When the Storm Hit the Courts

The internet **cable** lay frayed across the floor of the pro shop like a dead snake, and honestly? Same. My entire social life was currently hanging by a thread—literally, since Maya still hadn't texted back after I'd left her on read for three hours yesterday. My brain was doing that thing where it replayed every message like a bad highlight reel.

"Dude, you gonna stand there all day or actually help me set up for the tournament?" Jake called from the **padel** court, bouncing a ball with that annoying casual confidence of someone who'd never had an existential crisis in front of the snack machine.

"I'm having a moment," I shot back, but I grabbed the net anyway. The sky was that weird yellow-green color that meant either a storm was coming or the apocalypse was finally happening, and honestly, either way I'd probably still have to work Saturday.

That's when the first crack of **lightning** split the sky—so bright I saw spots, close enough that the hair on my arms stood up like I'd stuck a fork in a toaster. The power flickered. Died. Completely.

"Perfect," I muttered. "Now I can't even spiral in peace."

Something moved near the back storage shed. A cat—this scraggly orange thing with one ear that'd seen better days—darted out and made a beeline for me like I was its long-lost best friend. It rubbed against my legs, purring loud enough to rival the thunder.

"You picking up what I'm putting down, little guy?" I said, scratching behind its good ear. "Friendship is complicated. Maya probably thinks I'm ignoring her, but I just... overthink everything until it's too awkward to respond."

The cat looked at me with absolute judgment.

"Yeah, fair."

"Who are you talking to?" Maya's voice made me jump so hard I almost tripped over the **cat**. She was standing near the entrance, holding an umbrella, looking soaked and perfect and not mad at all.

"Just... having a conversation with my emotional support animal," I said. "Sorry about yesterday. I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing, which is apparently my brand."

She smiled, and the weight in my chest lightened. "Wanna help me find this cat some food? There's some tuna in the break room."

"Only if you let me explain myself properly this time."

"Deal." The rain started pouring as we headed inside, the cat following like it owned the place. Sometimes the storm isn't the problem—it's the way through it.