I had some pretty bad days during that first year of being cured. I'd gotten used to being a Zombie— the Red Plague had changed me. Not just the physical and mental part, but all of the things I'd been through. I'd been responsible for the deaths of infected and non-infected people alike. I'd killed with my own hands, and not just in self-defense. As a Zombie, all of those things had weighed on my conscience. Now, after being cured, it did so even more.
I had to get used to being normal again. And it wasn't just me who had to get used to it. Lilly and I hadn't been a couple before the infection, so the rush of real emotions was almost overwhelming. I'd had a girlfriend before I'd been infected, but I'd been a different person back then. My world had been simple.
But between my mom, Lilly, my friends, and my music, I believe I've now become what a psychologist would call well-adjusted. And after working at the mines for ten months, I put a deposit down on my very own trailer. Finally, I felt ready to move on with my life.
The trailer I bought was three lots down from Mom's, and I was so freaking nervous when I asked Lilly to meet me there. I could tell when she showed up that her curiosity was piqued.
"What's going on, Jack? Why are we meeting at this trailer?"
"It's mine," I said, smiling, as I took her hand and gave her the short tour. It was just a two bedroom, one bath, with a living room slash kitchen slash dining room combo, so it didn't take long to show her the place.
"That's great, Jack!" She threw her arms around me. "I know you love your mom, but I think it's going to be good for you to get out on your own."
She spun around in the empty space of the main living area. "Of course I'll have to help you decorate—your taste in home décor is beyond awful."
I scowled, but it wasn't anywhere close to serious. In fact, she'd played right into my evil plan, giving me the opening I needed.
"Actually," I said. "I was counting on it."
My heart was pounding so loudly that I thought for sure she'd hear it. I stuck my hand in my pocket and, for a split second, wished I'd been able to come up with an excuse to wear something nicer than jeans. I took a deep breath and got down on one knee.
"Jack?" Lilly's voice quivered. Hopefully, that was a good thing. Her face had gone pale, making her adorable freckles stand out even more than usual.
"Lilly, I don't know why, but you loved me when I was infected. And even as a Zombie, you made me feel more alive than I ever had before. It was your love that saved my life more than any cure." My voice cracked and I could feel tears in my eyes. "Will you marry me?"
I barely got the question out before she shouted, "Yes!"
She threw her arms around my neck and we toppled to the floor. She was laughing as she kissed me, which made me laugh. It wasn't until a couple of minutes later that I realized I was still holding the ring box. I got Lilly to stop kissing me long enough to speak.
"I think you forgot something."
She gave me a puzzled look. "I said yes, right?"
I nodded.
"Um . . . thank you?"
I chuckled and held out the open box. "Did you see the ring?"
Her eyes widened.
She shook her head, but didn't take her eyes off of it. Her mouth was hanging open and, even though I probably could have taken that as a positive response, I still had to ask. "Well . . . do you like it?"
