Signal Lost

Maya's fingers flew across her iphone screen, double-tapping, swiping, heart-emoji-ing everything Jason posted. Three years of casual friendship, six months of her secretly being absolutely obsessed with him, and now—finally—tonight was the night. Jake's party. Her chance to make a move.

She'd been essentially cyber-stalking the guy since eighth grade. Not like, creepy spy level, but she knew his coffee order, his dog's birthday, and that he listened to lo-fi hip-hop when he couldn't sleep. Same as her.

"You good?" her best friend Chen asked from the driver's seat. "You've been clutching that phone like it's a bomb."

"I'm fine," Maya lied, though her palms were practically dripping water she was so nervous. "Just... making sure I have his playlist memorized. Conversation starter, you know?"

Her cat Luna had been weirdly affectionate that morning, like the orange tabby sensed Maya's life was about to change. Either that or Luna just wanted the tuna Maya had forgotten to put in her bowl.

They pulled up to Jake's house. Music thumped against the windows. Maya reached for her door handle, then froze.

Her iphone screen was black. Dead.

"No no no NO." She fumbled for her charging cable. "Chen, do you have a—"

"Dude, you literally had all day to charge this."

"I forgot! I was busy overthinking my outfit and practicing my laugh in the mirror and—" Something heavy settled in her stomach. How was she supposed to survive a party without her phone? Without her escape hatch? Without being able to overanalyze every interaction in real time?

She felt naked. Exposed. Like everyone would see her, really see her, without the shield of her screen between them.

"Maya." Chen's voice softened. "You'll be fine. You're funny, you're smart, and Jason obviously likes your posts enough. Just... talk to him like a normal person."

Normal person. Right. Because that's what teenagers were known for.

She took a breath, grabbed the door handle, and stepped into the night air. Somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled. Rain was coming. Perfect. Maya pushed the door open and walked toward the house, phone dead and heart racing, ready to finally be seen.