Lightning in the Deep End

The backyard pool party smelled like chlorine and cheap body spray. Maya hovered near the snack table, clutching a red solo cup like a lifeline. Someone had pushed her into the pool earlier—fully clothed, phone in pocket—and now she was stuck in dripping denim while everyone laughed like it was the funniest thing that had ever happened.

Across the yard, Jason stood by the deep end, looking like he owned the place. His hair was perfect. His swim trunks were expensive. Maya had been crushing on him since seventh period English, when he'd let her borrow a pen and their fingers had brushed. That tiny moment had lived in her head rent-free for three weeks.

A storm was rolling in. The sky turned that weird purple-gray color, and her best friend Chen grabbed her arm. "We should bounce. My weather app says lightning's coming in hot."

"In a minute," Maya said, because Jason was walking toward her.

"Hey," he said. "Sorry about earlier. They were being dicks."

Maya's heart did that embarrassing fluttery thing. "It's chill."

"You want to go somewhere?" He jerked his head toward the side gate. "There's this spot behind the neighbor's shed where we can—"

LIGHTNING cracked. A bolt hit the oak tree in the corner of the yard, and everyone screamed. The automatic pool lights flickered and died.

In that flash, Maya saw something: Jason was looking at her with this expression that wasn't sweet. It was calculating. Like she was a checkbox on some list.

The truth hit her like actual water in the lungs. He didn't like her. He just wanted to add her to his summer conquest collection, and she'd been so desperate for attention that she'd almost fallen for it.

"Actually," she said, as the first drops of rain started falling, "I'm good."

"What?"

"I'm gonna head out. Chen's right, we should leave before it gets worse."

She walked away, heart pounding, as the sky opened up. By the time they reached Chen's car, they were soaked through. But Maya didn't care.

"You okay?" Chen asked, starting the engine.

Maya looked back at the house one last time. Through the rain, she could see people scattering like ants. Jason was already talking to someone else.

"Yeah," she said. "I think I finally am."

She couldn't bear to look anymore. Some things weren't worth drowning for—not when you could just swim to shore instead.