Storm Courts

My summer at Oak Creek Country Club was supposed to be about leveling up my social game, not about padel. But somehow I'd gotten roped into lessons with Jordan, the varsity tennis captain who treated everyone like they were personal servants.

"You're swinging like you're fighting off a bee," Jordan sneered from across the court. "My nine-year-old sister has better form."

I gritted my teeth. Jordan was a total bull - charging through life with zero awareness of who she trampled. My arms already ached from the padel racket, somehow heavier than a tennis racquet despite being smaller.

"Again," she commanded.

I served. The ball sailed wild, clearing the fence entirely - and landed right next to a golden retriever that'd been napping in the shade. The dog perked up, tail thumping, and trotted onto the court with the ball in her mouth like she'd just won the lottery.

"Oh my GOD," Jordan groaned. "Not again. That's Stella, by the way. She belongs to the club president. She's literally always here."

Stella dropped the ball at my feet and gazed up like I was her personal hero. I couldn't help it - I cracked up. Something about her goofy grin broke the tension that'd been knotting my stomach all week.

"She likes you," Jordan said, almost grudgingly. "She usually ignores the new kids."

"Maybe she knows I suck," I muttered, scratching Stella's ears.

Jordan actually laughed. A real one. "Yeah, no offense, but you're terrible at padel. Like, impressively bad."

"Thanks for that."

"But," Jordan added, studying me with new interest, "you didn't cry or quit or make excuses, so there's that. Most people would've walked by now."

A distant rumble of thunder made Stella's ears perk up. The sky beyond the courts was turning purple-green, the kind of color that meant serious weather incoming.

"We should probably -" I started.

Lightning cracked the sky open - close enough that I felt the static lift the hair on my arms. Stella barked once, tail tucked, and bolted toward the clubhouse.

Jordan and I scrambled to gather equipment, but another flash sent us sprinting. We made it to the covered porch just as the sky unleashed. Rain sheeted down in walls, thunder shaking the metal roof above us.

"This is insane," Jordan breathed, pressing her forehead to the screen door. "I've never seen it come in this fast."

"Tornado weather?"

"Maybe." She glanced sideways at me. "So, you're starting freshman year at North in the fall, right?"

I nodded, surprised she knew.

"Same," she said. "Maybe I could help you with your serve. If you want."

Lightning flashed again, illuminating her half-smile. And just like that, the bull wasn't charging anymore.

"Yeah," I said, matching her smile. "I'd like that."