Fox in the Flash

Maya stood against the kitchen counter at Jessica's house party, clutching a red solo cup like it was a lifeline. Her best friend since seventh grade, Chloe, was across the room laughing at something Tyler said—head thrown back, hair perfect, like she'd never once complained about how Tyler was literally the most annoying person in their AP Bio class.

"You look like you're plotting murder," a voice said beside her.

Maya jumped. It was Riley, that quiet girl from her English class who always wore oversized hoodies and read during lunch.

"Maybe," Maya said. "Just reconsidering my life choices."

Riley laughed, and Maya noticed for the first time that she had the most ridiculous spray of freckles across her nose. Like someone had flicked orange paint on her face. It was kind of adorable, actually.

"Your friend seems busy," Riley said, nodding toward Chloe, who was now taking selfies with the popular crew.

"Yeah." Maya traced the condensation on her cup. "We're supposed to be sticking together tonight. That was the whole plan."

"Plans change," Riley said with a shrug. "Sometimes people outgrow each other. It's not even malicious—it's just... evolution."

Maya stared at her. "Since when are you the philosophy queen of Jefferson High?"

"Since I realized I'd rather have three real friends than thirty fake ones." Riley's eyes sparkled. "Also, I saw your Instagram stories. You like that obscure indie band Foxes in Fiction?"

Maya's jaw dropped. "NO WAY. You know them?"

"Obsessed," Riley said. "I have their vinyl collection."

Suddenly, the sky outside lit up—brilliant white **lightning** flashed through the window, followed instantly by thunder that rattled the house. Someone screamed. The music stopped.

"Storm's supposed to be wild," Riley said, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Want to get out of here? I've got their new album playing in my car. We could watch the rain from the parking lot."

Maya looked across the room one more time. Chloe was still there, still laughing, still not noticing that Maya had basically disappeared.

Some things really did get struck by **lightning**—friendships, expectations, the person you thought you were supposed to be. And sometimes, in the flash of something new, you saw everything clearly.

"Yeah," Maya said, setting down her cup. "Let's go."

Outside, the rain started coming down hard. And somewhere in the distance, Maya swore she heard a real **fox** cry out, wild and free and absolutely not concerned with fitting in.

She couldn't stop smiling.