Strike Zone

Maya's palms were sweating. Again. She gripped the padel racquet like it might explode, which honestly would've been better than what was actually happening—her crush, Leo, watching her absolutely butcher what was supposed to be a casual game.

"You got this, May!" Leo called from the sidelines, where he sat with his stupid perfect hair and his stupid perfect smile.

She did not got this. Her dad had played minor league baseball before injury ended his career, and Maya had grown up with a glove practically glued to her hand. But padel? This was different. The walls. The angles. The fact that she kept hitting the ball directly into her own partner's back.

Her partner, Tyler (who was, according to the entire sophomore class, a total bull in a relationship—stubborn, territorial, and currently her ex), rolled his eyes. "Maybe stick to baseball, Maya. At least there you can't hit yourself in the face with the backboard."

The crowd laughed. Maya's face burned.

Then it happened—the unmistakable crack of thunder that made everyone freeze. A jagged streak of lightning split the sky, close enough that the air tasted like ozone.

"Everyone inside NOW!" the instructor shouted.

They scrambled toward the covered area. Maya moved automatically, her baseball instincts kicking in—scanning the area, assessing the situation. That's when she saw it: the instructor's golden retriever, Bolt, frozen mid-stride, absolutely terrified by the storm.

Without thinking, Maya bolted toward the dog, shielding him with her body just as another lightning flash illuminated the entire court. Her heart hammered against her ribs, but something clicked—this wasn't about being the best at padel. It was about showing up.

When they reached shelter, Leo was already there, eyes wide. "That was... actually pretty brave."

Tyler opened his mouth to make some snide comment, but the look on everyone's face shut him down.

Maya looked down at Bolt, who was now licking her hand like she'd just saved his life instead of just getting them both slightly wet. "Baseball reflexes," she said with a shrug. "But honestly? I think I'm done with padel."

Leo's smile returned, warmer this time. "Wanna get ice cream instead? My treat. For the hero."

"Please," Maya said, and for the first time all day, she wasn't nervous at all.