Chasing Midnight

The bull in the arena wasn't what scared Maya. It was the crowd. Hundreds of people from Ridgebrook High, all packed into Miller's barn for the party that would define junior year. Jackson had promised her this would be legendary, but legendary wasn't how she felt. Legendary felt like maybe throwing up behind the hay bales.

"You're literally shaking," said Priya, sliding next to her with red Solo cups. "It's fine. Jackson's just showing off because Kara's watching."

Jackson was currently talking to some seniors about running track at State, voice booming like he'd already made the team. Maya's stomach did that thing it always did when he performed for an audience—half pride, half embarrassment, mostly just tired.

"Bull," someone shouted nearby, and everyone laughed. Maya realized with horror they were watching Jackson attempt to impress Kara with increasingly outrageous stories. His friends were calling him out, but he was doubling down, eyes bright with the kind of confidence that came from never having been wrong about anything important.

Then it happened. Jackson's golden retriever, Buster, who'd been sleeping in the corner, bolted for the arena where the actual bull—a massive, irritated creature brought in for atmosphere—was snorting and shifting. The crowd went silent. Buster ran straight toward the animal, tail wagging, completely oblivious.

"Buster!" Jackson yelled, dropping all pretense instantly and running after his dog.

What happened next was weird. Maya moved before she thought, grabbing Jackson's arm alongside Priya, and suddenly the three of them were all running, not away from danger but toward it, yelling for Buster. The bull huffed, confused by the chaos. Buster skidded to a halt, tail between his legs.

They got the dog out. Jackson was breathing hard, hair messed up, track star reputation evaporated in a panic over his pet. Kara was just watching now, along with everyone else.

"You idiot," Jackson said to the dog, but he was hugging him.

"You're an idiot," Maya said, but she was smiling, weirdly proud.

The party kept going like nothing happened. But something had. Jackson wasn't performing anymore. Kara came over later and asked if Buster was okay, and Jackson said, "Yeah, he's just dumb," like a normal person.

Priya looked at Maya. "You literally ran toward a bull."

"Yeah." Maya realized her hands weren't shaking anymore. "I guess I did."

Later, walking home under streetlights, Jackson texted: thanks for not letting me die alone lol

Maya wrote back: next time leave the dog at home

She put her phone away. Junior year wouldn't be perfect. But maybe she didn't have to be legendary. Just someone who'd run toward the scary stuff with her friends.