Storm Over Venice Beach

Maya's palms were sweating—like, actually dripping—as she stood at the edge of the kickback. Her cousin Kai had dragged her to this beach house party, claiming she needed to "stop being such a hermit," but honestly? She'd rather be home re-reading her favorite fanfic for the fourth time.

The Pacific Ocean crashed behind them, all dramatic **lightning** flashing across the horizon because of course there was a literal storm brewing. Classic.

"You good?" Kai asked, already sliding toward the snack table like a socially calibrated butterfly while Maya stood there feeling like a

**sphinx**—guarded, ancient, definitely out of place.

"Yeah, totally," Maya lied, straightening her oversized flannel.

That's when she saw him. Near the bonfire, dodging **water** balloon attacks with way more grace than anyone had the right to possess. Cody from AP Bio, who sat two rows behind her and always drew tiny detailed dragons in the margins of his notes.

Suddenly some random guy launched himself off the porch into a sand pit. "That's **bull**!" someone yelled. "You're supposed to wait for—"

The guy wiped out, faceplanting spectacularly. Everyone lost it. Even Cody was cracking up, and in that moment of pure chaos, their eyes met.

Maya's stomach did that thing where it feels like it's trying to escape her body. Cody didn't look away. He actually... smiled?

Then he was walking over, and Maya was definitely not mentally prepared for this interaction.

"Hey," he said. "You're Maya, right? From AP Bio?"

She nodded. Words. She needed words.

"I like your dragon drawings," she blurted. That was smooth. Great job, past self.

Cody's face lit up. "You noticed?" He pulled out his phone, showed her more art—mythical creatures, constellations, a freaking

**sphinx** that looked oddly familiar.

"Wait," Maya said. "Is that..."

"Yeah." He grinned. "Based on that emoji you use in your Instagram stories."

He noticed. He actually noticed.

The storm broke, rain pouring down like the universe was committing to the bit. Everyone scrambled toward the house, laughing and swearing, and Maya found herself pressed against Cody on the covered porch, her

**palm** accidentally brushing against his. Neither of them pulled away.

"This is totally weird timing," Cody said, "but I've been wanting to talk to you all semester."

Lightning flashed again, illuminating everything—the ocean, the chaos, the moment that felt like something actually starting.

"Same," Maya said, and for the first time all night, she wasn't lying.