Thunderbolt Smoothie

Maya stared at the blender like it held the secrets to the universe. Which, in her case, it kind of did.

"You're actually putting spinach in there?" Leo raised an eyebrow from his perch on the kitchen counter. "Bro, that's foul."

"It's supposed to be healthy, genius. unlike your entire existence." Maya dumped the green leaves in with frozen strawberries and banana chunks. "Jordan says this smoothie recipe cleared their skin."

"Jordan also said eating crackers with their hands was 'uncivilized.'" Leo hopped down. "You gonna believe everything they say?"

Maya's stomach did that thing it always did when Jordan's name came up—like tiny lightning strikes zapping through her insides. She and Jordan had been best friend since sixth grade, but lately? Things felt weird. Different.

The blender roared to life, drowning out her thoughts. Outside, thunder rumbled in the distance, matching the jittery energy buzzing through her veins.

"So," Leo said, suddenly interested in the kitchen ceiling, "you and Jordan. You're good?"

"Why wouldn't we be?" Maya lied smoothly.

"I'm just saying. Last time y'all hung out, you came home acting—" Leo made a chaotic gesture with his hands "—weird. Like weird weird."

A crack of lightning illuminated the kitchen. Maya watched the blender's green漩涡 spin faster, her thoughts swirling just as chaotically. Jordan had been distant lately, canceling plans, texting back hours later. But every time they actually hung out, Jordan would get weirdly intense, staring at Maya like she was trying to solve a puzzle.

Maybe Jordan knew.

The realization hit her like actual lightning—bright and sudden and impossible to ignore. Maya wasn't just confused about their friendship. She was catching feelings, and she had no idea what to do with them.

"You okay?" Leo asked softly.

Maya killed the blender. "Yeah. Just... thinking about Jordan."

"Tell them how you feel, May." Leo shrugged like it was simple. "Worst they say is no. Best case?" He pointed at the spinach smoothie. "You both suffer through this monstrosity together."