When the Lightning Struck

The storm outside was going full beast mode, but inside Maya's basement, we were glued to the screen, controller in hand, absolutely obliterating zombies in co-op mode.

"Dude, pass me a health pack!" I yelled, but Liam was too busy being a total zombie himself—half-asleep on the couch, drool practically forming a puddle on the cushion.

"He's been dead to the world for twenty minutes," Maya said, not looking up from her phone. "Some friend he is."

I frowned. Maya had been weird all night, passive-aggressive comments flying under the radar like she was testing us. Ever since she started hanging with the popular crowd, she'd been different—like she was playing a character instead of just being herself.

Lightning flashed through the basement window, illuminating everything in this harsh blue-white glare. That's when I saw it—tucked behind Maya's gaming chair, that old stuffed bear from fourth grade. Mr. Waddles. The one we used to make fun of her for still having.

Maya followed my gaze, her face flushing. "Shut up."

"I wasn't gonna say anything."

"You were thinking it."

"Maybe." I paused. "Missile crisis?"

She cracked a tiny smile. "Nuclear option activated."

Our old code words from middle school, when things got too real. Maya's phone lit up again—some group chat where the popular kids were making plans without her, probably. She swiped it away.

"They don't get it," she said softly. "Like, I can't just bear my soul to people who think emoji reactions count as emotional support."

"Then don't."

"But if I don't..." She trailed off. The unspoken thing hung there—if she didn't, she'd be back here with us. And maybe that wasn't the worst thing.

Liam snored loudly, dead to the world, completely unaware of this moment.

Maya grabbed the bear, hugging it like she used to when we were kids, back before everything got complicated. "Remember when we thought high school would be this epic adventure?"

"Now it's just surviving until college."

"Yeah." She smiled, actually smiled this time. "Good thing I've got my original crew, right?"

Lightning struck again, closer this time, making the lights flicker. Outside, the storm raged on. But in here, with Liam in full zombie mode and me and Maya finally talking like real friends again, everything felt okay for the first time in months.