Three Truths and a Bull

Maya's stomach did backflips as she stood before the registration table. The annual Lakeview High rodeo wasn't exactly her scene—she was more art club than barrel racing—but LJ was volunteering at the food booth, and this was her chance to finally talk to him outside of AP Bio.

"Name?" The volunteer asked, not looking up from her clipboard.

"Maya Chen."

"Event?"

"Um..." Maya's eyes darted around the crowded fairgrounds. A poster caught her eye: JUNIOR BULL RIDING. "That one."

The volunteer's head snapped up. "You? Bull riding?"

"Yeah," Maya said, channeling her cousin's fearless energy. "Been riding since I was twelve."

The lie tasted like that chewable **vitamin** her mom made her take every morning—artificial citrus and deception.

By the time she realized her mistake, she'd been assigned a time slot and fitted with a protective vest. A guy with a John Deere hat handed her a helmet. "First ride?"

"Nope," Maya said, her voice cracking.

"Riiight." He pointed toward the chutes. "Good luck with Brutus. He's in a mood today."

Brutus. The bull. What had she been thinking?

Her phone buzzed. Incoming text from LJ: hey saw ur name on the roster!! so cool u ride!!

Maya's hands shook as she typed back: yeah haha no biggie

She was absolutely going to die.

An hour later, she found herself staring at the **orange** metal fence of the holding pen, watching a two-thousand-pound animal snort and paw at the dirt. This was it. The moment every bad decision had been leading toward.

"Need a tip?" It was the John Deere guy again. He leaned against the fence. "Whatever happens, don't let go until you hear the whistle. Eight seconds. That's all you gotta survive."

"Eight seconds feels really long," Maya said weakly.

He laughed. "Longest eight seconds of your life, kid."

Her phone buzzed again. Another text from LJ: bringing u some **spinach** dip from the booth for luck!! be there in 5!!

Spinach dip. Because that would definitely help.

"You're up!" someone shouted.

Maya swung her leg over the rail. The bull's back was massive, warm, and alive beneath her. She wrapped her hand in the rope, heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears.

"Ready?"

"No," she whispered.

The gate flew open.

The world exploded into motion. Maya's grip was the only real thing as the ground became a blur of dust and sky. She lasted exactly three seconds before flying sideways, hitting the dirt with a thud that knocked the breath from her lungs.

But as the crowd gasped, she scrambled up, arms raised like she'd meant to do exactly that.

"I'm okay!" she called out. " totally planned that!"

LJ emerged from the crowd, container of dip in hand, eyes wide. "That was... actually kind of impressive?"

"Yeah," Maya said, dusting off her jeans, grinning despite everything. "I'm just getting started."

Her arm throbbed, her hair was a disaster, and she'd probably never ride a bull again. But as LJ laughed and offered her a scoop of spinach dip, Maya decided some embarrassments were worth it.