When the Bull Slipped

The mechanical bull at Jake's birthday party was supposed to be ironic—a country-themed joke for suburban kids who'd never seen livestock. But for Jaylen, bouncing in his oversized boots and flannel he'd thrifted for the occasion, it felt like destiny.

"You got this, Jaylen!" Maya shouted from the edge of the inflatable pit. She was wearing that vintage band tee again, the one with the frayed collar, and Jaylen felt his stomach do that familiar flip-flop thing.

The bull beneath him jerked sideways. Jaylen's grip slipped. He went down hard, tangling with someone's golden retriever in the process. The dog—somebody's uncle's service animal, allegedly—barked happily and proceeded to vigorously lick his face while everyone laughed.

"Total wipeout," said Tyler, Jake's lacrosse teammate, extending a hand. "That was actually sick though."

Jaylen accepted the hand up, brushing wood chips from his jeans. His face burned. He'd stayed on for exactly three seconds.

Later, the kitchen counter was lined with exotic fruit someone's mom had brought—papaya, dragonfruit, star fruit. Jaylen had never tried papaya. It looked alien, all bright orange seeds and strange texture.

"Try it," Maya said, appearing beside him. "Unless you're scared."

"I'm not scared of fruit," Jaylen said, though he totally was. He took a bite. The taste was weird—musky sweet, like nothing he'd ever experienced.

Maya was watching him, grinning. "Well?"

"It's... interesting," Jaylen managed. "Like, weirdly good? But also kinda like I'm eating a sunset?"

She laughed, really laughed, and he felt something unclench in his chest.

"That's the most perfect description ever," she said. "You're weird, Jaylen."

"Yeah, well." He looked at the papaya in his hand. "Better than being basic, right?"

The dog from earlier trotted over, nudging Jaylen's knee with its wet nose.

"I think he likes you," Maya said.

Jaylen looked at her, at the papaya, at the dog currently drooling on his jeans. Outside, Tyler was back on the mechanical bull, lasting longer but looking terrified the whole time.

"Yeah," Jaylen said, finally letting himself smile. "I think I'm okay with that."