Zed and Vanessa are excited for their first day at Seabrook High. While Zed is hoping to make the football team, Vanessa is squealing with excitement for her cheer squad audition, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her older sister, Addison. The u...
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Nessa was left in a giddy mood as she crossed the hallway. Thoughts of Zed flooded her mind and she couldn't think about cheer try-outs anymore. That was, until she saw the list pasted onto the wall.
I made it. She thought. I actually made it.
Addison came running down the hall with a massive smile on her face. "Congrats Nessa! Oh my I can't believe it! Welcome to the team." Addison got no reply. "Uhh, Nessa didn't you just hear what I said? Congrats! You made the team!"
She shoved two silver pom-poms into her hands which made a rustling sound as they shook about. "Oh, yeah. Thanks Addy." Nessa wasn't thinking about waving pom-poms around. All she could think about was the tall, brown eyed zombie she met in the safe room.
It took a while but she somehow managed to shake off her thoughts. He was a zombie, and everyone in Seabrook knew that it was crazy for a girl to be in love with a zombie. Nessa was scared of not fitting in. Her hair was one thing, but being in love with a zombie of all people was an entirely different thing.
Bucky came strutting out of the room next door and was suddenly ambushed with flyers and posters being poked into his face for him to sign.
"Okay, okay, everybody please stop!" His eyes went wide as he shushed the audience. "No more autographs, please stay where you are. We have been sent another varsity letter which means... cheer championships baby! Yeah!" Everyone around Nessa started wildly cheering Bucky's name. Ugh.
"So if your name is on this little piece of paper then you have been chosen to represent Seabrook High! Cheer initiation starts tonight so please meet me by the back gate of the sports hall and we will get this show on the road!" More cheering. Yay. Nessa's ear were ringing and she walked away from the crowd.
What the hell is 'cheer initiation'? she wondered. Nessa had never heard of it. Addison had been on the team for three years now and cheer initiation had never been discussed. Maybe it's a new thing?
~~~~~ Fifth period went by in a flash, Nessa basically did no work at all. Maybe that was because she could only think about one thing. Or, one person.
Changed into her cheer quad uniform, Nessa strolled across the car park trying to find Bucky until she spotted his bright green and pink van. It was almost impossible to miss although it wouldn't be surprising if somebody didn't want to see it. It had Bucky's face spread across the whole thing.
"Sup cuz. Welcome to cheer initiation night. Hop into the van and Addison will give you a full run through of what will happen tonight." As he finished his sentence, he gave Nessa a huge, cheesy grin.
Addison was already explaining what was happening and as soon as she got into the van, the van started moving which meant she was the last to arrive. Without notice, a carton of twelve eggs were placed into her hands from the boy sitting beside her. Nessa already knew what was about to happen.
"Bucky? You aren't serious are you?" She whispered, frustrated and annoyed.
"Of course I am Vanessa. Look, we've already arrived. Why don't you throw the first egg?"
Oh no.
Nessa slowly walked up to the house and peered through the window. Her breath hitched in her throat as she realised who the house belonged to. Zed.
She turned around and threw the eggs into the nearest garbage can, creating a loud clash. The door opened shortly after and none other than Zed walked out. He looked around and couldn't see anyone until he went to go back in and spotted Nessa hiding behind a bush.
When she realised he saw her, Nessa stuck her head up and started to say, "I'm sorry-" but it was too late. Zed had already gone back inside. Nessa's breathing started to pick up and her eyes watered a little bit. Oh no, this isn't good, she thought sadly, staring at the ground. Her heart had dropped to the floor. All Nessa wanted, was something for herself. All Nessa wanted, was to be different from Addison.
~~~~~
An hour later, Nessa had gone back home. She was worried that Zed didn't like her anymore, in whatever way he did. As a friend, or as something more.
She washed her face and did her skincare while listening to music. It was one of her favourite things to do when she felt stressed out. Especially about a boy.
Nessa set out her clothes for the next day and sat down to do some homework. As soon as she turned her phone on she saw she had a message from Bucky. It said:
"So, Vanessa. I don't want you to lie to me okay? If you like that zombie in any way or think of him as a nice person, you have no place in cheer. I can kick you out as quickly as I put you in. Don't let me down or there will be some serious consequences. Love you cuz, Bucky."
Nessa now had a serious problem on her hands. The only thing she had left to do as an option was apologise to Zed. In secret, of course. Bucky didn't have to find out about anything, Nessa was sure. 'Cause seriously, what could go so wrong with a girl and a zombie?
