Fox Code in the Kitchen

Maya's palms were sweating against the red solo cup. Again. Why did house parties have to be so... house-party-ish?

"You look like you're plotting world domination," said Leo, leaning against the fridge with that annoyingly perfect smirk. "Or maybe you're just contemplating the nutritional value of that spinach artichoke dip."

Maya rolled her eyes. "For the last time, I'm not spying on anyone. I'm strategically positioned."

"In the kitchen. Behind a bag of chips."

"It's called tact, Leo. Something you clearly lack."

He wasn't wrong, though. The kitchen had become her base of operations, her mission control, her I'm-totally-not-obsessed observation deck. From here, she had a perfect view of the living room where Jordan—the human equivalent of a golden retriever who'd just discovered snow—was laughing with his friends. That laugh. The one that made her stomach do weird gymnastics routines.

"You know," Leo said, grabbing a handful of chips, "at some point, you're gonna have to actually talk to him. This whole spy mission is getting sad."

"I'm not on a mission!" Maya protested, but her voice squeaked. Because she was absolutely on a mission. Operation: Don't Make It Weird.

Earlier tonight, she'd spent forty-five minutes perfecting her outfit, only to discover what she was pretty sure was a piece of spinach wedged between her front teeth during her pre-party mirror check. She'd practically attacked her teeth with floss. Now she kept compulsively running her tongue across her teeth, paranoid that another piece had somehow materialized.

"Hey," Leo said suddenly, straightening up. "He's coming this way."

Maya's heart did that thing where it forgot how to heart. "What? No. Nope. Abort mission. I'm leaving. I'm—"

"Maya!" Jordan's voice. Actual Jordan. In her kitchen. "Hey, I've been looking for you."

She turned slowly, sure her face was doing something unfortunate. "Me?"

"Yeah, Leo said you wanted to ask me something?" Jordan's smile was blinding. Why was it blinding? Who gave him the right?

Maya shot a glare at Leo, who was suddenly very interested in the chip bag.

"I..." Maya's brain had left the chat. "I..."

"Your fox tail is showing," Leo coughed into his hand.

Maya wanted to die. Actually die. Right there on the linoleum.

Jordan laughed, though—warm and genuine. "Your fox costume from Halloween last year? You told me you still had it."

Oh. OH. Leo wasn't throwing her under the bus. He was... helping?

"Right!" Maya grabbed the lifeline. "The fox tail! I was going to ask if you wanted to see it. It's still in my car."

Smoothest lie of her life. Possibly the only smooth lie of her life.

Jordan's face lit up. "Dude, yes. That thing was legendary."

As they walked toward the door, Maya caught Leo's eye. He winked.

Her palms were still sweating, but maybe—just maybe—this spy mission wasn't a total disaster after all.