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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"I'm telling you Addy, he looked different! Didn't you see him?" Nessa exclaimed, pacing in her bedroom.
"No I didn't, Nessa. And please stop pacing, it's making me dizzy." Addison called from the bed. Their parents were out on a date night, which gave them the opportunity to talk about whatever they wanted.
Nessa struggled to describe the differences, "H-he looked like his veins just went black and his eyes went red. Something was different and I don't know why."
Addison held her hand from across the bed, "But he is a zombie remember, he must've just tapped into his strength or something. Talk to him when you next see him and maybe you'll find out the answer."
Addison's brow softened as she leaned in, "Don't judge him for being different. Remember, we're different too."
"I know, I know Addy. I'd never judge him for that. It's a shame we all have to hide our true identities."
A spark went off in Addison's head and she suddenly jumped up. "What if we don't have to hide?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know there is a football game two weeks from now, right?" Nessa nodded. "What if I take my wig off. As a sort of..."
"Protest?" Nessa suggested.
"Yes! As a protest. You could join me too and maybe our voices together could change Seabrook High. No more discrimination against people that are different."
Nessa and Addison talked the night away, enthusing about their secret plans to change Seabrook for the better.
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Carnage. That's what it was like in the cafeteria the next day.
Everyone was trying to get an autograph or picture with Zed. It was crazy. Nessa was minding her own business, just sitting at their table when she decided to go see Zed. Big mistake.
As soon as Nessa stood up, Bucky turned her around and stared into her eyes. Just not in a very loving way.
"You're either pro-cheerleader, or pro-zombie. Decide now."
Nessa was speechless but her hands fidgeted behind her back.
"I... I wanna be a cheerleader."
"Good. See you later, cuz." He left without another look.
Nessa just stood there doing nothing, taking it in. Why couldn't Bucky just be supportive?
Suddenly, she heard a voice, Zed. "Hey, Nessa!"
But Nessa couldn't go over to him. She couldn't even smile at him. All of this, because she knew that she had to pick. Cheer, or Zed.
Multiple games went on after that and Zed crushed every single one, but Nessa had to just look away. It hurt her heart not being able to talk to him, but she knew that they could be together, someday.
Nessa wasn't allowed to talk to Zed but Bucky didn't say anything about writing to Zed. So, she wrote him a note that said:
Cheering for you on the inside. XO,
- Nessa
When Zed found it in his locker, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He had thought for a while that Nessa wasn't interested in him anymore, or it was because he was a zombie. However, he couldn't have been more wrong.
Nessa was mid-cheer but Bonzo didn't care. He swept his arm round her shoulder so he could pass her a note from Zed:
Ready to break every rule in the book
Meet me at the barrier 7pm
Tonight
ZED
It was so exciting to Nessa, she could see a part of their world. Despite this, it could be dangerous. You never know what Zed is planning. Deciding to ignore the warnings in her head, Nessa was going to go to the barrier. Nothing could stop her.
