Orange Padel Dreams

The vitamin D gummies sat on my nightstand, mocking me. Mom's latest attempt to fix my 'gamer complexion' — aka pale skin from spending too much time indoors. I grabbed the bottle and shoved them in my desk drawer, right next to my secret stash of discontinued Takis.

"Marcus! You coming?" Leo yelled from downstairs.

"Yeah, yeah, hold up."

I grabbed my padel racket and headed out. Sunday mornings at the community courts had become our thing since freshman year. Just me, Leo, and sometimes Sarah if she wasn't busy being popular.

The orange ball flew across the court, a blur against the blue sky. I returned it with way too much force, sending it soaring into the fence.

"Whoa there, Hercules," Leo laughed, wiping sweat from his forehead. "What's got you worked up?"

"Nothing."

"Bullshit. You've been off all week. Is it about Sarah?"

I groaned. "How'd you know?"

"Bro, you've had a crush on her since eighth grade. It's literally painful to watch."

The orange ball rolled to my feet. I picked it up, tracing the seams with my thumb. "She invited me to Jake's party Friday."

Leo's eyes went wide. "For real? And you haven't said anything? This is huge!"

"I'm not going."

"What? Why?"

"Because I'll be the weirdo standing in the corner while everyone else is actually cool. I'm not exactly social royalty, Leo."

Leo leaned on his racket, studying me. "You know those vitamin gummies your mom gives you?"

"What about them?"

"They don't work unless you actually take them. Same thing with confidence, man. You gotta put yourself out there."

I laughed. "Did you just compare emotional growth to supplements?"

"I'm serious! Sarah invited YOU. Not Jake, not Tyler — YOU. That means something."

The orange ball slipped from my fingers and rolled away. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to stop letting fear call the shots.

"Fine," I said, picking it up again. "I'll go. But you're coming with me."

Leo grinned. "Deal. Now hurry up and serve before my arms fall off."

As the orange ball flew through the air, I realized something: maybe growing up wasn't about becoming a different person. Maybe it was just about finally being brave enough to be the one you already were.