The Gummy Zombie Apocalypse

The fluorescent lights of Northwood High buzzed like an electrical headache, and I felt like a straight-up zombie. Third period AP Chem, Mr. Henderson was droning on about molecular bonds, but my brain was still stuck in first period lunch where Maya had accidentally spilled her smoothie all over my favorite vintage hoodie.

"Bro, you look dead," whispered Jake, sliding a gummy vitamin across my desk. "My mom says these give you energy. Got it from GNC."

I stared at the neon orange gummy shaped like a bear. "This is literally a children's supplement."

"It's got B12, man. Energy central."

I popped it anyway because I was desperate. Anything to survive until Friday's football game, where I'd finally confess to Maya that I'd been crushing on her since homecoming. The plan was solid: write her a note, slip it in her locker, pray she didn't think I was a total creep.

But then Thursday happened.

The whole school was buzzing because Tyler, the varsity quarterback and resident king of Northwood, had broken up with his girlfriend via Instagram story. People were calling it "emotionally abusive behavior" in the group chats. Tyler was mad that someone had started a rumor about him cheating at regionals.

"That's such bull," Maya had ranted at lunch. "He's literally gaslighting her. I hate how guys think they can just manipulate—"

She was interrupted when Tyler walked past our table, fist-bumping his boys like nothing had happened. Something in me snapped.

"Hey, Tyler!" I called out, standing up. My hands were shaking but I kept going. "That thing about cheating at regionals? I saw you. I was there when you copied off that junior's test."

The cafeteria went dead silent. Tyler turned, his face flushing. "The hell you talking about, nerd?"

"You heard me. Stop being a toxic person and own your stuff."

Maya's eyes went wide. Jake dropped his fork. I stood there, heart hammering, feeling equal parts terrified and alive. That gummy vitamin must've actually worked because I felt electric.

After school, Maya found me by my locker. "That was... actually really brave of you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I've been waiting for someone to call him out forever." She smiled, and it was better than any vitamin-induced energy boost. "You wanna come over this weekend? We can study for Chem."

"I'd love that," I said, trying to play it cool even though I was internally screaming.

Friday night at the game, I didn't even need the confession note. Maya found me in the stands, sat next to me, and when Northwood scored the winning touchdown, she grabbed my hand. I sat there surrounded by cheering students, under those bright stadium lights, feeling like I'd finally woken up from the zombie haze of high school. Sometimes standing up to bull crap and speaking your truth is exactly what you need to feel alive again.