Zombie State of Mind

Maya's hair defied physics, biology, and possibly several laws of chemistry. She'd spent forty-five minutes trying to tame it for the Fall Formal, and now it stood at attention like a sentient entity judging her life choices.

"You look like a zombie," said Jordan, leaning against her doorframe with zero regard for personal space or feelings. "Also, you're wearing two different shoes."

Maya looked down. Converse on the left. Combat boot on the right. "It's called fashion, Jordan. Look it up."

"It's called you haven't slept since Wednesday because you've been running on caffeine and existential dread." He dropped onto her bed, stealing her pillow like the terrible friend he was. "Just tell him you can't go."

"I can't flake on Ethan. He's been obsessed with this dance since freshman year." Maya checked her phone again. Still no reply to her last three texts. Probably overthinking it. She was definitely overthinking it.

Her palm was sweating so much she could probably irrigate a small garden. This was fine. Everything was fine.

"You know what you need?" Jordan sat up. "To embrace the zombie aesthetic. Walk into that dance like you're already dead inside. It's terrifyingly empowering."

Maya snorted. "That's literally the worst advice you've ever given me, and you once told me to 'just be chill' during my driving test."

"I'm just saying. Lean into the chaos."

The doorbell rang downstairs. Ethan.

Maya's stomach did something complicated. She grabbed her phone, checked her reflection one last time, and somehow managed to trip over absolutely nothing while trying to leave her room gracefully.

"Your hair," Jordan called after her. "It's doing the thing again!"

She met Ethan at the door. He looked good. Suspiciously good. Like, had-he-been-practicing-smiling-in-the-mirror good.

"You ready?" he asked. Then he paused. "You have—" He gestured vaguely at his own mouth.

Maya's soul left her body. "What?"

"Spinach. From lunch. It's... really stuck in there."

She'd had spinach salad SIX HOURS AGO.

"And you're just telling me now?"

"I thought it would be mean to say anything earlier?" Ethan looked genuinely confused. "Is that not right? That's not right, is it?"

Maya started laughing. She couldn't help it. This was ridiculous. This whole night was going to be ridiculous. And honestly? That was kind of perfect.

"Jordan!" she yelled up the stairs. "I need backup! And floss!"