Caption This Moment

Maya's palms were sweating—literally. She stood outside the beach house where the party of the year was happening, heart doing gymnastics routines. Inside, everyone was probably living their best lives. Meanwhile, she was out here having an existential crisis.

''You coming in or what?''

Maya jumped. Santiago leaned against the palm tree, silhouette sharp against the sunset. He wore that stupid trucker hat backwards—his signature move since seventh grade.

''I'm thinking about it,'' Maya lied. She'd been thinking about it for twenty minutes.

''Your eyes say 'I'm out,' but your outfit says 'I mean business.''' He pushed off the tree. ''What's actually wrong?''

She blew out air. ''What if nobody talks to me? What if I stand there looking awkward while everyone's being—''

''Themselves?'' Santiago finished. ''Maya, you're overthinking it. Watch this.'' He pulled his iPhone from his pocket, flipped the camera to selfie mode. ''SMILE or I'm recording your awkward moment instead.''

Maya groaned but laughed. The camera clicked. He showed her the screen—there they were, hair messy, sunset painting everything gold, actually looking like they belonged in a coming-of-age movie.

''See?'' Santiago said. ''You're not awkward. You're just in your head about being awkward. There's a difference.'' He adjusted his hat. ''Now come inside. I promise at least three people will say hi to you, and if they don't, I'll make it weird until they do.''

Maya's heart slowed down. Maybe she could do this. ''Fine. But if I stand alone for more than five minutes, you're rescuing me.''

''Deal.''

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Santiago had posted the photo. Caption: *Maya vs. Her Overthinking (she's winning tho)*.

Comments were already flooding in. *Where's this party??* *Maya you look so good!* *Omg Santiago wearing that hat still 💀*

Maybe this night wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe she wouldn't be so bad after all.