Rom-Com Zombie Apocalypse

It all started in a total madhouse. The streets were filled with chaos, zombies stumbling about like they'd lost their marbles and growling in a way that made your skin crawl.

We were sprinting for our lives, with my heart pounding so hard I was sure it would burst right out of my chest. I was nearly done for when a slimy, slobbering zombie suddenly grabbed my arm, its rotten teeth almost sank in!

I screamed at the top of my lungs, convinced that this was the end. Just then, out of nowhere, Elliot burst into the scene, swinging his bat like he was straight out of an action movie.

In a split second, the zombie crumpled like a soggy paper bag, defeated by his swift swing. Covered in dirt and a bit of zombie goo, I couldn't help but think, "Well, that's one Tuesday I won't forget."

After that wild escape, we didn't waste a second. We made a beeline for the nearest safe haven, a battered corner store that looked like it had been hit by a tornado having a snack party.

Inside, chaos reigned supreme: shelves were knocked over, and chips and soda cans were scattered everywhere like confetti at a disastrous party. There we were, Elliot, Alex, and me, catching our breath amid the mess and trying to regroup.

Alex leaned against the counter, panting as if he'd just run a marathon, and said, "We should rest. Take turns keeping watch." I couldn't help but think, Great. Hiding from zombies in a mess of snacks. Just what I planned for today.

Elliot, ever the joker even in a zombie apocalypse, tossed me a bag of gummy bears. "You take the first nap, Mira. You look like you're gonna pass out."

"Gee, th-thanks," I mumbled, my legs shaking like jelly. I slumped against a wall, too tired and terrified to argue. Inside, I wished my legs could lock like my brain does when I see a pizza sale.

Elliot plopped down beside me so close our shoulders bumped. "Don't worry," he whispered with a wink. "I'll protect you from the candy-bar zombies."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. His jokes were dumb, but they made this whole nightmare a little less awful. I thought, At least he's keeping things light, even when real zombies are clawing at our door.

Alex took the first watch while Elliot and I retreated to the stockroom. The only light came from a flickering flashlight, and outside, rain pounded the roof along with distant zombie screeches that sounded like a bad remix of a horror movie.

"You okay?" Elliot suddenly asked.

"Y-Yeah. Just… never thought I'd spend my Tuesday hiding from zombies," I replied, feeling like I was stuck in the worst Saturday morning cartoon ever.

He laughed softly. "Me neither." Then, quieter, he added, "You're braver than you think, y'know."

My cheeks warmed. "S-Says the guy with the baseball bat." In my head, I mused, Brave? More like lucky he swings fast enough to save my sorry behind!

"I'm serious." His eyes caught the dim light as he turned toward me. "You didn't freeze out there. Even when…" His voice trailed off, and I wondered what embarrassing moment he was about to bring up.

"When what?" I prodded.

"When that zombie almost… y'know." He swallowed hard. "I thought,"

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud bang interrupted us. Alex burst in, crowbar in hand. "We've got company. A small group outside. We need to move."

Elliot stood up too quickly and squeezed my hand for a moment. "Stay close," he said in a sudden, all-business tone. I mentally noted, Not the time for a hand-holding moment, unless zombies suddenly turn into a dating app.

We slipped out the back as zombies clawed at the store's front gates. Alex led us through narrow alleys, and, of course, fate decided to test my reflexes: a zombie in a ripped band T-shirt, yes, even zombies have style issues, lunged right at me!

In a flash, Elliot yanked me back and swung his bat. The zombie fell like a soggy taco. "You good?" he asked, his breath warm on my ear. I nodded, my heart pounding, not just from fear, but from the sheer absurdity of it all. Zombies really need to work on their landing skills, I thought.

Eventually, we found an empty apartment to hide in. Alex flopped onto a couch like he'd just run a marathon. "I'll scout the area. You two… rest," he said with a mischievous smirk, glancing between Elliot and me before heading out. I couldn't help thinking, Alex is way too chill about all of this, it's like he's on a summer vacation instead of dodging the undead.

Elliot began pacing the room. "Alex is… something."

"He saved us earlier," I said, trying to keep things light.

"Yeah, but he's too… chill. Like he's enjoying this." I raised an eyebrow. "Jealous?"

He froze for a moment. "What? No. Just… careful."

I laughed. "Relax. He's not my type." In my head, I mused, My type? Definitely not a zombie or someone who finds zombie chases relaxing!

"Oh?" Elliot turned toward me with a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "What is your type?"

My face burned with embarrassment. "N-Not zombies, obviously." I thought, Duh, maybe someone with a heartbeat and fewer rotting bits.

He stepped closer, and suddenly the air felt heavy. "Good to know."

At that moment, a distant zombie howl echoed outside, and Elliot's smile faded as he leaned in slowly, so slowly that it was almost like a scene out of a cheesy romance movie. My heart skipped a beat, and panic surged through me.

Inside, my brain went into overdrive: Wait, wait - what is happening? This is not a rom-com! I'm in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, not some sappy movie scene! I just dodged death, and now he's trying to steal a kiss? Oh no, no, no - this is absurd! Are you seriously trying to get all mushy on me, Elliot? I barely had time to catch my breath, and now my survival instincts are clashing with this ridiculous moment! You male beast, turn off your horniness a bit!

Before I could stop myself, pure terror and confusion took over, and I lashed out - kicking him right in the stomach!

"OW!" Elliot yelped, more surprised than hurt. I nearly burst out laughing at my own reaction, even as my mind raced with wild thoughts. Am I protecting myself or accidentally wrecking a potential romance?

Before I could even process the chaos in my head, Crash! Alex kicked the door open. "Zombie horde! Move!"

Elliot jumped up, rubbing his stomach and offering me his hand with cheeks as pink as the setting sun. "Later," he muttered, half teasing, half in pain.

"L-Later," I managed to say, smiling despite the chaos swirling around us. As we dashed out into the night, his hand stayed firmly in mine, and this time, it didn't feel like an accident at all.

Maybe, just maybe, in the middle of all this craziness, there was a little bit of something sweet waiting to happen.