Palm Reading by the Pool

Maya's older sister Jordan was having one of her legendary house parties, and Maya had somehow scored an invite. Well, "invite" was generous. She was basically there to refill chips and stay out of the way. But still.

The backyard was packed — seniors from Jordan's graduating class, some college kids who'd already escaped, and Maya, technically a sophomore but feeling like a middle schooler who'd wandered into the wrong dimension. She perched on the edge of the **pool**, dangling her feet in the water that was somehow both refreshing and gross at the same time.

The air was heavy, that August humidity that makes everything feel like it's wrapped in plastic. In the distance, **lightning** flickered behind the trees, nature's own strobe light. No one else seemed to care.

"Hey."

Maya jumped.

She hadn't even seen anyone approach. A guy — looked like a college boy, maybe — stood there holding two red Solo cups. He had messy hair that might have been intentional or just slept-on.

"You want this?" He offered a cup. "Non-alcoholic. I saw you sitting here all alone and figured —"

"I'm good," Maya said, too fast.

"Fair." He sat down anyway, keeping a respectful distance. "I'm Eli."

"Maya."

"Cool name. You Jordan's sister?"

"How'd you know?"

"You've got her nose. Also, she told everyone her little sister was lurking somewhere."

Maya rolled her eyes. Of course she had.

Eli glanced at her hand, which was gripping the edge of the pool concrete. "You know, my aunt believes in **palm** reading. She'd have a field day with yours."

"Is that supposed to be a pickup line? Because it's not great."

He laughed — actually laughed, not that fake chuckle thing guys did when they wanted something. "Nah, just making conversation. I'm terrible at this. Small talk, parties, all of it."

"Same," Maya admitted.

They sat there for a minute while the party raged on behind them. The lightning was getting closer now — actual flashes that made everyone ooh and aah like it was fireworks.

"I should probably go inside," Maya said, but she didn't move.

"Me too," Eli agreed, not moving either.

Then the sky opened up.

One minute it was just threatening, the next it was POURING, like seriously dumping rain in that way only summer storms can do. The party scattered — everyone screaming and laughing and **running** for the house.

Maya stood up, water streaming down her face, and realized she was laughing.

Eli was laughing too.

"We should go inside," he said over the thunder.

"Yeah," Maya said.

They stood there for another second. Just a second.

Then they both turned and sprinted toward the back door, shoes squelching, already soaked through, and for the first time that night, Maya didn't feel like the little sister at all.

She felt like exactly where she was supposed to be.