Operation Crush Protocol

Marcus's palms were sweating. Literally sweating. It was gross, but also kind of perfect because he was hiding behind a cluster of plastic **palm** trees at Jessica's pool party, watching her like a total creep.

"You're doing it again," whispered Riley, his ride-or-die since third grade, currently cramming tortilla chips into her face like they contained the secrets of the universe. "The **spy** routine is not cute, Marcus. It's giving 'will end up on a subreddit.'"

Marcus ignored her. He was too busy trying to figure out how to exist normally. The inflatable **pool** glittered with that early summer magic, half the sophomore class floating in that awkward circle where everyone was secretly checking everyone else out. His phone buzzed. Group chat: 🔥POOL PARTY🔥 blowing up with memes and people claiming they were having the time of their lives.

Meanwhile, Marcus had been stationed behind the fake palms for twenty-seven minutes.

"I can't do it," he groaned. "My anxiety has anxiety."

"That's what happens when you overthink everything." Riley grabbed his arm. "Come on. We're doing this."

Suddenly, a gray streak launched itself from the patio chair. Jessica's cat, Mango, who apparently decided Marcus's lap was its new throne.

"Omg, Mango likes you!" Jessica appeared out of nowhere, smiling like actual sunshine, and Marcus's brain short-circuited. "He never likes anyone. That's literally his whole personality."

"Uh," said Marcus, because language had abandoned him. "Thanks?"

"Hey, can you help me with something?" She pointed toward the house. "The HDMI **cable** for the movie setup keeps disconnecting and none of these TikTok-famous people understand technology. You're good with that stuff, right?"

Riley mouthed 'YOU'RE WELCOME' and disappeared toward the snacks.

Marcus followed Jessica inside, heart hammering like it was trying to escape his chest. The cat trailed after them like a tiny, furry confidence coach. Maybe this wasn't so scary. Maybe high school wasn't some impossible game he had to win alone.

"So," Jessica said, handing him the cable. "I heard you make fire playlists. True?"

Marcus grinned. Finally, something he could actually talk about. "True. But you gotta promise not to judge my sad boi hours."