Mechanical Bull Summer

Maya's summer was supposed to be about swim practice and finally getting noticed by Jake, who somehow made even Speedos look decent. Instead, she found herself at the county fair, humidity clinging like a second skin, watching her best friends dare each other onto the mechanical bull.

"Your turn, Maya!" Chloe yelled over the country music, waving a glowing orange cotton candy like a flag. "Jake's watching."

He was. Leaning against the railing, iPhone in hand, probably posting something that would make everyone else feel inadequate. Maya's stomach did that annoying flutter thing.

The bull operator raised his eyebrows. "You sure? This one's been throwing people like they're nothing."

Maya stepped up, heart hammering against her ribs. She'd spent her whole life running away from things—hard conversations, her parents' divorce questions, her own reflection sometimes. Not today. She grabbed the rope with both hands, knuckles white.

"Hold on tight!" the operator shouted.

The bull lurched forward. Maya's body went flying, but her grip held. Around and around, dust and laughter spinning together. She lasted seven seconds before hitting the mat, landing in a puddle of spilled water from someone's drink.

Jake's phone was down. He was actually looking—really looking—at her, grinning like he'd never seen anything more impressive. "That was epic, Maya."

She lay there staring up at the fair lights, orange and yellow against the darkening sky, feeling something shift inside. Maybe next time she'd stay on eight seconds. Maybe she'd finally ask Jake if he wanted to get food after. Maybe she'd stop running from everything.

"Again," she said, pulling herself up. "I want to go again."