Dead Fish Walking

Marcus stood against the wall at Jessica's house party, feeling like a total NPC in someone else's game. His phone was dead—literally at 2%—and he'd been doing that zombie scroll thing through social media for three hours straight before coming here. Now he was just vibing alone, watching everyone else actually live their lives.

"Yo Marcus!" Jake called out, stumbling over with way too much energy. "You good, bro? You look like you're plotting everyone's murder."

"Just chillin'," Marcus lied, even though his heart was doing backflips. This was his first real party since transferring schools, and so far he'd spoken exactly zero words to Jessica, the girl he'd been lowkey obsessing over since week one.

That's when he saw Bubbles.

The goldfish was swimming in this tiny bowl on the coffee table, looking as depressed as Marcus felt. And then he saw Buster—Jessica's massive golden retriever—eyeing Bubbles like he was a snack from the gas station.

"No no no," Marcus muttered, suddenly way more sober than he'd been five seconds ago.

Buster made his move. Marcus didn't think—he just moved, diving across the coffee table and snatching the fish bowl like his life depended on it. Water splashed everywhere. Jessica's phone went flying. Jake screamed like a little girl.

Time stopped. Everyone stared at Marcus, who was now dripping wet, clutching a fishbowl, while Buster looked offended.

Then Jessica started laughing. Not mean-girl laughing, but like, actually cracking up. "Dude, did you just save Bubbles from being murdered?"

"I mean," Marcus said, his face burning, "Buster was looking at him like he was sushi."

"That's literally the most chaotic thing I've ever seen," Jessica said, still giggling. "You're officially my favorite person now."

Jake high-fived him. "Bro, you went full zombie apocalypse mode over a fish. Respect."

Marcus stood there, dripping wet, holding Bubbles the fish, while somehow having the best night of his life. Sometimes you gotta save a goldfish to stop feeling like a zombie.

Later, Jessica would slip him her number with a fish drawn next to it. And Marcus would finally understand that the worst moments sometimes make the best stories.