Foxfire on the Mound

Maya's arms felt like lead weights as she stepped onto the pitcher's mound. Third week of varsity **baseball** tryouts, and she was still the only girl on the roster. The boys didn't say anything—most days—but she could feel their eyes on her back, measuring, doubting.

She hadn't slept properly in days. Between AP Euro, her mom's new obsession with wellness influencer TikToks, and the pressure of proving herself here, she was running on caffeine and spite. Total **zombie** mode. Her brain felt like it was broadcasting static.

"Take these," her mom had said that morning, thrusting a orange bottle at her. "Organic immunity **vitamin** complex. You need all the help you can get."

Right. Because vitamins fixed impostor syndrome.

Maya wound up and threw. The ball sailed high, outside—and kept going.

"BALL FOUR!" the umpire yelled.

Maya's face burned. The batter trotted to first base. Coach Miller sighed from the dugout, that disappointed dad sound that somehow hurt more than yelling.

That's when she saw it.

A rust-orange flash near the outfield fence. A **fox**, tail flashing like a flame coat, watching her with eyes that held zero judgment. It tilted its head, almost like it was daring her.

Something clicked in Maya's chest. The fox didn't care about tryouts or expectations. It just *was*—wild, unapologetic, surviving.

"Hey! You gonna pitch or stare at the wildlife?" called Jayden, the senior shortstop. Usually he ignored her.

Maya smiled, actual tension falling off her shoulders. "Both. You got a problem with that?"

Jayden blinked. Then grinned. "Nah. Just don't let it distract you."

She wound up again, something shifting in her stance. Not trying to prove anything anymore—not to Coach, not to the boys, not to herself. Just throwing, like the fox moved, pure motion without overthinking.

The ball caught the corner. Strike three.

The fox vanished into the woods. Maya's mom would definitely want her to take more vitamins tomorrow. But right now, standing on the dirt with sweat on her neck and her team actually cheering, Maya felt something better than energy.

She felt awake.