The Orange Crush Incident

Maya was late. Again. Her phone buzzed in her pocket—probably her best friend Kai wondering where she was—but she ignored it. She was too busy sprinting down Seventh Street, running like the school bus driver (who definitely had it out for her) was chasing her.

The problem wasn't just being late. The problem was the orange Crush soda she'd snagged from the corner store, which was currently threatening to explode in her backpack alongside her history project. A cardboard display about the Industrial Revolution did not need to become the Industrial Ruined-Volution.

"Maya! Wait up!"

She skidded to a halt. It was Riley from her English class, holding—no way—that same vintage green dog collar she'd been obsessing over on Depop for weeks.

"Nice collar," Maya panted, trying to look casual while subtly checking her watch. Seven minutes until the bell.

"Oh, this?" Riley adjusted it. "Yeah, my dog Rocky literally chewed through my last one. Had to replace it, but honestly? The vintage aesthetic hits different."

Maya's brain short-circuited. Rocky. THE Rocky. Riley's dog had like forty thousand followers on TikTok. Rocky was basically an influencer.

"Your dog is... kind of famous," Maya managed.

Riley laughed. "Yeah, my parents think I'm obsessed with him, but honestly? He's my emotional support animal. Sounds basic, but having a dog that just loves you no matter what? It's everything when you're failing algebra and your crush just started dating someone else."

Something about the way Riley said it—so unfiltered, so real—made Maya's chest feel less tight.

"I hear that," Maya said. "My friend Kai says I overthink everything, but—"

"He's right though," Riley grinned. "We all do. That's literally what high school is. Overthinking until your brain hurts."

The school bell rang in the distance.

"Crap," they both said simultaneously.

"Wanna walk together?" Riley asked. "I'll distract the hall monitor. She loves Rocky."

Maya smiled, genuinely smiled, for the first time all morning. The orange Crush was warm against her back. Her project was probably crushed. But somehow, none of that mattered anymore.

"Absolutely."