Zombies Don't Take Vitamins

Maya dragged herself into third period biology, feeling like a literal zombie. Three hours of sleep AP Bio homework that took five hours instead of two lacrosse practice until six and somehow she was supposed to be a functioning human being. Her phone buzzed in her pocket group chat blowing up about Jordan's party Friday night she'd probably bail on because existing was hard enough.

"You look dead," whispered Tyrell from the next lab table over. He was the kind of guy who actually slept eight hours and took a daily vitamin routine.

"Living the dream," she muttered, head pounding.

Mr Harrison wheeled in the TV cart. "Documentary on grizzly bears in Alaska," he announced.

Maya perked up. Bears were cool at least they hibernated half the year. Imagine that luxury. Just sleeping through everything your parents expectations college applications the pressure to be perfect.

The documentary showed this massive bear fishing for salmon looking majestic and powerful. Then suddenly another bear appeared bigger meaner fought it for the catch.

"Dominance hierarchy," Harrison explained.

And that's when it hit Maya like maybe this whole high school thing was just a bear pit. Everyone fighting for position pretending they weren't starving for something real. She was zombie walking through it all letting the bigger bears win.

Her phone lit up again. Her mom: "Don't forget your vitamins!"

Maya stared at the screen. She'd been forgetting to take them for weeks. That gnawing fatigue wasn't just sleep deprivation it was actually legit deficiency. Sometimes the obvious stuff was the easiest to miss.

After school she texted the group chat: "I'm coming Friday." Something about seeing those bears fight made her realize she didn't want to zombie through her life anymore. She'd take her vitamins get some sleep show up.

Baby steps.