The thunder boomed so loud that Maya jumped off the couch. She hated storms. Every crash of lightning made her squeeze her eyes shut and count until the thunder rumbled through.
Her older brother Eric sat calmly in the chair, headphones on, completely absorbed in his video game. He didn't seem to notice the storm at all. Maya wondered how he could be so relaxed. Didn't he hear how close that lightning was?
She pulled a blanket over her head and waited for the storm to pass, wishing she could be as brave as her brother seemed to be.
I stared at my painting, trying to see it the way the judges would. Was the sunset realistic enough? I had mixed five different shades of orange, but now I wasn't sure if it looked right.
Next to me, a boy I didn't recognize was putting final touches on his painting of a city skyline. It was really good - maybe better than mine. My stomach sank. I had worked so hard, but what if it wasn't enough?
The judge walked down the row, clipboard in hand, studying each painting carefully. When she stopped at mine, I held my breath. Her expression gave nothing away. I couldn't tell if she liked it or thought it was terrible.
"Interesting use of color," she said, making a note. Was that good? I had no idea.
Emma crept around the side of the house, careful not to make a sound. She was worried that her footsteps on the gravel might give away the surprise. Inside, twenty of Grandma's friends waited in the dark living room, equally nervous.
In the kitchen, Grandma puttered around, completely unaware that it was her birthday party being planned. She thought everyone had forgotten - again. At seventy-five, she was used to quiet birthdays.
Uncle Marcus peeked through the curtain, his heart racing with excitement. This was going to be the best surprise ever. He couldn't wait to see his mother's face.
When Grandma finally walked into the living room and the lights flipped on, her shock turned to tears of joy. Everyone who loved her was there.