Zombie Cat Rules Everything

I was a zombie. Not the cool, apocalypse-fighting kind. The exhausted, functioning-on-three-hours-of-sleep-and-two-energy-drinks kind. Junior year was absolutely wrecking me.

Rooster, my cat, was curled on my chest, purring like he'd just won the lottery. He was the only thing keeping me sane. My parents didn't get it – "he's just a cat," my mom would say, like that explained nothing.

Then there was Tyler. The absolute bull of our high school, roaming the halls like he owned them. He'd been making my life miserable since sixth grade – tripping me in the hallway, "accidentally" knocking my books everywhere, whispering slurs just loud enough for me to hear.

I was chilling at my locker, half-awake, when Tyler appeared beside me.

"Hey freak," he sneered. "Your little kitty cat outside looks lonely. Maybe someone should..."

NO.

I dropped my backpack and bolted outside. Rooster was huddled under the bench, but he wasn't alone. Some girl was sitting there, gently petting him while reading a manga. She looked like she'd walked straight out of an anime convention – dyed purple hair, layered necklaces, combat boots.

"Your cat?" she asked, smiling. "He's super chill. I'm Min, by the way."

"Marcus. He's Rooster."

Tyler caught up to us, but something about Min's vibe made him pause. Like he'd suddenly forgotten his whole bullying script.

"Whatever," he muttered, walking away.

Min stood up. "You okay? He seems... nice."

"He's a bull, but he's all bark. I'm Marcus, by the way."

"We established that already." Min laughed, and Rooster wound between our legs, purring like a tiny motorboat. "You look like you need coffee. I know this place that makes life worth living."

"Coffee sounds amazing. But Rooster can't come."

"Bring him. They have outside seating. I'll cover you if anyone says anything."

I looked at this purple-haired stranger who'd just adopted me and my cat into her life. "You're my new best friend. Just so you know."

"Deal." She held up her hand for a fist bump. "Welcome to the non-zombie club. We meet for coffee and talk about how much school sucks."

Rooster meowed, like he totally approved.

My life wasn't perfect. Tyler was still a jerk. I was still exhausted. But somehow, between Rooster's warmth and Min's unexpected friendship, being a zombie didn't feel so lonely anymore.