Zombies, Bases, and Leo's Cat

The social pyramid of sophomore year was brutal, and Maya was definitely on the bottom level. While the popular girls sat at their metaphorical throne, she sat alone with her thoughts and a worn copy of 'The Zombie Survival Guide.'

'You look like a zombie,' said Derek, the varsity baseball captain, sliding into the seat across from her in the cafeteria. His jersey said 'RAMIREZ' on the back. 'Rough night?'

Maya almost choked on her chocolate milk. Derek Martinez was talking to her? Derek, whose home runs had won them the championship last season? She'd had a crush on him since seventh grade, back when she still believed in telling people about it.

'Up late,' she managed. 'Writing. My cat decided 3 AM was playtime.'

Derek laughed, and Maya's stomach did that annoying flip thing. 'My cat's the same. Mr. Whiskers thinks he's a personal alarm clock.' He leaned in conspiratorially. 'Between practice and AP Bio, I've been feeling like a zombie all week. You read that guide yet?'

'Memorized it,' Maya said, finding her voice. 'Rule number one: cardio. You run track?'

'Baseball,' Derek corrected, but he was smiling. 'But we do sprints. You should come to a game sometime. We could use someone who knows their zombie apocalypse strategy. Coach always says we need better contingency plans.'

Maya's heart hammered. This wasn't real. This had to be some kind of elaborate prank. But Derek's grin seemed genuine, and he was still sitting there, not running off to his pyramid of popular friends.

'This Friday?' she heard herself ask. 'I mean, if you're playing.'

'Every Friday,' he said. 'Save me a seat?' He stood up, then turned back. 'Hey, what's your cat's name?'

'Pyramid,' she said without thinking, then wanted to die.

Derek just nodded, totally unfazed. 'Cool. See you Friday, Maya.'

Maya watched him walk away, already pulling out her phone to text her best friend. The pyramid might be crumbling, but she was finally starting to climb.