Pool Party Lightning Strike

Maya felt like a zombie as she dragged herself toward the Jacksons' backyard gate. Three hours of sleep plus finals week would do that to you. The bass from the speakers thumped against her chest, and she already regretted letting Chloe talk her into coming.

"You're not gonna swim?" Chloe asked, already in her bikini.

"Maybe later." Maya adjusted her bucket hat, pulling it lower. It was her armor—hide the face, avoid the eye contact, survive the party.

The pool area was packed with the popular crew, all golden and confident. Maya found a spot in the shadow of the garage and pulled out her phone, but a crack of thunder made her jump. Everyone looked up.

"Storm's coming!" someone shouted.

Maya actually loved storms. The chaos, the way the sky turned that weird purple-green. She watched the lightning fork across the clouds, counting the seconds until thunder. One Mississippi, two Mississippi...

"Nice hat."

She jumped. It was Leo from her English class, sitting on the edge of the pool with his feet in the water. His hair was wet, and he had this tiny smile that made something in her chest do a weird little flip.

"Thanks," she said, then immediately wished she'd said something cooler.

"You play?” He gestured to the phone in her hand, where she'd been scrolling through her zombie game.

"Oh, yeah. It helps me... decompress."

"No cap, same. I'm, like, literally addicted." He splashed water on his legs. "I bet you'd be good at the swimming challenges in level seven. Those are literally impossible."

Maya blinked. He played too?

Suddenly, the sky opened up. Rain scattered everyone—screaming, laughing, grabbing towels. But Maya and Leo stayed put.

"Wanna make a run for the gazebo?" he asked.

"Why not?" She pulled off her hat and shook out her hair.

They sprinted through the downpour, dodging puddles, and when they reached the covered area, they were soaked. Lightning flashed so bright it turned everything white, and for a second—just a second—she caught him looking at her like he was seeing her for the first time.

"You know," he said, catching his breath, "you should come to game night next Friday. My house. We're doing co-op mode."

Maya grinned, rain dripping from her chin. "I'd low-key love that."

Her hat was still back by the garage. She didn't need it anymore.