The Zombie Spy Network

Maya dragged herself through the cafeteria like a **zombie**, third straight all-nighter catching up to her. AP Bio was absolutely destroying her soul, and the under-eye circles were now basically permanent accessories.

"You look like death," said Jace, sliding into the seat across from her. "Rough night?"

"Rough week," Maya muttered, poking at her lunch. A gross, watery clump of **spinach** from the cafeteria's "salad bar" stared back at her mockingly. She'd gone vegetarian last month as a statement – something about sustainability, though honestly she'd mostly just wanted an identity that wasn't "smart Asian girl" for once.

Jace's phone buzzed. He froze, then smirked. "Duty calls."

Maya leaned in. "Still playing **spy** with Emma and Tyler?"

"It's not playing, it's strategic intelligence gathering," Jace said, completely unbothered by her sarcasm. "Emma's been acting weird. I think she's hiding something."

"Or maybe you're just obsessed because you have a crush?"

Jace's face turned pink. "I do NOT. This is about protecting our friend group from potential drama. Information is power, Maya."

"You're embarrassing," she said, but she was already grabbing her backpack. "Fine. Let's go be creeps."

They found Emma behind the gym, talking to that senior – Chris, the one with the motorcycle. He'd transferred in three weeks ago and had this whole mysterious bad-boy energy that everyone was either obsessed with or weirded out by.

From their "secret" position behind a dumpster, Jace whispered, "This is huge. He's totally making a move."

"You're so full of **bull**," Maya whispered back, but then she actually listened.

Emma was crying. Chris's voice carried: "...you can't tell anyone. My dad – he's got a temper. I had to leave."

Oh.

Maya and Jace looked at each other. Suddenly their "spy mission" felt cheap and invasive. The mysterious loner wasn't brooding for aesthetic points – he was dealing with something real.

Jace stood up. "We should go."

"Yeah," Maya said. But something tugged at her. "Hey, Chris?"

He and Emma both jumped.

"Sorry," she said, stepping out. "But... if you ever need someone to cover for you at lunch, my table has an empty seat. No questions."

Chris looked at her for a long moment. His eyes weren't mysterious-dark anymore – just tired. "Thanks."

Walking away, Jace groaned. "That was so not subtle."

"Subtle's overrated," Maya said, feeling something weirdly light in her chest. "Besides, I think we just made our first real intel of the year."

"What's that?"

"That being a **zombie** spy kind of sucks," she said. "But being a decent human being? That actually works."