Riddle of the Hallway Zombie

Maya dragged herself through the junior hallway feeling like a total zombie. Three hours of sleep because AP History decided to assign a ten-page paper due the same day as Math Quest. She'd kill for some cold brew, or honestly, just a pillow.

"You look like death warmed over," said Jordan, falling into step beside her. "Rough night?"

"Try rough life," Maya mumbled, adjusting her backpack that weighed approximately as much as her existential dread. "I have to bear the weight of everyone's expectations while simultaneously trying to remember the difference between stoicism and epicureanism for Mr. Harrison's pop quiz."

Jordan laughed. "Drama queen. But hey, did you hear about Brandon's party Saturday? Everyone's going."

Maya's stomach did that thing it always did when Brandon came up—which was annoying, because she was supposed to be over him. He'd ghosted her after two weeks of "talking" last month, and somehow he was still the center of the social solar system.

"I don't know," she said. "I have that history project due Monday, and I promised my sister I'd help her with her sphinx costume for the middle school play."

"You're always helping everyone else," Jordan said, giving her that look—the one that made Maya feel seen in a way that was both comforting and terrifying. "When was the last time you did something for yourself?"

The question hit harder than it should have. When WAS the last time? Between homework, family obligations, and trying to navigate the Byzantine social hierarchy of high school without losing her mind, Maya couldn't remember.

"Maybe you should come," Jordan said softly. "Just for an hour. I'll go with you. We don't have to stay long."

Maya looked at Jordan—really looked at them—and realized something that had been staring her in the face for months. The person who always showed up. The one who actually listened. The one who made her laugh even when she felt like a zombie.

"Yeah," Maya said, a genuine smile finally reaching her eyes. "Yeah, I think I will."

The bell rang, but for once, Maya didn't feel like rushing to class. Some riddles, she realized, you didn't need to solve alone.