Dead Fox Society
Maya dragged herself through the hallway like a **zombie**, surviving on three hours of sleep and whatever dignity she could scrape together. Junior year was absolutely wrecking her, and today's group project presentation was about to be the final nail in her social coffin.
"You good?" whispered Sam, sliding into the seat next to her. His signature beanie was pulled low – that stupid **hat** was basically his whole personality at this point.
"Never been better," Maya lied. "Just praying I don't barf during econ."
"That would be iconic, honestly." Sam grinned. "Very memorable."
Maya's phone buzzed – Harper, queen of the friend group she'd somehow stumbled into last semester. The text read: "don't forget the fox emoji in your finsta post it's our thing lol"
Right. The **fox** emoji. Because apparently they were all "sly and cunning" or whatever Harper had declared during one of her midnight motivational rants. Maya had just gone along with it because saying no to Harper felt like kicking a puppy.
Third period rolled around, and there it was – the inevitable **bull**. Jason, captain of everything that mattered, holding court like he owned the building. "You guys hear about Alex?" he announced. "Total meltdown in the locker room. Crying and everything. What a loser."
Maya's stomach twisted. Alex was sweet, quiet, definitely not deserving this.
"That's messed up, Jason," she said, before her brain could talk her out of it. The room went dead silent.
Jason turned slowly, like he couldn't believe someone had actually spoken up. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Maya said, her voice shaking but steady. "Talking about people behind their backs? That's weird as hell."
Jason's face went hot. "Whatever," he muttered, turning away. "Not like it matters."
Sam was staring at her like she'd grown three heads. But under the table, Harper slid her a note with a little fox drawing at the bottom.
For the first time all year, Maya didn't feel like a zombie anymore. She was just... herself. And honestly? That was enough.