Four A.M. Paws and Problems

The alarm screamed at 3:45 AM. Again.

Maya groaned, slapped her phone silent, and rolled out of bed. Her legs still burned from yesterday's practice, but the thought of facing *her* in first period made running seem like the better option. Outside, the world was that perfect pre-dawn purple where anything felt possible.

Three miles in, her phone buzzed. Jess.

*"u coming 2 the party tonight? everyone's gonna b there"*

Maya slowed to a jog, lungs burning. Right. Everyone. Including Brianna, who'd been lowkey ghosting her since homecoming, then had the audacity to sit with her at lunch yesterday like nothing happened. The same Brianna who'd told half the track team about Maya's crush on Tyler.

*Fake.*

Maya picked up speed, sneakers slapping against the pavement. She was *running* harder now, pushing past the ache in her chest that had nothing to do with exercise.

That's when she saw him – a scrawny golden retriever mix, ribs showing through matted fur, curled near the abandoned tennis courts. He lifted his head at her approach, tail thumping cautiously against the concrete.

"Hey buddy," Maya whispered, dropping to her knees. "You hungry?"

The *dog* inhaled the protein bar she offered like it was gourmet. Then he did something that made her throat tight – he rested his head on her knee, eyes half-closed like he'd been waiting forever for someone to stop.

"Yeah," she said into the quiet, fingers buried in his dirty fur. "I feel you."

Her phone lit up again. Another group chat notification. Another notification about plans she wasn't sure she wanted to be part of anymore.

Maya looked at the dog, who was now fully asleep, completely trusting. No manipulation. No fake energy. Just presence.

"Friend," she said, testing the word. It felt different than it had a week ago.

She snapped a picture, typed *"found this guy at the courts. anyone missing a dog??"* and posted it to the neighborhood page. Then she deleted Jess's unread message. Blocked Brianna's number.

The first light of morning hit the horizon – pink and gold and honest. Maya stood up, legs tired but clear-headed for the first time in days.

Some friends were lessons. Some were running buddies. And sometimes, the realest ones couldn't even text back.