Static Electricity & Soft Serve

The party was already mid-level cringe when I spotted the sphinx statue in the corner—like, an actual Egyptian replica thing next to the beer pong table. Because nothing says rager like ancient mythology, right?

I hugged the wall, nursing my flat orange soda. Social battery was at 3%. Taylor dragged me here, promising it would be "lowkey iconic," but she'd already abandoned me for some seniors near the keg. Typical.

Then HE walked in.

Jordan. The fox-eyed lacrosse player I'd been lowkey obsessed with since September. The human equivalent of lightning—striking, dangerous, gone before you could process what happened. Our eyes caught across the room and I swear my stomach did that nervous flip thing.

"You gonna stare all night or actually say something?"

I jumped. His friend Marcus stood there, grinning like he knew exactly what I'd been thinking. Great.

"I'm not—I wasn't—"

"Chill. Jordan's oblivious." Marcus leaned against the sphinx. "He's been talking about some escape room downtown for weeks. The Sphinx Challenge? You should come with us."

My brain short-circuited. This was either the best or worst moment of my high school career. Probably both.

"I—uh—sure?"

Marcus smirked. "Cool. Saturday at seven. Don't flake."

He walked away before I could fully process what I'd just agreed to. Jordan glanced over, catching my eye again. This time, he actually smiled.

Lightning struck twice in the same night.

Taylor reappeared at my elbow, eyes wide. "Did Marcus Patterson just talk to you?"

"I think I just got invited to something with Jordan?"

She screamed. Not even quietly.

I had to bear the embarrassment of everyone staring, but for once? I didn't even care. Sometimes the universe hits you with lightning, and you just have to ride the shock.