Fox Ears and Friday Nights

Maya stood at the edge of the pool, clutching her red solo cup like a lifeline. The water shimmered blue and tempting under the patio lights, but she wasn't about to explain why she wouldn't get in. Not to everyone from school.

"Yo, Maya!" Jake appeared behind her, flipping his wet hair. "You're literally missing out. The water's perfect."

"Yeah, nah. I'm good." She adjusted the fox ear headband she'd let Sophie put on her earlier. A dare, obviously. Now it was her armor.

Jake grinned, eyes flicking to the ears. "Nice look. Very... foxy."

Her face burned. Flirting? Mocking? With Jake, it was impossible to tell. He was the kind of guy who called everyone "bro" while making you feel like the only person in the room.

"You love it," she shot back, channeling Sophie's confidence. Fake it 'til you make it, right?

"I really do." His expression softened. "Hey, my cousin's cat got out this morning. Orange tabby, answers to Nacho. You seen anything?"

Maya almost laughed. Of course. Cute moment over.

"Nah, I haven't—"

A flash of orange caught her eye near the garden shed. Not a person. A cat, crouched under a hydrangea bush, watching them with wary yellow eyes.

"Jake. There."

They moved slowly, like the cat documentaries Sophie made her watch during sleepovers. Jake dropped into a crouch, holding out a hand. The cat—Nacho, presumably—studied them, tail twitching.

"Hey buddy," Jake murmured. "Missed you, little man."

The cat stepped forward and butted his head against Jake's palm.

Maya's chest did this stupid fluttery thing. Jake Matthews, who everyone said was a total player, cooing at a cat named Nacho.

"Thanks," Jake said, scooping up the cat and straightening. "Seriously. My little sister would've lost it if he didn't come home."

"No problem." She fingered one fox ear, suddenly self-conscious again. "So... this party's kind of mid, huh?"

Jake laughed, surprised. "Yeah, actually. You wanna bail? Go get food or something?"

The water behind them glittered with everyone else's perfect night. Maya adjusted her fox ears and grinned.

"Literally yes. Please."