Lightning Strikes the Backhand

Maya dragged herself through fourth period like a actual zombie, three hours of sleep doing her absolutely no favors. The Friday announcements droned on about something, but her brain was buffering at 10% capacity.

"You coming to Jordan's pool party?" Tasha whispered, sliding a note across her desk. "Rumor has it Caleb's gonna be there."

Maya's stomach did that thing where it forgot how to function. Caleb. The guy who sat behind her in pre-calc and always let her copy his homework when she "mysteriously" forgot hers (she never forgot. she just wanted to talk to him).

"I think so," Maya whispered back. "If I survive PE first. We're doing that ridiculous padel unit again."

Padel. The sport where you whack a ball around a small court and pray you don't look completely uncoordinated in front of everyone. Last week, Maya had served the ball straight into the fence. Twice. The video had made its rounds on her class's Snapchat story approximately 700 times.

By seventh period, the sky had turned that ominous purple-green that promises either dramatic weather or Instagram gold. Thunder rumbled like the cafeteria after mystery meat Friday.

Jordan's house was huge, with an actual pool that glowed blue and weirdly inviting. Maya arrived late (fashionably late? hopefully?) wearing her favorite two-piece and carrying a towel like a security blanket.

She spotted Caleb immediately. He was standing near the snack table, laughing at something Jordan said, his hair still damp from swimming. Maya made a beeline for the chips because clearly that's where confidence lives.

"Hey, Maya!" Jordan called. "You want to play padel? We're setting up a mini tournament by the garage."

"Absolutely not," Maya said. "I have sworn off racquet sports until further notice."

Caleb turned around. His smile was doing things to her heart rate that probably weren't medically advisable. "Come on, May. I'll be your partner. We can lose together dramatically."

"Together" echoed in her head like really romantic lightning.

They got absolutely crushed in the first round, but Caleb kept making her laugh every time she missed the ball, which was constantly. It started raining during their second match – actual fat drops that sent everyone scattering toward the covered patio.

"Guess that's our sign," Caleb said, ducking under the shelter with her. His shoulder brushed hers and Maya's brain short-circuited.

Someone had ordered pizza, and Maya reached for a slice, suddenly starving. She took a huge, enthusiastic bite.

"You got a little something," Caleb said, gesturing to his own teeth.

Oh no. Oh absolutely no.

She rushed to the bathroom mirror. A giant piece of spinach from the veggie pizza was stuck between her front teeth, on full display. During the most romantic moment of her life. Her soul left her body.

When she came back, prepared to transfer schools immediately, Caleb was still waiting. He held out his phone.

"I was gonna say," he shrugged, "if you're done humiliating yourself, there's this zombie marathon streaming tonight. I could use someone to suffer through it with me."

Maya looked at him. Really looked at him. The way his ears got slightly pink when he was nervous. The genuine warmth in his eyes.

"Only if you promise I can hide my face the entire time," she said.

"Deal," he grinned. "Deal."

The storm outside raged harder, lightning flashing white and dramatic across the sky, but inside, under the patio lights, Maya felt something spark and warm and terrifyingly wonderful begin.