The Zombie Who Made Waves

Luna stood at the padel court, clutching her racquet tightly. The blue ball bounced against the wall—thwack, thwack, thwack—but her mind wasn't on the game. Tomorrow was the big championship, and she was nervous.

After practice, Luna wandered to the swimming pool behind the sports club. The water shimmered like diamonds in the afternoon sun. She loved swimming—the way the cool water hugged her, how everything felt light and magical beneath the surface.

Suddenly, something green surfaced near the pool's edge.

Luna jumped back. A zombie!

The creature slowly climbed out, dripping wet, its skin looking bumpy and strange. Luna's heart pounded. But then she noticed something—this zombie was wearing bright pink swim goggles and a flowered swim cap.

"Boo," said the zombie, then giggled.

"You're not really a zombie," Luna said, stepping closer.

The girl peeled off her green face mask. "I'm Cleo! I'm practicing for the school play. I'm a swamp creature who becomes friends with regular people." She shrugged. "But I'm not very good at being scary."

Luna laughed. "I'm Luna, and I'm not very good at padel. The ball keeps flying everywhere."

"I can help!" Cleo's eyes lit up. "I used to play padel before I joined the drama club."

For the next hour, they practiced together. Cleo showed Luna how to position her feet and aim her shots. Luna taught Cleo how to add funny expressions to her zombie act.

"You're going to be amazing," Luna said as the sun began to set.

"And you're going to win tomorrow," Cleo replied. "Want to practice again Saturday?"

"Yes!" Luna grinned. "Best friends?"

"Best friends."

That night, Luna realized something important: sometimes the scariest-looking things are just friends you haven't met yet. And the best adventures happen when you're brave enough to say hello.