The Zombie in Orange

Maya pressed her sweating **palm** against her denim thigh, her heart doing somersaults. The house party thumped with bass that vibrated in her chest, but she felt like a total **zombie** — dead inside, just going through the motions of being a normal teenager who knew how to people.

She'd spent three hours getting ready, only to spend the last forty-five minutes hovering near the snack table like a loser.

"Hey, you gonna eat that whole **orange**?"

Maya jumped. A guy stood there — lanky, messy dark hair, holding a red Solo cup. Cute. Like, actually cute.

"Um, no?" She'd been literally just holding it.

He laughed, and it was weirdly nice. "I'm Leo. You look like you'd rather be anywhere else."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Only because I'm thinking the same thing." He gestured toward the sliding glass door. "Wanna escape?"

Outside, the air was cooler. The backyard had a string of lights and —

A **dog**. A giant, fluffy golden retriever trotted over and flopped at Maya's feet, expecting attention like it was his god-given right.

"That's Barnaby," Leo said. "He's the reason I came. My friend's hosting, but I mostly just wanted to see the dog. Pathetic, right?"

"No," Maya said, scratching behind Barnaby's ears. "It's kind of... nice, actually."

They sat on the patio steps, dog between them, talking about everything and nothing. Leo was funny, self-deprecating in a way that made Maya feel less like a fraud. He admitted he'd only come because his mom said he needed to "get out there."

"Mine too," Maya said. "She thinks I'm spending too much time in my room."

"Are you?"

"Maybe. But sometimes my room is easier."

Leo nodded like he actually got it.

Inside, the countdown to midnight started. They could hear everyone screaming.

"You know," Maya said quietly, "this is better."

"Yeah," Leo said. "Way better."

Barnaby snored, satisfied with himself. For the first time all night, Maya's palm wasn't sweating anymore.