Orange Hoodie Summer

Jordan's cat Boots sat like a judgmental gargoyle on the windowsill, watching them pack for Taylor's party. The orange hoodie — Jordan's absolute favorite, the one they'd worn every Friday since seventh grade — lay folded on the bed.

"You're not actually wearing that, are you?" Maya asked, leaning against the doorframe. She was Jordan's best friend since fourth grade, the one who'd helped them through middle school awkwardness, the one who knew everything.

"What? It's lucky." Jordan shrugged. "Besides, it's fire."

Maya's laugh was sharp. "It's bright orange, Jordan. In a room full of people trying way too hard to be cool? You're gonna stick out like a sore thumb."

"Since when do you care about being cool?"

"Since everyone's gonna be there." Maya crossed her arms. "I'm just saying. Maybe wear literally anything else."

At the party, the hoodie felt heavier somehow. Taylor's older brother was holding court in the kitchen, holding court like he owned everything, spouting absolute bull about his "startup" that was definitely just a Instagram page. Jordan rolled their eyes so hard it hurt.

Then they saw it — Taylor's cat, this tiny calico kitten, cowering under a snack table while someone's phone camera flashed nearby. Without thinking, Jordan dove underneath, scooping up the trembling creature. The kitten's purrs were immediate, loud and reassuring against their chest.

"Nice save," someone said. It was Alex, from Jordan's English class. They'd never really spoken before. "Bright orange hoodie matches your vibe. Bold."

Jordan caught Maya's eye across the room. She wasn't laughing anymore. She looked... thoughtful. Maybe a little sorry.

"Yeah," Jordan said, scratching the cat's chin as it made itself comfortable. "I guess I'd rather be bold than invisible."

Later, Maya found them on the back porch, watching the sunset. "I was being a jerk earlier. About the hoodie."

"Yeah. You were."

"I think I'm just scared about high school." Maya sank onto the steps beside them. "Like, what if we don't fit in? What if everything changes?"

Jordan's orange hoodie glowed in the golden light. Some things already were changing. But some things — like good friends who'd admit when they messed up, and cats who needed rescuing, and being unapologetically yourself — those were worth holding onto.

"Whatever happens," Jordan said, "we'll figure it out. Together."

Boots was probably still judging them from home, but that was fine. Jordan was done caring what anyone thought.