Orange Hoodie Midnight

Maya pulled her orange hoodie tighter, the color screaming 'look at me' when all she wanted was to disappear. Another Friday night stuck home while her Instagram feed exploded with party photos. Classic.

Her cat Luna head-butted her ankle, demanding attention. At least someone noticed she existed.

'You're the only one who gets me,' Maya muttered, scratching behind Luna's ears. The keyboard warriors in her group chat were already debating whose zombie apocalypse survival team they'd be on. Spoiler: nobody picked Maya.

Her phone buzzed. OMG you coming or what???

Maya stared at the screen. Last party she'd attended, she spent two hours pretending to text important people while leaning against a wall that was definitely not as interesting as she pretended it was.

Luna meowed, annoyed by the neglect.

'Fine,' Maya said. 'I'll go. But if I have to bear witness to Jessica and Jordan making out in the kitchen AGAIN, I'm leaving.'

The orange hoodie felt like armor. Let them stare. At least the color was intentional.

She arrived fashionably late (read: after thirty minutes of psyching herself up in the bathroom). The bass thumped in her chest like a second heartbeat. Someone had drawn zombie eyes on their face with Sharpie. Peak comedy.

Then she saw him – Riley from history, standing alone by the snacks. He caught her eye and actually smiled. Not the fake one he gave teachers. A real one.

'Maya?' He raised his red solo cup. 'I like the hoodie. It's... bold.'

'Thanks,' she said, surprised she could form words. 'It was either this or bear the embarrassment of asking myself what to wear for another hour.'

He laughed. 'I feel like a zombie. Finals week killed my soul.'

'Me too,' Maya said, and something shifted. The orange hoodie didn't feel like armor anymore. It felt like, well, just a hoodie.

They ended up on the porch, sharing horror stories about their most awkward moments. Luna would approve – Maya was finally letting herself be seen.

Maybe next time she wouldn't need the armor at all.