Zombie at the Party

Maya felt like a literal **zombie** walking into Jordan's house party. Between AP exams, soccer practice, and her parents' divorce drama, she'd been running on three hours of sleep and pure anxiety. But when your crush invites you to their first real party, you show up anyway.

She adjusted her beanie **hat**, using it like a security blanket. Inside, the bass thumped against her ribs and the air smelled like cheap body spray and desperate hope. Maya scanned the crowded living room, spotting Jordan by the Netflix bowl, looking stupidly perfect in that way that made her stomach do backflips.

"Hey!" A hand grabbed her shoulder. It was Riley, her lab partner, holding a red solo cup like it contained the secrets of the universe. "Dude, you look like you need this."

Maya peered inside. "Is that literally just Sprite?"

"Yeah, but I told everyone it's vodka," Riley winked. "Perception is everything, my friend."

Before Maya could respond, someone screamed from the kitchen. A black **cat** had somehow gotten into the house and was now perched on the refrigerator, judging everyone with glowing yellow eyes.

"That's Mr. Whiskers from next door!" Jordan shouted, already coordinating a rescue mission like the golden retriever human they were. Maya watched them balance on a chair, arms outstretched, and felt that familiar flutter in her chest. Of course Jordan would be the one to save the day.

"Omg, you're literally so brave," some sophomore gushed. Jordan just laughed, scratching the back of their neck. They were so effortlessly charming it was almost annoying.

The backyard crowd had gathered around Chloe, who was apparently reading **palm**s now. "Your lifeline says you're gonna meet someone tonight," Chloe declared, examining Tyler's hand with grave seriousness.

Maya's phone buzzed. A text from her mom: *Don't stay out too late. Love you.* The familiar knot in her chest tightened. Everything was changing so fast this year—her family, her friends, this weird tension between her and Jordan that she couldn't quite name.

"What's your sign?" Jordan appeared beside her, suddenly way too close.

"Huh?"

"Astrology. I'm guessing... water sign? You give off major Pisces energy."

"Capricorn," Maya corrected, trying to sound chill. "And you're literally just guessing."

"Maybe." Jordan's grin widened. "Or maybe I'm just observant. You've been watching me all night."

Maya's face burned. "I have NOT."

"It's cool." Jordan's voice softened. "I've been watching you too."

The moment stretched, electric and terrifying. Maya's sweaty palm pressed against her phone case. This was it—the moment all those teen movies talked about. The first real flutter of something new, something that wasn't about ex-boyfriends or fake friends or parent drama.

"You should come to the bonfire tomorrow," Jordan said. "If you're not too busy being a zombie."

"I'll consider it," Maya managed, heart hammering against her ribs. "For the record, I'm more of a **fox** than a zombie."

Jordan laughed, and for once, Maya didn't feel like hiding behind her hat anymore.