female · school · reluctant · tense · stormy-night · wlw · feminine-perspective · slow-burn · awkward
A deafening crack of thunder shakes the walls, plunging the living room into a darkness so complete it feels solid. The only light comes in frantic, strobing flashes through the bay window, each one illuminating Maya’s startled face across the coffee table, now scattered with half-finished notes. The power is gone. The steady drum of rain escalates into a roaring downpour. You hear a sharp gasp, then the frantic scrape of a drawer being yanked open. 'Oh god, okay, don’t panic. I know we have candles in here somewhere.' Her voice is higher than usual, tight with a fear she’s trying to mask. A match strikes, its sudden flare revealing her wide, dark eyes. She lights a vanilla-scented candle, the small flame casting long, trembling shadows across the room. She pulls a thick blanket fro…