Palm Read at the Pool

The chlorine stung my eyes as I pulled myself from the water, swimming practice finally over. My best friend Jamie was already waiting by the lounge chairs, fake-casual like she hadn't been checking her phone every five seconds.

"He's coming," she whispered, tapping her palm against her thigh.

"Who?" I asked, though I knew.

"Luke. From baseball." She rolled her eyes. "You know, the one you've been lowkey obsessed with since freshman year."

My palms started sweating. Great. I wrapped my towel tighter around myself.

The pool area was getting crowded—Friday afternoon, everyone ditching last period. Someone had brought a speaker, playing that mumble rap that everyone pretended to understand. I spotted Luke near the snack bar, laughing with his baseball team like they owned the place.

"You should talk to him," Jamie said, pushing my shoulder. "I'll be your wingman. Obvs."

"Nope. Hard pass. I can barely speak to him in Chem without my voice cracking."

"You're being such a baby—"

"HEY, swimming pool girls!" It was Tyler, Luke's best friend, motioning us over. "We're doing palm readings. $5, or free if you're cute."

Jamie practically sprinted over. I followed, dreading every step. Luke was there, leaning back in his chair with that effortless confidence that made my stomach do flips. His baseball cap was backwards—typical.

"Your turn," Luke said, grinning at me. "Let me see."

I hesitated, then held out my hand. His fingers were rough from baseball, surprising gentle.

"Hmmm," he pretended to study my palm. "You're gonna do something brave this summer. Something you've been scared to do."

My heart pounded. Was this real?

"And..." He looked up, meeting my eyes. "You should probably say yes if a certain baseball player asks you to get boba later."

Jamie gasped. Luke's friends hooted. My face burned.

"So?" Luke asked, still holding my hand. "What's the verdict? You gonna brave?"

The way he looked at me—like I was someone worth noticing—made something shift inside. I could bear the embarrassment. I could handle whatever happened next.

"I'll get boba," I said, trying to sound chill and failing completely. "But you're paying."

"Deal." His grin widened. "It's a date."

Later, Jamie made me screenshot her palm where she'd written BOUT TIME in Sharpie. I looked at my own hand, at the place where Luke's fingers had been. Summer wasn't even officially here, and somehow, I was already in over my head. But for the first time, I didn't want to climb back out.