Zombie Mode Activated

I'd been running on pure caffeine and existential dread for three days straight. Finals week was officially my villain origin story, and the dark circles under my eyes had their own dark circles at this point.

"You look like literal death," Mia observed, sliding into the booth across from me at our usual coffee shop hangout.

"Thanks bestie," I deadpanned. "I'm channeling my inner zombie. It's a vibe."

She rolled her eyes so hard I worried they'd get stuck. "You need sleep. Or at least, like, actual food that isn't vending machine disappointment."

I clutched my energy drink like it was the last elixir on earth. "What I need is for someone to invent a vitamin that gives you four extra hours in a day. I'd pay actual money for that."

"So would literally everyone," Mia laughed, then her face lit up with that terrifyingly brilliant idea expression. "Speaking of paying money—Tyler's pool party is tonight. You should come!"

I stared at her. "Mia. I love you. But I currently have the social battery of a dead Nokia. Also? Water? In a swimsuit? In front of people? Absolutely not."

"It's not about the water, it's about the EXPERIENCE," she insisted. "Live a little! Be a zombie AT the party! It'll be hilarious!"

Fast forward to eight o'clock, and there I was, standing at the edge of Tyler's ridiculously fancy pool while people cannonballed around me like this was a music video. Mia had abandoned me approximately thirty seconds after arrival to flirt with some junior she'd been thirsting over since September.

The pool water glittered under string lights, looking deceptively inviting. I clutched my solo cup of vitamin-enhanced sparkling water—my compromise between staying hydrated and maintaining my weird health kick phase—and tried to look like I wasn't calculating my exit strategy.

"You gonna jump in or just stare at it philosophically?"

I turned to find Tyler himself, dripping wet and grinning like he knew exactly how out of place I felt.

"Philosophically," I said automatically. "I'm contemplating the nature of water and its role in my personal growth."

He laughed. An actual, genuine laugh. "Deep. Also, your vitamin water looks lonely. Want to play chicken?"

"I don't even know what that means,"

"Perfect, I'll teach you," he said, already heading toward the shallow end. "C'mon, zombie girl. Let's make some memories."

And just like that, I set down my drink and jumped in. Sometimes you need to embrace the chaos, zombie mode and all.