Carnival Lights and Silent Spies

Maya's palms were sweating. Again. She wiped them on her denim shorts for the third time, feeling like a total loser even though nobody was watching. Probably.

"You're literally going to spy on him from behind the popcorn stand?" Chloe asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's not creepy at all."

"I'm not spying," Maya hissed, though they both knew she totally was. Jake Martinez was by the ring toss booth, laughing with his friends, his smile bright enough to power the whole carnival. Maya had been crushing on him since seventh period algebra, where he sat two rows ahead and never once looked back.

"You should just talk to him," Chloe said, like it was that simple. "He's literally just a guy. Not a celebrity. Not a sphinx guarding ancient mysteries. Just Jake."

Maya's heart did this embarrassing little flip whenever she heard his name. She gripped the carnival tickets in her hand so hard the paper dug crescent moons into her skin. Tonight was the last night of the summer festival. Next week would be sophomore year, and if she didn't make a move now, she'd spend another year watching him from behind.

"Watch this," Maya said, suddenly decisive.

She marched toward the ring toss booth, her legs feeling weirdly shaky. Jake was still there, still impossibly gorgeous in his faded band tee and worn sneakers. Maya's brain went completely blank as she approached.

"One game?" the carny asked, but Maya was already fishing in her pocket for tickets.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself, picking up the first ring. Her hand trembled. The ring bounced off the peg and landed pathetically on the ground.

"You're doing it wrong," said a voice behind her.

Maya turned and there he was. Jake. Standing there. Smiling. At her.

"Oh," she said eloquently. "Thanks."

"Here." He stepped closer, his shoulder brushing hers. The contact sent electricity shooting up her arm. "You gotta kinda—" he made a flicking motion with his wrist, "—give it some spin. Like this."

He picked up a ring and tossed it effortlessly. Perfect. It landed right on the target peg.

"Show-off," she said, and he laughed.

"I'm Jake, by the way."

"Maya," she managed, though her voice came out squeaky. "I'm Maya."

"Cool." He nodded toward the prizes. "You win anything yet?"

She shook her head, feeling her face burn.

"Let me help," he said, and suddenly they were playing together, him coaching her, both of them laughing when she finally got a ring to land. "See? You're a natural."

The carny pointed to the prize wall. "Pick one."

Maya's eyes scanned past the giant stuffed animals and light-up toys until they landed on something small and perfect in a plastic bag filled with water.

"The goldfish," she said.

"Seriously?" Jake asked, grinning. "A fish?"

"He needs a home," she said defensively. "Look at him. He's alone."

"Okay, sure," Jake said. "But what are you gonna name him?"

She thought for a second. "Sphinx."

"Sphinx the goldfish," he repeated, like he was testing it out. "That's actually kinda sick."

They walked together toward the exit, the fish bag swinging between them, her palm no longer sweating but somehow tingling where it almost brushed against his hand.

"Hey," Jake said as they reached the gate where Chloe was waiting, looking extremely smug. "This fish needs a proper tank. I have an extra one at my house. Want to come over?"

Maya looked at Chloe. Chloe looked at Sphinx the goldfish, who was swimming in confused little circles.

"Yeah," Maya said, and she couldn't stop smiling. "Yeah, I'd like that."