It rained for two days straight.


The kind of summer storm that shook the windows and soaked the sidewalks, canceling everything in its path—including Maya and Brielle’s plans to meet up and “clear the air,” as Maya had offered in a hopeful text.


No reply.


By the second night, Maya’s stomach felt like it was full of rocks.


She lay in bed listening to the thunder and replaying every moment: the mural, the phone call, the way Brielle’s voice had gone sharp and distant.


Had she made It worse by spending time with Lucas? Had she been too wrapped up in her own world to notice Brielle drowning in hers?


A notification lit up her phone. A message from Lucas.


Lucas: “Still down to finish the mural this week? I have a new idea for the stars.”


Maya stared at it for a moment, then typed back:


Maya: “Maybe. Not sure anymore.”


She didn’t hit send.


The next morning, the storm broke. The skies cleared. The heat returned.


So did Brielle.


She was standing on Maya’s porch like she had so many times before, except this time, her arms were crossed and her mouth was a tight line.


Maya opened the door slowly. “Hey.”


“Hey.”


A beat of silence. Then Brielle blurted, “I’m sorry.”


Maya blinked.


“I was jealous,” Brielle admitted, her voice cracking. “Not just of Lucas. Of everything. You got this summer of art and adventure, and I got dishes and diapers. And I felt like you were moving on without me.”


Maya stepped outside, bare feet against the warm wood. “I wasn’t trying to. I just… I thought we could both have things. Our own things. And still come back to each other.”


Brielle looked away. “I know. I just forgot how to share you.”


Maya softened. “We’ve always been sharing each other. That’s what friendship is.”


Brielle gave a small laugh, wiping her eyes. “So, is there still room in that mural for one more girl under the stars?”


Maya grinned. “Always.”


They sat on the porch until the sun dipped low again, the sky a watercolor of orange and lavender. No more thunder. No more tension.


Just the quiet sound of forgiveness filling the space between them.