Orange Crush Disaster

Maya's crush on Jake had survived eighth grade, freshman year's awkward lunchroom exchanges, and整整 two years of Instagram stalking. But it definitely would not survive this.

The pool party at Jake's house was supposed to be her moment. She'd spent forty-five minutes perfecting the messy-but-cute beach waves that Pinterest promised would look effortless. Her new orange bikini—totally coincidentally matching Jake's favorite color—was practically screaming for his attention.

"Nice swimsuit," said Chloe, who had been systematically sabotaging Maya's social life since the sixth grade. "Very... bright."

Whatever. Maya adjusted her sunglasses and sipped from her red Solo cup like she owned the place. That's when Buster, Jake's ridiculously oversized golden retriever, came bounding out of nowhere like a furry torpedo. The dog clearly didn't understand personal space.

"Buster, down!" Jake was jogging over, shirtless, because the universe apparently wanted Maya to die today.

Maya tried to step back but her heel caught on something soft and furry. Chloe's cat—why was there even a cat at a pool party?—hissed and bolted, leaving Maya flailing. The orange cup went flying. The contents splashed everywhere, mostly onto Jake's gray swim trunks.

"I'm so sorry!" she practically shouted, her face burning hotter than the July sun. "I—that was—"

Jake looked down at the orange stain spreading across his shorts. Then he looked at Maya, really looked at her, and started laughing. Not mean laughing, but genuine this-is-ridiculous laughter.

"You missed," he said, wiping orange liquid from his chest. "I thought you were trying to get my attention, but you literally couldn't hit me if you tried."

"I wasn't—" Maya stopped. The water rippled in the pool behind him. Chloe rolled her eyes so hard it probably hurt. Buster sat beside Maya, looking proud of himself.

"You know what," Jake said, grabbing her hand, "this is way better than whatever cool entrance you had planned. Get in the pool. Now."

He pulled her toward the water, and Maya thought maybe, just maybe, disaster wasn't always bad thing. Especially when Jake's hand was still holding hers, and he was smiling like she'd actually done something right.

"Nice orange," he whispered as they hit the water together. "My favorite."