Electric Summer Nights

I felt like a straight-up **zombie** as I dragged myself through the backyard gate, clutching my phone like a lifeline. Three hours of sleep because I'd been doom-scrolling until 3 AM again—classic me. My mom had literally force-fed me a gummy **vitamin** D in the kitchen like I was still six, not sixteen.

The Hernandez pool party was already popping. About fifty people from school, splashing around in the blue water, music bumping. I spotted Leo immediately, leaning against the porch railing with that effortless vibe that made my stomach do actual gymnastics. We'd been flirting in AP World for weeks, but tonight felt different. Bigger.

"Maya!" Jenna called from the pool edge. "Quit lurking and get in here!"

I hesitated. My swimsuit felt weirdly exposed, and everyone was already in their squads. But then Leo caught my eye and grinned, and suddenly I was sliding into the cool water, letting it wash away the awkward.

We ended up on pool noodles in the shallow end, somehow talking about Mr. Harrison's obsession with ancient Egypt. Leo did this ridiculous impression of the **sphinx** posing riddles, and I actually laughed—like, genuine laugh, not my fake polite one.

"Okay, okay," he said, splashing water my way. "What walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening?"

"Dude, that's literally the original sphinx riddle," I countered. "But fine—man. Throughout his life. Happy?"

His eyes crinkled. "You're smart, Maya. Like, actually smart."

The compliment hung between us, charged and electric. I opened my mouth to respond when a crack of **lightning** split the sky. Thunder rattled the patio furniture.

"Everyone out!" Mr. Hernandez yelled. "Storm's coming in hot!"

We scrambled for the covered patio, squeezing under the shelter together. Leo's shoulder pressed against mine, warm despite the sudden cool breeze. Rain started sheeting down, turning the pool surface into choppy gray waves.

"So," he said quietly, barely audible over the rain. "You doing anything tomorrow?"

The zombie feeling had vanished. I was fully, terrifyingly awake. "Not anymore."