The Thunderpool Shift

Maya's phone buzzed with twenty-seven notifications about Jackson's pool party. The invite said "swimming optional (lol yeah right)" which was code for "if you don't swim, you're literally pathetic." She'd been crushing on Jackson since seventh period bio, but the idea of squeezing into a swimsuit in front of everyone made her want to yeet herself into the sun.

Her chocolate lab Buster sensed her spiraling, nudging her hand with that wet-nose desperation that meant "we're going on an adventure whether you like it or not." When she opened the back gate to head to Jackson's house, Buster bolted—straight through the neighbor's fence and into the party like he owned the place.

"Buster, no!" Maya scrambled after him, crashing through the bushes into full-on chaos mode. Half the junior class was already poolside, and there was Buster—doing a full-on canonball into the deep end like the absolute legend he was. Chloe, wearing what had to be a two-hundred-dollar bikini, squealed. Jackson actually laughed. Maya wanted to die.

"That's your dog?" Jackson asked, grinning like this was the best thing that ever happened.

"I'm so sorry, I'll—" Lightning flashed across the sky, dramatic timing on god mode. Everyone looked up. Then thunder shook the ground.

"Everyone out!" Jackson's dad shouted from the deck. "Pool and lightning don't mix, people!"

Chaos erupted as twenty soaking-wet teenagers scrambled for towels and cover. Maya stood frozen, mortified and helpless, until Jackson appeared beside her, handing her a towel and holding another out for Buster who was thoroughly enjoying his moment as the life of the party.

"Your dog's a total beast," Jackson said, shaking water out of his hair. "Best party crasher ever."

Maya glanced at Chloe shooting daggers from under the patio umbrella. Something about Jackson's genuine smile made the bull in Maya's brain finally shut up.

"Yeah," she said. "He kinda is."

They spent the storm watching lightning paint the sky from the covered porch, Buster passed out at their feet like he'd just completed a marathon. Maya's phone stayed in her pocket the whole time. Best party ever.