Chasing Sunsets

Maya's lungs burned as she kept running, her sneakers pounding against the dirt path. Cross country practice had ended twenty minutes ago, but she couldn't stop. Not today.

Coach Patterson had pulled her aside after practice. "You've got real potential, kid. But you're holding yourself back. What are you afraid of?"

The question echoed in her head with every step. What was she afraid of?

She slowed to a walk near the old creek behind the school, dropping onto the grass to catch her breath. Her reflection stared back from the water's surface—wild curly hair escaping her ponytail, cheeks flushed, eyes wide with that perpetual look she'd been wearing since seventh grade.

Since the incident.

Maya unwound her hair tie, letting her curls spring free. She used to hide them under beanies and tight braids, ever since Tyler Clarkson had announced in the middle of science class that she looked like she'd stuck her finger in an electrical socket. Everyone had laughed. She'd laughed too, pretending it didn't sting.

That was eighth grade. This was junior year, and she was still running from everything.

Her phone buzzed. Sasha: "where r u??? dinner at tony's in 15!!!"

Maya groaned. Tony's. The place where every popular kid hung out after football games. The place where Tyler definitely would be.

She reached into her backpack and found an orange she'd grabbed from the cafeteria. Peeling it, she watched the rind fall in long strips, thinking about how Coach had said she was running from her potential. Maybe he was right. Maybe she wasn't just running on the trail—she was running from herself.

"Hey."

Maya jumped, nearly dropping her orange. A guy stood on the other side of the creek, holding a camera. Liam from her AP English class. Quiet. Drew a lot. Always sat in the back.

"Sorry," he said. "Didn't mean to scare you. I was taking pictures of the sunset. The light hits the water perfectly here."

Maya glanced at her watch. "Crap. I have to go." She started gathering her stuff, feeling self-conscious about her messy hair.

"Wait." Liam adjusted his camera. "Can I—would you mind if I took your picture?"

"What? Why?"

"Because the lighting," he said, then paused. "And because you look real. Most people, they're always performing. You're just... here."

Maya froze. For three years, she'd been trying to disappear. Now someone actually saw her.

"My hair's a mess," she said.

"It's perfect." Liam lifted the camera. "The sun's catching it just—" *click* "—like that."

He lowered the camera, smiling slightly. "See?"

Maya stood there, water rippling behind her, orange peel in her hand, heart racing for a completely different reason now.

"I have to go meet friends," she said, but her voice sounded different. Stronger.

"Cool." Liam nodded. "See you in English."

Maya walked to Tony's with her hair still wild, still free. When Tyler made some comment at dinner, she didn't laugh along. She didn't even look down.

She was done running.