Orange Sunset Decisions

The summer heat radiated off the asphalt as I watched Brooke and her crew pose by the chain-link fence—instagrammable, calculated, perfect. They were the cats of our school, sleek and untouchable, always landing on their feet while the rest of us scrambled.

I stood there nursing my orange soda, the condensation dripping onto my fingers. Same drink I'd had at every party since seventh grade. Same position against the wall. Same role watching from the sidelines while my friends disappeared into the thick of things, leaving me to guard the punch bowl.

"Yo, you coming?" Marcus asked, already halfway across the yard toward where everyone was gathering around the makeshift stage.

"Nah," I said, like always. "Someone's gotta stay back here. Make sure no one spikes the punch."

He rolled his eyes. "You're such a dog, bro. Always playing it safe."

The words hit different tonight. Maybe it was the orange sky painting everything in amber light as the sun went down. Maybe it was seeing Brooke's group laugh together, tight and exclusive in their circle. Maybe I was just tired of being the person who held everyone's stuff while they lived.

The neighborhood cat who roamed these streets—scrappy calico with one torn ear—jumped onto the fence beside me, watching the party with judging eyes. Even she knew something I didn't.

I set down my orange soda. Half-full, growing warm, same as every other decision I'd made this year.

The DJ started playing that song everyone knows, the one with the drop that makes people lose their minds. The crowd surged toward the stage.

For once, I moved first.

I pushed through the throng, past the cats in their perfect formation, past the spot where I'd stood for three hours. Found myself in the middle of everything, surrounded by jumping bodies and strobe lights and people I'd barely spoken to all year.

Tracy from English class grabbed my hand, spinning me around. "FINALLY decided to join us?"

"Yeah," I said, surprised by my own voice. "Guess I did."

By the time the sky turned dark, my orange soda was still sitting by the fence. But I was somewhere else entirely.