Citrus Crush Protocol

Maya's signature black beanie was basically her emotional support hat. Junior year at Northwood High felt like walking through a minefield of awkward hallway encounters and lunch table hierarchies, and that hat was her shield. She pulled it lower as she entered the cafeteria, scanning for her squad.

Her iPhone buzzed in her pocket — probably another TikTok notification or her mom asking if she'd eaten actual food today. Maya ignored it, too busy hyperventilating because Jordan from AP Chem was sitting at the table next to hers. Not that she was obsessed or anything. Okay, maybe a little obsessed. His laugh was her new ringtone, which was definitely not pathetic.

"Earth to Mayz," said Sasha, sliding her tray across the table. "You're staring again. It's giving creepy."

"I am not staring," Maya lied, grabbing her lunch bag. "I'm observing. There's a difference."

"You're observing him like he's a rare Pokémon," Chloe deadpanned.

Maya's face heated up. She reached for the orange she'd packed — a literal perfect specimen, bright and promising, unlike her social skills. She started peeling it aggressively, needing to channel her nervous energy somewhere. The citrus scent wafted up, instantly teleporting her back to when life was simple and her biggest problem was whether juice boxes were still cool in seventh grade.

"Wait, isn't that Jordan's hoodie?" Sasha whispered.

Maya froze, mid-peel. "What?"

"He's wearing the exact same one you ordered last week. The vintage blue one from Depop."

Maya's brain short-circuited. She channeled her inner calm person and immediately panicked, launching the orange segment she'd just peeled. It soared through the air in slow motion, a perfect arc of citrus chaos, landing directly on Jordan's tray. His phone. His iPhone.

The entire cafeteria went dead silent.

Jordan looked up, locking eyes with her. Maya's hat suddenly felt like it was suffocating her. She was ready to transfer schools. Change her name. Move to a remote island.

"Nice shot," Jordan said, grinning. He picked up the orange segment and examined it like it was some kind of peace offering. "Want this back or can I eat it?"

Maya's friends were losing it behind her. She felt like she might actually evaporate from sheer secondhand embarrassment.

"You can... keep it," she managed, her voice cracking.

"Cool." He ate it. Actually ate it. "Thanks. I was actually gonna come over here anyway. Your hoodie arrived yet?"

Maya's brain stopped functioning. She'd never mentioned the hoodie to anyone except her group chat and her cat.

"How did you—"

"Depop shows mutual followers," Jordan said, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Also I've been waiting for you to say hi for like two weeks. This orange thing was weird, but honestly? Bold strategy."

He slid into the empty seat across from her. Maya's friends were vibrating with suppressed screaming energy. Her iPhone buzzed again, but she didn't care.

"I'm Maya," she said, actually lowering her hat for the first time all year.

"I know," Jordan said, still grinning. "I follow you on Instagram. Your posts about that cat are honestly the highlight of my feed."

Sasha choked on her chocolate milk. Chloe was furiously typing in the group chat. And Maya? Maya finally took off her hat.