The Zombie Apocalypse Friday

Marcus felt like a **zombie** walking into the cafeteria. Third consecutive night of Fortnite marathon would do that to you. His brain was fog, his movements sluggish.

"You look dead," said Sam, sliding onto the bench across from him.

"Rough night." Marcus poked at the mysterious green substance on his tray. "Is this... **spinach**?"

"Monday's mystery veggie. Possibly radioactive at this point."

Marcus laughed, then stopped. Chloe was walking past their table—actual Chloe, varsity soccer Chloe, the one he'd been lowkey obsessed with since September. She was chatting with Taylor, both of them laughing at something on Taylor's phone. Marcus felt that familiar chest-tightening thing, like **lightning** striking way too close. He should say something. He should—

"Dude, you're staring again," Sam whispered.

"I'm not staring. I'm observing. There's a difference."

"Same difference. Just talk to her already."

"Yeah, because that'll go well. 'Hey Chloe, nice weather, wanna discuss my profound awkwardness?'"

Sam shook his head. "You're overthinking it."

But then the unthinkable happened. Chloe stopped at their table. Marcus's heart did something genuinely concerning.

"Hey Marcus," she said. "You coming to Jordan's party Saturday?"

His brain short-circuited. "Uh. Yeah. Probably. Maybe."

Cool. Very cool.

"Great." She smiled. Actually smiled. At him. "Bring Sam too. More people, more chaos."

As she walked away, Sam grinned. "'More people, more chaos'? That's basically her saying she wants you there."

"She wants Sam there too."

"Bro. I'm the **fox** in this scenario—the distraction. You're the main character."

Marcus rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. Maybe Saturday wouldn't be a disaster. Maybe he'd finally tell her how he felt. Or maybe he'd just stand there awkwardly drinking punch while real conversations happened around him.

Baby steps.

"So," Sam said. "You gonna eat that radioactive spinach or what?"

Marcus pushed the tray away. "Some risks aren't worth taking."