The Goldfish Signal

Maya's iPhone died at 2% right as Jake's text lit up her screen: *meet me behind the gym?* She frantically patted her backpack—no charging cable, of course. Because why would she have one when she needed it most?

"You good?" Chloe asked, eyebrow raised. They were at Maya's house, supposedly studying for AP Bio, but mostly eating snacks on Maya's bed.

"Yeah, just... my phone's dead and I think Jake was about to ask me to homecoming."

Chloe sat up straight. "Wait, JAKE Miller? The same Jake who's been sending you mixed signals since September?"

Maya nodded. She'd been crushing on Jake since he'd complimented her papaya-colored nail polish in homeroom (she'd been trying to be edgy, okay?). They'd been talking nonstop since, but it was all snap streaks and late texts—nothing *real*.

"So go find a cable!" Chloe insisted. "Don't leave him hanging."

Maya grabbed her house keys and sprinted to the living room where her dad was watching TV. She yanked the charging cable from the wall—his show could wait—and rushed to plug in her phone.

Three percent. Four percent. Finally, it powered on.

Jake's message: *bring ur goldfish?*

Maya stared at her screen. What?

"What does it say?" Chloe demanded.

Maya read it aloud, confused. Chloe burst out laughing. "That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard."

Then her phone pinged again: *wrong person sorry* *that was for my sister* *I was supposed to ask if YOU want to get food Saturday?*

Maya's face burned. This was so embarrassing. But also kind of perfect?

"He's asking you OUT!" Chloe practically screamed.

"Yeah, after I almost had a heart attack thinking he wanted my nonexistent goldfish."

Maya typed back: *sure lol* *but I'm allergic to seafood just so you know*

*good to know* *pick you up at 7?*

She flopped back onto her bed, grinning at the ceiling. Sometimes the best moments weren't the ones you planned for—they were the messy, awkward ones that made you laugh until your stomach hurt. And maybe, just maybe, Jake Miller would be one of those moments worth remembering.