Zombies Don't Do Palm Readings

The house party raged around me like a storm I wasn't dressed for. My cousin Jasmine's beach mansion overflowed with seniors from Northwood High, all golden skin and perfect teeth. I stood by the **palm** tree in the corner, nursing lukewarm soda like it was my job.

"You look like a **zombie**," Maya said, sliding up beside me. She was the only sophomore brave enough to crash this senior party. "Dead behind the eyes. It's the vibe."

"I'm just observing," I lied. "Strategic social positioning."

"Right." She passed me a red cup. "It's just punch. No pressure."

I took it. The backyard opened to the ocean, **water** glittering black under moonlight. People were already in the pool, screams and splashes cutting through the bass-heavy music. I watched Liam—my hopeless crush since September—laugh with some senior girl. My stomach did that stupid little flip it always did.

"My sister says he's emotionally unavailable," Maya offered, following my gaze. "Also, he never texts back. Major red flag."

"How do you—"

"You're not exactly subtle, bestie."

A **cat** yowled suddenly from somewhere in the dunes. Half-drunk seniors started calling it, trying to lure it out. Even the cool kids loved cats, apparently. The absurdity of it hit me—here we were, pretending to be grown, and a random cat was stealing the show.

"Dance with me," Maya said suddenly.

"What? No. I don't—"

"Everyone's too busy being cool to notice. C'mon." She dragged me toward the patio where people were swaying. For a second, I froze. But then Maya started doing the most ridiculous dance I'd ever seen, arms flailing, zero rhythm, maximum chaos. And I realized she didn't care. Not at all.

So I joined her. We looked ridiculous. We laughed so hard my sides hurt. When I caught Liam's eye across the patio, he smiled—not at me, but at whatever senior girl was whispering in his ear. And the weird thing was, it didn't even sting anymore.

"See?" Maya shouted over the music. "Zombies can dance."

The ocean breeze carried salt and promise. I wasn't the cool kid. I wasn't the girl who got the guy. But standing there, dancing badly with my best friend under the palm trees, I was exactly who I needed to be. And that felt like enough.