Pool Party Confidential

Maya adjusted her hair for the thousandth time, checking her reflection in the darkened patio door. The curls were frizzing in the humidity, and no amount of product could tame them. Which was fine, honestly. She didn't care what anyone thought.

"You're doing the thing again," said Chloe, flopping onto the outdoor lounge chair beside her. "The hair check. We're at a pool party, Maya. Nobody cares."

"I'm not checking my hair," Maya lied, smoothing down a rebellious curl anyway. "I'm strategically positioning myself. There's a difference."

Chloe snorted. "Whatever you say, Bond Girl. Just don't forget your actual mission."

Right. The mission. Maya and Chloe had been "spying" on Liam from behind the potted plants for twenty minutes, waiting for the perfect moment to make their move. He was by the water, laughing with his friends, looking annoyingly perfect even at midnight.

Maya's stomach did that stupid flip-flop thing whenever he smiled. Which was often.

They'd all been up since 6 AM for finals, then stayed way too late at Sarah's watching zombie movies. The combination had turned Maya into something of a zombie herself - shuffling around dark-eyed and barely coherent. But here she was, at this party anyway, because Liam would be here.

"Okay," Chloe whispered suddenly. "He's coming this way. Game face."

Maya's heart hammered against her ribs. This was it. The moment she'd been planning (and overthinking) for weeks.

Liam approached, water dripping from his hair, looking unfairly good for someone who'd also survived the zombie marathon. "Hey," he said, sliding onto the empty chair between them. "You guys survived the apocalypse?"

"Barely," Maya managed, her voice coming out weirdly squeaky. Great start.

"Total zombie mode," Chloe agreed, though she looked annoyingly alert. "How about you?"

He laughed, and Maya thought she might actually melt. "Honestly? I've been running on caffeine and sheer willpower all day. But I heard there's free pizza, so..."

"Priorities," Maya said, and then, because apparently her brain had short-circuited, "I like your hair."

Chloe choked back laughter beside her.

Liam just smiled, though, running a hand through the messy dark strands. "Thanks. It's seen better days. Yours looks nice though. The curls suit you."

Maya felt something warm bloom in her chest, something that had nothing to do with the humid summer air.

"Want to get pizza with me?" he asked. "Before it's all gone?"

She realized she'd been gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles were white. She let go.

"Yeah," Maya said, standing up and leaving her insecurities on the lounge chair. "I'd love that."

Behind them, Chloe gave her a tiny thumbs-up.

Maya didn't need to check her reflection to know she was smiling.