Zombie Mascot, Fox Smile

Maya dragged her feet through the gym, feeling like a straight-up **zombie** after pulling an all-nighter for AP Bio. The spring lock-in had seemed like a genius idea yesterday, but now? Not so much.

Across the room, Jason—aka the guy she'd been lowkey crushing on since October—was trapped inside that sweaty **bear** mascot costume, doing some unfortunate dance moves that were equal parts hilarious and tragic. The mascot head was tilted sideways like it was questioning every life choice that led to this moment.

"You should go talk to him," said Chloe, appearing beside her with that signature **fox**-like smirk that meant she knew something Maya didn't. "He's been asking about you all week."

Maya's stomach did that full-on flip thing. "Literally why? I'm in my sweatpants from yesterday, looking like I just crawled out of a grave."

"That's the vibe!" Chloe shrugged. "Embrace the zombie aesthetic. It's brave. It's authentic. Jason's into that."

"Since when?"

"Since he told me, and I'm telling you, so the clock is ticking." Chloe pointed at where bear-Jason was now dramatically flopping onto the bleachers. "He's waiting for you to make a move."

Maya thought about it. Thought about how much energy she'd spent trying to be smooth, trying to say the perfect thing, trying to look like she had it all figured out when half the time she was just winging it and hoping nobody noticed.

Maybe the zombie look wasn't the worst thing. Maybe it was just... real.

She took a breath and walked across the gym, dodging尖叫 eighth graders and a spilled slushie disaster. Jason spotted her coming and straightened up, the bear head bobbing awkwardly.

"Hey," he muffled through the costume. "Having fun?"

"Honestly?" Maya smiled, feeling suddenly lighter. "Yeah. Actually, I am."

And she meant it. Being a zombie was fine. Being awkward was fine. Bear costumes and fox smiles and messy feelings—that was the good stuff. That was real.

Jason lifted the bear head just enough to reveal his face. "Wanted to ask you... you doing anything for prom?"

Maya grinned. "Ask me again when you're not dressed as a massive grizzly."

"Deal." He laughed. "Tomorrow then?"

"Tomorrow."

Sometimes the zombie nights led to the best mornings. That was the thing about growing up—you didn't have to have it all figured out. You just had to keep showing up, even when you felt like the walking dead.

Especially then.