Orange Peel Summer

Maya's orange converse scuffed against the driveway as she clutched her phone like a lifeline. Her first real party. At Jessica's house. Where Tyler would be.

Inside, the air smelled like coconut sunscreen and something sweet. Papaya? Someone had cut up exotic fruits on a platter, looking way too sophisticated for a bunch of sophomores trying way too hard.

"Hey!" Jessica appeared, her enthusiasm dial cranked to eleven. "You made it!"

Maya's stomach did that awful fluttery thing. "Yeah. Cool party."

"Lemme get you a drink!" Jessica zoomed off toward the kitchen, leaving Maya stranded in a sea of people she barely knew.

That's when she saw him. Tyler. Leaning against the wall, talking to some senior girl with perfect hair. Maya's fingers flew across her iphone screen.

becca he's here and he's talking to HER

Her phone buzzed back immediately.

become: omg no which her?? the tall one?

Maya typed faster, her heart pounding.

yeah the one with the highlights ugh i look like a literal potato compared to her

Suddenly, something cold nudged her leg. A golden retriever — Jessica's dog, Buster — looked up at her with doey eyes, carrying a crumpled napkin.

"Hey, buddy," Maya whispered, crouching down. Buster dropped the napkin and nudged her hand with his wet nose. "You escaping the party too?"

For the next twenty minutes, Maya hid behind the kitchen island, petting Buster and scrolling through her phone, watching Tyler from across the room. Every time he laughed, her chest tightened.

Then, lightning flashed through the sliding glass doors. A storm had blown in from nowhere.

"Everyone to the basement!" Jessica's mom announced. "Tornado warning!"

Chaos erupted. People scrambled, drinks spilled, someone screamed. Maya froze — until Buster started barking frantically at the storm.

"Come on, you goof," she said, grabbing his collar. She herded the dog toward the basement stairs, her legs suddenly steady.

In the crowded basement, phones lit up the dark space like fireflies. Maya found herself squished between Tyler and the wall.

"Nice shoes," he said, nodding at her orange converses.

"Thanks," she managed, her voice squeaking. "They're my lucky ones."

"Yeah?" His eyes crinkled. "Need luck tonight?"

"Always."

Outside, thunder rattled the foundation. But inside, pressed against Tyler's shoulder in the orange-lit basement, while Buster curled at their feet, Maya didn't feel like a potato anymore.

She felt exactly like a girl whose worst nightmare had somehow become her best moment.

Her phone buzzed. becca: WELL???

Maya grinned in the dark. Some stories were better experienced than posted.