Summer Storm Protocol

The party was already mid-swing when Maya slipped through the back door, heart hammering like a trapped bird. Social situations were basically her personal torture chamber, but Ryder had invited her. Ryder, who wore hoodies in August and drew foxes on everyone's Converse in sharpie. Ryder, whose hair somehow always looked perfect despite admitting he used 3-in-1 shampoo.

"May! You made it!" Chloe bounded over, already two sodas deep. "We're doing karaoke next. You're up."

"Pass," Maya managed, clutching her solo cup like a lifeline. "I'm just... observing. From a tactical distance."

"You're always observing." Ryder appeared, grinning. "Join the collective experience for once."

Maya's stomach did that thing it always did around him—a weird flutter that had nothing to do with anxiety and everything to do with how his eyes crinkled when he smiled. "I'll think about it."

Her escape led to the kitchen where someone's mom had laid out tropical fruit. Perfect. She'd just look extremely interested in **papaya** for the next fifteen minutes. She poked at it with a fork.

"Exotic," said a voice behind her.

Maya jumped. Ryder again. How did he keep finding her?

"It's... interesting," she said. "Aging gracefully."

He laughed, and then—CRACK. Thunder shook the house. Outside, **lightning** fractured the sky, illuminating Ryder's face in stark relief. The power died instantly.

"Everyone stay calm!" someone shouted.

Chaos erupted. People screamed. Maya felt herself being pulled toward the pantry.

"Quick,** fox**," Ryder whispered, nudging her inside. "Primary shelter protocol."

The small space was pitch black. His shoulder pressed against hers. His breath smelled like peppermint and anxiety. This was it. The moment every romance novel promised—the storm, the dark, the proximity.

"Ryder?"

"Yeah?"

"Is this weird?"

"Pretty weird."

"Cool. Just checking."

His hand found hers in the darkness. Not in a romantic way—more like a life raft way. "You okay?"

"Actually?" Maya exhaled. "Yeah. I think I am."

The lights flickered back on. They stared at each other, fingers still entwined. Then they both started laughing.

"We're hiding in a pantry," Ryder said. "At a party. Together."

"Peak friendship goals," Maya agreed.

Outside, rain drummed against the house. The party kept raging, but neither of them moved.

"Hey, Ryder?"

"Yeah?"

"Next time? Just invite me to study hall. Less drama."

He squeezed her hand. "Deal."