Thunder at the Fair

The county fair smelled like funnel cakes and desperation. Exactly where Maya didn't want to be on a Friday night, but here she was, trailing behind her best friend Sierra, who had dragged her out of the house with promises of 'experiencing life' and 'making core memories.' Maya's social battery had been dead since third period.

'You're literally going to thank me later,' Sierra insisted, already bouncing toward the mechanical bull. The line stretched around the corner. 'Live a little, Maya. You've been ghosting everyone since—'

'Since my life became a constant reminder that I'm the only single person in our friend group?' Maya cut in. 'Hard pass.'

Sierra rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. 'You're being dramatic. Again.'

Before Maya could defend her very valid angst, the sky cracked open. Lightning—actual lightning—splintered the sky like it was auditioning for a disaster movie. The crowd gasped. Someone screamed.

The fairgrounds emptied in seconds. Everyone except them and the carnies, apparently.

'This is our sign,' Sierra declared, grabbing Maya's hand. 'We're getting our fortunes told.'

'The tent is literally closing,' Maya pointed out, but Sierra was already ducking under the velvet flap.

Inside, the air smelled like incense and secrets. An old woman sat behind a crystal ball, beside a plywood cutout of a sphinx with painted eyes that felt way too judgmental.

'Five dollars each,' the woman said without looking up.

Sierra shoved a crumpled bill across the table. 'Ask her about her love life,' she told Maya. 'See if—'

'No,' Maya said firmly. But then the sphinx cutout seemed to smirk at her, and something in her chest untwisted. 'Fine. What's the point of waiting for someone who doesn't care?'

The woman's eyes met hers—sharp, knowing. 'The bull doesn't chase what's already caught, child. But it'll destroy everything in its path to protect what matters.' She paused. 'Your friend sees it. You don't.'

Maya blinked. Outside, thunder rattled the tent poles.

When they stepped back into the storm, Sierra wrapped both arms around Maya's shoulders like she was the thing worth protecting. 'Forget him. You've got me. That's literally better.'

Maya laughed, really laughed, for the first time in weeks. The lightning flashed again, illuminating Sierra's stubborn grin in the darkness. Some things were worth getting caught for.