Lightning at the Homecoming Game

Marcus pulled the brim of his dad's ancient fishing hat lower, practically disappearing inside it. The neon orange foam hat with its ridiculous lures was exactly the kind of thing that guaranteed social suicide at Northwood High, especially not at homecoming.

"Dude, are you seriously wearing that?" Maya asked, barely looking up from her phone. She'd been distant all week, ever since she'd started hanging out with the varsity crowd.

"It's... it's comfortable," Marcus mumbled, wishing he could dissolve into the bleachers. The football game blared below, but he couldn't focus. He'd thought Maya would understand. She was supposed to be his best friend.

"Whatever." She turned away to laugh at something Tyler, the quarterback, said.

A crack of thunder shook the stadium. The storm that had been threatening all evening finally broke. Rain swept across the field in sheets, sending everyone scattering toward the exit. In the chaos, Maya and Tyler disappeared ahead of him.

Marcus slipped on the wet stairs, his hat flying off. A hand grabbed his arm—Kevin, the quiet kid from his history class.

"You okay, man?"

Marcus nodded, embarrassed. "Yeah. Just..."

"Awesome hat, by the way." Kevin grinned. "My grandpa has one exactly like it. Used to take me fishing all the time before he passed."

"Really?" Marcus blinked.

"Yeah. Those hats are legendary." Kevin helped him up. "Hey, me and some people are going to get pizza after this. Want to come? We're ditching the game anyway."

Another flash of lightning illuminated the parking lot, bright as a camera flash. In that moment, Marcus saw Maya waiting under the overhang, shivering as Tyler joked around with his friends, completely ignoring her.

Marcus looked at Kevin's genuine smile, then back at Maya hugging herself in the cold. Some things were worth getting wet for.

"Actually," Marcus said, pulling the hat back on with newfound confidence, "I think I need to talk to someone first. But save me a slice?"

Kevin's grin widened. "Deal. That hat's growing on me, by the way."

Marcus walked toward Maya, rain soaking through his clothes. "Hey," he called out. "You look cold. Want my hat?"

She looked up, surprised, and for the first time all week, she actually saw him.

Lightning flashed again, but this time Marcus didn't flinch.