Three A.M. Zombie Bull Sessions

Marcus was a total zombie by third period Spanish. His eyes burned, and Mr. Rodriguez's voice sounded like it was coming from underwater. Three nights of finals-week studying would do that to you. His hoodie was basically a security blanket at this point.

But the real problem? His best friend since sixth grade, Jasmine, hadn't said a real word to him in two weeks. Just weird awkward nods in the hallways like they were strangers who kinda recognized each other from summer camp.

"Dude, you look dead," said Tyler, sliding into the desk behind him. "You good?"

"Yeah. Just tired." Marcus stared at Jasmine's empty seat. She'd been skipping lunch too.

The cafeteria chaos at noon was sensory overload. Marcus grabbed his usual table alone, scrolling through his phone like it held the meaning of life. Then Jasmine walked in.

She marched straight to his table, slammed a crumpled paper down.

"We need to talk."

They ended up behind the gym, where everyone went to cry, smoke, or have those conversations that changed everything. Jasmine crossed her arms, looking like she might throw up.

"Okay, here's the thing," she said. "I'm not moving."

Marcus blinked. "What?"

"My parents are getting divorced. My mom's taking me to Ohio."

The words hit like a physical thing. Ohio.

"Why didn't you—"

"Because I knew you'd make it weird! You'd do that thing where you're all supportive and amazing and I'd just lose it."

"So you just... ghosted?"

"I'm a coward, Marcus!" She wiped at her eyes. "I'm scared, okay? I'm scared of leaving everything, everyone, and you're gonna stay here and live your normal life and I'm gonna be some sad loser in Ohio who texts her old friend until he stops replying because he made new friends and—"

"That's such bull." The words came out harder than he meant. "Jasmine, seriously? You think I'm just gonna replace you?"

"That's what people DO!"

"Not us."

The bell rang. They stood there, the moment stretching thin and precious.

"So what now?" she asked quietly.

"Now we make every day count before you go," Marcus said. "And then we FaceTime every single day until you hate my voice. And I'll visit, and you'll visit, and we're not gonna be those people who drift apart because that's actual garbage."

Jasmine laughed through her tears. "Okay. Deal."

They walked back to class side by side, Marcus somehow feeling more awake than he had in weeks. Some things were worth losing sleep over. Being a zombie for a few weeks was fine, as long as you didn't have to face the scary parts alone.