutes!" Bucky shouted when he saw them. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just a little stage fright, but I'm good now. Let's do this!"
"Good to hear Captain!"
"Come on everyone!" Addison called a huddle and everyone put their hands in the center. "We're back here on the scene and everyone's together, with zombies on the team we're better than ever. Hey, we got this! Teaming up to make the progress, change the world you can't stop us, together we rise you know we got this. Let's go Mighty Shrimp Break! On Five! Huh!" Everyone cheered together and ran onto the stage, ready to perform.
Addison, standing in the front row, caught Zed's eye, he simply nodded at her and mouthed. "You've got this." Addison's cheertastic smile was back for real, all her fears were washed away in an instant and she was ready to bring it.
The music started blaring from the speakers and Addison forgot everything else, she cheered on pure instinct, the routine was so ingrained into her muscles she didn't even have to think, and the rest of the team was moving in perfect sync around her. Every kick, backflip, toe touch, and wave of their pom-poms was perfect.
Finally, Addison and Bree were both lifted into the air and each struck a pose as the final beats played. By now Addison was breathing heavily from both exertion and just because her heart was racing from excitement.
The whole stadium erupted in applause and after Addison and Bree returned to the ground, it didn't stop, just kept continuing for at least a full minute. She could see both Zed and Zoey going crazy in the front row, and laughed seeing that Zevon was holding onto both of their T-shirts as if to keep them from storming the stage.
The cheerleaders all gave a bow and calmly walked backstage where they started sharing hugs all around.
"Addison, that was great, you and Bree are definitely the best choices for captains we could ever ask for!" Bucky said as he hugged both of them.
"Thanks, Bucky how do you think we did?"
"Now, this is not my normal, um me-ness, but if we don't win, the judges need to get their eyes checked. I can't imagine any of the teams that have already gone topping that. I pity whoever follows us."
"Groor Eelz." Bonzo laughed.
Indeed it was Seabrook's biggest rivals, the Eastview Eels in their purple and gold uniforms going on stage next, as the reigning champions from the Fall, they had been the projected favorite to win again as they made their way to the stage.
"Bucky, how many more teams have to go?" Addison asked.
"Um…" Bucky pulled a schedule out of his nearby bag. "There's only five teams left and about an hour before the awards ceremony."
"Thanks Bucky. OK everyone, that was one of our best performances yet, make sure you all drink plenty of water, go the bathroom, and take care of anything else you need. Then meet in the reserved bleachers on that side of the gym." Addison pointed, "We'll watch the rest of the teams perform, it should be about an hour before the awards ceremony."
Everyone began to split off and head in separate directions. After grabbing water, Bree, Bonzo, and Addison walked over to the bleachers and sat down to watch the last few performances. They missed the Eels cheer though, Addison would have liked to see what they did, if nothing else to see how their biggest competition did.
A few minutes later, a small green and pink blur jumped into her lap.
Zoey excitedly rushed out while hugging Addison, "Addison that cheer was so amazing, it was literally the best thing I've ever seen! And Bree you were super incredible flying through the air! And Bonzo! That backflip you did looked like you weren't even trying, I didn't even know you could backflip!"
"Thank you Zoey, I'm glad you enjoyed it." Addison laughed, and gave Zoey a hug. "How did you get over here?"
"I brought her." Zed smiled.
"Wait a minute, what are you wearing?"
"I borrowed it from Bonzo." Zed was wearing a dark pink Seabrook Cheer T-shirt. "They would only let cheerleaders over here, and Zoey's obviously a cheerleader, but I couldn't let her go alone. Plus I figured if I wanted to see you at all today, it would take some stealth skills."
Addison scanned Zoey's outfit, which consisted of the pink Cheer sweatshirt that Addison had given her months ago over her Mini Shrimp uniform and her homemade pom-poms. "Well, I'm so happy you're both here." Addison smiled as Zed sat down beside her.
"And you are so amazing. If those judges don't give you the trophy, they're blind! Every second was absolutely perfect. Plus you have the cutest cheerleader ever." Zed congratulated her.
"Awe thanks Zed."
"What? I was talking about Bonzo."
"Graziaz Zedski." Bonzo laughed, "Perroz Breezka cutest greerleader!"
"Oh really? Is that your final answer"? Addison asked him with a smile.
"What do you think? You will always be the cutest cheerleader ever." Zed smiled.
"Hey! What about me?" Zoey asked in indignation.
"Fine, you and Addison are tied for cutest cheerleader ever. Are both of you happy now?"
"What do say Zoey, should we show him?" Addison whispered in her ear.
"OK!"
Zoey jumped up from Addison's lap and ran over to Zed's other side.
"What's going on?" Zed asked nervously.
Both Addison and Zoey leaned in to press a quick kiss to each of Zed's cheeks for only a moment before Zoey ran back over to Addison's lap, laughing all the way.
"OK, I love you guys too." Zed smiled back.
Finally, it was time for the awards ceremony so all the teams were standing together on the stage, Zed and Zoey had reluctantly returned to their seats beside Zevon. Addison was standing with the rest of the cheerleaders, holding Bree and Bucky's hands in nervous anticipation as the announcer presented the final results.
"Alright, next up we have third place, with a combined score of 29…the St. Ansgar Saints!"
"Woo! Go Big Red!" The Saints team cheered excitedly in their red and white uniforms, after a moment the applause quieted down again. But the tension in the air was even higher.
"Thank you everyone, for our runner-up, with a combined score of 29.5…second place goes to…the Eastview Eels!"
Addison breathed a sigh of relief but also felt even more nervous, if the Eels got second, then they either won or lost big time, she squeezed Bree's hand tighter for a moment. She glanced up at Zed's eyes, and she saw nothing but confidence shining back at her. She had to believe she knew what the emcee was going to say next.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for….our first place champions for the Spring Cheer Championship with a perfect score of 30, this team astounded the judges with their amazing moves, unique styles, and impressive flexibility… it seems our champions have returned and they are better than ever! Congratulations to….The Seabrook Mighty Shrimp! Silver confetti fell from the ceiling, scattering a storm of glitter everywhere.
"YES!" Addison and Bree turned to each other and shared a hug, and within moments the rest of the team was surrounding them just as tightly.
"We did it Addie!" Bree laughed in absolute delight.
"Yes we did Bree! This is amazing!"
"We couldn't have done it without you Cuz". Addison could hear Bucky, hugging her from behind while Bonzo was surround Bree across from her.
"Grr Grampions! Addiska! Breezka! Buckzy!" Bonzo smiled.
They continued to celebrate with the entire stadium continuing to applaud as Bree and Addison walked up to the judges to receive the large, golden trophy. The cheers from the crowd grew even louder.
Bree and Addison passed the trophy around to everyone and just like Prawn, they now had about a million pictures to take, when that was finished, Addison's cheeks were sore she was smiling so much, but she still couldn't stop.
"We are so proud of you!" Missy pulled Addison in a tight hug when the crowds finally started to dissipate.
"That whole thing was amazing Addison. You guys definitely deserve that trophy." Dale gushed.
"Thanks Mom, Dad."
"You are so beautiful Honey, and we can see, you are the best cheerleader we've ever seen. No offense Bucky." Missy said quickly as Bucky walked over to them.
"None taken, I totally agree." Bucky smiled. "Without her and Bree, who knows what would have happened."
"Thanks Bucky, you've always been amazing too." Addison gave him another side hug. "Where's Zed?"
"I'm surprised he isn't already with you." Dale laughed. "Oh, there he is." Dale pointed over where Zed was giving Bonzo a hug, both of them looking like they were trying to squeeze the life out of each other. Then he turned and his eyes immediately found hers.
"You are amazing!" Zed ran over and picked her up and spun her around in happiness. "See you had nothing to worry about."
"How did you know I was worried?"
"Because I know you better than I know anyone, I could see your nerves when you walked out, and I also saw once the music started they disappeared. This victory is your victory."
"Thanks Zed. None of this would have happened without you either. Who would have ever thought that a zombie and a cheerleader…"
"Could change the world and have their happily ever after."
"Gar gar gaza!"
"Yeah, I gar gar gaza you too!" Zed smiled, and leaned down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss filled with emotion.
In the back of her mind, Addison was a little worried about her parents standing five feet away, but she didn't care, she was at the top of the world, and nothing could bring her down.