Fox Mascot Redemption

Maya's orange hair was the first thing I noticed when she transferred to Oak Creek High. The second thing was how everyone treated her like she was already popular, while I was still recovering from last year's incident where I'd somehow managed to rip my pants during gym class presentation. So, you know, different vibes.

"You're trying out for mascot?" asked Leo, who I'd befriended in AP Bio when he helped me identify a microscope slide. "Bruh, that's social suicide. The mascot bear costume smells like a locker room that hasn't been cleaned since the nineties."

"My mom says I need more vitamin D," I lied, staring at my cafeteria lunch of sad spinach leaves that tasted like depression and regret. "Plus, it's extracurriculars for college apps."

"Whatever you say, man. Just don't come crying when Maya doesn't notice you because you're dressed like a giant, sweaty bear."

The costume was indeed a nightmare. Getting inside felt like being swallowed by a polyester whale. But when I stumbled onto the basketball court at halftime, something weird happened. I started dancing—not well, but with commitment. I spun, I shimmied, I did the worm and nearly knocked over the cheerleaders' pyramid.

Through the mesh eyes, I saw Maya laughing. Not at me (probably), but with genuine joy. She was actually, truly laughing.

"Hey!" she shouted after the game, approaching me in the bear head which I'd removed because I was sweating like I'd run a marathon in a sauna. "You were hilarious out there. I'm Maya."

"James," I said, trying to sound smooth but probably squeaking.

"Wanna hang out this weekend? There's this fox documentary marathon on Netflix, and you seem like you'd appreciate good cinema."

Fox documentary. Not exactly what I'd expected, but I'd take it. Sometimes the weird things—the spinach you eat because it's "good for you," the embarrassing mascot costume you wear because your mom made you—they lead to something real.

"Cool," I said. "I'd love that."

Leo winked at me from across the gym. I might have been a bear mascot, but somehow, improbably, I'd actually managed to be smooth. Who knew?