Static

Maya's frizzy **hair** defied physics, humidity, and every expensive product her mom bought. She pulled her beanie **hat** lower, mentally cursing the weather app that promised clear skies. The **lightning** flashing outside the coffee shop window made her jump for the third time.

"You look like you're about to rob the place," Jordan said, sliding into the booth opposite her. His dimples appeared. "Or maybe just hide forever."

"Option B," Maya muttered. Her **iPhone** buzzed with a notification from Sophie's group chat: *where r u?? party starts in 20!!*

Jordan leaned in. "Something wrong?"

Maya's stomach did that annoying flip-flop thing it always did around him lately. "I'm supposed to be at Tyler's party. But... I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I'll walk in, stand there awkwardly for forty minutes, then leave early and everyone will think I'm weird."

"Sounds accurate," Jordan deadpanned.

Maya rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the pep talk."

"I meant," he said, suddenly serious, "that everyone already thinks you're weird. Including me. That's kind of your brand." He smiled. "But like, in a good way. You're quirky-weird. Not awkward-weird, even though you're definitely that too."

Maya laughed despite herself. The barista called Jordan's name. He returned with two hot chocolates. "I wasn't going to drink alone."

Outside, thunder rattled the windows.

"You're really not going?" Jordan asked.

"I literally just said—"

"Come with me. We'll be awkward together. Strength in numbers, right?" He stood up, holding out his hand. "Unless you're scared."

Maya hesitated. Her hand went to her **hat**, her shield, her hide-in-plain-sight strategy since sixth grade when she'd chopped her own bangs and refused to leave her room for three days.

She pulled off the **hat**. Her hair poofed out, wild and unapologetic in the fluorescent light.

"Let's go," she said.

Jordan grinned. "Finally. I've been waiting for you to say that all year."

Maya's brain short-circuited. "Wait, what?"

The café door burst open. Sophie burst in, rain-soaked and frantic. "THANK GOD. Tyler's basement flooded. Party's cancelled. We're getting pizza instead. You coming?"

Maya looked at Jordan. He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," she said, feeling lighter than she had in months. "We're coming."

Her phone buzzed again. She ignored it. Some things were more important than group chats.