Perfectionism in Pink | A Zombies FanFiction

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Every time Josephine opened her mouth to tell the truth she couldn't find the words or voice to let out. She imagined she must have looked like a fish out of water with her lips opening and closing. Then she looked at Zed and the memories came rushing through her and she sighed.

"If I'm honest, I never liked Addison." She admitted, looking away from the zombie. "My parents always compared me against her, signed up with everything she did, and basically shoved me into her life hoping that her perfectness would rub off on me."

Josephine's shoulders sagged downward at the confession. She truly did feel bad for harboring feelings like that for Addison. It wasn't really her fault and the girl had been nothing but kind to Josephine throughout their years together. Sadly Josephine associated Addison Wells with the worst parts of growing up.

"So... you were jealous." Zed spoke slowly, understanding in his voice. Josephine nodded and bit her cheek, considering her next words carefully.

"Yes, I was. I still am." 

"Why are you jealous of Addison still?" The zombie's head tilted in question, Josephine's lips twitched as the brief thought of puppy and golden retriever popped through her head. "You've got so much going for you. You are the best wide receiver I've ever seen, a football teams worth of friends, one of the best parent relationships I've seen, and-"

"She has you, Zed." Josephine finally blurted out loudly. Now that the words out, they kept tumbling out like a broken basket of apples. "When I said I like you, I meant it. I've liked you since freshmen year and I'm jealous of Addison because she's got the perfect boyfriend."

Embarrassed, Josephine shut her eyes tightly so she wouldn't have to see the zombie's reaction. "I-I was going to hand the letters over, even if they hurt me, but I-I wasn't in a good headspace then. I'm so sorry, Zed."

Silence is a fine tailor when your thoughts are silken thread.

When Zed didn't respond, Josephine opened her eyes and kept them on the ground. "I-I've got to go." She stuttered, deciding to suck it up and make her escape. Josephine tried to hurry past Zed, but the zombie darted his hand out and grabbed her by the arm.

For a second or ten, the teens just stood there. They both faced opposite directions with Zed holding her bicep firmly, yet gently to keep her rooted in place. While Josephine was staring down out the ground, Zed stared up into the opening of the bleachers trying to gather the right words.

"Jett, I..." Zed sighed and shook his head. What was he supposed to say that? His cool fingers tightened lightly around her warm skin and he swallowed, before letting his hand drop from her arm. "I'm with Addison."

"I know." Josephine whispered. They didn't move an inch, staring forward but not truly seeing anything in front of them. 

"...I think it's best if we stopped hanging out."

Her heart felt like a student acupuncturist was using it for practice, but her face belonged at the world poker championship.

"It wouldn't be fair to anyone if we continued with our friendship like this." 

Zed didn't look at Josephine as he turned around in the direction away from the human and walked away. Josephine's eyes darted down to the ground as if even looking at the zombie would set the world aflame. 

"Good luck with everything, Josephine."

What was worse than this?

Josephine didn't expect the loyal zombie to give up Addison for her. Why would the future football team captain give up the beautiful cheerleading captain for some weird female football player? Addison was the perfect girl, beautiful, kind, smart, outspoken...