Chapter Text
“Stay away from them. They’re nothing but trouble!” Bucky warned Addison. He leaned against his locker, crossing his arms.
Addison glared at him. “You don’t know that!” She took a breath and continued. “You don’t know anything about them. Have you even tried to get to know them??!”
Bucky shook his head and looked down. “I don’t need to!” He huffed angrily.
“Just please… Give them a chance.” She insisted, tirelessly. Before Bucky could continue his argument, she quickly added- “For me?”
He sighed deeply. “Fine. For you.” He admired her stubbornness.
She smiled at him happily, relieved that he was gonna give them a chance. She just hoped he would stick to his word.
— — —
Early the next morning, Bucky had a notepad in hand. He approached Addison with a wry smile. “Day 1,” he greeted her.
Addison smiled back. “Thank you… For giving them a chance.” She bumped his shoulder playfully.
“So… Where do I start?” He asked sheepishly. He rubbed his neck; his hands shook with anxiety.
“By meeting my friends.” She paused for a moment. “I’ll start you off with Eliza. She’s honest and isn’t shy about being blunt… Besides, you two got off on the wrong foot. Time to start over, right?” Addison rambled. She couldn’t believe that Bucky was agreeing to this!
“Yeah.” Bucky agreed anxiously. Then he half-mumbled, “But she hates me….” He was worried this would end in disaster, but he trusted his cousin, and it was time to show it.
“Eliza will be in the computer lab at this hour. Probably with a cup of coffee.” Addison informed Bucky, as they headed in that direction.
“Is she good with computers?” He asked- he knew nothing about her, so this was as good of a place to start as any.
“Crazy good!” She gloated. “Bet she could find your old photos!” She covered her mouth to hide her mischievous grin, but Bucky saw through it.
— — —
Arriving at the computer lab, Addison greeted Eliza.
Eliza smiled widely and turned around, but that smile quickly turned to a grimace when she noticed Bucky. “What are you doing here?!” She asked incredulously.
Bucky tried to smile, but she saw through it. Through fake confidence, Bucky replied, “I wanted to meet you; I heard a lot and was impressed!”
“He really was.” Addison agreed, lying through her teeth.
“Can you teach me a few things?” Bucky asked Eliza, taking a step forward.
“Why would I do that? What’s in it for me?” She shot back, glaring.
He cleared his throat. What could he offer her? “I have a brand new, high-tech laptop I could give you.”
“Tempting,” Eliza said sarcastically. “But… I need more than that.”
“Name your price.” He challenged. “Anything,” Bucky said confidently. He was trying to know her better and this was the first step towards that. Then, he’d know more about Zombiekind- and make his cousin happy.
“Anything?” She grinned, thinking for several moments. “Allow zombies to join the cheer squad.”
Bucky gritted his teeth and gave a fake smile. “Fine… You’re lucky that several people left the program.” Bucky mumbled to himself, “I hope they’re better than some of this year’s candidates.” Then, he turned towards Addison. “Can you make some posters?”
Addison jolted out of her thoughts at the mention of her name. “Sure!” She obliged happily. “I’ll ask Bree to help!”
“Computer lessons start tomorrow morning-don’t be late!” Eliza told Bucky as the first bell rang. Bucky nodded and left the room.
“I still don’t like him.” Eliza bluntly told Addison.
“He’s trying,” She replied with a hopeful tone. “Give him time.”