Outfield Secrets

Maya Chen adjusted her oversized sunglasses, feeling like a total fraud. She wasn't actually watching the baseball game—she was strategically positioned behind the bleachers to spy on Carlos, the cute sophomore with the amazing swing and the laugh that made her stomach do actual backflips.

"You're being so obvious," said Jada, dropping onto the grass beside her and cracking open an Orange Fanta. "Just talk to him already."

"I'm not spying," Maya lied, smoothing her vintage oversized tee. "I'm appreciating the athletic arts."

Jada rolled her eyes. "Girl, you've been to every game this season. You don't even like baseball."

That wasn't entirely true. Maya didn't care about the sport itself, but she'd become weirdly invested in Carlos's batting average. She knew his stance, his ritualistic tap-tap of the plate, the way his uniform clung to his shoulders when he swung.

Her phone buzzed. Mom again. Probably asking about her research project due Monday. Maya had put it off all weekend, too busy watching baseball games she didn't understand and overthinking conversations she'd never actually have.

"Hey," Jada said, sitting up straighter. "He's coming over."

Panic flared. Maya's heart hammered. Carlos was walking toward them, uniform dusty from sliding into second, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He was even cuter up close, which was honestly unfair.

"Hey," he said, stopping in front of them. "You're Maya, right? From AP World?"

She managed a nod. Words had abandoned her completely.

"Cool." He shifted his weight, looking weirdly nervous too. "I'm, uh, having a party Saturday. My parents are out of town. You should come."

Jada shot Maya a pointed look beneath her sunglasses.

"Yeah," Maya heard herself say. "I'll be there."

"Awesome." He smiled, and it was even better than his laugh. "I'm making papaya smoothies. They're actually really good, I promise."

As he walked away, Maya let out a breath she'd been holding for approximately forever.

"Papaya smoothies?" Jada wrinkled her nose. "That's... specific."

Maya couldn't stop grinning. "I think they're going to be perfect."