Lightning in the Water

Maya's summer had two settings: awkward silence at the country club pool, and obsessively checking Leo's story views. She wasn't proud of the whole spy energy she had going on—creeping through his social media like she was gathering intel for a mission instead of just admitting she thought the dimple in his left cheek was the cutest thing ever.

But her bestie Samira had zero chill about it. "You're literally down bad," she said, adjusting her cable-knit sweater despite the ninety-degree heat. "Either shoot your shot, or I'm doing it for you."

"You're one to talk," Maya shot back. "Still haven't told Jamil you like his padel serve."

Samira's face flushed. "That's different. We're friends. It'll get weird."

"Exactly my point."

Friday's pool party changed everything. Maya was halfway through her third nervous circuit around the snack table when Leo actually showed up, dripping wet from swimming laps like some kind of determined, but he kept glancing at her phone like she was waiting for something important.

The storm broke before Maya could make herself move. Lightning cracked the sky open, rain sheeting down so hard it drowned out the music. Everyone scrambled under the gazebo, but Leo stayed by the pool's edge, watching the water turn electric in the flashes.

Maya found herself beside him before she could overthink it.

"You swim?" he asked, water dripping from his hair.

"Used to," she said. "Got scared of lightning when I was little. Never really shook it."

He nodded, like this was the most normal thing in the world. "My coach says fear's just your body trying to keep you safe. Doesn't mean you have to listen."

They watched the storm together, shoulders barely brushing, while Samira mouthed "I TOLD YOU" from across the gazebo. When the lightning finally faded, Maya didn't need her phone to feel that spark anymore.