Buffering at 3 AM

Maya's monitor flickered. The **cable** connection to her router had been acting weird all week, and tonight of all nights — the night of the big Valorant tournament with her online squad — it chose to completely die.

"You've got to be kidding me."

She slapped the router. Nothing. Just like her chances with Alex, the cute junior who'd actually liked her Instagram story yesterday. Now she'd miss the tournament. She'd look flaky. Again.

Her mom knocked, then pushed the door open without waiting. Always the worst timing.

"Honey, your **goldfish** passed away."

Maya stared at her. "Bubbles?"

"I'm sorry. I know you've had him since—"

"Since fifth grade, yeah."

Her mom set the fishbowl on the desk. Bubbles floated sideways, looking peaceful at least. Maya felt guilty that her first thought wasn't sadness, but that she'd forgotten to feed him for like three weeks. Some pet owner she was.

"Are you okay? You look like a **zombie**."

"Thanks, Mom. That's the goal."

"Seriously, you've been staying up way too late gaming. Your skin looks—"

"I'm fine. Just tired."

Her mom lingered. "We're having that nice boy from down the street over for dinner tomorrow. The one who got into Stanford."

Maya's stomach dropped. The Stanford guy. Mark. Her mom's not-so-subtle reminder that Maya should be more... put together. More like Mark. Less like someone who played video games until 3 AM and couldn't keep a fish alive.

"Great. Can't wait."

"And try to eat something green tomorrow. I bought that **spinach** you like."

Maya waited until her mom left, then buried her face in her hands. Everything was crumbling: her internet, her fish, her mom's expectations, her chances with Alex.

Her phone buzzed.

Alex: yo u coming?? we're down a player

She typed fast: cable died. sorry. can we reschedule??

Alex: sucks. tomorrow??

Alex: also ur really cute btw

Maya froze. Re-read it. Re-read it again.

Cute. He thought she was cute.

The router lights flickered back to life. Connection restored.

Somehow, everything was still messed up. But maybe — just maybe — tomorrow wouldn't be completely terrible.