Lightning at the Zombie Party

Maya felt like a **zombie**—three nights of studying for finals, living on energy drinks and hope. But here she was, at Jason's house party, because Tyler said she needed to "experience life."

The living room formed its usual social **pyramid**: Jason and his lacrosse bros at the top, scattered like kings on a mountain. Everyone else orbited below, hoping for gravity to work in their favor for once. Maya clutched her red Solo cup, hyper-aware that she was somewhere near the base.

"Your cousin's still pushing that crypto **pyramid scheme**?" Tyler was saying, loud enough for half the room to hear. "That's such **bull**shit, man."

Maya caught herself staring at Cassie across the room—Cassie, who sat with the popular crowd but looked just as lonely as Maya felt. Their eyes met for a second. A spark.

"Whatever," Jason scoffed. "You're just jealous because you're still broke."

Then it happened—the **lightning** flashed through the sliding door, illuminating everything for one split second. Cassie rolling her eyes at Jason. Tyler's smirk dropping. Maya saw it all, the whole stupid performance of high school laid bare.

"Actually," Maya heard herself saying, and the room went quiet, "it is bullshit. My brother lost two grand on that exact scheme last year."

The **lightning** struck again, closer this time. Thunder rattled the windows.

Cassie laughed. It was this genuine sound that cut through all the fake posturing. She stood up and walked over to Maya, leaving her spot at the top of the **pyramid** like it was nothing.

"Thank you," she said. "I've been wanting to say that all night."

"You're welcome," Maya managed, feeling suddenly wide awake. Not a **zombie** anymore. "You wanna get out of here? I saw Jason's parents left a bunch of snacks in the garage."

"Only if you promise to never make me sit through another conversation about cryptocurrency again."

"Deal."

They walked out just as the **bull** in Jason's chest started puffing up again, demanding attention. But Maya was already done with that particular brand of nonsense. Some things were worth staying awake for.