Orange Sunset at the Padel Court

Maya adjusted her sunglasses, feeling like a total spy as she watched Liam practice serves across the padel court. Her phone buzzed in her pocket — three new messages from the group chat asking where she was. Typical Friday night: everyone at Chloe's house without her, while she lurked in the shadows watching her crush.

Liam's orange jersey glowed against the fading sunset. He'd given her that same jersey last week when she'd fallen asleep during their study session and woke up shivering. She'd been walking around like a zombie all week, replaying the moment in her head. Did it mean something? Or was he just being decent?

"You gonna play or just stare?" Liam called out, grinning. He'd spotted her. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She stepped onto the court, racquet trembling.

"I... I was just waiting for my turn," she lied. Weak.

"You're the spy who's been watching me all week, aren't you?" he teased, walking over. "Chloe told me everything."

Her stomach dropped. Chloe knew. Of course Chloe knew.

"She also said you're scared of the bull," he continued. "Coach Miller. He's intense, but he won't bite."

Maya blinked. Coach Miller? The bull?

"Wait, you're not talking about..." She couldn't finish the sentence.

"About what? You liking me?" Liam laughed. "Everyone knows that, Maya. We've been making heart eyes at each other since seventh grade."

The orange sky deepened to purple. A zombie-like fatigue lifted from her bones, replaced by something warm and electric. Sometimes the terrifying monsters you'd been avoiding were just opportunities in disguise.

"So," Liam said, tossing her a ball. "Wanna play doubles against the bull tomorrow?"

She caught it, grinning. "Only if you promise to go easy on me."

"No promises. But I'll buy you orange juice after."

"Deal."

As they began to play, Maya realized she'd spent so long spying from the sidelines that she'd forgotten how good it felt to actually be in the game.