Three Seconds of Perfect

The goldfish bowl sat on the passenger seat like a weird, swimming middle finger. Maya's mom had actually trusted her to bring the class pet home for the weekend, and Maya was already failing at life.

"You're overthinking again," Maya muttered, pressing her forehead against the steering wheel. She was parked outside the baseball field where Liam practiced—where all the popular kids gathered like it was their job. Where she'd been avoiding going for three weeks.

The lightning crackled across the sky, purple and dangerous, making the water in the bowl shiver. Perfect. The universe was literally coordinating weather patterns to mock her anxiety.

A cat jumped onto the hood of her car. Not cute. Not approachable. A gnarly orange tabby with one ear and an attitude that screamed, "Yeah, I saw your MVP crush from here, and he's not looking at you."

Maya grabbed the goldfish bowl. Because obviously she'd protect a fish that couldn't remember her name while her social life imploded.

"You coming to the game?"

Maya screamed. The cat didn't move. Liam stood there, baseball cap backward, leaning against her car like he hadn't just witnessed her whispering to a fish.

"I... the fish."

"Goldfish crackers?" Liam grinned. "My favorite."

"No, like, an actual goldfish. His name is Bubbles."

Liam laughed—really laughed, head back, perfect teeth flashing like he'd never had an awkward moment in his life. The lightning flashed again, closer this time, illuminating everything.

"You're bringing Bubbles to my baseball game?"

"I was going to! I mean, I thought about it—"

"Do it." Liam's eyes locked on hers, suddenly serious. "I've been trying to get you to come for weeks. If it takes a fish, I'll take it."

The cat meowed, judgmental and loud.

Maya's stomach did that thing it did when Liam looked at her like that—like she wasn't the girl who forgot her own birthday or hid in bathrooms during parties. Like she was someone worth showing up for.

"Okay." She grabbed the bowl. "But if Bubbles has a panic attack, you're explaining him to my teacher."

"Deal." Liam opened her car door. "Also? That cat's been watching you for ten minutes. Even he knows you should've come inside."

They walked toward the field together, the goldfish swimming in circles like he understood everything, the cat watching them go, and the lightning that could've ruined everything actually making it perfect.

Three seconds of courage. That's all it took.