Papaya Problems and Fake Foxes

Maya's plan to reinvent herself sophomore year started with a papaya. Specifically, eating one in the school cafeteria while wearing her mom's oversized sunglasses because supposedly, "exotic foods make you interesting."

"You look like you're trying to summon the spirit of a desperate Instagram influencer," said Jordan, sliding onto the bench across from her. "Also, that papaya is definitely not ripe."

Maya froze, mid-chew. The texture was somewhere between soap and a sneeze that hadn't happened yet. "I'm cultivating an air of mystery," she said, once she could speak again. "It's called a personal brand. Look it up."

Jordan's eyebrow raise said everything. "Your personal brand is 'girl who accidentally ate soap fruit.' Also, I heard about what happened at Maya's party on Friday."

Maya groaned. "Don't. Please. I'm never showing my face again."

"You were wearing a bear costume. To a non-costume party. And then you tried to convince everyone it was 'ironic chic.'" Jordan was grinning now. "Which, first of all, whose costume was it?"

"My little brother's. It was the only thing in the house that fit. I was already running late, and I panicked, okay?" Maya buried her face in her hands. "I thought I could pull it off. Like, own the awkwardness."

"The problem," Jordan said, suddenly serious, "is that you're trying SO hard to be something you think people want. But the thing about foxes—"

"Foxes?"

"Yeah. Foxes don't try to be bears. They're just out there being foxes, doing their whole sleek, clever, slightly chaotic thing, and people are like 'wow, cool fox.' They're not pretending." Jordan leaned in. "You're trying to be a bear in a world where you'd be an absolutely killer fox."

Maya stared. "That was...

unexpectedly deep. Also, slightly concerning that you have fox opinions prepared."

"I'm full of wisdom." Jordan stood up. "Anyway, tryouts for the spring musical are next week. You should do it. You've got a great voice."

"I can't just—"

"Be a fox, Maya. Just be a fox."

The bell rang.

Maya looked at her half-eaten papaya, thought about bears, and foxes, and being exactly who she was instead of who she thought she should be.

"Hey Jordan?" she called out.

"Yeah?"

"This papaya is terrible. Want to get pizza after school instead?"

Jordan grinned. "Now THAT'S the smartest thing you've said all year."

And okay, maybe Maya was still figuring out who exactly that was. But at least she wasn't wearing a bear costume anymore. Progress.