Orange Hoodie Lightning

Maya tugged at the sleeves of her orange hoodie, a nervous habit she couldn't break. The bonfire party at Leo's house was exactly the kind of thing she usually avoided — too many people, too many expectations, too many opportunities to say something awkward.

But Austin would be there.

She'd spent forty-five minutes straightening her hair and another fifteen debating whether the orange hoodie was too much. It was her favorite — bright enough to signal confidence she didn't actually feel, comfortable enough to hide in if necessary.

"You made it!" Leo called from near the fire. "Come grab a drink."

Maya nodded, heading toward the coolers. That's when she saw him — Austin, standing by the beach access path, looking perfect in his flannel and stupid perfect hair. Her heart did that traitorous little skip thing.

She took a breath and started toward him, but suddenly something came barreling out of the darkness.

A dog. A massive, exc retriever that clearly missed the memo about personal space.

"No! Bad Buster!" someone yelled, but it was too late. The dog launched itself at Maya, muddy paws and all, sending her stumbling backward — directly into Austin.

"Whoa," he said, grabbing her arms to steady her. "You okay?"

Maya's face burned hotter than the bonfire. "Yeah. Just. Dog collision."

"Buster!" A girl came running over. "I am so sorry, he's literally obsessed with people."

"It's fine," Maya said, though she was currently wearing mud streaks on her favorite orange hoodie. Because of course she was.

But then Austin laughed. Not mean-laughed. Actually laughed.

"That was iconic," he said. "Ten out of ten for dramatic entrance."

Maya looked up, ready to be embarrassed, but he was smiling at her. Actually smiling. Not the polite fake-smile he gave everyone in homeroom.

"Your hoodie," he said, reaching out and then stopping himself. "It's really cool. I like orange."

"Thanks," Maya managed. Her face was still burning but maybe not entirely from embarrassment anymore.

Far out over the lake, a flash of lightning split the sky. The storm they'd been predicting all day was finally rolling in.

"We should probably get inside," Austin said. "Want to — I mean, we're all going to the basement. You coming?"

Maya looked at her muddy orange hoodie, then at Austin waiting for her answer. The dog sat nearby looking ridiculously pleased with itself.

"Yeah," she said. "I'm coming."

Sometimes the worst moments became the best ones. Or maybe that was just what people said. But as she followed Austin toward the house, the dog trotting alongside them like it was part of the squad, Maya thought maybe — just maybe — they were right.