About two weeks later was the day everyone had been waiting for, one of them at least. It was the last day of school for the year, after turning all their projects and taking their last tests everyone was ready for summer to begin.
Track had ended last week, and Willa, Wynter, Wyatt, Zed, and Bonzo had all gotten to go to state for at least one event each. While Addison and Bree hadn't quite made it they were happy to cheer on all their friends for the three days of the State Meet. They all performed well and everyone was happy with how the season turned out, both the boys and girls were even Conference Champs for the first time ever, while Willa had been voted the girls' MVP. Wyatt and Willa had both agreed to join the cross country team next fall and while everyone was ready for a break from in-season sports for the summer, they all had plans to start preparing for next year's success.
For the last day, everyone, even Principal Lee and the teachers were there because they had to be. No more tests or homework were given out, so most of their classes were just spent playing games or everyone talking about their plans for the summer.
At lunch, the whole gang was sitting together eating in the cafeteria for the last time for a few months, just like everyone else they were counting down the minutes till the final bell would be ringing but still enjoying their time together.
"You know, I might actually miss this cafeteria food," Eliza said in between bites of her baked parmesan cauliflower. "They've really improved the food this year since we've been changing everything."
"I still can't believe how much everything has changed," Addison nodded. "And how much its going to keep changing."
"And it's all because of all of us working together." Zed added.
"I never really believed humans would accept us. But here we are, eating in the cafeteria, with humans, and werewolves! And in a few days…" Eliza said excitedly.
"Shh, you know we can't say anything yet." Wyatt reminded her.
"All your parents are lucky I'm going along with all the secrecy, the Z-Patrol knows but no one else gets to until Friday. I'm just glad I'm going to be in the center of the action this summer. I'm honestly surprised Addison's parents are trusting me with this."
"Well, I'm pretty sure everyone knows you know the Z-bands and now the moonstones better than anyone else. And they also know how much you care about this succeeding. Asking you to work at Containment this summer was a no-brainer." Addison reassured her.
"I just can't believe that I'm actually working for the Z-Patrol. And no brainer? How rude." Eliza scolded Addison, but she was still smiling.
"Ohh I have an idea!" Addison said, "what's everyone's favorite memory from this year?"
"That doesn't involve your significant other," Eliza interrupted, "because if we included those I could probably guess everyone but Willa's off the top of my head."
"Fine, we can make it interesting Eliza, and you're one to talk."
"Ok then Zed, what's your favorite memory that has nothing to do with Addison?"
"Easy, my first football win. I had a blast and it was the beginning of changing everything. Humans started opening up to zombies and it eventually led to everything we have now."
"I should have seen that coming." Eliza sighed.
"That was so great, and you didn't let anything stop you even though everyone still hated you for no reason. But you proved them wrong, Zombie Zed." Addison chuckled.
"But doesn't that involve Addison when you guys hugged on the sidelines?" Bree laughed.
"Ha, it doesn't count then!" Eliza declared.
"Yes it does, having Addison cheer for me and give me a victory hug was just the cheery on top, but fine then, I'll say the second game when everyone except for Addison and the cheerleaders were cheering for me since Bucky was still being a jerk back then."
"Do you know yet how you can play next year with a moonstone?" Wynter asked.
"I haven't told Coach yet, obviously, but when I tried football with you guys everything went perfectly fine. Coach and I will find a way, we have to keep up our winning streak now, zomboost or not."
"I can't wait either. Football season sounds like it's going to be a blast. We'll crush those eels and anyone else who dares to face us. I'll break their bones on the field and leave them to the ravens!" Wynter looked like she was about to howl out loud in delight before she noticed everyone's wide-eyed faces staring at her. "Too much?"
"No, not at all, never too much Wynter. We need that kind of enthusiasm, I'm so excited you'll be on the team next year. I bet between the two of us nothing will stand in our way. The Mighty Shrimp are in it to win it!"
"And you think I'll be able to get all the rules down by next fall?"
"Don't worry, we have all summer and a bunch of offseason and preseason time to make our team a well-oiled machine. By the time the season starts next fall, you'll be able to run every play like its second nature. Once we actually started playing together as a team last year, I could read the field like a book. I'm sure with your wolf instincts you'll do great." Zed reassured his soon-to-be teammate.
"Wynter, what's your favorite memory?"
"Finding the Moonstone obviously even though actually finding it was super scary, but Prawn night was super fun. Not just because of Wayde, but it was the first time we didn't have to worry about everyone dying. Prawn was the perfect way to kick off the good times, and all our new friendships. Track has been pretty fun too."
"Awwe. Prawn." Everyone around the table sighed, each lost in their own memories, but holding onto their partner's hand thinking about the amazing night it had been for all of them until Willa got them back on topic. Not that she didn't love Prawn too, but she knew her friends well enough by now to know what all of them were thinking about.
"So Eliza, what's your favorite memory?"
"I'd have to say figuring out project moonstone could actually work, or when Addison and Zed got my computer back from the Z-Patrol for Christmas. That was pretty great, and I will be forever grateful to you both for that."
"It was nothing, and my dad should have given it back to you long before that."
"I won't argue if you're saying I'm the best Christmas gifter ever, you're welcome."
"I'm pretty sure Addison said it was her idea."
"Well, I mentioned one day how you didn't have it yet. But it was her who convinced Dale to give it back." Zed admitted.
"See I knew it. How about you Fido?" Eliza turned to Wyatt sitting beside her.
"Hmm." Wyatt thought for a few moments, scratching his chin and looking up at the ceiling. "Trying Froyo for the first time was pretty great. But then trying Coach's peanut butter and bones was so much better than plain vanilla."
"Really that's your favorite memory of Seabrook so far?" Eliza raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Well, your rules say I can't say anything with you so that limits my options. Otherwise, I would say the first time you took me to the powerplant and I could see how much you cared about every inch of that place. I only wish it could still be standing for you.
"I still wish I could change the past but I can't. If I could so many of our problems would already be fixed. Zed, do you know how far along they are on the cheer pavilion?" Eliza asked.
Zed shrugged his shoulders, "I haven't talked to Pops about it in a while. They have all the foundations and stuff dug and poured, as far as I can tell just by walking past it they have lots of the steel structure and stuff going up now. Otherwise, your guess is as good as mine."
"You know we should have a Zombie Mash somewhere to celebrate the end of the year, and especially the upcoming good news. I don't know where we could hold it though, the powerplant was perfect."
"We'll find somewhere to have mashes this summer, I know we can. I don't really know where, but there has to be somewhere we can think of. Out in the woods somewhere?" Zed suggested.
"Zo powar ggrr Garuzic." Bonzo reminded him while shaking his head.
"Right, I suppose that wouldn't work."
"We'd offer the den, but I don't know how much our parents and the rest of the adults would like being invaded by all the humans and zombies in Seabrook. Plus yeah we don't have any sources of energy except the moonstone itself." Willa added.
"Just another thing on our to-do lists. Why did I think summer would be so peaceful, we'll all be just as busy as when we have school." Eliza sighed.
"My favorite memory is when Addison rejoined the squad and we could both be captains together and made the cheer squad better than its ever been! Ooh either that or when we won the cheer championships! You're the best Addison, I couldn't have done it without you."
"No, you're the best Bree."
"No, you are."
"I think you are."
Eliza interrupted them, "OK, we get it, you're both the best sparkly cheerleaders ever. No offense Bonzo."
"Zo takr. I agrree." Bonzo smiled and squeezed Bree's hand tighter for a moment.
"What about you buddy?" Zed asked.
Bonzo looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Greer Campr."
"Is that just because you and Bree snuck out at night?" Addison teased him.
"Zo." He denied, while Bree was blushing scarlet right beside him. "Ez Divartidar ouzid Zeabrook. Breezka groood azlo perro doz zemana waz so muchar divitar."
"Speak for yourself, those two weeks were the worst time of my entire life." Zed groaned while squeezing Addison's hand tighter underneath the table.
Eliza rolled her eyes, "You don't say? but I have to agree with you on that, only because you were being so annoying. I haven't seen Addison in three days, I'm going to die of loneliness!"
Everyone laughed while Addison rubbed circles with her thumb over Zed's hand. She whispered in his ear, "I was having so much fun at camp but I felt the exact same way those two weeks."
"Addison, it's your turn." Bree brought her attention back to everyone else.
"I don't even know how to choose, Cheer Championships, all the changes we made to Seabrook, even changing Bucky and my parents, and meeting all of you guys. I wouldn't change anything about this year, its been the best school year ever, even if it did have its challenges, especially in the beginning, we haven't only changed Seabrook, I think we all changed a lot this year, and only ever for the better."
"Awwoo!" Wynter howled in delight.
"Come on sis, what's your favorite memory?"
"Well saving the Moonstone and the pack ranks at the top of my list obviously. Honestly, I have loved meeting all of you guys. I was always taught to be wary and fearful of Seabrook and looked down on Zombietown for letting yourselves be treated as less by the humans, but I'm so glad I've learned that that isn't the case anymore. I am proud to call you all members of the pack. And learning that we are stronger together."
"Yeah, I know we are. I bet we've seen nothing yet as to what humans, zombies, and werewolves can accomplish together." Addison cheered.
The rest of their final lunch period continued to pass by with everyone sharing more fond memories and laughing together as friends. They all knew they would still be together all the time this summer, but it wasn't the worst way to kill some time.
The bell finally rang to signal the end of lunch and everyone started going their separate ways for classes. Addison was about to head to the library with Bree and Willa when Zed tugged her back.
"What is it Zed?" She asked and turned around to face him.
"If this is our last day of school, I know one place we need to go still."
"I know what you're thinking, but I have class, and you do too."
"You have study hall, I'm sure Bree and Willa will tell Mrs. Nielson that you're working on something. Right guys?"
"Sure thing Zed." Bree nodded, smiling cheekily at Addison.
"Bree, you're supposed to be on my side." Addison whined halfheartedly.
"You're saying you don't want to go with him?" Bree asked knowingly.
"Alright fine, but what about you?"
"I told Mr. Schwiesow that I'm helping Coach with something, and he just plans on playing a movie anyway."
"Seems you thought of everything. I'm in."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"Bye Zeddison!" Bree laughed.
"Have fun!" Willa called out, turning around with Bree to head to the library.
Hand in hand, the two of them turned around to go back down the hallway towards the staircase, walked up the stairs, and as they reached the second floor, there weren't as many students or teachers walking around, started jogging until they reached the saferoom.
The heavy silver door closed behind them with a click and the voice automatically said. "Zombie Saferoom Secure."
"Good, now we won't be interrupted," Zed smirked.
"And what do we need to be interrupted from?"
"Well, I was hoping we could reenact one of my real favorite memories of this year."
"Which one is that? Our first punch? That can be arranged, even though I don't want to hurt your handsome face again." Addison playfully cracked her knuckles.
"No not that one, but even that is one of the greatest memories of this year." Zed laughed along.
"So what is it then? "
Zed sat down on one of the beds and Addison joined him so she could sit shoulder to shoulder with barely any space between them.
"The day of the homecoming game and everything started going downhill, but through everything, we always come out stronger than before. I want to remember the only good part of that day." He softly whispered, gently twirling a strand of her hair with his fingers.
"I know what you mean Zed. Gar Gar Gaza."
"I Gar Gar Gaza you too Addison. Always."
Both of them slowly leaned closer until their lips met. They gently moved in perfect harmony, every part of their bodies in sync, until Zed's heartbeat sped up to match Addison's own. After a few blissful moments they broke apart and smiled at each other.
"You made this the best year ever Zed. This was our year."
"Just know that I totally agree, you made this the year of us, and now that I know you, my life is complete."
"I don't know why we're so nostalgic today. We'll still have to come to school for sports stuff all summer."
"I know, but I doubt we'll have much chance to do this. Or maybe we will, we should try to spend an entire day in here sometime this summer. If no one else is in the school then we surely won't be interrupted."
"What would we even do for a whole day?" Addison giggled.
"I have some ideas. Zed smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. "We could…read all the Zombie Emergency manuals so we know what to do if we ever get attacked by a rogue zombie."
"Very funny, but because of us that will never have to happen again. Maybe they'll even get rid of the saferooms next year if everyone has moonstones."
"No way. As president, I will get rid of every single old zombie law except for that one. We couldn't save the powerplant, but we saved the light garden. If Bonzo and I have to build a safe room in Zombietown, we'll do it. Because this is where we had our first punch and every single day since then has made me the happiest zombie of all time."
"And I would be right beside you if it ever came to that. I'm sure they'll keep it, maybe just change it to storm shelter instead of Zombie saferoom or something else."
"Besides where else are we supposed to hide when we don't want to go to class?"
"You better not expect this to happen that often buster, I'm only here because it's the last day of school."
"And because a handsome zombie is in here with you."
"Oh yeah, you're all the incentive I need, just don't expect me to skip class next year, even if I'll really want to somedays. Do you think you'll still be president next year?"
"I don't know, if I can still make changes and be a leader people are proud of I will be. I wouldn't mind if say Eliza or even Bucky took over. I would trust both of them in power. Plus I'm basically Eliza's mouthpiece for all her campaigns, she's the power behind the throne anyway."
"I know what you mean. Bree and I are going to tell Bucky he can be captain again once school starts next year. I'm proud to call him family, and for once, not just because he's a great cheerleader."
"I don't know, his jazz hands are pretty amazing."
"Oh yeah, that's the only reason I put up with him." Addison said sarcastically, "He's finally a leader everyone can be proud of."
"Well in my humble opinion, you will always be the greatest cheerleader I have ever seen."
"And you are the greatest football player anyone has ever seen. I can't wait to see what you do next year."
"I know, it's going to be so fun, but enough about the past and future, I want to think about right now, about having you here with me, in our place. Where two lonely hearts met in the dark."
"And imagine it now they felt a spark."
"I feel that spark every time I see you, every time I hear you, every time I kiss you." Zed said.
"I like the way you're thinking I can see it too, every time I'm with you, you're all I think about Zed. And even more so when we have to be apart."
They both leaned in for another kiss, and another and another, only taking the time apart to breathe before going back for more. Holding each other in tight yet gentle embraces neither wanted to ever leave this moment. They continued for several minutes until they both finally had enough.
"You sure you don't want to take study breaks in here next year?" Zed joked.
"Maybe every once in a blue moon if I get stressed about a test or cheer or something, but I'm willing to negotiate."
"Good thing I have all summer then."
Addison glanced down at her watch. "We better get going the bell is going to ring soon."
"Do we have to?"
"You're just incorrigible, aren't you?"
"Can you blame me when you look so delicious, oh I mean gorgeous?"
"Now you're getting fearless, but we really should go."
"Whatever you say Addie."
They opened the door slowly, and seeing the hallways still deserted, they tried to quietly sneak through the halls, thankfully most of the classroom doors were closed so other than Zed having to duck down beneath a few windows, both were confident in their stealth skills.
They walked into the library and sat down at Addison's usual table where Willa and Bree were sitting. Both just smiled at them as they sat down.
"So, did you two have fun?" Bree asked.
"Oh yeah, totally." Zed smiled and squeezed Addison's hand.
"Any details?" Willa grinned.
"Not that you need to know." Addison answered.
"Well, you two, there is one thing you should know…"Willa smirked.
"What's that?"
"Both Wyatt and Eliza texted us saying Zed at least isn't as stealthy as he thinks, they could still see his hair when he tried to sneak past their classroom. Plus Wyatt could hear both of you in the halls."
"Come on, I'm a master of stealth. "
"Not to werewolves, or zombies, and Eliza was still wearing her Z-band. It seems like you're lucky none of the teachers noticed or cared enough to give you detention on the last day of school."
"Well, we have three months to practice for next year." Zed smiled.
"What you really want to make this a regular thing?" Addison turned to him in surprise.
"And you don't?"
"I do want to cheer and I can't do that if I'm in detention for skipping classes to be with you."
"Good point, only if we really need it."
"Whatever you want to tell yourself Zed."
"The last thing I would ever want to do is mess something up for you, but I'm just saying-" Zed was interrupted by the ringing of the bell signaling next period.
"Well come one, enough out of you, let's go to our last history class." Willa reminded them.
"Oh boy, I doubt this will be our last Eliza lecture ever, but I can't wait, especially since I get to still be with you."
"Wait a minute did you choose last period to use your master plan because its like the only class we don't share?"
"Maybe. Can you blame me?"
"I guess not. We better get going so we're not late."
"Oh yeah, none of us want that to happen on the last day of school." Willa said sarcastically.
They all got up to head to their next classes. When Zed, Addison, and Willa arrived in history, Wyatt and Eliza just smirked at them.
"Do we even need to ask where you two were?" Eliza asked them.
"You're pretty smart, I'm sure the two of you can figure it out." Zed answered trying to be evasive but failing.
"Or you mean you two are so obvious and predictable." Eliza shot back.
The rest of the day passed pretty slowly until finally, it was the last few minutes of their last class of the year. The whole gang was in the same classroom together, and everyone, even the teacher was just watching the clock waiting for the final minute to pass by.
Zed got a brilliant idea and he whispered in Addison's ear. She smiled back enthusiastically and passed the message on to Bree who also excitedly whispered in Bonzo's ear to pass it on, while Zed turned to Eliza, who just rolled her eyes at him but also nodded along, until pretty soon the message was spread to the entire class.
"Summer." Zed murmured under his breath.
"Summer." Addison repeated beside him.
Within a few moments, almost as perfectly as if they had rehearsed it, the entire classroom was filled with "Summer, Summer, Summer, Summer."
Their teacher finally noticed but smiled back and even joined in.
The only ones who looked confused were the handful of werewolves in the class, Wynter happily joined in, while Wyatt and Willa glanced at their friends like they were insane. Eliza hurriedly whispered in Wyatt's ear again so then he nodded and joined along. Seeing her brother start doing it to made Willa think she had nothing to lose so joined in with this strange ritual.
Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of school for the year and everyone cheered.
"Alright everyone, I hope you all have a great summer!" Mr. Venghaus waved as they all exited the classroom.
"So what exactly was that?" Willa asked as they all headed to their lockers.
"It's from a movie, basically the last minute or two of school before summer all the kids started whispering summer while their teacher kept lecturing then, and then they all started celebrating. Then it was time for summer vacation. We did that every year in Zombietown." Zed explained.
"A lot of the time we did that in middle school too." Addison added.
"So just another interesting Seabrook tradition?"
"Whatever you want to call it, but unlike most traditions, this one has nothing to do with Bucky, glitter, or pom poms." Addison reassured her.
"Then I approve." Willa laughed along.
"Come on guys, we own the summer!" Zed cheered.