The Thunder Party

Maya's hair frizzed like she'd stuck a fork in an outlet. Great. Just what she needed—another reason for Jessa and her squad to side-eye her across the quad.

"Your hat," Tasha whispered, "it's totally giving electric socket victim."

Maya yanked the beanie down, her cheeks burning hotter than the cafeteria pizza. This was fine. Everything was fine. She'd just spent thirty minutes crafting the perfect aesthetic for Jacob's party—cute but low-effort, effortless but intentional—and now she looked like she'd been electrocuted.

Outside, the sky decided to match her mood. Lightning cracked across the horizon, jagged and bright and completely over-the-top, like the universe was doing way too much.

"My dog's scared of storms," Tasha continued, completely oblivious. "Last night, Buster literally projectile-vomited on my限量版 Jordan's because he thought the world was ending."

Maya nodded like she cared. She didn't. Her brain was currently replaying the text she'd sent Jacob two hours ago—still left on read. The icks were real.

"You good?" Tasha asked. "You've been zombie-mode since third period."

"I'm chill," Maya lied. "Just vibing."

Her iPhone buzzed in her pocket—possibly the best or worst sound in existence right now. She pulled it out under the desk. Jacob: *hey can't tonight, family thing. sorry :(*

Maya stared at the message. All that prep. All that spiraling. For what? The disappointment hit different—like, actually physically heavy in her chest. She'd built up this whole scenario in her head, convinced tonight would be IT, the moment they finally connected beyond their awkward hallway interactions.

"Earth to Maya," Tasha waved a hand in her face. "You good or nah?"

Maya looked up. Jessa was still looking. Everyone was always looking.

"Yeah," Maya said, and something in her chest unlocked. "Actually? I'm solid."

She typed back: *no worries! maybe another time :)* hit send, and watched the delivered checkmark appear.

Outside, the rain finally broke, pouring down in sheets. Lightning flashed again, closer this time, and the whole classroom flinched.

Maya pulled her hat lower, hiding a tiny smile. Whatever. She'd Netflix solo tonight with her actual dog, who for the record had better taste than Jacob anyway. Buster had nothing on her

Sometimes the L was just part of the glow-up.