Citrus and Screen Lights

The party thumped against Maya's ribs like a second heartbeat. She clutched her iPhone like a lifeline, thumb scrolling through feeds she'd already seen three times tonight. Beach parties weren't really her vibe—too much sand, too many people, too many opportunities to say something awkward.

"Hey!"

Maya jumped, nearly dropping her phone. It was Liam from chemistry, the one who always drew tiny monsters in the margins of his notes. He held out something small and orange-colored.

"You look like you need this more than me."

It was a clementine, peeled into perfect segments. Maya's stomach did that weird flip it always did when someone noticed her.

"Thanks," she managed, taking one. "I'm just... not great at parties."

"Same," Liam said, leaning against the palm tree behind them. "I only came because my cousin's hosting. I've been hiding in the bathroom for twenty minutes."

Maya laughed, surprised. "I've been hiding behind my phone.

""He grinned. "Solid strategy. But your palm says something else." He gently took her hand, tracing the lines with his finger. "See this head line? Super deep. You overthink everything."

Maya's breath hitched. No one had ever held her hand before—not like this. "Can you actually read palms?"

"My grandma taught me. It's mostly nonsense, but..." He looked up, eyes soft in the string lights. "Your heart line curves up. That means you fall hard, even when you're scared to."

The orange segment was sweet and sharp on her tongue, everything suddenly brighter and more real. She pocketed her phone, screen finally dark.

"Maybe," Maya said, heart racing. "Teach me more?"

Liam's palm was warm against hers. "All night."

The party thumped on, but Maya couldn't hear it anymore.