Palm Sweats & Party Zombies

Maya's palms were sweating. Like, actually sweating through her phone case as she stared at the invitation. Pool party at Skylar's. The same Skylar who'd ghosted her two weeks ago with zero explanation.

"You're not seriously thinking about going, right?" Chen said, chewing on his straw. They were at Smoothie Haven, their post-school sanctuary since seventh grade.

"I have to. Everyone's gonna be there."

"Everyone including your ex?" Chen raised an eyebrow. "Bold choice for someone who's been functioning like a zombie all week."

Maya rolled her eyes. "I'm not a zombie. I'm just... processing."

"Girl, you literally wore your hoodie inside out yesterday."

Touché.

The party was already in full swing when they arrived. The backyard was transformed – string lights everywhere, music bumping, the pool glowing with underwater LEDs. And there it was – the swimming situation. Her brain immediately went to last summer, when she'd rocked a bikini without overthinking it. Now? Now she felt exposed in ways that had nothing to do with skin.

Then she saw HIM. Skylar, near the palm tree decoration that was definitely crooked, laughing with something Jessica said. His hand was on her shoulder.

Maya's stomach did that terrible flip thing.

"You good?" Chen asked quietly.

"Nope. Thinking about making a run for it."

"Running? Classic Maya move. But hey, you survived the Great Middle School Disaster of '23. This is nothing."

That's when it happened. A golden retriever – someone had brought their DOG – bounded through the crowd, knocking into the snack table, sending chips flying everywhere. Total chaos.

Everyone froze. Then laughter erupted. Even Skylar cracked up.

And suddenly, Maya got it. The fear that had been running her life? It wasn't about Skylar. It was about letting herself be vulnerable – messy, imperfect, possibly embarrassing but fully alive.

Zombies didn't feel embarrassment. Zombies didn't take chances. Zombies just existed.

She wasn't a zombie anymore.

Maya kicked off her flip-flops. "Alright then."

"What are you doing?" Chen asked, but he was already smiling.

"Living."

She cannonballed into the pool with zero grace and maximum splash.

Perfect.