Storm Cat Saturday

Maya's pulse hammered against her ribs as she stood outside Jake's house. The bass from inside thudded like a second heartbeat. Her best friend Chloe had spent three hours convincing her to come to this party, promising Jake would definitely be there. The Jake. The one who'd sat behind her in bio since September and still didn't know her name.

"You got this," Chloe said, squeezing her hand. "Just be cool. Don't be awkward. Definitely don't talk about your cat's Instagram account again."

"That was ONE TIME," Maya protested, though they both knew it was three.

Inside, the air smelled like tropical punch and something nervous. Jake was by the snacks, looking unfairly good in that way that makes your stomach do weird little flips. His golden retriever, Buster, flopped at his feet—the world's most cheerful wingman.

"Hey," Maya said, and her voice came out way more normal than she felt. Jake's eyes lit up like actual lightning behind her ribs.

"Maya, right? Bio?" His smile was everything. "Buster likes you. He's usually super picky about new people."

The dog snuffled Maya's palm and she internally screamed. This was it. This was her moment.

"Yeah, I love dogs," she said smoothly. "I have this cat though, Mittens, and she—"

STOP. Abort mission. Why did her brain betray her like this?

But Jake's laugh was genuine, not mean. "No way, Mittens has an Instagram? My sister showed me that account. The one with the tiny hats?"

"That's the one," Maya said, relieved. "She's basically an influencer."

"That's honestly sick," Jake said, and for the first time all night, Maya's chest felt light instead of tight. "My friend Leo thinks he's all tough because he rides bulls at his uncle's ranch, but I feel like your cat could take him."

"100%," Maya said. "Mittens would destroy."

Outside, real lightning cracked across the sky and rain suddenly poured down, sending everyone scrambling away from windows. Jake moved closer, their shoulders brushing in the crowded room.

"Wanna get out of here?" he asked. "There's this porch around back where it's covered. My friend has those electric s'mores makers."

Maya caught Chloe's eye across the room. Her best friend gave her two thumbs up and the world's worst attempt at a wink.

"Yeah," Maya said, and this time when her heart raced, it didn't feel like nerves anymore. "I'd love that."