The Summer I Went Feral

The neon screen of my **iphone** illuminated the darkest corner of the detention room. Principal What's-His-Face was droning on about "character building" and "respect for authority," but honestly? I was just trying to maintain a three-week Snapchat streak with Jasmine—the only girl who'd ever looked at me like I wasn't invisible.

That's when this dude Marcus leans over and whispers, "This whole detention thing? It's basically a **pyramid** scheme of shame."

I snort so loud the entire room swivels toward us.

"Dude," I hiss. "You're gonna make it worse."

Marcus just shrugs. "Not possible. I got caught releasing three chickens from the ag department." He pauses. "The **bull** was supposed to be next, but animal control showed up."

I stare at him. This guy is absolutely unhinged, and somehow that's the most fascinating thing I've encountered in sixteen years of playing it safe.

Fast-forward to that night. Marcus texts me: *mission continues. you in?*

I shouldn't go. I really shouldn't. But instead of sleeping like a normal person, I'm climbing out my bedroom window at 2 AM because some chaotic part of me is screaming that this is exactly the kind of story I'll tell at parties someday.

We end up behind this sketchy grocery store called Tropical Paradise. Marcus pulls something from his backpack—a **papaya**, almost shockingly orange in the fluorescent streetlights.

"First rule," he says, "never eat the papaya alone."

"What does that even mean?"

"You'll see."

That's when the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen in my life appears from behind the dumpster. Red hair, combat boots, zero percent effort but somehow completely put together. Jasmine.

She looks at Marcus. "You brought someone?"

"Trust the process," Marcus says, then hands her the papaya. She takes a bite like this is the most normal thing in the world.

"You're **fox** crazy," I mutter before I can stop myself.

Jasmine's eyes meet mine. Something electric and terrifying rushes through my chest. She doesn't laugh. She doesn't look away.

"Yeah," she says. "I know."