Lightning at the Pool Party

Maya smoothed her bikini top for the third time, heart doing that stupid fluttery thing it always did when Jake was within fifty feet. The Taylor backyard was packed—everyone who was anyone from sophomore year was at this pool party. Everyone except her, basically.

She'd been low-key spying on Jake from behind the snack table for twenty minutes. Not creepy spying, just... strategic observation. Okay, maybe a little creepy. But whatever.

Jake. Shirtless. Wet hair. Laughing at something Sarah said.

Maya grabbed a handful of chips and practically inhaled them, nervous energy needing somewhere to go. That's when she felt it—the spinach wedge from the spinach artichoke dip, somehow wedged between her front teeth like a green flag of social suicide.

Her face burned. She'd been smiling at Jake with spinach in her teeth. FOR TWENTY MINUTES.

The first lightning crack made everyone scream. Thunder shook the ground like something massive was approaching, which technically it was—the storm front that had been threatening all afternoon.

"Everyone inside NOW!" Mrs. Taylor's voice cut through the sudden wind.

Maya scrambled toward the sliding glass door with everyone else, clutching her towel like a shield. Jake ended up beside her in the dash for cover, their shoulders brushing.

"Spinach," he said, flashing this crooked grin that did things to her stomach.

"What?" Her voice came out squeaky.

"You've got—" He gestured at his own teeth. "Just wanted you to know before you went inside."

Maya wanted to die. Actually evaporate. Become one with the storm clouds overhead.

But then Jake's face softened. "I've been there. Last winter? Had parsley in my teeth through an entire presentation in history. Mr. Henderson kept staring at me like I was growing a second head."

The rain started, huge warm drops that felt almost like permission somehow. Like the universe was saying, *Embarrassing moments happen. Everyone's messy. Nobody's watching as close as you think.*

"Thanks," Maya said, scrubbing the spinach away with her tongue. "For... you know."

"No problem." He bumped her shoulder again, a little more deliberate this time. "You hanging out when we're inside?"

"Maybe."

"Cool."

They made it to the door just as the sky opened up, lightning flashing white-hot against the darkened clouds. Maya wasn't sure what was brighter—the lightning or the way Jake looked at her when he held the door open and said, "After you."

Sometimes the universe sends you lightning. Sometimes it sends you spinach. Sometimes both in the same night.

Maya decided to roll with it.