It ends up snowing all night, and Zed spends all of Sunday with Zoey and Addison (who sneaks away again to see him!) playing in the fresh snow. The day ends with the promise of Addison coming back again the next day, and Zed rests easy knowing he'll see her again. He carries that easy, happy feeling with him all night and all morning, floating on air as he walks Zoey to school, then heads to the high school a block away.
Looming high above the school is the Mothership, which gives Zed high hopes that not only Addison, but more aliens, might come and join them at school. New friendships and opportunities are just around the corner, for everyone. He walks into school, heading straight to his locker. Like most days, his friends are gathered around the tables next to the lockers. Zed grabs his books for class quickly, then heads over to the table, standing behind Eliza.
"Morning!" he greets cheerily.
Wyatt and Willa look up at him first, the former with a surprised grin and the latter with a look of disgust. Which, hey, is pretty rude, but won't get him down. Not when Addison is coming around again.
"Someone's in a good mood," Wyatt comments.
Eliza tilts her head up, a shit-eating grin stretching her face. "Yeah, sounds like someone spent all weekend with his alien crush!"
Oh, yeah. Despite not spending his weekend with Eliza, he sometimes forgot that she lives right across the street from him and was a big gossip (despite what others might assume, she loves drama).
"I don't have a crush," he lies. He takes the empty seat next to Eliza and continues, "Addison just wanted to know everything about Seabrook."
"Yeah, but she could've asked Bree when they hung out all of Friday. Instead, she went searching for you." Eliza jabs his upper arm teasingly.
"Shut up," he grumbles. Even all the teasing from his best friend doesn't break his spirit. He really can't wait to see Addison again.
"I don't like it," Willa says.
"Hm?"
"Your interest in the aliens. I don't trust them."
Willa might break his spirit. She's the only person who's ever been able to get Zed down, ever. He didn't even get too down when a bunch of cheerleaders threatened to egg his house four years ago, and that was bad.
"Come on Willa, they seem kinda nice," Bree says. "At least Addison is!"
Willa eyes Bree and says, "Last time outsiders came to Seabrook, they took our land and stole our moonstone, so forgive me if I'm not wagging my tail at the prospect of aliens."
Zed rolls his eyes. Addison is the least dangerous, least suspicious person he's ever met! She's sweet and funny and full of joy and life! She's like a mix of Bonzo, Bree, and Zoey, with a dash of extra-terrestrial flare and cuteness.
"Willa has a point." Eliza, one of the few people who agreed with him, points out. "I mean, we don't know why they're here…"
"They just want to go to school like us!" Zed says. He looks at Willa and says pointedly, "Not everyone has ulterior motives for coming to Seabrook."
Willa narrows her eyes. "It's not like you wanted to be all 'buddy-buddy' either, Zed. I seem to remember the only thing stopping you from attacking us was your street cred."
"That was two years ago, I've matured a lot since then. And I think we should all give the aliens a chance. Just because we were treated like criminals for being monsters doesn't mean we have to treat them like that. Kinda defeats the whole point of change and progress!"
Willa shoots up, slamming her hands on the table with a growl that makes Zed jump. "You're being stupid and naive to blindly trust a bunch of strangers you just met, with abilities and strengths we can't even comprehend yet!"
Zed stands too, countering her anger with unwavering optimism. "You won't even give them a chance!"
"They nearly destroyed our school!"
Before Zed can respond, Eliza grabs at his arm, stealing his attention. The next second, from behind him, he hears Addison sweet, angelic voice calling him. "Zed!"
He turns, watching a crowd of aliens, all in blue dresses and silver leggings and under shirts, or blue shirts and pants, all with silver boots, walking down the hallway. At the front, Addison runs toward them — or, well, Zed — with a wide smile. Zed grins and turns, opening his arms just in time for her to throw herself in his arms.
Zed can't help the laugh that escapes his lips. She's great — amazing — and so full of energy he can't help it. He didn't even realize they had jumped to hugging, but he wasn't complaining. He loves hugging her. All too soon, Addison steps out of his arms, beaming up at him.
"Good morning!" she says.
"Hey, good morning," Zed says. He moves to her side and says, "Addison, these are my friends. You already know Bree and Bonzo, that's Eliza, Willa, Wyatt, and Wynter."
Eliza has the courtesy to smile, while the wolves remain stoic as ever.
"Hi!" Addison says with an adorable wave. "It's nice to meet you. Zed speaks very highly of all of you!"
Eliza smirks. "Does he now?"
Zed rolls his eyes, though he can't stop smiling, not with Addison here. He shifts to face her again. "I see everyone joined you today," he says quietly.
Addison smiles and nods. "Yes. Although I am on 'thin ice,' with our leaders, so —"
Behind her, the leader of the aliens, A-Spen, stops behind her. "Addison."
Addison freezes like a deer in headlights. She turns around slowly, smiling at A-Spen. Zed, for his part, smiles too.
A-Spen looks at him and says, "Hello again, Zed." Then, to Addison, they say, "Come along, halfling. We have a meeting with the principal soon."
Addison turns back to Zed. "We are joining your school!"
"That's great!"
Addison nods. "I will see you later, Zed."
He grins and nods. Addison grins too, then wraps her arms around him again for another tight hug. He wraps his arms around her, reveling in her comfort.
"Addison," A-Spen says sternly.
Addison pulls out his arms once again. "Goodbye, Zed." She looks around him and says, "Goodbye, Bree! Goodbye everyone! I will see you later!"
Addison rejoins the group of aliens, continuing down the hall in almost perfect lockstep (Addison is a little off, very distracted by greeting everyone she passes).
"Wow, she had a lot of energy," Eliza says dryly.
"I can see why Zed's so defensive, she's cute," Wyatt says.
Zed turns around at that, glaring at the werewolf. Wyatt smirks, throwing him a wink.
"Well, that was enlightening," Willa states (in a way that says the exact opposite of her words). "Seems the only reason you care even a bit is because of a crush."
Zed rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Addison is cool, and if you gave them all a chance, I'm sure you'd see the other aliens are cool too!"
"They. Want. Something. I can feel it. They're up to something and I will figure it out, even if you're too dumb and naive to believe me."
Zed frowns, watching her storm off into the hallway. Even if 'stupid' and 'dumb' and 'naive' weren't super mean words, it hurt hearing one of his best friends keep calling him those things. Wyatt and Wynter stand from their seats too, ready to follow behind their alpha.
"She's right, Zed. They could be dangerous," Wyatt says.
Zed corks an eyebrow. "That's what I said to Eliza about you guys. Look where we are now."
Wynter rolls her eyes, turning and following behind Willa. Wyatt shakes his head at Zed, then follows the two girls.
Zed huffs, running a hand through his hair. Maybe he was being stupid, and a little naive. But his weekend spent with Addison was the best weekend of his life. He knew she was good. Knew it in his undead heart, even if no one else believed him.
He huffs out a sigh, looking at his remaining friends. Eliza has gone back to her laptop already, while Bonzo is reviewing something in one of his notebooks. Bree looks at him, though, and offers him a sympathetic smile. Bree, of all people!
"Don't worry about them, Zed! Just trust your gut."
He nods slowly. Addison is a good person. He knows it, even if Willa and her pack won't believe him. Bree knows it, and Bree is the nicest person he knows. If Bree thinks the aliens are good, who is he to argue?
The bell rings loudly overhead. "I'll see you guys," Zed says, walking off to his class, even though they usually all walk together. He just wants a few minutes to clear his head.
Zed drags his way through his first period. Eliza doesn't let him mope all throughout second period calculus. She bugs him all throughout class, forcing him to give her attention and not get lost in his own thoughts. As annoyed as he is, she knows he appreciates it.
The two of them walk together to third period, government. By this point in the day, the aliens have dispersed into the crowd. Eliza talks to him about their government project due at the end of the week, while Zed only half listens, keeping an eye out for a certain blue-haired, energetic alien.
They're halfway to their class when he sees her, sifting through textbooks at her brand new locker. Zed grins, walking over to her, ignoring Eliza's, "Okay I guess," as she follows behind him.
"Hey Addison!" Zed greets.
She turns to him calmly, giving him a soft, pleasant smile. "Hello, Zed," she greets in an even voice. "Are you having an enjoyable day so far?"
His eyebrows jump in surprise. She sounds…almost robotic. Like someone sucked all the joy out of her. Which would be crazy! Eighty percent of Addison is joy.
"Oh, uh, yeah! And you? How'd registration go?"
"It went well," she says, smiling. "Principal Lee was very understanding of our situation and quite efficient."
Her tail isn't even moving! It stands straight behind her, unlike how it usually sways with her every word and movement. Something is definitely wrong. It's like she suddenly became like everybody else.
"Is, uh, everything alright? Are you feeling okay?" he asks.
Addison nods once. "Yes, I am feeling well." She closes her locker. "I have to go to class. But I will see you later, Zed."
She turns and walks away, low energy and stiff. Something is definitely wrong, he knows it.
Zed turns to Eliza and asks, "That was weird, right?"
"What? You, basically getting rejected?" she teases.
Zed rolls his eyes. "No, the way she was acting. It was…weird. That's not how she is."
"Just because she wasn't throwing herself at you like she did this morning doesn't automatically mean something's wrong! Now come on, we've got to get to Gov before the bell rings."
Zed frowns, but follows Eliza to class, ignoring the off feeling in his gut.
Chief Dale Wells walks through the empty halls of Seabrook High. He came under the pretense of checking all their monster safety alerts and alarms, with a full crew from Zombie Patrol. He made sure they were all set to run the quarterly inspection, then snuck off on his own mission.
Friday, aliens descended from the sky. And Zed Necrodopolis, a young zombie, had mentioned one claiming to be from earth. Dale Wells had to find that alien. He needed to know.
He finds his way into Principal Lee's office, giving the school secretary a courtesy wave before walking into Lee's office. The blonde woman starts in her seat, relaxing at the sight of the chief. "Chief Wells, you scared me," she says.
"Good morning to you too," he greets with an easy smile.
"What are you doing here? I'm a busy woman, you know."
"I heard the aliens have registered here as students," he says. Principal Lee nods her head, not quite following. "I'd like to see the full roaster."
"Of students?"
Chief Wells nods.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Principal Lee —"
"No, Dale. You and I both know I can't just give you student information. Not without an official report." She raises a knowing eyebrow.
He frowns, but knows she has a point. And he doesn't have an official report or a warrant to subpoena student information. He's backed into a corner, and he can't even tell Principal Lee why he needs the list so badly. "Fine," he huffs.
"What do you even want with that, anyway?"
"Nothing, nothing," Dale says, turning around. He exits her office before she can ask any follow up questions.
Maybe if he can find Zed Necrodopolis, he can point him to the alien he's looking for…
"Chief!"
Office Gus walks up to him, with Officer Morguez beside him.
"Yes?"
"We got a ten-fifty-one: monster down at the north corner of the beach."
Okay, he'd have to hunt for the alien teen later. "Let's go, I'm right behind you guys, "Dale says.
The two officers turn and start walking quickly down the hall. The chief huffs, running a hand through his hair. He's waited fifteen years, he figures he can wait one more day.
The next time Zed sees Addison winds up being about fifteen minutes later. He's on his way to the bathroom, but when he turns the corner to the little nook in the hall for the gendered bathrooms, he finds Addison sitting against the wall, staring blankly in space.
"Addison?"
She blinks, then looks at him. "Hi Zed," she says softly.
"Are you okay? Why are you…sitting out here?"
She stares at him, almost blankly, not responding. Zed sighs, stepping forward and reaching down. He takes her hand, gently guiding her up to her feet. "Come on," he quietly urges.
She stands, looking at him with a small smile. "Thank you. I…I…"
"Do you wanna talk about it?" he asks.
She nods once. Together, they walk down the empty halls. Zed leads them through the school until they reach a heavy metal door with a fading red label reading 'Zombie Safe Room.' Zed pushes the door open, leading Addison inside. The door shuts behind them. Zed crosses the room, flicking on a tall lamp before leading Addison over to a stretcher, where they both sit side-by-side.
"You can trust me, Addy. If you wanna talk about what's bugging you, I'm all ears."
She nods again. "I know. I…I am being punished. For sneaking out this weekend, A-Spen disabled many functions on my luma lens and warned me to stay the course. When I approached you this morning in the halls, it was the final strike, and they have activated my emotional suppressors."
Oh. Everything made sense now. All of her out of character behavior, her unemotional state, all her stiffness. It all made sense, dispute being… "That's awful," he says.
Addison nods, somewhat solemnly. "It is. I have never… not felt emotions before, and am having a difficult time adjusting." She sighs, looking to the ground. "I do not even feel sad! I want to, but I cannot!"
Zed rubs her back. "There's nothing you can do about it?"
She shakes her head. "I do not have the capability to 'hack' my luma lens and disable the emotional suppressors." She lifts her head and looks up at him. "If I did, I would have. I miss the way I feel when we hang out."
Zed fights off a smile. Her words are sweet, but her tone doesn't carry anything. But he still can't help the flutter of his heart.
"Well…I know a good hacker, if you're interested."
"Yes! Please."
Eight and half minutes later, Eliza is sitting cross legged on the floor, connecting cables to Addison's rings of gloves and the lens in the middle. Addison sits on the floor next to her, with Zed kneeled between them, watching the whole ordeal.
"This is so cool, I bet I'm the first zombie to ever hack alien tech!" Eliza exclaims.
"Just hurry it up," Zed says.
He leans over her shoulder, watching her work her computer magic with a screen full of confusing code. She highlights and deletes sections, adding to others. Then the code turns green before her screen turns black, new information slowly loading up.
"That was too easy," she says. "Whoever built your security didn't put in enough effort."
"To be fair, I believe I am the only person that has ever wanted to hack my luma lens," Addison says.
On Eliza's screen, blue and white swirls dance across the screen. Across the top bar it reads, 15-11 ADDISON with a moving, colorful DNA-like strand beside it.
Eliza clicks on a cluster of dark blue dots, opening another window. This one is labeled 15-11 ADDISON: WARDROBE, with a lock icon followed by 01-17, A-SPEN.
"Oops, wrong thing," Eliza mutters.
"No, unlock that too," Zed says.
"What is it?" Addison asks, leaning over.
"Your clothes," he explains.
"Oh, yes please," Addison says.
Zed looks at her and laughs softly. Eliza messes around with the code in the window, then the lock icon disappears. She closes the window, searching for another then clicking on it. It takes two more tries before she opens the right window, 15-11, ADDISON: EMOTIONAL SUPPRESSOR, this one with a lock icon followed by 31-06, A-LAN. The entire text is highlighted green.
Eliza highlights the text and changes its color to red. A warning message pops up, one she quickly accepts.
"No way it was that simple," Zed says.
Once the screen finishes refreshing, Addison's luma lens sparks. Her whole body jumps, a light bursting within her eyes as a wide smile spreads across her face. It was that easy. Huh!
Eliza shrugs, watching the spectacle. "Aliens, man."
Addison looks at both of them, a gigantic smile that's so Addison stretching her cheeks. "It worked! Yes!"
Eliza chuckles and shakes her head, unplugging the wires from Addison's wrist. Before she can pull back, Addison lunges forward, throwing her arms around Eliza's neck.
"Thank you so much, Eliza! You're the best."
Eliza's eyes go wide. She awkwardly lifts a hand, patting Addison's back. Zed chuckles to himself. Eliza was never one for affection, so it's weird seeing her kinda reciprocating a hug.
Addison lets go of Eliza, then turns to Zed with a beaming grin. "This is amazing! You guys are amazing! Thank you!"
"Is she always like this?" Eliza asks.
Zed shrugs. "Most times."
Addison giggles. Zed stands up, then reaches down and holds out a hand for Addison. She takes it, sending a small spark down his arm. Zed jumps and shudders, his Z-Band shorting out for a brief second.
Addison gasps, but Zed just smiles at her, pulling her up to her feet. "Come on, we need to get back to class before people get suspicious."
Zed and Eliza walk Addison back to her English class, then head back to their government class.
"So, Addison," Eliza says. "She's cool."
"For an alien, right?" Zed teases.
"Nah, she's just…cool." She shrugs and gives him a simple smile. "You guys look good together."
He bites his lip but is unable to hide his smile. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. Glad to finally see your goofy-ass smiling like a dork in love." She playfully elbows his side, making him chuckle.
"She is…unlike anyone I've ever met." He sighs, then adds, "it's nuts."
"It is nuts," Eliza says. "This is shaping up to be a strange Christmas. You and Bonzo both in love…"
Zed raises an eyebrow. "Am I hearing…"
"Nope. Never." Eliza instantly shuts down, shaking her head. She stops a foot from their classroom door. "It's not happening, but I like that you keep trying. Now."
Zed rolls his eyes, opening the door for her. She likes to avoid it as often as possible, but he knows his best friend has a crush, even if she won't tell him who it is, and claims she'll never ever come clean to the person. Maybe he could bring her a little holiday romance too.
Maybe.
Addison walks through the gigantic cafeteria, carrying the pink tray filled with decadent foods she hardly recognizes. The entire room buzzed with energy, everyone around her so excitable and full of life. It's such a change of pace from the monotony of the Mothership. She searches the crowds for Zed, and in her search accidentally bumps into A-Li and A-Spen.
"Ugh, watch it!" A-Li grumbles, very rudely.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Addison says.
A-Li frowns at her, but before she can say anything more, A-Spen ushers her away. She swears she sees A-Li glowing red with…anger, perhaps. Maybe even annoyance! That would be strange, though, considering that her Alkeri peers don't express emotions in the same ways she or even the earthlings do.
She doesn't get a chance to think too much about it, spotting her new friend, Eliza, sitting with her first friend, Bree, at a round table in the middle of the cafeteria. She beams, walking quickly over to them.
"Hello again!" Addison greets.
Eliza smirks. "Hello again, Peppy Von Cheersticks."
Addison giggles, although she doesn't know exactly what it means. But, she thinks it's a nickname. And nicknames indicate closeness. She's making friends!
She puts down her lunch tray and sits across from them. "Have either of you seen Zed?" Addison asks.
"Oh, he's playing basketball in the gym with A-Lan," Bree says. "A-Lan's trying to beat his athletic records. He crushed his running record, but Zed managed to beat him in all the other football ones during free period. Now he's going for basketball, although that's not really Zed's strong suit, so A-Lan has a chance."
Addison stares, then nods slowly. "I understood some of that."
"See, football and basketball are sports. You know, athletic competitions." Eliza explains.
She does not know. "What is 'competition'?"
"When you challenge others to prove you're the best!" Bree says with a smile.
"Oh, the Alkeri do not compete. My people believe in unity and harmony. Competition would cause disagreements, maybe even sadness! And emotions are a big issue for telepaths."
"Argh!"
Addison jumps and turns, watching as A-Li snaps an eating utensil in half. Her antennae stand straight up, vibrating an angry shade of red that matches the glow of the markings all over her body.
Okay, maybe something was wrong. She's never seen A-Li express so much emotion! With a glance around, Addison sees other Alkeri laughing loudly, some just grinning with their antennae buzzing. Tails are swishing around, antennae moving and glowing. It's like they could all suddenly feel!
Eliza clears her throat, drawing Addison's attention back to the zombie and human at the table. "Where are your other friends? The werewolves?" Addison asks.
"They left school a long time ago," Bree says. "They are not happy about you guys joining school."
Eliza smacks Bree's arm. "Bree!"
"Oh…"
"Don't listen to her," Eliza says. "Seabrook has a history of not trusting new people. But I'm sure they'll warm up to you. I did!"
Addison nods her head. She hopes that the wolves' not trusting her and her people doesn't affect their relationship with Zed. She knew people may be upset at their arrival, but she saw how the zombies and werewolves were accepted into society and hoped for a similar transition.
"Enough with the sad stuff!" Bree says. "Addy, you have to tell me all about you and Zed."
"Yeah. How the hell did that happen?" Eliza asks.
"Well, until recently, Zed was one of the only people I knew," she explains. "I wanted to thank him for his help, that is all."
Bree leans forward, a wide smile on her face. "Uh huh," she says, urging her to continue.
"Oh, well, um, we went for a walk around Zombietown. He is very sweet, and funny…and kind." Addison sighs, smiling as she thinks back to her weekend spent with Zed.
"Aw!" Bree gushes.
Addison looks back at her. "It is strange. Every time I think of him, my heart starts racing and my palms get all sweaty. It is like there are space moths fighting in my stomach." She frowns, worrying, and adds in a whisper, "Am I dying?"
"No! You have a crush! How romantic!" Bree squeals.
"A…crush?"
"Yeah, you know, you like-like him! Romance, dating, falling in love. The whole nine yards."
"More specifically," Eliza says, eyeing Bree, "it's, like, when you connect with someone in a really strong way."
"And wanna hang out with them, like, all the time. And hold hands and hug — if you're super into affection. I love affection."
Oh, yeah, she definitely like-likes Zed. A lot.
"Do you guys not have love in outer space?" Eliza teases.
Addison slowly shakes her head. "Not technically." She's read earthly fairy tales about love, but never thought things like that were real, or could feel so wonderful. "We mostly suppress emotions, so love is not something we are familiar with."
"Hm," Eliza hums.
"It's so cute that you're falling for Zed!" Bree gushes. "I mean, when I saw you guys together this morning I was so shocked but also it just felt so right."
"You really think he…like-likes me too?"
"We have got to stop using that phrase," Eliza grumbles, while Bree nods toward Addison.
"It's so obvious. I mean, do you see the way he smiles when you're around? He doesn't smile like that at anyone, just you. He's practically in love!"
Addison can't help the grin that stretches her face. Love. She knows that, at least a little bit, and it makes way more sense than 'crush' and 'like-like.' Her grandmother used to tell her stories of love, although not often. Just young girls falling in love with their Prince Charming.
Could Zed be her Prince Charming?
"Do you love anyone, Eliza?" Addison asks.
Eliza shrugs. "Love is a strong word, Addison. I'm not ready to commit to anyone that seriously."
Bree leans forward, whispering loudly, "Zed, Bonzo, and I all know she has a big crush on someone, we just can't figure out who."
Eliza rolls her eyes. "Let's talk about something else. Addison, how's your first day of school going?"
Addison's last class of the day is history. She arrives earlier than most. A little before the bell rings, A-Spen and A-Lan enter the classroom. Addison is already sitting at a table with Bree, but waves to them with a bright smile anyway. Despite the disagreements they've been having lately, she still considers them her friends. And, according to Bree, friends sit together in class!
But A-Spen shakes their head, steering A-Lan to a set of seats a few rows ahead of Addison.
They must know about Eliza hacking her luma lens. Why else would they treat her even more poorly than before? When they get back to the mothership, she's going to be in so much trouble. She doesn't know how much more they can take away from her. They're her leaders, sure, but she's still a person, who wants nothing more than to understand every part of herself. She wants to explore earth and Seabrook, find out more about her human family, and spend more time with Zed.
She can't lose those things.
Bree places a hand on her upper arm, startling her out of her thoughts. Addison turns to her friend, who looks at her with her eyebrows turned down in sync with her lips. "Addy, are you okay?" she whispers, sounding…sounding almost worried.
She doesn't think anyone has ever been worried about her before. Even more, she doesn't want to worry Bree, so despite her racing thoughts, she nods her head and smiles.
"I am okay. Just…a little overwhelmed with all the coursework." she lies.
"Oh, well, you know I'm always here to help. And Eliza, and Zed, and Bonzo. Although you'd have to learn zombie tongue to study successfully with him."
Bree giggles to herself. Addison nods along. Luckily, the bell rings before Bree can ask her any follow up questions.
After class ends, Bree quickly packs up her backpack, while Addison gathers up her books and the one notebook she was given by her English professor (as a courtesy). She'd need to get more books for her other classes. They weren't too difficult, but earth concepts are much different than the subjects they learned in the mothership. Easy to comprehend, but still very unfamiliar and very strange.
"I'll see you later, Addy!" Bree says just before rushing off to cheer practice.
"Bye!"
Once Bree's gone, Addison looks around the room until she finds A-Spen and A-Lan still sitting at their bench. There's no point in avoiding them. They would find out eventually. She walks over to them, stopping next to A-Spen's seat.
"Hello," she greets.
The two look up at her, A-Lan's eyebrows turned down, his antennae glowing a soft orange, while A-Spen tries to keep a level, even look, despite the red bouncing on their antennae.
"Hello Addison," A-Spen says. "Do you have something to tell us?"
"Um…"
Before she can think of an excuse or something to make her transgressions sound less bad, A-Lan says, "Do you wish to explain how and why you destroyed our system's emotional suppressors?"
"Well I — Wait." The whole system was down? That's not what she meant to do, not what she meant to happen! No wonder everyone was so mad…
"I only meant to disable mine…" she says quietly.
A-Spen places their hands on the table folded neatly, giving Addison a serious look. "Do you think we decided to enable your emotional suppressors for fun? Do you think it is because we find joy in seeing you upset?"
Addison stares down at her feet and shakes her head, her chest constricting painfully.
"I do not understand you, sometimes. How could you do something so-so careless!"
"Honestly, Addison," A-Lan says. "We understand that you are not like us, but you bring so much shame to your grandmother's legacy."
Addison looks up, something painful tightening on her chest at his words.
A-Spen nods their agreement. The two of them pack up their belongings and stand from their bench.
"Now we have to isolate and repair the damages to the emotional suppressors, because of you and your recklessness. Thank you for that, Addison."
"That was sarcasm, we are very upset," A-Lan injects.
They walk past her, leaving the classroom and leaving Addison standing, frozen in place. She knew she should feel bad for breaking the rules they instilled for her and their safety and wellbeing, but…they didn't need to be so hurtful about it all.
Although she knows she deserved it. She's not like them, and she never will be. And now she's ruined something important for them!
She rushes out of the classroom, her eyes stinging with a rush of angry tears, ready to run back to Mothership, to the safety of her pod where she can let her emotions run their course without being shamed. Even if it means she'll have to face everyone in all their anger and sadness over her screwing up once again.
Addison stops when she spots a familiar heavy metal door. Even when she couldn't feel like she normally would, she remembers the comfort the Safe Room had brought her early that day.
She pushes the door open, disappearing inside.
No one enters the Safe Room for hours. Addison likes the quiet and the solitude, even making a mental note of a new place to be alone with her feelings. She sits on the stretcher Zed had taken her to early that day, letting her tears freely fall.
The heavy door is pushed open, someone stumbling into the room. Addison jumps, quickly wiping her eyes. The door closes slowly behind them. Addison thinks for a moment about hiding — maybe the Safe Room was designated for something after school and she was crashing it, getting in someone's way. Another thing she's screwed up today.
From the shadows, though, Zed comes stumbling out. Addison relaxes, only for a moment when she realizes that Zed isn't acting very much like himself. He stumbles, groaning and grumbling as he moves. When he steps into the dim lighting in the room, his skin is covered in a rush of dark, throbbing veins, his eyes dark and sunken into his skull.
Addison sniffs and asks, "Zed?"
His head whips around. His brows furrow and he says in a deep, gruff voice, "Addison?" His eyes jump over her face. He lifts a hand and swipes at his left wrist, over his Z-Band. His body spazzes violently, but the dark veins fade away, turning him back to the Zed she knows and loves.
He walks closer to her, stopping just in front of her. "Addison?" he asks softly. He lifts a hand and cradles her jaw, lifting her head up until she's forced to look up at him. "What's wrong?"
She sniffs again. "N-nothing," she says. "A-are you alright?"
"Oh, that? Yeah, just some football stuff. It's nothing. Are you sure you're okay?"
As much as she wants to nod, to keep him from worrying more than he already is, she knows she can't lie to him. She slowly shakes her head, feeling another tear spill down her cheek.
Zed's face softens. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
She instantly shakes her head.
"Addy…" Zed wraps his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. It's a different kind of hug, not one of joy and excitement, like she's used to giving him. This one is warm, soothing to her soul. Her entire body relaxed in his arms, her arms slowly wrapping around his torso and her tears slowly rolling down her cheeks until she's sobbing into his chest.
"It'll be okay, Addy," he whispers soothingly.
She rubs her cheeks against the rough material of his tee-shirt. Zed pulls back, just enough to look down and give her a warm smile. "Come on, we can go back to my house and eat yummy pizza and forget about our troubles. Maybe even do homework!"
He says the last part with such a bright, giddy tone that she can't help but giggle, even if it's just for a second.
Zed steps back and Addison hops off the stretcher. He links his hands together, then slings his arms over her head, pulling her close as they walk out of the Safe Room.
Zed takes her up to his bedroom and leaves her there while he goes and talks to his dad. It's the first time she's been in his room, and it's so insanely different from the pods on the mothership. It's colorful, the walls lined with pictures and trophies, some exercise equipment sitting in one corner while his desk is a mess of papers. It feels almost like she's stepped into his brain.
Zed comes running back in, his arms full of plastic covered, gooey foods. Addison stops in place, right next to his desk, and turns to him.
"My dad's ordering pizza for dinner, but in the meantime, I figured we could munch on some snacks. Maybe knock out some homework or just do nothing." He shrugs. "Doesn't matter, really."
The two of them settle on the floor in front of his bed. Addison picks up a green, circular snack, while Zed reaches under his bed and pulls out an old-looking, hodgepodge box with a black, shiny center. His pulls out the box's metal antennae, turning them slightly then hitting a big button on the bottom. The screen comes to life, a little staticky at first although Zed just gives it a good smack that makes Addison jump.
He grins at her. "Sorry, it's a little old and busted but…" The image on the screen clears up, colorful animation with jovial music filling the space between them. "Yup, she still works!"
Addison giggles. Zed leans back against his bed, slinging an arm over her shoulders casually. She nibbles at her gooey green snack, quietly watching his show, not at all thinking about her conversation with A-Spen and A-Lan, or how she's a screw-up who constantly messes things up for the only family she's ever known.
"Hey," Zed whispers. "You're thinking too loud."
"Wh-what?" Could Zed read minds now? Did she get telepathy! Was she finally going to be normal?
"Sorry! It's a phrase. I can't actually hear you thinking." He laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "I just meant…you seem really worried, and upset."
"Oh."
"I know you said you didn't want to talk about it, and I get it. I just wanna make sure you know that…I'm here for you. If you ever want to let out all your frustrations and worries. I'll be here."
A small smile fights against her frown. She looks at him, in his big, brown eyes that make her heart stutter, make her want to forget all her troubles. She really enjoys the way he makes her feel.
"You are very kind, Zed," she tells him softly. "You…you make me feel so…happy. And understood."
He smiles slowly, so she continues. "I have great feelings for you," she says.
"I do too," he says with a bright smile. "I really like you, Addison."
Addison smiles wider, leaning into his side. "I really like you, Zed," she echoes with a giddy smile. Then she sighs, slowly working out the words in her brain before she says, "I upset my leaders today."
"You did?"
She nods slowly. "They are always upset with me, because I am nothing like them. They do not like how different I act, or how much I emote. I know that deep down, they wish I had never been brought aboard mothership."
She sighs again. "All they do is remind me I'm not like them. That I don't belong there. It's why I pushed so hard for us to come back to Seabrook. But… it's been days, and I've made no progress finding my human family. What if they don't want me? Because I'm so different…"
"You don't know that," he tells her. "They're your family. I'm sure they're fighting just as hard to find you."
Addison lifts her head to look at him, "You really think so?"
"I know I would do anything to find you, and I'm sure they feel the same. Even if you're not human, and not fully alien. You're different, and that's what makes you amazing, Addy." Zed says with a smile.
She smiles softly, leaning her head back on his shoulder. "You are different, too. Everyone else was so afraid of us. But you were just…brave."
"And a little stupid."
She giggles, turning her face in his chest. She really likes him, silly and stupid and brave, all that he is and more.
"Do you know anything about your earth family?" he asks. She lifts her head and looks at him as he continues. "Maybe I can help you find them. I know a lot of people in town." He wiggles his eyebrows and she giggles in response.
She lifts her arm, activating her projection on her luma lens. It lists her entire family tree and she zooms in to her grandmother, 15-09, and her mother, 15-10.
"This is all I know about my family," she admits. "My grandmother married a man named Eli. My mother, A-Minta, was born on earth. She married a human, but my grandmother refused to put that information in my file. I still am not sure why…" She scrolls down and stops at her name, 15-11, Wells, Addison Rosalind. "My grandmother used to tell me that my parents used human naming conventions for me, rather than the standard Alkeri —"
"Wait," Zed interrupts. "Your last name is 'Wells'?"
"My father's surname, yes."
"You shoulda led with that!" He quickly climbs to his feet, pulling her off the ground. "There's only one other Wells in Seabrook, and I know where to find him."
"Really!"
Zed holds her hand, dragging her along as they rush out of his house. "Yup! Come on!"
They run through Zombietown and into Seabrook, not stopping until they reach a circular road lined with identical, pastel houses. Zed takes her up to the house in the center, stopping just outside the front door. He stands in front of the door, mostly blocking it from her view.
Zed turns back and asks her, "You ready for this?"
She nods instantly.
Zed knocks on the door, and several seconds later it swings open. Addison stands on her toes and peaks over Zed's shoulder, seeing a burly, clean-shaven man in a grey suit standing before them.
"Zed Necrodopolis? What are you doing here?" he asks. His voice rings familiar, although she doesn't think she'll ever be able to place it. But it brings a familiar comfort to her chest.
"Chief Wells, nice to see you too," Zed greets.
"Yes, hello." Chief Wells, as Zed had called him, noticed the head of blue hair hiding behind Zed. "Who's here with you?"
Addison peaks around Zed, a small, nervous smile on her face. "Um, hi," she says shyly.
Zed steps to the side, letting Addison fully take in the man before her. He has dark, short hair with little curls, and bright blue eyes. Kind of like her eyes. He stares at her with furrowed brows for a few seconds, before something sparks in his brain.
"Chief, this is —" Zed starts.
"A-Addy-Cat?" the chief asks softly.
Something sparks in her, faint, almost gone memories of cuddles and story time, bouncing on a backyard trampoline, building forts in living rooms. Nicknames and playing dress-up, even making…pancakes! With blueberry smiley faces. They're blurry, nearly forgotten, but they're there.
"Daddy?"
He steps forward, looking her up and down, his eyes quickly watering. "I— You're here," he says in disbelief. Her father slowly and carefully wraps his arms around her. She quickly melts in his warm, familiar embrace. "I thought I'd never see you again, Addison," he says softly.
Her own eyes sting with tears, these ones more joyful than before. "I'm okay, I'm here now," she assures him. She wraps her arms around him, squeezing her father almost as tightly as he squeezes her.