Three Seconds of Glory

The county fair smelled like deep-fried everything and desperation. Maya stood before the goldfish tank, prize practically guaranteed. She'd won this stupid carnival game three years running. But this time, Cassie was watching from the edge of the crowd, and suddenly everything felt different.

"You got this, Maya!" Cassie called, orange bandana tied around her wrist like a statement piece. Because that's what Cassie did—she turned accessories into personality.

The carnie grinned. "Step right up, test your skill against the mechanical bull of carnival games!"

Maya's palms sweat. That wasn't a bull. That was a table with cheap plastic bowls. But the crowd pressed closer, and somehow she was twelve again, dropping the ball during the championship dodgeball game while everyone watched.

Her mom's voice echoed in her head: *You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be brave.* Easy for someone who'd never been sixteen.

The first ball bounced off the rim. Heat crawled up Maya's neck.

"Deep breath," Cassie mouthed.

Maya's phone buzzed in her pocket—her brother reminding her to pick up spinach for dinner. Spinach. Because tonight was another healthy family meal where everyone pretended her anxiety wasn't a giant neon sign above her head.

Something snapped. Maya threw the second ball so hard it cracked against the backboard. The crowd gasped. The third ball sank through. Fourth, fifth. Six in a row, each one releasing something knotted in her chest.

"WINNER!" The carnie slapped a goldfish bag on the counter like it was a gold medal.

Maya turned, heart running wild, and found Cassie already there with that knowing smile.

"Weird question," Cassie said, "but want to get ice cream and figure out what to name him?"

Maya looked at the fish swimming in confused circles. "Her," she corrected. "And yeah. Yeah, I do."

Walking away with her prize, Maya realized the goldfish wasn't the point. Neither was winning. For once, she'd just—been. And Cassie had watched the whole thing.

"Hey," Cassie said. "You were kind of a badass."

Maya grinned. "I know, right?"