Zombie State of Mind

Maya dragged herself into the cafeteria, feeling like a literal **zombie** after staying up until 3 AM doomscrolling through her crush's Instagram from 2019. High school was officially destroying her soul, one eighth period at a time.

"You look terrible," said Jalen, sliding into the seat across from her. "Rough night?"

"You have no idea." Maya stared at her open **palm**, where she'd doodled a tiny skull during third period math. Mr. Harrison's voice still echoed in her head: *"Maya, stop drawing and start paying attention or you'll be working at Taco Bell for the rest of your life."* Whatever. At least Taco Bell employees got free churros.

"So," Jalen lowered their voice dramatically, "I heard Marcus was gonna ask you to homecoming."

Maya nearly choked on her chocolate milk. "That's complete **bull**, Jalen. Marcus thinks I'm basically invisible."

"I'm serious! My cousin's friend's sister's boyfriend heard it from Marcus himself."

Before Maya could respond with any number of sarcastic comebacks, the cafeteria doors swung open and Marcus walked in wearing a varsity jacket that definitely wasn't his. He scanned the room like he was looking for someone specific.

Maya's heart did that annoying fluttery thing. She looked down at her palm doodle again, suddenly hyperaware that she hadn't even brushed her hair properly this morning.

Then Marcus's eyes landed on her table. He started walking over.

"Oh my GOD," Jalen hissed. "This is it. This is literally happening right now."

Marcus stopped at their table, looking nervous. "Hey, Maya."

"Hey." Her voice came out sounding weirdly squeaky. Cool. Very cool.

"So, my **cat** had kittens last night," Marcus blurted out. "Want to come see them after school? My mom says they're really cute."

Maya stared at him. Jalen stared at her. The entire cafeteria seemed to hold its breath.

"Kittens?" Maya managed.

"Yeah. They're tiny. And like, I figured you might want to... I don't know... meet them? And maybe hang out?"

The pause stretched out like bubble gum about to snap. Maya felt that strange electric feeling in her chest—the one that meant something important was happening, something that could change everything.

"I'd love that," she heard herself say.

Marcus grinned like she'd just handed him a million dollars. "Awesome. Meet at the flagpole?"

"Flagpole. Perfect."

As he walked away, Jalen dramatically fake-fainted onto the table. "Did you just get asked to hang out with Marcus through the magic of kittens? Is that our reality now?"

Maya looked at her palm again, then at where Marcus had disappeared through the doors. Maybe high school wasn't completely terrible after all.

"Shut up, Jalen."

"I ship it so hard."

"You ship everything."

"True. But this? This is different. I can feel it in my bones."