"Did I do the right thing?"

James, useless as ever, shrugged. "You clearly have feelings for him," he said. "And he said that he loves you."

"And…?"

James shrugged again. "He also made your life miserable," he said. "But he also came here and explained himself and apologized. But is it enough?"

"I'm asking you!"

"It's not my life," James said. "But hot damn, you have good taste."

Addison frowned. "Stop trying to make me laugh."

They both jumped at the sound of Addison's phone ringing. "It's Zed," James said. "It's been five minutes, and he's already calling. Are you gonna answer?"

"Should I?"

James shrugged. "Do whatever you think is best."

Addison sighed, then picked up her phone. "Addison! I-You don't have to take me back or tell me you love me! But…but please just let me be your friend. I miss you and I'd be honored if you let me be your friend. We could hang out and do friend things. I don't want to lose you Addy!"

Addison looked at James who shrugged again. "Why don't you do friend things with your actual friends?" Addison asked.

"I'm not going back to Seabrook until we've made amends. Even if you never forgive me I won't go back. You will always be my number one priority, Addison. I was stupid to think otherwise."

"Zed—"

"I may have known Eliza and Bonzo for years but you're my best friend! I don't want to go to see them and hear horrible things about you. I want to talk to you, not them. I want to be with you, Addison! It was wrong and so stupid of me to just disappear and leave you with my mess to clean up! I shouldn't have done that and if I could I would change what I did! But Addison, please know that I have never been more sorry in my life!"

Addison looked at James with tearful eyes. "Um, okay Zed," Addison said. "We can…we can hang out. Not today. But some other day, maybe."

Zed breathed out a sigh of relief on the other side of the line. "You are literally the most gracious, kind, and caring person I have ever met."

Addison couldn't help the smile that came to her face. "Okay. I have to go now."

"Okay." After a pause, he said in a much softer voice, "Thank you for giving me a chance, Addy. I swear you won't regret this."

"Okay."

"Goodnight."

"G'night Z."

She hung up then tossed her phone across the couch. "Why are you crying?" James asked.

"Because I love him," she said in a choked voice. "Fuck, James, I love him."

"Did you ever stop?"

Addison surged forward and cried into his shoulder.

Don't call her. Don't call her. She needs space. She needs time to heal. She needs space.

There were so many things Zed wanted to say to her. There were so many things he wanted to do. He knew he had to respect her personal bubble and that he had hurt her beyond belief. But fuck, the minute his eyes landed on her he just wanted to surge forward and hold her and never let her go again.

Addison had only ever been doing what was best for him. Or, what she thought was best for him (for the two of them). She hadn't even turned in his dad. She kept her word and watched from the sidelines while he got hurt. She was his everything and he had been so stupid to ruin it.

Knock. Knock.

Zed jumped when he heard the knocking on his door. He hadn't ordered room service and no one he knew (except Addison) was in New York.

Puppy was fast asleep in his dog bed in the corner, which was good considering the old dog liked to run and attack any visitors. There weren't many, but still. Zed got up and cracked the door open, seeing Addison's friend, James, standing on the other side of the door. Zed looked at him in confusion.

"Um, hi?"

James crosses his arms. "Hello hot Zombie who makes my best friend cry."

Zed didn't like the way he said that he was Addison's best friend. Bree was Addison's best friend.

"Hello person," Zed said in slight confusion. "How'd you find my hotel?"

"You're sharing your location with Addison, it wasn't difficult," James said. "Can I come in?"

Zed nodded and opened the door for him. "Make yourself comfortable," he said.

"Oh I won't stay long," James said. "I'm here to warn you."

"Warn me?"

"Yeah. I may look small and defenseless, especially compared to your big strong body, but if you hurt Addison I will hurt you."

"Excuse me?"

"You think you can just come here and pretend like everything's okay? You hurt her, for years. For years she's been putting her life back together and getting over you and I will not let you turn her back into the broken, depressed girl she was when I first met her."

"I'm not gonna hurt Addison," Zed said. "I made a mistake. I know that now."

"Do you? I know guys like you and you will not make Addison miserable."

Zed rolled his eyes. "You don't know me. And I'm fairly sure you don't know Addison either."

James scoffed. "As if I don't know my best friend. I've known her for years—five years!"

Zed rolled his eyes again. He wanted to say more, prove that he was closer to Addison than James, but had a feeling that he might say something Addison didn't want to share. Like some sort of white hair hidden underneath a blonde wig.

"Is that it? Did you just come here to yell at me?"

"Yeah, I did."

Zed was jealous of James. He got to spend five years with Addison, become her 'best friend'. James got the years and memories he was supposed to have with Addison.

"Hey, can I feel your muscles?"

"What?"

James shrugged. "They're so bulgy. You're so muscular and hot."

"Dude, get out of my room."

Movie nights. There's was popcorns and a movie series selected, and Addison would invite James and this girl Molly from work. And, much to Zed's surprise, "Bree?"

He was surprised and she was a tiny ball of anger (to be fair, everyone Zed encountered was tiny). Still, he glared and charged him, only stopped by Addison stepping between the two of them.

"I can explain," Addison said. "He's a friend! Don't attack him!"

Bree gaped at Addison. "What! This is something you tell me when I call! I don't care about the creepy man who tipped you six dollars you tell me that freakin' Zed Necrodopolus is in New York City and is coming to movie night!"

"I didn't want you to freak out," Addison said sheepishly.

"You think waiting until I see him in person is going better?"

"You aren't gonna lose your shit in front of Molly and James," Addison said with a shrug.

Bree looked like she wanted to protest but just whined petulantly. "In the hall, Addison," she demanded. She pointed a finger at Zed and said in a warning tone, "Don't go anywhere."

The two girls moved into the hall. Once Addison closed the door, Bree glared at her seriously. "Zed? Really? You'd better have a good explanation for this."

"He texted me last week," Addison said. "He said he was in town and he really wanted to talk. And, I didn't want to but I knew I should so I gave him a chance. And we talked and talked and I've agreed to be friends."

"Because he said sorry?"

Addison shook her head. "Look, I told him how I felt and he told me what happened. I let him talk and the more he talked the more I understood. He was grieving and he made stupid decisions and so did I. I couldn't really blame him for it. Plus I was mad and kicked him out and then he called me minutes later begging for forgiveness. Literally. So we're friends."

Bree frowned and shook her head. "He made you miserable for years."

"Oh, you should talk to him," Addison waved her off. "He's still Zed and he's still really sweet and funny. And he's matured too! Have you heard his voice? That is a man, right there."

"Addison."

"And it's not like I'm gonna date him," she added. "But it doesn't mean we can't be friends."

Bree sighed. "Look Addy, I'm your best friend. I remember when we were in high school, and you would swoon for him every time. Those feelings don't just die. And I don't want to see you get hurt again."

"I won't date him," Addison assured her. "But also, you have to remember he left after his little sister died and his dad was arrested. He was a wreck. We were all a wreck. I can't even think about talking to Eliza because of that summer."

Bree sighed again and shook her head. "Look, I won't tell you what to do with your life. But, just don't forget all those years."

Addison nodded. "I won't."

Movie nights, and bowling nights, and laser tag. Hanging out with Zed was fun and a little freeing. And he seemed to mesh well with her friends. Sometimes during movies, he'd pull on her wig and give her a questioning look and she'd shake her head.

Addison wasn't sure when it started, but they started hanging out without James or Molly or Bree (when she was in town). She had a feeling it had been her idea. She did make most of the plans. She was pretty sure she had only texted Zed and forgotten to text the others but didn't really mind spending time alone with Zed.

"If we're just watching movies and eating pizza, will you take off your wig?" Zed asked one day. "It's just you and me, Addy."

Addison shook her head immediately. "No, I can't," she protested. "Today I've picked out some DCOMs because James and Molly don't let me watch DCOMs and you don't have a choice."

"Oh you know I love Disney," Zed said, only slightly sarcastically.

"Oh you definitely loved every time Zoey and I would force you to watch them," Addison teased. "Do you remember the time we watched High School Musical four times in a row? I sat on you so you couldn't get up and then Zoey ended up falling asleep on us."

"And then you fell asleep on me," Zed said wistfully. "Only, I could've gotten up the whole time. You're a very tiny person, you know?"

Addison rolled her eyes fondly. "You couldn't have! I was sitting on you!"

"Addy, I can easily lift you up. I just didn't want to, because I love having you close to me."

"Prove it."

Zed tilted his head at her and Addison moved into his lap. He grunted in surprise and Addison laughed. "Go ahead. Lift me up." Addison said.

Zed frowned. "I still don't wanna," Zed said, wrapping his arms around her middle. "Mm, you smell nice."

Addison laughed again and squirmed in his lap. "Stop sniffing me!"

Zed chuckled, then stood up with Addison in his arms. Addison squeaked in surprise and kicked her legs. "Yo what the hell!" she exclaimed, prompting Zed to laugh more.

"Put me down!"

Zed couldn't help but laugh as he spun her around, then tossed her onto the couch. Addison lifted her head and glared at him playfully. Zed smiled softly as his eyes landed on the misplaced blonde wig and the strands of white hair falling into her face.

Addison took a second to know what he was staring at and blushed, sitting up and fixing her wig. "Addy, you don't have to hide it," Zed said in a soft voice. "It's beautiful. You're beautiful."

Addison's eyes went wide as she remembered the first time he'd said it to her: in the Zombie Light Garden, when he was about to kiss her. She wanted to kiss him now too. She wanted him to hold her like he had before for longer. Not as friends, either.

Zed May have ruined their relationship, but he didn't ruin her life. She did. She stopped being strong and she let people's words get to her. She stopped being herself. She let people control her life, starting with Zed.

Addison stood up and stretched up on her toes until her mouth was an inch from his. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Can I kiss you?"

Zed let out a breath and closed the gap. Slowly, Addison reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He reached behind her and tugged off her wig, then let his hands rest against her back.

Addison pulled her lips back then rested her head against his chest. Zed held her close, and she pressed her ear to listen to his heartbeat: slow and steady and there. It felt like being home. The first time she felt true peace in years, even before Zoey died.

"Cool hair."

"This is my natural hair color," Addison said proudly. "I had a realization last night."

James raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Addison smiled and said, "I was mad at Zed, but I was more mad at myself. When I was fourteen I told myself I would change for anyone and I would stop letting people affect my life. And—before Zoey died and before Zed left—I stopped doing that. And I'm so fucking over it! Who cares anymore! I will be a freak if I want! I'll wear my hair proud! I'll eat ice cream whenever I want, and for fuck's sake I will make out with Zed Necrodopolus because I can!"

James looked at her in surprise. "You guys made out?"

Addison nodded. "It was the best thing ever! I love Zed! Always have, and I won't let anybody stop me anymore."

"Okay, you need to stop shouting." James said. He patted the spot beside him on the couch and Addison sat down next to him.

"When his sister died, I got into an argument with one of his friends," Addison explained. "And then the bitch had the audacity to make Zed choose between her and me. He chose me! Over his best friend! Whom he'd known for years!"

"Yes, but he left."

"Don't make me cut you out of my new life!" Addison warned. "I'm on a fucking high. Zed has this magic ability to make me happy all the time. And you know what? I was miserable only being his friend."

"Oh you guys are dating now?"

Addison shrugged. "We made out and then we watch High School Musical," she explained. "But he put his arm around my shoulder and I fell asleep on him during the third one. And he carried me to my room and kissed me goodnight—on the forehead—and let himself out because he's a true gentleman."

"I'm not trying to control you or anything, but I just wanna make sure this is what you want. I've already told you where I stand but it's your life and I'll support you no matter what."

Addison nodded in understanding. "Me and Zed…we were in love and we hit a bump. We may have lost our way and the journey may have split us up for a bit, but this was meant to be. Otherwise, we wouldn't have found our way back home."

"Okay, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

Addison smiled and picked up her phone, reading a new text from Zed.

7:16am Zed: Are you working today?

7:22am Addison: Yup

7:22am Zed: Is it possible we could meet for coffee before you clock in?

7:23am Addison: Absolutely

7:24am Addison: Can you come over before 8:30?

7:25am Zed: Yeah I'm on my way

"He's coming over," Addison said. She looked at James with a slight smile. "I feel like teenager."

James just smiled, then stood up. "Alright. I'll see you later, then."

"Bye."

Ten minutes after James left, Zed showed up. He smiled tiredly at her and stepped inside. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked physically exhausted.

"Are you okay?" Addison asked in concern.

Zed smiled at her and nodded. "I didn't sleep last night but, I like seeing you with your real hair. It's so beautiful, especially on you."

"Thank you. But why didn't you sleep?"

"Because of last night," Zed said. "We didn't talk about it and I…I don't regret kissing you but I know I shouldn't have because you want to be just friends and I just felt really bad."

"I don't wanna be just friends," Addison stated. Zed raised a brow at her. "I mean, I didn't want to even talk to you. And then I knew that people would be upset if I even gave you a chance. But, um, let them talk if they wanna."

Zed smiled softly and physically relaxed. "Let them talk if they're gonna," he sang, soft and slowly.

Addison linked their hands. "We're gonna do what we wanna," they sang together. "Let them talk, let them talk. If they wanna."

Addison leaned forward and rested her head on his chest. "I missed you," Zed said in a quiet voice. His voice was thick, as if he were on the verge of tears. He sniffed and Addison knew he was crying. "So much, Addy."

"I've missed you too."

Everything was gonna be alright.