Fox Under the Stars

I felt like a **zombie** walking into school Monday morning—three hours of sleep does that to a person. But there he was: Leo, leaning against his locker like he hadn't ghosted me all weekend.

"Hey!" he called, grinning. "You coming to Jordan's party Friday?"

My palms got sweaty. Jordan's parties were legendary—and exclusive. The social **pyramid** at Westwood High had Jordan at the apex, then the popular kids, and somewhere way, way down, me. Leo had been climbing lately, leaving me behind like last season's phone.

"Maybe," I said, trying to sound casual. "Who's going?"

"Everyone." He checked his phone. "I'm bringing my cousin from Seattle. She's cool." He winked. "Total **fox**, if you know what I mean."

I wanted to throw up. We'd been best **friend**s since sixth grade, but somewhere between hormones and homecoming, Leo had decided being seen with me wasn't doing him any favors. Now he was using me as a wingman?

"I'll think about it," I said, and ducked into English before he could see my eyes stinging.

Friday arrived with typical Georgia humidity. My hands left damp prints on everything I touched. I told myself I wouldn't go. But at 9 PM, I was walking up Jordan's driveway anyway.

Inside, bass thumped through my chest. Leo was by the patio doors, animatedly talking to a gorgeous girl—his cousin, I realized with relief. But his eyes kept darting toward the patio, nervous.

I stepped outside into the cooler air. Jordan's backyard backed up to woods, and beyond the pool, something moved in the shadows. A real fox, sleek and rust-colored, paused by a palm tree, watching me with intelligent eyes.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Leo said from behind me.

I jumped. "Your cousin seems nice."

"Yeah, she's great." He sighed. "Look, Maya, I'm sorry about this week. I was trying to—" He laughed bitterly. "—climb the pyramid, I guess. But Jordan's a jerk. And you're my actual friend."

The fox slipped into the darkness.

"I'd rather be nobody with you than somebody with them," I said quietly.

Leo slung an arm around my shoulders. "Let's get out of here. I found this taco truck that's open until 3 AM."

"You had me at tacos." I grinned. "And Leo? Next time you invite me to a party, don't wait until I'm standing in the doorway."

"Deal." He paused. "Also, you looked like a zombie this morning. Everything okay?"

"Now it is."