Signal in the Static

Kai's iphone lay screen-down on his comforter, glowing like accusation. He'd drafted the text to Jamie twelve times. Each attempt worse than the last.

"You're overthinking," his sister said, leaning in his doorway. "Just send it."

"What if she thinks I'm weird?"

"You ARE weird." She grinned. "That's why she's your friend."

Kai grabbed Buster's leash instead. The old golden retriever needed walking anyway.

The trail behind their subdivision wound through pines that swallowed the sunset. Buster trotted ahead, nose skimming the ground. Kai breathed easier out here. No notifications. No expectations. Just the crunch of needles under his sneakers and the dog's happy chuff-snorts.

Then Buster stopped. Hackles up. A low growl rolled from his throat.

Kai froze.

Fifty feet ahead, something moved between the trees. Massive. Dark.

A bear.

"Buster, COME." His voice cracked. The dog wouldn't budge, trembling but rooted.

The bear raised its head. Not a bear.

A girl in a dark hoodie, crouched with something clutched to her chest. When she straightened, Kai saw the camera lens. Jamie.

"You're following me?" she called, not mad. Just surprised.

"I—no. I mean, yes, but I didn't know you were here."

"I'm shooting the moonrise." She gestured with the camera. "Come see."

They sat on a fallen log, shoulders barely touching, while Buster settled between them. The moon climbed silver over the ridge. Jamie clicked through frames.

"Kai?"

"Yeah?"

"Why did you really come out here?"

His phone buzzed in his pocket. An accidental draft text he'd never meant to send: *I need to tell you something*

Jamie read it over his shoulder. Then she set down her camera and took his hand.

"You don't have to bear it alone anymore," she said.

Buster sighed, happy, and Kai understood: some signals don't need wifi at all.