The Friday Night Resurrection

Jordan pulled the beanie down lower, practically hiding their entire face. The hat was armor against the world, or at least against Sarah Chen, who sat three tables away in the cafeteria and didn't know Jordan existed.

"Dude, you look like a zombie," Marcus said, sliding into the seat across from him. "Late night gaming again?"

"Finals week, man. I'm running on caffeine and pure spite." Jordan picked at his lunch, pushing the sad spinach salad around his plate. His mom was on this health kick ever since the doctor said he needed more iron. Now every meal looked like it came from a garden.

"Speaking of which," Marcus continued, "you coming to Jake's party tonight?"

Jordan's stomach did that thing it always did when faced with social situations — simultaneous butterflies and nausea. "I don't know. Maybe."

"You gotta go, bro. Sarah's gonna be there."

That decided it.

Seven hours later, Jordan stood in front of his bedroom mirror, the beanie replaced by actual hair product. His little sister Emma popped her head in, holding an orange juice box like it was a fine wine.

"You look nice," she said. "Nervous?"

"No," he lied.

"Here." She pressed something into his palm. A gummy vitamin shaped like a dinosaur. "For luck. Not that you need it. You're Jordan, the guy who —"

"The guy who once spent an entire lunch period with spinach stuck in his front teeth?"

She giggled. "I was going to say 'the guy who's brave enough to talk to Sarah Chen.' But sure, let's go with that."

The party was loud and bright and everything Jordan usually avoided. He spotted Sarah immediately, laughing at something Jake said. His feet felt rooted to the spot.

Then she saw him. And smiled.

"Hey!" She waved him over. "I love that song playing."

They talked for twenty minutes about music and classes and how weird it was being juniors. Jordan forgot about being nervous. Forgot about the spinach incident from seventh grade. Forgot that he was the guy who hid under hats in the cafeteria.

"I'm glad you came," Sarah said as the song changed to something slower.

"Me too," Jordan said, and he actually meant it.

His phone buzzed — a text from Emma: did you survive????

Jordan typed back with shaking fingers: not just survived. i think i finally started living.