Infected.

Chapter Nine

****Chey****

Being dragged up twisting stairs isn't fun, but when it's Ricky, I make an exception. We make it into the long hallway, doors everywhere. Ash really knows how to decorate. The walls were dressed in Victorian wallpaper and paintings of different kinds.

"How do we even know which ones are rooms?" Blonde moment.

"Open doors." Ricky opened the first one he saw. Lucky us, it was a beautiful gold and black themed room. He walked in and set down both of our bags. "Do you have any extra clothes?"

"Not really." I know my face is redder than a tomato. When I lift my head back up, this boy has his shirt pulled off. I cough; then choke. He looks at me questioningly. "My mouth is dry." Excuses, excuses.

"Really now?" He walked to closer and closer until our chests were touching. "Here's you a t-shirt of mine you can use."

Wait; what? No, seriously. That ass just got all sexy with me and OFFERED ME A T-SHIRT AND WALKED OFF?! I grabbed the nearest thing in reach, a pillow, and whacked him in the head. He stopped, back facing me. His hand moved to the comforter to get the other pillow.

"It's on now." I squealed and ran for cover. Under the bed is about as much cover as I can get. Ricky fell to the ground and met faces with me, his sweet eyes and smile showing. "You know I can still get you."

"Nuh uh." I stuck out my tongue and crawled closer to the back wall. Sadly, he wasn't lying. Ricky army crawled under the bed after me, still temptingly shirtless. He reached me and tickled me relentlessly. Goddess; I hate being tickled! I put my feet against the wall and my hands on his chest. He stops, curious as to what i'm doing. Without giving him time, I push us both from under the bed and run down the long hallway to my right. I pass the staircase that leads to the first floor when his hands grip my waist. Yep, this is what happens when I'm slow and he's fast. Without thinking, I think, I flick my wrist and Ricky hits the floor. What the fuck bro?! I stare at him in shock, my eyes watery and blurring my vision. His expression mirrored mine. "I'm sorry." I whispered, barely audible. Turning on my heel, I ran. His calls were fading out as I trampled down the hall, past our room, to the last one on the right. Straight to Keller. My body was trembling and tears were falling when she opened her door.

"Chey? What happened? Are you okay?" She frantically searched me for wounds. All I could do at the moment was shake my head.

"I...I don't know how it happened." It took all I had to calm down and catch my breath.

"How what happened? Come on." She patted my shoulder and opened the door wider, inviting me in. Ashton was asleep on the bed. Thankfully, no one else was in here. Keller had taken a blow up bed and put sheets and covers on it. We sat and I started to spill.

"Ricky and I. We were playing around. I ran down the hall and he caught me; something in me freaked out and I flicked my fucking wrist. And bam! He's body slammed on the floor by nothing."

"I'm sure he's fine. I hope. Well, have you ever practiced telekinesis? If so, it could have escalated without you noticing."

"Yeah. But all I ever hurt was a glass vase!" She snickered and stood up, offering me a hand.

"Whatever. Now go get yo man, girl! I know he'll forgive you for beating him up!"

"Gee, you're so encouraging." Her jokes kind of comforted me, I actually grew accustomed to her kidding with me like this. I left her room and wandered back to our room. I knocked on the closed door and Ricky answered shortly after. "Can we talk?"

"As long as you don't go Chuck Norris on my ass, yes."  I walked to the bed and sat on it, Ricky doing the same.

"Well, being a witch and all, I learned and practiced a lot of different things. For instance, telekinesis. I never thought it would affect a person the way it just did. Goddess, I sound like the freak of the century." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. Ricky shrugged and took my hands in his.

"Aren't we all? Besides, I enjoy the fact of having a girlfriend who can kick someone's ass without even touching them."

"Girlfriend?" This is it. Rest in peace dear soul, Ricky just overloaded me with that one word.

"Only if you agree. I know I haven't taken you on a date or anything, but that's kind of difficult in a zombie apocalypse."

"Mhmm." He grinned and looked down at our conjoined hands.

Best day ever...

Humming was soft in my ears. My eyes fluttered open to reveal Ricky's pale face and raven black hair, merely centimeters from mine. He was humming along to 'Wait Out the Days' by Rocky Votolato. Personally, I've always felt a strange connection with this song. His voice just adds to the amazingness of it all. He stopped and smoothed my hair. "Sing it this time?"

"You're awake? I suppose so, beautiful." Ricky smiled and started the song once again. A deep sigh escaped my lips as I snuggled closer into Ricky's chest.

Banging interrupted our temporary moment. Ryan and CC barged in and proudly announced the meeting that Andy, Ash, Chris, and Keller had called for. I sat up from the heavenly bed and tugged on Ricky's wrists. "C'mon Ricky."  He let me experience his full dead weight, which pulled me down on top of him. He exhaled loudly and play feint.

"Oh no. I'm afraid I can't move. Chey, will you stay with me?" Cue the puppy dog eyes. I leaned in and kissed his nose before running out of the room and right into Chris' back. Dammit! My poor nose! He turned and raised his exquisitely drawn eyebrows.

"Are you okay?"

"No time to answer. Running from Ricky." I choke out; sliding through the crowd of people leaving their rooms for the meeting in the living area. I glance behind me to see Ricky, no make up and black clad, searching for me. I see he spots me and is suddenly dead set on getting to me. "Keller! Keller; save me!" I squeal, hiding behind Keller. She looks at as though i'm crazy, then spots Ricky heading our way.

"Okay Kell, surrender Chey and I won't seek Balz on you." Ricky spoke in a warning tone.

"Excuse me? Balz can 'seek' me all he wants. I wear the pants in this relationship." Keller made air quotations and pointed at her ripped pants. I giggled from behind her as Ricky rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Please?" He gave her the eyes. I'm lost now. I ran to the fireplace and hid behind the couch on the left. No use; he found me and held me tightly. His breath heavy on my neck as he snickered quietly. I put my finger over his lips and pointed to Ash and the others preparing to speak.

"Okay everyone. Are we all at least halfway awake and listening?" Ash went alpha mode and scanned the room of everyone present. "Now, we're planning to head to the outlet mall in town in a few hours. We can't take long and we certainly can't be all over.TJ here has so kindly agreed to let us use the horses, which will lead the way. On one horse, Ashley and Keller will ride, on the second, Angelo and Jet will ride. Andy, Jake, Jinxx, Ryan, Ricky, Jeanne, Danny, CC, Balz, TJ, Chey, and I will go in the bus. Chris agreed to stay behind with Ashton. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Aye aye cap'n!"

"Woo!"

"Fuck yes, mall time!"

Everyone had their inputs on the event to come, which all seemed to be positive. I for one couldn't wait to get fresh clothes and some jewelry. I know, weird, but I have a thing for jewelry; almost like a troll or something. Ugh.