The Zombie Who Couldn't

Marcus dragged himself through the hallway like a zombie, which was pretty fitting considering he'd been up until 3 AM scrolling through TikTok. His vintage snapback hat was pulled low, hiding the dark circles under his eyes.

"Dude, you look dead," said Jenna, his best friend since seventh grade. She was leaning against her locker, effortlessly cool in her oversized hoodie. "Huge history test today? You studied, right?"

Marcus groaned. "Define 'studied.' I stared at the notes. Does that count?"

"Mr. Henderson's gonna roast you." She laughed, but there was concern in her eyes. "Want me to come over later? We can actually study this time."

"Nah, I got this." Marcus hated admitting he needed help. It was this whole thing — his parents expected him to be perfect, and asking for help felt like failure.

The test that afternoon was exactly the disaster Marcus predicted. Mr. Henderson had posted a giant cardboard sphinx in the corner of the room — some project from the mythology club — with a note: "I am the Sphinx. I challenge you with this: What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"

The question wasn't even on the test. But Marcus couldn't focus. His brain felt like mush.

After school, he sat on the front steps, staring at nothing. Jenna found him there.

"You okay?"

"No." Marcus pulled off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. "I think I'm actually turning into a zombie. Like, for real. No thoughts, head empty, just vibes and regret."

Jenna sat down beside him. "First of all, that's literally everyone our age. Second, Marcus — you don't have to do everything alone. That's not how friendship works."

She pulled out her phone. "My place, 6 PM. I'll order pizza. We'll study until your brain actually functions again. No excuses."

Marcus looked at her — really looked at her. The way she'd stuck by him through everything, how she never made him feel stupid for struggling, how she somehow always knew when he needed someone to just sit with him.

"You're a good friend, Jen," he said, feeling suddenly emotional.

"I know," she grinned. "Now let's go solve this sphinx situation before you fail history and become a real zombie forever."