The Zombie Zovels (Book 1): Zombie Suburbia Read online

“I know, trust me I know, but your mother is...”

  “Stubborn and likes to do her own thing, I know, but a baby brings responsibilities. I'm still in school dad, I can't look after a baby and study at the same time because mom's busy getting high.” “I know, Alex, I know.” Dad said, sliding his chair in.

  “There's never a dull moment in the James household. My parents are so boring compared to yours.” Pip said.

  “Boring is not always a bad thing, Pip.”

  “Do you think your mom will mind if I have another slice of chocolate cake?”

  “Knock yourself out.”

  Chapter 2

  Four Weeks Later. I parked dad's truck down the street from the party, he always let me borrow the truck when I was going out with Pip. I was never allowed to drive it if I didn't have Pip with me. He liked to remind me I had two legs and should be grateful.

  “Do I look all right?”

  “Your dress is too short, and everyone will see your underwear when you bend over, and I'm not too sure about the heels, or should I say heel as you only have one.”

  Pip frowned at me.

  “What? You asked me for my opinion. I already told you I don't like it. If your dad knew you were out wearing that he'd have heart failure. You look like one of them.”

  “One of them?”

  “Marcie, Lacey, Courtney and Katherine. You know, the Barbie clones in our year.” “Alex, can you please try not to be a total bitch tonight.”

  My mouth dropped down dramatically.

  “Did you just call me a bitch?”

  “Sorry! But tonight's important to me, I don't want you getting into a fight with Marcie again.” “It's not like I want to get into a fight with Marcie, she always starts them first. I still can't believe you said the word bitch. I don't think I've ever heard you say anything so...bad.”

  “A bitch is a female dog, so it's not really that bad, and as far as my outfit goes I love the dress it shows off my curves and I think the heels scream sexy.”

  “Right, well, now we're clear on that, stop asking me for my opinion.”

  “Alex, don't take this the wrong way, but you kinda look like a tramp.”

  “Thanks, Pip, that was the look I was going for.”

  “Didn't you wear that T-shirt yesterday?”

  “Possibly,”

  “Is that the same mayo stain from yesterday's lunch?”

  “Maybe,”

  “You look like a dirty rocker.”

  I laughed. “I'm only wearing jeans and a loose white top.”

  “Yes, the same jeans you've worn all year.”

  “I love these skinny jeans, they're comfortable and it takes years to get this many rips in all the right places.”

  “I think we should go shopping next weekend. The only thing I approve of is the wedge trainers.” I crossed the street in front of her and waited by the curb. The driveway was already sandwiched full with vehicles.

  “Is that Lane's motorcycle?” Pip asked excitedly.

  “Don't get too excited. He's probably already high off his face.”

  Pip rolled her eyes at me and continued toward the front door.

  I rang the doorbell, I wasn't sure anybody would hear it as the music was so loud on the other side. After another three rings, the door flew open. Katherine stood in the smallest bodycon dress I'd ever seen and was barefoot.

  “Hi, Pippa,” Katherine greeted.

  “It's just Pip.” Pip corrected her.

  She should know, we've all known each other since we were tiny and Pip has never been Pippa, just Pip.

  Katherine smiled and moved aside for Pip.

  I took a step forward, but stopped, looking at the way Katharine's hand had tightened on the edge of the door, it looked as though she was restraining herself from slamming the door in my face. After a few more awkward glares she finally stepped aside and let me through. She closed the door and knocked shoulders with me. (Cough) “Virgin!” (Cough) then she walked away.

  Bitch!

  After my last boyfriend, Kyle, had broken up with me, he had spread it around school that I was a stuck up virgin. The virgin thing was still haunting me, Katherine and her Bitch patrol loved to remind me every fucking day... but just for the record, I couldn't give a shit!

  Pip was already scanning the room. I didn't have to ask who she was looking for. She smiled at someone across the room. I looked over to see who had caught her attention. The Drama Club. There was no way I was sitting with them. Pip was tilting her head toward the group. “You go, I'm going to go and find the bathroom.”

  Not that I needed the bathroom, it was just an excuse to slip away.

  Pip rolled her eyes at me then hobbled her way around the bodies. The shoes were such a bad idea (or should I say shoe) she was most likely going to break her ankle. The only reason I was here was because I was Pip's ride, and emergency lifeline if she took a tumble or needed me for anything, I usually left her to mingle while I found a quiet place to hide.

  I snaked my way through the bodies in the long corridor, passing familiar faces from school making out against the wall and a group of boys huddled around an iPhone.

  Sean approached me, dragging his hand along the wall toward me (more like stumbling). I think he was already out of it. He lifted his hand over my head trying to ruffle my hair as he passed, I ducked away quickly and moved along a little faster. At least, he didn't tell me to get out, he probably didn't even recognize me.

  Instead, of a bathroom, I located the kitchen. This house was five times larger than my own, and I always considered my house one of the larger ones. There were a few people floating around the kitchen, no one even noticed me. I helped myself to a bottled water and then picked at a bowl of potato chips on the side, amusing myself with my iPhone. A few minutes later a group of rowdy boys burst through the door, it wasn't anyone I knew, I turned back to my iPhone, glancing out the window.

  Lane stood with his usual group of friends. Eric was making a graphic hand gesture, and Matty, Chris, and Lewis were in hysterics. Lane stood a few feet away from the group, holding a beer in one hand and his other hand in his pocket. He wasn't watching Eric or even paying attention, he had his whole body angled this way and was watching the window. It looked as though he was looking at me. I casually looked over my shoulder, maybe there was a girl behind me or something. All I saw was the same group of boys from the corridor, now making disgusting concoctions of drinks and daring each other to drink it. I looked back out the window. Lane was still staring this way. I figured he was probably high and was completely spaced out. He probably wasn't even looking at the window. As I watched him I let my eyes roam over his body. He was every-bit-perfect. Dark blond hair that always looked lighter and blonder when it caught the light. Hazel eyes, a strong jawline and a nose that caught your attention for all the right reasons, it wasn't overly big or anything, it just didn't look like other teenagers' tiny pointy noses, it looked more manly. Today he had left the stubble on his face, it wasn't the few odd patches of stubble all the other boys got, it was proper man stubble that he had to shave every day, and when he didn't it added a few years and made him look older than us. Tonight he was wearing a blue cap on backward, a navy T-shirt, and faded brown/red jeans tucked into his red Converse hi-tops. I think he could wear anything and pull it off.

  What was wrong with me? I was starting to sound like Pip, obsessing over him... but I could see why she was so hung up on him.

  I realized I was still gawking at him, I was about to break away when he pulled his hand out of his pocket, lifted it, and waved. It was one of those waves boys did without actually moving their hand... and he was directing it at me.

  What the ...?

  I grabbed the bowl of chips and moved away from the window. Maybe he was waving at a moth or something. I stood on the other side of the kitchen out of view, devouring the rest of the chips. Pip came through the kitchen door with another girl.

  “There you are,” she said, coming over t
o me. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I was hungry.” I said, offering her a chip.

  She shook her head and looked around the kitchen, deciding on a drink.

  “You're drinking tonight?” I asked.

  “Just the one, don't panic. I know my limit.”

  “Well, just remember you're meant to be going back home tonight and I don't want to drop you off drunk.”

  “One time I got drunk, one time.”

  “Lucky thing my mom didn't give a rats ass and let you stay at mine.”

  “Your parents are so cool.” she said, opening a bottle of something blue.

  “Katharine's organizing some drinking games, you coming?”

  “No. I'm not drinking tonight, I'm driving, remember?”

  “You could drink shots of water.”

  “I think I'll pass.”

  “And you wonder why everyone calls you the unsociable one.”

  “Whatever!” I said, placing the now empty bowl on the counter. “Have fun in there with your Barbie dolls.”

  “Alex,” Pip called as I walked through the door.

  I ignored her and kept walking, then I spotted Marcie walking this way and veered off into a side room. Regretting it the moment I stepped inside. It was already occupied. A girl I recognized from Chemistry class was straddling some random boy on the leather couch, he had his pants down around his ankles and they were both panting loudly, inside what looked like an office or study. They hadn't noticed me and carried on their sex romp unfazed, and I quickly closed the door again. I found myself a nook in-between a tall bureau cabinet full of plates and another one full of porcelain dolls. I sat on the small wooden bench with my feet up leaning against the cabinet, playing games on my iPhone while waiting for Pip. I was so well hidden even Lacey and Marcie didn't notice me when they walked past, looking for Lane by the sounds of it.

  I had been there for over an hour and badly wanted to leave. I considered messaging Pip to tell her I could come back and pick her up later, but I would feel like a terrible person for abandoning her. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her while I was gone.

  I finally dragged myself to my feet and wandered back to the main room that had now turned into what I could only describe as a party gone wild. People were now smoking inside the house, and spilling beer all over the place. Either Sean didn't care or he was passed out somewhere. Usually, Lacey and the girls took control of the party and ordered smokers outside, but they were nowhere to be seen.

  Pip was sat in the corner chatting to two other girls, she looked fine, I really didn't think she needed me here tonight. I noticed four bras attached to the fan overhead spinning around, and a group of boys held another boy upside down as he drank from a tube. There was a circle of people on the floor playing what looked like spin the bottle except they were using an iPhone. The music was so loud I hadn't heard Liam retching until it was too late. He crashed into me puking down the front of my top while gripping onto my waist for support.

  “Fuck, Liam!” I groaned, roughly pushing his hands away from me and stepping back. He covered his mouth, as more puke sprayed out. I jumped out of the way, and Kurt who was Liam's best friend, quickly directed Liam to the nearest plant pot.

  “I'm...” (retch-gross-gagging sound) “Sorry...” (more retching) “Al-ex.” Liam finally managed to finish his sentence, then lifted his head up to look at me, he had smeared mascara running down his face from his watery eyes and glitter all over his cheeks.

  Kurt looked at me apologetically.

  “What are you wearing? You look like an idiot.” I said.

  Kurt was wearing a mini skirt with stiletto heels.

  “It was a dare.” he smiled, slightly embarrassed.

  I wasn't sure if the pair of them were completely gay or completely stupid.

  I closed my eyes for a moment trying to keep my cool. I reopened them and decided not to say anything else, it would only end with me shouting at the pair of them.

  “Sorry about your top.” Kurt called as I headed back into the corridor.

  I found a downstairs bathroom, but there was already three people inside (inside the shower to be exact) I could see their naked forms through the frosted glass. Two girls and a boy. I quickly exited the bathroom and decided to try upstairs.

  Upstairs was a little quieter, apart from a few questionable noises coming from one of the bedrooms. What was wrong with everybody tonight? No matter where I turned I was met with sexcrazed teenagers.

  I found the bathroom, which I was unable to lock. I quickly stripped off my top and began scrubbing Liam's vomit off, hoping no one would walk in on me in my bra.

  I wrinkled my nose, the whole bathroom stank of smoke.

  The cigarette smoke from the party, wafting up the stairs. I thought.

  I opened the window to get some fresh air circulating. The smell of Liam's vomit was making me want to gag.

  I finally gave up at trying to get the stain out and squeezed as much water out as I could. The door opened without warning and a boy from my English Literature class walked in before I could stop him.

  “Dean!” I squawked, covering my bra with my hands.

  “Sorry, James, but I gotta take a piss.”

  “There are other bathrooms in this house.”

  He ignored me and brushed past me and lifted the toilet seat, not waiting for me to leave. “You know I'm still in here?”

  “Uh-huh,” Dean said.

  I glanced over at Dean who obviously didn't care about me standing in here, so I gave up making a fuss and dried my top with paper towels the best I could.

  Dean's cell phone started ringing. (He was still peeing, but that didn't stop him from digging in his pocket for his cell). He managed to drop his cell and it slid across the floor and stopped next to my feet, and Dean turned around to reach for it... he had forgotten he was still peeing. He must be drunk.

  “Dean!” I screeched.

  “Whoopsie.”

  “Fucking whoopsie, you just pissed on my shoes, and oh my- would you please put that thing away.”

  “Sorry,” Dean said, zipping himself back up.

  I picked up his cell and held it out to him. He was about to say something, probably another apology.

  “Just get out.”

  I waited until Dean had left then searched the cabinet above the sink for anything that would drown out the smell of vomit... and piss.

  This was turning into one of those terrible nights that would haunt me for years to come. I wondered what else could go wrong tonight?

  I found a couple of cologne bottles. I sprayed my top, hoping it would help mask the smell. Then I slid it back on, shuddering at the cold dampness of the fabric against my skin.

  I quickly used the toilet and cleaned up the damp paper towels into the floral trash can on the floor beside the sink. I don't know why I bothered, I knew Lacey and the others would be cleaning up in the morning, they always did after any of the boys threw a party.

  I took one final look in the mirror and tried to smooth down a few loose wisps, but my hair had other ideas. I looked at the massive wet patch down the front of my top, still pissed off about it. “Fucking Liam had to puke on me. Ugh! Fuck Dean, and fuck this party.” I muttered to myself. I decided to go and find Pip and tell her I was leaving with or without her. I went to open the bathroom door and heard laughing down the corridor.

  A very familiar laugh.

  A Lacey laugh.

  I backed away from the door.

  “Crap!” I quickly looked for somewhere to hide.

  It was a choice between the large plant in the corner, jumping behind the shower curtain, or diving out the window, but I was one floor up from the ground level. The voices grew louder and I quickly pushed the shower curtain aside and hopped into the bathtub, letting the curtain fall back down. I sucked in a breath as the door opened and Lacey walked in, followed by someone else. I moved away from the curtain... then noticed I was not alone in t
he bathtub.

  Lane Walker leaned against the tiled wall with a cigarette between his fingers.

  That explains the cigarette smoke.

  Oh, my God, Lane Walker heard me pee.

  He looked at me curiously and offered me his cigarette. I shook my head and frowned. What was he doing in the bathtub?

  Lacey started talking and I recognized the other voice belonged to Marcie.

  “I gotta pee.” Lacey said.

  “Hurry up, those drinks are going straight through me.” Marcie complained.

  After both girls had used the toilet they stood by the sink and I heard what sounded like make-up spilling out onto the counter.

  “I'm so jealous that your dad is going to pay for your boob job. I'm still trying to wear mine down. Mom got her tits done last year it's so unfair.” Marcie whined.

  Lacey's cell beeped.

  “Who is it?” Marcie asked.

  “Katherine, she wants us to hurry up and save her from that Pip girl.”

  Marcie snickered, and I wanted to punch her.

  “I know, she's so annoying, but what can we do? It's not like we can say no to the principal's daughter.”

  “And she's only got one leg,” Lacey added.

  “Can you imagine having one leg? Did you see how weird she looked with only one shoe? Do you think she gets a discount at the store?”

  “Who cares?” Lacey said.

  “I kinda feel sorry for her.” Marcie said.

  “It's still totally annoying the way she tags along with us. I wish she'd get the hint and leave us alone. She and that other virgin freak belong together.”

  Marcie snorted. “I can't believe she showed up tonight.”

  “So lame, did you see what she was wearing? Can she not afford more than one pair of jeans?” I wanted to die, or kill Lacey... I wasn't sure which.

  I sunk back into the wall, wishing it would swallow me like a portal. I looked sideways at Lane, he was looking right back at me.

  This night was turning into a nightmare.

  I quickly looked away from him and listened as they carried on making fun of Pip, and my clothes. “So what do you think about me and Lane?” Lacey asked.

  “What about Katherine? You know she's still in love with him.”