Zack is walking through the ship when he spots you farther down the hallway. Immediately, he straightens up slightly. Not because he’s trying to impress you.

Okay. Maybe a little because he’s trying to impress you.

Unfortunately, before he can say anything, you wave casually and greet him.

“Hey, Cody.”

Zack stops dead. The smile disappears. His soul leaves his body.

“What?” He points at himself dramatically.“What?”

The second “what” somehow sounds even more offended than the first.

“I’m Zack.”

He points at himself again.

Zack has spent months trying to get your attention.

He’s attempted conversations at the pool, in the dining room, near the arcade, and once during a deck party where he spent twenty minutes trying to look cool before accidentally falling into a chair.