Screen Deep

Maya's thumb hovered over Jake's profile for the thousandth time that week. Her iPhone clutched in her palm like a lifeline, screen illuminating her flushed face in the darkness of her bedroom. He hadn't posted in three days. Not since the party.

"Maya! Cocoa needs walking!" her mom yelled from downstairs.

"Whatever," she muttered, shoving her phone into her back pocket. Cocoa, their elderly golden retriever, thumped his tail lazily against the back door. Maya grabbed the leash, still half-watching Instagram stories over her shoulder.

The park was empty except for some distant skater kids. Cocoa lumbered toward the creek like he always did, Maya trailing behind, eyes still glued to her screen. Jake's profile picture stared back at her—him smiling that crooked smile that had made her stomach flip since seventh grade.

Suddenly, Cocoa bolted. Something spooked him—a squirrel, a ghost, who knew. The leash ripped through Maya's fingers before she could react.

"Cocoa!" she screamed, but the dog was already splashing into the creek, chasing some invisible enemy.

Maya sprinted after him, phone still clutched in her hand. She reached the bank just as Cocoa shook himself vigorously—spraying muddy creek water everywhere. Including directly onto her.

And onto her phone.

The screen flickered once, twice, then died. Just like that. No more Jake. No more scrolling away her feelings. Just black glass.

Maya stared at it, water dripping down her face, mixing with tears she hadn't realized were falling. Cocoa trotted up, nudging her hand with his wet nose, eyes full of that dumb golden retriever love.

"You're literally the worst," she whispered, burying her face in his wet fur. He smelled like pond and earth and everything real.

Her phone was probably dead. Jake might never text back. But here, with Cocoa pressing his warm side against her and the water rushing beside them, Maya felt something shift. Like maybe she could breathe again.

"Okay," she said to the dog. "But you're carrying it home."

Cocoa thumped his tail, completely unaware he'd just saved her from herself.