Lightning Strikes at Midnight

The party at Tyler's house was supposed to be the night I finally talked to Maya. Instead, I spent two hours spying on her from the kitchen doorway like a total creep. Every time she laughed at something Jordan said, I felt like I'd been struck by lightning—this sudden, jolted feeling that made my hands shake.

"My dude, you've got zero game," Fox said, sliding up beside me. Fox earned that nickname junior year for being cunning as hell—she could talk her way out of detention, hack the school's WiFi, and still maintain a 4.0 GPA. "You're literally just staring at her across a room full of people doing body shots."

I shrugged, feeling exposed. "It's just... different when you actually like someone."

Fox rolled her eyes. "Drama queen. You know who else is staring at her?"

I followed her gaze to the corner where Bear loomed over the snack table. Bear was this massive senior who'd failed twice but nobody messed with him because he could bench press small cars. He was absolutely bear-pawing handful of chips, watching Maya like she was the last food source in hibernation season.

"Hard pass," I said.

"No, listen. Bear's gonna make his move, and then it's game over for you, me, and literally everyone else who's been simping for Maya since September."

Fox's phone buzzed. She smirked. "Jordan's leaving. Maya's alone by the back door. Lightning round, dude—you go now or you stay home forever."

My heart hammered against my ribs like it wanted to escape my chest. This was it. The moment. Either I manned up and talked to her, or I spent the rest of high school wondering what if.

I walked across the crowded room, pushing past people I'd known since kindergarten but suddenly felt like strangers. Maya turned as I approached, her eyes widening slightly.

"Hey," I said, and my voice came out steadier than I expected. "I'm, uh, I'm gonna sneak out back. Want to come?"

She studied me for what felt like forever, then smiled. "Thought you'd never ask."