Chapter 1
Zombie Apocalypse
I'm not gonna say anything. I can do this. As much as I want to run across the room and smack him upside the head, I’m going to try and not embarrass my roommates… on day one, with our new neighbors. I can stand here watching that moron over there throw away perfectly good medication. I’ll get into their trash when they put it out this week. Eww, okay, no way in hell I’m digging through garbage. I need to look away and think about something else.
Was that a full bottle of ibuprofen? Dammit, now I’m getting twitchy. Okay, focus back on others in the room.
Gemma, one of my roommates and best friend since high school, is rattling on, probably about how beautiful the sky is today, or how she loves to reenergize with a good run. I love her, but her positivity could make Papa Smurf nauseous.
Kade, one of our new neighbors, seems to be fascinated with Shyanne, my other roommate. Adrian, the second of the new boys next door, is leaning against the counter, staring at my legs. He’s not trying to be subtle. I think he just did the sign of the cross.
I’ve never met Adrian before this, but I’ve heard stories. He’s considered the class clown of our senior class, and I've also heard his favorite pastime is sticking his pencil in multiple girl’s pockets. I don’t know if that’s true or just a rumor. Regardless of what he does do in his pastime, right now he's looking at me like he’s considering all the places he likes to stick his pencil.
Max, the last of our new neighbors, is the idiot throwing away lifesaving medication. There are several boxes sitting on the floor and counters. Max is at the counter sorting through one box, placing some meds in the cabinet and others in a plastic bag he has hanging on the knob of a drawer. My leg is bouncing and I may be sweating. My self-control only goes so far, but I’m desperately trying not to look like the girl who escaped the mental ward.
Gemma will be irritated, Shy will be embarrassed, and the guys will think I’m crazy. Well, all but Kade. A herd of zombies could come marching through the apartment right now and he wouldn’t notice. His mouth is turned up in a slight smile as he watches Shyanne intently.
I try to tune back into the conversation, and I'm doing well though I'm getting twitchy. My grasp on control snaps when I see Max toss a package of antibiotics into the bag.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
Everyone in the room goes quiet, and when Max sees me staring at him, he answers.
“Sorting through all these meds and tossing all the ones that are expired,” he says, holding up a bottle.
“What the hell? Are you kidding me?” I huff, as I stomp over and begin taking custody of all the neglected meds. I feel instant relief now that I’ve freed my inner crazy. I shiver as I release her.
Max looks confused and asks, “What do you need all of those for, Keegan? Are you girls hard up for meds over there? I mean, some of those are old prescriptions for antibiotics we never finished. I’m not real sure what you plan to do with those.”
Gemma rattles on with some lame explanation, as I begin taking meds from the cabinet. I’m pretty sure Max had planned on keeping these ones, but I don’t find him to be a competent guardian. So, in my bag they go.
When Gemma’s done with her cover story, I fill the boys in, not caring what they think.
“I’m preparing for the day when our world becomes a place where everyone has to fend for themselves while trying to keep from being eaten by a zombie.”
The room goes silent, except for the sound of my precious pills being tossed into my bag.
Adrian, the one who kept staring at my legs, is the first to challenge my statement. “I’m sorry, Keegan, did you just reference the zombie apocalypse?”
I turn to make eye contact, wanting him to see how serious I am. “Yes, Captain Skinny Dick, I did, and if you want to have your laughs then go on, laugh all you want. However, if you find yourself sitting in class next week and all the power goes out and you look out the window to see the walking dead, do not come looking for me. If you lose a finger while trying to defend yourself, you will certainly need these antibiotics. Do not come to me. You will not be welcome in my den.”
We stare at each other for several seconds before he blinks.
“I’m not sure what part of that last statement is more disturbing,” he says, looking completely entertained by this conversation. “But I’m going to go with the last part. What do you mean your den?”
“You know, the place where I have all my supplies, where I’ll go when it all goes to shit. Some people call it a safe house, or fortress, but mine is small. Anyway, whatever, I’m done entertaining you. I’m taking my meds home and I’ll be back.”
I spin and exit the kitchen, trying not to laugh. The look on Kade’s face was awesome. He looked like he had a million things to say, but nothing made sense, so he sat staring at me in awe.
I don’t care if the girls yell at me later, I’m happy we got that outta the way. Now I don’t have to watch Gemma and Shyanne try to constantly make excuses for the shit I say. I love planning for the apocalypse, I say what I’m thinking all the time, and I don’t much like people. That’s who I am, and I will change for no one, not my beloved best friend, or our new housemates.
I toss the bag of pills on my bed then head back to the boys’ apartment. Our duplex is connected to theirs with an open entryway. If you walk through the front door, our apartment is on the left, and theirs is on the right. I cross through the entryway and hear Adrian still talking about me and my zombie obsession. Knowing they’ve all been discussing my manic episode, I tell them to get over it, then sit at the table next to Adrian. I change the topic by asking everyone if they want to go out tonight. Everyone agrees and we go on to make the plans.
I'm talking to Max when Adrian comes to sit next to me. He places his elbows on the table and leans forward.
“Sweet cheeks you're gonna have to stop staring at me like that,” he says with a reproachful expression.
“Um, what?”
“I’m sorry,” he says, lowering his voice. “I’ve been trying to ignore it but I've gotta be honest, it’s making me uncomfortable.”
Having no idea how to respond to his delusions, I look at Max, who rolls his eyes. This must be normal Adrian behavior.
“Cute, but we both know I was not staring at you,” I say, but I’m not sure why. He knows I wasn’t staring at him.
He gestures to everyone in the room. “You all saw her, didn't you? She's not been able to take her eyes off me.”
They are all shaking their heads. “No, nope didn't see that at all,” Max answers.
Adrian looks back to me. "See, they all saw it too. It's okay, you don't have to admit it. I'm sure it’s embarrassing. I'm just asking that you stop looking at me like you're undressing me with your eyes."
I raise one eyebrow. “Was I now?” I’m trying not to smile because I don’t want to encourage him, but he is entertaining.
He nods. “I feel violated.”
Letting the sarcasm drip from my voice, I tell him, “I’ll try to keep my eyes off of your amazing body.”
“Thank you. All I’m asking is that you try,” he says, bowing his head.
This guy has lost his shit. I could have competition in the craziest neighbor category. I was sure that title would be mine, but he has potential.