Pool Party Apocalypse

Marcus stood at the edge of the pool clutching a red Solo cup like it was a lifeline. The July heat wave had turned Jasmine's backyard into something resembling a zombie apocalypse movie set—everyone moving in slow motion, eyes glazed from three hours of TikTok dancing, occasional groans when someone's phone died.

"You good, bro?" Tyler appeared beside him, shirt already soaking wet. "You've been standing there looking like you saw a ghost."

Marcus shrugged. "Just not feeling it, I guess."

"Yo, no cap, you've been acting weird all week." Tyler shoved him playfully. "Since when do you get anxious about parties? You're literally the guy who convinced Mrs. Henderson her cat was possessed."

That was different. Making up stories about haunted cats to freak out the elderly neighbor was easy. This was different. This was Chloe—the girl who'd been sitting three rows ahead of him in homeroom since seventh year, the one whose laugh sounded like wind chimes, the one who'd been liking his Instagram stories lately but never actually DM'd him.

And there she was. In the pool. Splashing water at Jasmine like she didn't have a care in the world. Her wet hair slicked back, that green bikini top that made his brain short-circuit every time he thought about it.

"Go talk to her," Tyler said, reading his mind.

"Nah, she's busy."

"Bro, you're literally her dog."

Marcus rolled his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You follow her around school like a lost puppy. Everyone knows you're obsessed with her. Even Jasmine's been talking about it." Tyler grinned. "Just shoot your shot, man. Worst case, she curves you. Best case, you're not spending another Friday night overthinking every interaction you've ever had with her."

Marcus took a deep breath. The pool water shimmered under the string lights. Zombies or not, this was his moment.

He kicked off his slides and jumped in. The cool water shocked his system, but somehow, it made everything clearer.

"Marcus!" Chloe waved him over. "Finally! We were just talking about you."