Papaya Summer Zombies

The pool party at Tyler's house was supposed to be lit, but honestly? I felt like a total zombie. Standing by the edge of the water in my oversized swim trunks, watching everyone else actually live their best lives while I stood there overthinking everything.

"Yo Marcus, stop looking like you're at a funeral," Tyler called out, splashing water at me. "We're supposed to be having fun."

I forced a laugh. Tyler was the kind of friend who'd give you the shirt off his back but also roast you in front of everyone. That night though? Everyone was weird. Maybe because Jessica was there—the girl I'd been crushing on since seventh period English, who was currently laughing at something Chad said while holding a papaya like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Who brings papaya to a pool party?" I muttered to myself.

"It's exotic," Jessica said, suddenly beside me. She held out a slice. "Want some? It's actually bomb."

My brain short-circuited. "Uh, sure?"

Then someone started the rumor that Chad's cousin knew a guy who dealt with the bull from the Harris farm that escaped last week. Total BS obviously, but suddenly everyone was hyped about finding this escaped bull in the woods behind Tyler's subdivision.

"Let's go bull hunting," Chad announced, because Chad had the survival instincts of a lemon.

We all tromped into the dark woods behind the backyard, eleven teenagers with phone flashlights and zero outdoor experience. The mosquitoes were absolutely feasting. Jessica walked beside me, and for some reason, that papaya slice was still in her hand.

"This is so dumb," she said, but she was smiling. "Like, why are we following Chad anywhere?"

"Peer pressure is a hell of a drug," I said, and she actually laughed.

Then Tyler yelled, "I HEARD SOMETHING!" and everyone freaked. We all froze in the dark, hearts pounding, probably looking like the world's most pathetic zombie apocalypse survivors.

It was just a raccoon.

We walked back to the pool, everyone laughing at how lame we were. Jessica and I ended up sitting on the patio steps, sharing that papaya slice while everyone else jumped back in the water. The fruit was sweet and weirdly perfect for 2 AM.

"Tonight wasn't terrible," she said, leaning against my shoulder.

I wasn't a zombie anymore. Sometimes the best moments happen when you're looking for something that doesn't exist and find something real instead.