The Zombie Who Learned to Float

Marcus stood at the edge of the pool, clutching his phone like it was a lifeline. The entire swim team was there, plus Jessica from fourth period—who definitely hadn't been invited—and someone's chocolate lab was paddling around the deep end like it owned the place.

"Yo, Marcus! You gonna stand there all day like a literal zombie or what?" Tyler called out, splashing water in his direction. Tyler, whose hair was somehow perfect even when wet.

Marcus forced a laugh. "Just processing. My brain's still in school mode."

Truth was, he'd been feeling like a zombie all week. Finals had turned him into this walking dead creature, existing on four hours of sleep and pure anxiety. And now? Now he was supposed to socialize like a normal human being.

"Try this!" Maya pushed a cutting board toward him. "It's papaya with lime and chili. Literally life-changing."

Marcus hesitated, then took a bite. The flavor hit him—sweet and strange and unexpectedly bold. "Whoa. That's... actually really good?"

"Right?" Maya grinned. "Your face right now—priceless."

For the first time all night, Marcus felt something loosen in his chest. Maybe he didn't have to be the cool, effortless version of himself everyone expected. Maybe he could just be the guy who tried weird fruit and made questionable life choices.

"I'm going in," he announced suddenly, kicking off his slides.

The dog barked approvingly as he plunged into the cool blue water. When he surfaced, sputtering and alive, Jessica was actually smiling at him, and Tyler was giving him this nod of respect like he'd just pulled off something legendary.

The sun was setting, painting everything in shades of brilliant orange. Marcus floated on his back, staring up at the sky, and for the first time in forever, he didn't feel like a zombie at all.

He felt like someone who was exactly where he was supposed to be.