All This Time - Zed FF - #DZFFA

Chapter 4

Addison stares in shock, jaw dropped. She fumbles for words, but comes up with nothing. I squeeze my hand, tightening my grip on her fist. She winces, beginning to feel the pain.

"Greer, stop." Zed grabs my arm, removing my hand from Addison's. My grip on her may be gone, but my glare isn't.

Addison clears her throat, rubbing her hand as she does so. "I am so sorry." She keeps her eyes on Zed when she speaks. "My parents always taught me zombies were hideous creatures. But you're not hideous at all." 

"...thanks." Zed hesitantly replies.

The door bursts open, four cheerleaders rushing into the room. They crowd around Addison, pulling her away from Zed and I. "Gross, zombies." One says. I move to lunge at the blonde, but Zed wraps an arm around my waist, preventing me from moving.

"Stay away from my cousin." One of the boys tells us. He grabs Addison and drags her out of the room.

~

Zed and I lay on his bed. It's after school, and I'm glad to be out of that hellhole. Zed rambles about football tryouts. I try to pay attention, but with his hand touching mine, I can't seem to focus on anything else.

"Hey, are you okay?" Zed asks me. He grabs my hand, our fingers tangling together. I move my head to look at him, our eyes meeting.

Don't say it. Keep your mouth shut. You don't want to do this. "What does this mean for you?" Oh no. Zed looks confused. "This." I lift up our hands. "Does this mean anything to you?" He doesn't say anything. I turn my head away, pulling my hand back to my side.

Zed sits up, grabbing my arm and forcing me up as well. He places a hand on my check, gently turning me to face him. "I'm not going to lie and say things haven't changed, because they have." He pauses for a moment. "Greer, you're my best friend, always have been." I can feel my heart twist. "But lately, things have felt different. I'm not sure why, but I am sure that this," He grabs my hand again, "this means everything to me." He smiles, and I find myself copying his actions.

"Zed! Greer! Time for dinner!" Zed's dad calls. The two of us climb off his bed, heading into the dinning room. Zoey and Laken sit at the table, playing with their stuffed dogs. They both really want one, but zombies are forbidden from owning pets.

Something crashes outside, creating a loud bang. Zed runs out the door, me closely behind him. We stare across the street, not finding anything. I turn around, about to head back inside. When I do, my eyes land on two figures crouched behind some trash cans. Addison, and some random girl. Zed turns around as well, spotting the two girls.

Addison stares back, guilt on her face. I see why. In her hands is a carton of eggs. My eyes harden, about a dozen curse words mentally being sent to the blonde. I step towards her, very close to punching her nose. Maybe it'll break and she'll have to get a nose job. But, yet again, Zed stops me from doing so.

"No, Greer." He tells me, hand on my shoulder. "It's not worth it." I watch as Addison's face falls. Somewhere, deep inside me, a feeling of joy erupts due to her despair.

"Zed, Addison. Anything out here?" Zed's dad asks from the door.

"No." I answer. "Nothing at all." He goes back inside, Zed following after him. When they're gone, I march to the two girls, arms crossed over my chest. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Addison quickly rises. "I am so sorry. I didn't want to to do this. My cousin-"

"Screw your cousin." I cut her off. I take a threatening step closer, eyes burning with hatred. "You humans think you're above us zombies. That we're nothing but mud on the bottom of your shoes. But mark my words, we will get our freedom back. And when we do, I'll make sure people like you rot, just like my ancestors did." Addison steps back, stumbling over her feet. "Leave. And if you ever come here again, I'll bury you." Addison grabs her friend, the two of them sprinting out of Zombieland.