Suburban Zombie High: Suburban Zombie High, #1

By Jeremy Flagg

The zombie apocalypse is the only thing worse than a geometry pop quiz...  

Boxford High pranksters cause a chemistry lab to go wrong and students face something far worse than S.A.T.'s and cafeteria lunches - an infection turning students into zombies scouring the halls for human flesh.  

A group of unlikely companions; an artistic goth, star-athlete jock, disgruntled loner, would-be marine, sassy cheerleader, and angry Asian, fend off the living dead. As they fight through locker rooms and dance their way across the theater, they find surviving the zombie apocalypse is more complicated than puberty.

Will they be able to put aside their differences and fend off the zombie hoard before the infection reaches beyond the walls of their suburban high school?  

Buy the Suburban Zombie High today and embrace the over-the-top horror of being a teenager as the world burns to the ground.

 

Suburban Zombie High Series

• Suburban Zombie High
• Suburban Zombie High: The Reunion
• Suburban Zombie High: Final Class

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeremy Flagg
• Release date: Dec 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215656075

Jeremy Flagg

Jeremy Flagg is the creator of the dystopian superhero universe, CHILDREN OF NOSTRADAMUS. Taking his love of pop culture and comic books, he focuses on fast paced, action packed novels with complex characters and contemporary themes. He continues developing the universe with the Journal of Madison Walker, an ongoing serial set two hundred years in the future. Jeremy spends most of his time at his desk writing snarky books. When he gets a moment away from writing, he binges too much Netflix and Hulu and reads too many comic books. Jeremy, a Maine native, resides in Charlotte, North Carolina and can be found in local coffee shops pounding away at the keyboard.

Book preview

Suburban Zombie High

Also by Jeremy Flagg

Dawning of Heroes

Awaken the Daughter

Anoint the Daughter

Ascend the Daughter

The Dawning of Heroes Boxed Set

Suburban Zombie High

Suburban Zombie High

Suburban Zombie High: The Reunion

Suburban Zombie High: Final Class

Suburban Zombie High Trilogy

The Synthetic Wars

Morning Sun

Nighthawks

Night Shadows

Night Legions

Night Covenants

The Synthetic Wars Completed Boxed Set

Watch for more at Jeremy Flagg’s site.

SUBURBAN ZOMBIE HIGH

JEREMY FLAGG

Brave New Words

Copyright © 2020, Jeremy Flagg

All rights reserved.

Book design by Jeremy Flagg

CONTENTS

Also By Jeremy Flagg

Tuesday

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

Period 7

Period 8

2:45 PM

5:46 PM

7:39 PM

Wednesday

7:20 AM

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

Period 7

Period 8

3:00 PM

4:15 PM

5:30 PM

7:00 PM

Thursday

12:01 AM

1:30 AM

3:00 AM

4:30 AM

5:58 AM

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

Period 7

Period 8

Afterschool

Epilogue

Embark on a New Adventure

Sneak Peek

Suburban Zombie High: The Reunion

TUESDAY

PERIOD 1

Olivia held

the umbrella close to her head in an effort to keep her hair dry. The rain beating on the pavement roared loud enough to drown out the sound of her wedge-heels clacking on the walkway. Walking into the parking lot, she turned around to take in the entirety of the school.

The campus stretched for over half a mile from end to end. After much searching, she decided that this was the spot. The side of her lips curved up as she watched the two other members of her group walk towards her without umbrellas. She felt sorry for the girl, a lowly junior whose definition of fashion was black on black with an accent of black. She was horribly awkward; a hopeless cause if Olivia had ever seen one.

The boy was another story altogether; he was an adorable freshman. Well, adorable because his elder brother was the hottest thing to ever walk through the hallways. This poor boy’s brother was a captain on the football team, founder of Quilts for Love, a volunteer at the Red Cross, and the assistant store manager of Subway. He was going places, and she longed to be his trophy girlfriend.

Shawn, hurry up! My shoes are getting wet. Her voice cut through the rain like a dagger.

Why the hell did we come out here in the pouring rain Olivia? Mr. Patrick said to make our video inside. Ugh, Cadence, the goth.

Are you worried your mascara is going to run? Olivia snapped. She examined the girl’s overabundance of dark makeup. You’d be so cute with a makeover. Seriously, you should let me and the girls put some sparkle into your not so sunny disposition.

First cheerloser to touch me dies, Olivia, Cadence snapped, so why the hell are we out here in the rain?

I spent all day yesterday finding the best location with the best back drop. This is the spot, Olivia said with certainty.

She caught Shawn rolling his eyes at her. For what?

Olivia took a deep breath and smiled. The background is perfect for my outfit, and the green of the football turf will compliment my eyes and provide a respectable canvas for me to pose in front of.

Cadence rolled her eyes until they twitched. You’re a sad, terribly sad girl Olivia. Let’s get this over with and go back in.

Shawn put the video camera on his shoulder and took off the lens, Did you work on your lines, Olivia?

Of course, this is so my thing. I’m a natural when you turn on the camera, just make sure you keep me centered in the frame.

Cadence put on a headset and held out the boom microphone. I think we’re all set. Don’t screw up this one Olivia, she said. Olivia assumed the girl was referring to their less than stellar Failed Teacher Relationships expose last semester.

Cadence, don’t you need to go sit in a corner and cry while you write bad poetry?

You make me cry, Olivia.

Shawn giggled. We’ve been rolling guys.

Olivia’s back immediately straightened as she shook her face. The moment she stopped, she broke out the million dollar smile. The facade was a face only a cheerleader was capable of mustering on cue. "My name is Olivia, and I’m here to discuss the cool parts of Boxford High School, and why this is totally the place to be."

Cadence shook her head. Cadence worked through the impending sneer and overcame her disgust. She never lost her place. At Boxford, we have nearly two thousand students that love this school. We learn stuff at our new state-of-the-art campus that was built three years ago. It’s way better than the one we had my freshman year. The cafeteria was nasty, not that you would ever eat there, but it was a good place to meet up with the cheer squad and discuss my new improvements to our routines.

Olivia started to walk, twirling her umbrella. She turned sideways and waved her arm out to the side, gesturing to the front of the school. Boxford contains a very diverse population of students as well. We have a lot of Asians from Asia and a few black kids too, but they’re not from Asia. We also have lots of cliques, where even the scary Goth kids can make friends.

Olivia, you’re daft.

Olivia stomped her foot down, splashing water at Cadence. Shut up, before I tell the counselors I caught you sniffing Sharpies, devil spawn.

Olivia took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the smile returned. She motioned to the football field up the hill. Sports are huge at Boxford, especially football. Every Friday night you can find the whole town here, watching our Patriots kick butt. If you’re popular, you’d be over there near those trees making out during the game. If you’re really popular, you’re on the field kicking a ball, or cheering for the team.

Did I forget anything guys? Olivia whined.

Olivia, you’re such an airhead. They were both against her. Shawn couldn’t hide his smile, and the moody stain of black put forth every effort to ruin her award winning performance.

Cadence you’re just jealous of how popular I am.

Cadence lowered the boom microphone and used the end to jab at Olivia’s clear plastic umbrella, knocking it from her hands. Whoops.

Olivia shrieked as the cold water splashed her face. Cadence! You are an evil, evil girl. She continued, screaming, Your soul is darker than your bad makeup! She wiped her eyes, trying to not smudge her flawless makeup. Grabbing her umbrella, she stormed off towards the school, leaving her two companions in the downpour.

Cadence could feel

the makeup running down her cheeks. She wondered if it was getting on her sweater. As she looked down, she caught Shawn staring at her chest.

Shawn, she said gesturing back to her face.

He cleared his throat. Oh, he responded, Are we done yet?

Yeah, we’re done, the sound of defeat resonated in her voice.

They walked across the parking lot, looking at the cars coming in, dropping off late students. Cadence listened to squealing tires as one student flew into the parking lot, skidding around a corner and stopping in a teacher’s parking spot. She knew from the insignia on the back of the silver BMW that it was none other than Jacob, star quarterback, basketball star, National Honor student, and manager of Subway, the guy everybody was in love with.

I hate your brother.

Then stop staring.

She gawked as Jacob leaned into his car to grab his backpack. She couldn’t help but notice his jeans were tight, really tight, showing off his well-sculpted legs and chiseled butt. He turned around and struck a quick pose, flashing a smile that twinkled even in the overcast weather. Jacob gave his brother a quick wave and headed towards the entrance.

What did you say? she mumbled.

Only a thirty-second delay, Shawn mused, you can’t be completely infatuated with him.

I can’t believe you’re his brother. Don’t you get tired of living in his shadow?

Shawn flapped his hand, batting the comment away. Are you serious? Jacob graduates this year. After that, I’ll be the hot guy everybody is dying to be with. Check it out ladies, a new stud is in town.

Cadence couldn’t help but smile at his warped ego. He measured in at half-a-foot shorter than his brother, twenty pounds heavier and more likely to travel down a road of geekdom and tabletop gaming. All of a sudden she felt a bit of kinship with the lifelong midget virgin. Careful Boxford, new stud in town, she joked following him.

She put her arm around his shoulders as they walked across the parking lot. His hand wrapped around her waist and slowly slipped lower. North of the border, she said. The hand froze. She looked down at him. You’re not a stud yet.

They reached the entrance to the school, leaving puddles down the hall as they squeezed out of their sopping jackets. At the door to their class, they hesitated.

Then Shawn stated the obvious. We’re going to fail.

She nodded in agreement. I hate her.

You hate everybody, he said as he opened the door.

Cadence frowned as their teacher, Mr. Patrick, greeted them, tapping his watch. The man had a thing about punctuality bordering on the supernatural. She saw him arrive at school at the same time every day, and eat lunch at the same time every day. Hell, she thought, she was able to set her watch by his daily bathroom trips. Sorry, Mr. Patrick.

Cadence liked the class Media and Today, as did most of the students. Rumors had it, nobody ever failed his class, and yet somehow, by some miracle, she and her group were getting close to being the first. It didn’t bother her. Art school would overlook the grade. Her portfolio would get her into an outstanding program, and this class was only in her schedule to kill time. She hoped that Olivia faced the same fatal grading; an F would be worth it to bring down the top cheerloser.

It’s so nice of you to join us, Mr. Patrick said, delighted by his own sarcasm. Have a seat. We’re going to watch a high school promotional tape from one of last year’s best groups. Take note at how they use the scenery to help strengthen their statements. I think some of you will learn from this.

The elder man sat at his desk, pressed a button on his computer, and the projector’s blue screen came to life. He glanced at the screen, to the clock, then his watch again, adjusting one of the small dials. His eyes widened as Olivia, the most tiring of all students, ran into the class in her cheering uniform, striking a pose before sitting in her chair.

Cadence watched as the promotion began, envious of whoever was in this group. It became evident they did a much better job than her own team. The promotional video contained beautiful shots of the school, background music, and unlike hers, sunlight... Oh, and no cheerleaders from hell. Death wasn’t an option, despite wanting to curl into a ball and die. She’d save it for when she got to her advanced placement painting class. This emotional turmoil would influence the final piece for her portfolio. She sank lower in her chair as the video continued.

Welcome to Boxford High, a magnificent school filled with students brimming over with talent and potential. For the next few minutes, we’re going to show you why Boxford is a top-notch school.

The cameraman walks through the front doors of the school into the central lobby and looks to the main office, staff working at their desks. The cameraman waits until each of the staff looks up and waves to the camera. Seconds later, the bell rings and the lobby erupts into an explosion of student activity.

At Boxford High, we host a variety of students from all over the world, a real melting pot. But all students have one thing in common: their desire to learn.

The image of students in the hallway fades to black. As it fades back in, students are wearing goggles and rubber gloves, hunched over black lab tables. A student enters the picture holding a beaker and sets it into the holder, as another student prepares to mix it with the contents of another test tube.

Our facilities are state-of-the-art and on the cutting edge. Our chemistry lab is a prime example of students learning beyond textbooks. Students at BHS work hard to keep their grades up, but despite the rigorous learning, they manage to have fun along the way.

Cue the boy who mixes the test tube with the beaker; quickly the fluids bubble and shoot into the air. The foam lands on the table and continues to fizzle as the teacher comes into the background of the shot. Guys, I told you, he says with a fake scowl, no explosions today!

The image fades away and turns into a slide show of the school, complete with voice-over. Scenes dance across the screen: the pool, the garden behind the school, the metal and wood shop, the computer labs and a new rock wall in the gym.

Thanks for visiting Boxford High School and I hope you consider sending your student to our phenomenal institution. There is no disappointment when you’re dealing with the best.

Cadence blinked as the screen darkened. She could barely hold in the bile building in the back of her throat. Sure, Boxford was a top tier school, but nobody seemed to mention the student’s mental breakdowns, the high suicide rates, and even their very own attempted school shooting. Other than that, sure, it was spiffy.

Mr. Patrick moved to the front of the room, crossed his hands over his belt, and waited a few moments while the students stared blankly at him. He put on his charming smile. Have a magnificent morning everybody.

With a quick glance at the clock, the bell rang right on cue.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Cadence grabbed her black messenger bag, threw it over her shoulder, and shuffled out of the room like the rest of the mindless zombies.

The hallways: the bane of every student’s existence. They were a place to mingle and socialize; sometimes she would meet with her friend for a quick recollection of how much last period sucked, but everybody agreed the traffic of human bodies was horrendous.

The hallways could be compared to a traffic jam; somewhere high overhead there would be a helicopter explaining how a freshman had stalled the halls. Or worse yet, the popular kids and their annoying habit of stopping so they could slap one another a high-five; often smacking several other students in the process. Okay, so maybe that wasn’t always a terrible thing, she thought. However, with a school over half a mile from end to end, there was never any way to get to class on time. She pushed and fought, but she felt as if there were hands clawing at her; pulling her backwards into the crowd.

Forget the promo, she mused, welcome to Boxford, where we push, shove, grab and tug as if we’re fighting for our lives.

She already knew there was no way she’d make it to the end of the building for her next class. She was alright with that. Math was not one of her preferred subjects, and the teacher was lame. He’d ask if anybody had an answer, wait an obnoxiously long time, and still call on somebody. Lame. Lame. Lame.

She put her back against the wall and started to slide down the corridor, avoiding some of the crowd. This technique worked as a freshman, but with the increased student enrollment, even the wall space was limited. As she came to a doorway, a student hip-checked her, tossing her into the doorway at breakneck speed.

Cadence felt like she was flying as she braced for the floor. She stopped. The heavens smiled on her and a divine force kept her from falling to the Earth. She realized that the man that should be God was godly indeed, Jacob, her one true unrequited love.

Hey there, he said in his oh-so-savvy voice, be careful out there.

He lifted her back to her feet, but kept his hands out, waiting for her to fall back into his arms. Something he had grown accustomed to when dealing with Boxford females. Hey, you going to be okay?

She was wet; she was cold, and her clothes were sloshing when she walked. None of this mattered, he was talking to her. The co-captain of track, the head of the school newspaper, the editor of the yearbook, and the manager of Subway had talked to her. She felt the black make-up working its way down her eyes. Cold water ran down the crack of her butt, but in her heart, Cadence wanted to break into song. He had talked to her.

She was in love and in the back of her mind, she hated it. Sort of.

PERIOD 2

Do you think she’s a lesbian?

The teacher? You think she digs women?

Yeah, she’s got that ‘I watch golf’ vibe to her.

Nah.

Really?

Why would you think she was into women?

She’s a gym teacher, what more evidence do you need?

But aren’t lesbians mannish?

Nah, she probably a lipstick lesbian.

Hot.

Yeah, real hot.

You think she’d do me?

No, but she’d do your mom.

Min hated gym.

Guidance had placed her in this class, determined to help her work on her, anger issues. Apparently, destroying teenage boys at sports should make her feel better. It didn’t.

Today guys, the teacher said with enthusiasm, we’re going to be trying something exotic. The first part of class we’re going to be trying some alternative methods of exercise. If you’re not huge fans, we can start up a game of speedball to get the blood pumping.

"Mrs. Marcotte, can’t