Problem

Part 3

Zoey obliviously came bouncing into the kitchen but halted abruptly when she suddenly spotted the white-haired teen standing there. Her eyes sparkled as she ran up to her.

"Are you Zed's new girlfriend?!" She asked excitedly.

Addison let out a loud laugh before leaning down to be more eye level with the kid. "No. But he totally wishes." She told her low, shooting Zed a wink that made him blush.

Then she straightened up and headed for the door. Waving over her shoulder and shouting, "See you tomorrow, Football Star."

Zed felt the heat rising up his neck into his cheeks. If he was honest, he was really loving the little nicknames she was giving him. "Y-yeah! See ya." He called.

The door closed behind her and Zora erupted. "That girl is a problem! I can't believe how she talked to me! In my house!" Then she turned back to her son. "You will not hang around with that trollop! I don't want you to see her, ever, again."

Zed was taken aback. "What?" His shock shifted into anger. "What?!" How could she say that?! He balled his fists. "She is the only person in this godforsaken town to be nice to me!" He shouted back.

Tears were welling up in his eyes and he hated it. He was so mad that he might cry. And he hates how weak it made him look.

Before any have the chance to actually fall, he stormed out the front door.

Zora made two steps to follow him before her husband grabbed her, hugging her tight to keep her in place. "Let him go, Honey. He needs to calm down. You need to calm down." He told her in a soft tone to soothe her.

"But he—"

"Is old enough to make his own choices" Zevon countered gently. She paused, thinking it over for a moment before tears filled her eyes and she hid in her husband's chest.

Her baby is growing up.

~*~

Addison hadn't even made it inside when Zed burst out his front door furiously, plopping down to sit on the front step. Her brows knit but she casually walked back across the street to see what was up. She took a seat next to him, giving a raised brow of curiosity when he finally looked at her.

"What's wrong, Hot Shot?" She asked.

Those warm little butterflies fluttered in his stomach again but he was too upset to blush.

"I got into a fight with my mom." He told her, he scrubbed a hand over his face and then combed his fingers through his thick green hair.

Addison let out a quiet laugh. Not at him, just that she's definitely been there before. She knew how much it sucks.

"About what? The ripped jeans? I honestly think they look better with the holes." She offered a smile of reassurance.

But Zed sighed. "No, she doesn't...like you..." he managed, regrettably.

"What. You don't think she'll invite me to Christmas?" Addison joked.

"Hanukkah, but no." Zed chuckled. She raised a brow and looked over at him.

"You're Jewish?" She asked in surprise and curiosity. Zed scratched the back of his head.

"Well, yeah. Is, that a problem?" He asked nervously. Addison smiled, he swore it started as a soft smile but then, as quickly as he noticed, it shifted to a sly smirk and she scooted up close with her hand on his chest.

"I heard Jews have all the fun during the holidays. You know, 8 crazy nights and all." She teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. Zed's face turned beet red from the raunchy implication about the religious holiday that he usually spends with his family. She grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him down for a rough kiss. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed."

Zed breathed a laugh before leaning in for another softer kiss. She gladly returned if it would help calm his nerves. Then she leaned back to offer him a smile.

"Your mom seems nice, Zed. I'm sure you can talk to her and she'll listen." She assured. Zed gave her a skeptical look. So she continued with a shrug. "And if she won't, well, I can tell ya I'm not gonna go anywhere just 'cause your mama said so!" She teased, making Zed genuinely laugh.

She softened and then punches his shoulder playfully. "Now get back in there and eat some of that delicious smelling food your mom was making!" She encourages.

Zed smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Addy." He said, leaning forward and hugging her. She's never been a hugger, but she'd make an exception since he obviously was one.

He pulled back with a wide smile and then hopped to his feet, heading for the door. He paused to look back at Addison, still sitting and watching him go in, "I'll be seein' ya, Addy."

She couldn't help but smile as he disappeared inside. He was always so goofy and fun, always knew how to put a smile on her face. She continued to sit there a few more minutes, taking her time to get up and walk back home.

A small smile refusing to leave her lips.

~*~

Zed walked in and leaned back against the door, taking in a deep breath before pushing off it to head into the kitchen. He was slow to round the corner, finding his mom and dad waiting there like he knew they would be. He was relieved to see the much softer expression on his mother's face, showing more concern than anger, and his dad offering a smile of reassurance.

"Hey, Mom, I—I'm sorry for yelling..." he started to apologize. But she shook her head with an emotional smile.

"No I'm sorry, Honey. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. You should stay friends with that girl." She told him sincerely but then her features shift to a mock-warning look. "But she better start being respectful in my house."

She cracked a smile when he laughed, nodding his head. "I'll make sure I tell her." He agreed. Zora smiled wider with humor and stepped forward with arms open. Zed gladly hugged her back, happy that Addison was right and his mom would be understanding.

Then she gave his back a pat as she pulled away. "Now go get washed up for dinner. It'll be ready soon."

Zed nodded and headed for the bathroom. He couldn't help but feel genuinely happy that he has such great parents.