Orange Electric at Home Plate

Marcus's palms were sweating so badly he could barely grip the bat. The orange sunset painted the sky behind him like something out of a movie, but this wasn't a movie — this was varsity baseball tryouts, sophomore year, and pretty much everyone he knew was watching from the bleachers.

"You got this, Marcus!" yelled Jordan, sitting three rows up with their friends. Jordan, who'd somehow dyed their hair a perfect electric orange over spring break. Jordan, who Marcus had been lowkey crushing on since seventh grade health class.

Marcus stepped into the batter's box. His heart was doing that weird fluttery thing, like lightning trapped in his chest. Why did he decide to try out for baseball again? Right, because his dad had played, and his older brother, and basically every male in his family going back four generations. No pressure though.

The pitcher wound up. Fastball, high and outside.

Strike one. The metallic *ping* echoed through the stadium.

"Easy!" Coach yelled from the dugout. "Just make contact, Marcus!"

Second pitch. Marcus swung. Missed by like three feet.

Strike two. The bleachers went quiet. That was worse than the cheering.

Then the sky opened up. Not rain — lightning, actual purple-white lightning cracked across the sky, followed immediately by thunder that rattled the dugout roof. Everyone started scattering toward the covered areas.

"Everyone to the buses!" Coach shouted. "Tryouts resume tomorrow!"

Marcus jogged toward the parking lot, feeling weirdly relieved. Saved by the weather. A solid B- escape.

"Hey!" A voice behind him. Jordan, running to catch up, orange hair damp from the sudden drizzle that always followed the lightning. "You were nervous, huh?"

"Is it that obvious?" Marcus laughed, wiping his sweating palms on his jeans.

"Your knuckles were literally white from gripping the bat so hard." Jordan bumped their shoulder against his. "My cousin plays travel ball. Says everyone's terrified their first time at varsity tryouts. Even the seniors act like they're not shook, but they totally are."

"Your cousin plays travel ball?" Marcus asked. "Wait, aren't you —"

"Trying out for the team? Yeah. Freshman year didn't work out, but I've been practicing like crazy." Jordan smiled. "We could be terrible together."

Marcus grinned. The lightning flashed again, and for once, his palms felt dry. "Yeah. We could be terrible together."