Goldfish Memory Apocalypse

Maya's brain felt like a **zombie** had taken up residence — dead tired but somehow still walking through the hallways of Northwood High. She'd spent half the night doom-scrolling through her **iPhone**, watching everyone else's seemingly perfect lives while her own existential crisis played on repeat.

The freshman hallway was a minefield of social dynamics. She spotted Tyler by the lockers, laughing with his friends like he didn't just leave her on read for three days. Her stomach did that embarrassing flutter thing. Great. Still had a crush. Very cool. Very not cringe.

Mrs. Gable's history class was her only refuge. Until today.

"For your mythology project," Mrs. Gable announced, "you'll each research a figure who embodies riddles and secrets. Like the **Sphinx**." She paused dramatically. "And here's the twist — you'll work in pairs. Assigned pairs."

Maya's heart sank. She knew exactly where this was going.

"Maya and Tyler."

Nope. Not happening. She'd spontaneously combust before surviving forty minutes of awkward small talk with the guy whose hair still looked perfect after third period gym.

After class, Tyler caught up to her by her locker. "So, about the project..."

"Yeah, sure, whatever." She kept her eyes on her shoes. "We can do Sphinx riddles. Easy A."

"Cool." He leaned against the locker next to hers. "You know, my sister says high school will feel like it lasted forever in the moment but like a **goldfish** memory afterward. Three seconds and it's gone."

Maya actually looked at him then. He was smiling, kind of crooked, kind of cute. "That's literally the worst metaphor ever."

"I know, right?" He laughed, and it sounded genuine. "But hey, at least we're suffering through the goldfish era together."

Her cat, Bean, would approve. Bean judged everyone, but Bean had excellent instincts. Bean knew Maya's mom was going through her weird phase before Maya did. Bean definitely knew Tyler was worth giving a chance.

"So," Tyler said, "Friday? My house? We can order pizza and pretend we care about mythology."

"Friday," she agreed, trying to sound casual and not like her heart was doing gymnastics. "Bring your brain. I'll bring the weird riddles."

As he walked away, Maya pulled out her iPhone. Three notifications. One from her mom asking what she wanted for dinner. Two from group chats blowing up about weekend plans.

And then she did something brave.

Hey, Friday still works for the project, she typed to Tyler. Also, what kind of pizza do you hate?

His reply came instantly: Pineapple belongs in jail, but I'll defend your right to be wrong.

Maya smiled. Maybe the zombie brain could survive freshman year after all.