Lightning at the Pool Party

Maya stood at the edge of the pool, clutching her solo cup like it was a lifeline. Jordan's parents were out of town, which meant the house party of the year was officially going down. The inflatable flamingo floated nearby, mocking her social anxiety.

"You're being so dramatic," said Tish, adjusting her crop top. "Just talk to him already."

"Easy for you to say," Maya muttered. "You're not the one who's been lowkey crushing on Lucas since seventh grade."

Their friend Leo bull-dozed through the crowd, phone glued to his face. "Yo, the cable is out at my house. No Wi-Fi, no nothing. My mom is gonna kill me."

"Bull, you're just making excuses because you didn't finish your English project," Tish called out.

Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by thunder that shook the patio furniture. Someone screamed, and suddenly everyone was rushing toward the house. Maya grabbed her phone and ducked under the porch roof, her heart racing—from the storm or from Lucas suddenly standing right next to her.

"Crazy weather, right?" Lucas said. His voice was deeper than she remembered.

"Yeah," Maya managed, trying to look chill and failing. "I mean, it's whatever. Just rain."

Smooth, Maya. Real smooth.

Then Jordan's cat, normally an indoor creature, bolted through the sliding door, chasing a moth. It slipped on the wet deck and crashed directly into the pool, sending a wave of water over Lucas's shoes.

They both cracked up laughing, and somehow that was it. The tension broke.

"I'm Maya," she said, finally.

"Lucas. Obviously." He grinned. "Hey, you want to help me fish out the cat?"

The storm raged on, but under the porch lights, with chaos everywhere and a wet feline climbing onto the deck, Maya finally took a breath. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.