Dead Tired & Walking

I was basically a **zombie** by Friday, thanks to AP Bio finals week killing my sleep schedule. So naturally, that's when Leo decided to invite me to his legendary costume party.

"You have to come," he said, leaning against my locker like he owned the school. "It's gonna be legendary."

I wanted to say no. I was exhausted, overthinking everything, and totally not in the mood for social interaction. But Leo was cute and mysterious and had that older-kid aura that made my brain short-circuit.

So I spent three hours transforming my vintage fedora—my grandpa's old **hat** that I'd stolen from his closet—into a statement piece. Spray-painted it gold. Added feathers. It was extra, but extra was the point.

The party was already chaotic when I arrived. Students from every grade, music thumping, people in costumes ranging from half-hearted to full-on cosplay dedication. I spotted Leo across the room, looking effortlessly cool in a leather jacket.

"Nice hat," he said, appearing beside me like magic. "Very... you."

My stomach did that annoying flutter thing. But then he gestured toward the backyard. "Check this out."

The drama club had built an actual **sphinx** statue out of cardboard and papier-mâché. And taped to it was a sign: TRUTH OR DARE RIDDLES.

"It's stupid," Leo shrugged. "But watch this."

He stepped up and the sphinx's voice (clearly someone hidden inside) boomed: "WHAT DOES EVERY TEENAGER WANT BUT CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF?"

Leo thought for a second. "Freedom?"

"WRONG. SLEEP," the sphinx declared, and everyone laughed.

It was ridiculous. It was perfect. And for the first time all week, I didn't feel like a zombie anymore. I felt like a real person, in a gold hat, at a party where the strangest things made complete sense.

"Your turn," Leo said, grinning.

I adjusted my hat and stepped forward, ready for whatever ridiculous riddle came next. Sometimes the weird stuff is exactly what you need.