Pool Party Apocalypse Protocol

Marcus stood at the edge of the pool, clutching his signature orange bucket hat like it was a tactical shield. The backyard party was already in full swing—people cannonballing into the water, music thumping, and someone screaming about losing their flip-flops. He felt like a zombie extra in a movie where everyone else knew their lines.

"Dude, you coming in or what?" Jake called from the deep end, splashing water everywhere.

Marcus's brain executed Emergency Protocol #3: Fake it 'til you make it. "Yeah, just warming up my swimming muscles," he shot back, even though he'd been standing there for approximately forever.

The truth was, Marcus didn't do swimming. Not since sixth grade when he'd done a belly flop off the diving board in front of his entire crush's friend group. The memory still haunted him like a glitchy TikTok that wouldn't stop replaying in his head.

His phone buzzed. A text from his sister: *Mom says your cat destroyed her favorite throw pillow again. Good luck with the party tho 💀*

Marcus snorted. Typical. His cat was basically a tiny, furry agent of chaos, which honestly made him feel better about his own social awkwardness.

"Marcus!" It was Chloe, the girl from his English class who somehow made overalls look cool. She waved from the patio, holding a phone. "Your zombie apocalypse plan is actually iconic. Sarah showed me your TikTok."

His face burned hotter than July asphalt. His breakdown of which grocery store locations would be best for surviving the undead had gone viral on his FYP, and somehow it had made its way to actual people at his actual school. Great.

"Thanks?" He managed, feeling like he was botching this interaction completely.

"No, seriously," she said, stepping closer. "Your analysis of the canned food aisle was very thorough." She was smiling, though. Not the fake smile people gave when they were being nice. The real one.

Marcus adjusted his orange hat and took a breath. Emergency Protocol #7: Lean into the weirdness. "Well, you can't survive the apocalypse without proper strategy. That's just science."

Chloe laughed, and something in his chest unclenched. Maybe this party wouldn't be a total disaster after all. His cat might be destroying pillows at home, but here? Here, Marcus might just survive this social apocalypse after all.