Screen Time Surveillance

Maya's old SE iphone crackled with static as she hid behind the cafeteria's recycling bin, her heart pounding like she'd just finished a 5K instead of just sneaking around. This was so not chill. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

Three days ago, her life had been normal. Then Brianna—the queen of Northwood High's social hierarchy—had started dropping hints about a surprise party for Maya's crush, Carlos. Brianna never did anything nice unless it benefited Brianna. Something felt off.

That's when Maya had gone full detective mode. She wasn't proud of it, okay? But someone had to figure out what was actually going down.

Her iphone buzzed. Unknown number.

"You still behind the bins?" The whisper was so quiet she almost missed it.

Maya froze. "Who is this?"

"Someone who knows you're spy-ing on Brianna's squad. Meet me behind the gym. Now."

She was SO not doing that. This was exactly how horror movies started.

But then she thought about Carlos. About the way he laughed at her terrible chemistry jokes even when nobody else did. About how Brianna had been eyeing him lately like he was limited edition merch.

Maya started running.

Behind the gym, she found the last person she expected: Tess, the quiet girl from her AP History class who always wore oversized hoodies and seemed to be avoiding everyone.

"You're Brianna's cousin," Maya realized. "You're the one who told me about the party."

"Yeah." Tess pulled out her own phone. "Brianna's planning to publicly embarrass Carlos at this 'party.' She's gonna post his private texts from last year everywhere. He liked you back then, Maya. That's why she's targeting him."

Maya's stomach dropped. "How do you know this?"

"Because I've been spy-ing on HER." Tess showed her screenshots. "Brianna screenshots everything. Blackmail material. She's been running this whole manipulation game for years."

The two of them stood there in silence for a moment.

"So," Maya said slowly. "We take her down."

Tess grinned, and for the first time, Maya noticed she had dimples. "I was hoping you'd say that."

They spent the next twenty-four hours planning. By the time the supposed party rolled around, they had everything: receipts, screenshots, witnesses, and a group chat of former victims ready to speak up.

Brianna's reputation crumbled in one afternoon. Not dramatically—no screaming match in the cafeteria. Just everyone quietly realizing they didn't have to be afraid anymore.

That Friday, Carlos sat next to Maya at lunch. "Heard you and Tess took down the dictatorship," he said, sliding his tray next to hers. "That was pretty legendary."

"Just doing what needed to be done." Maya felt her face heating up. "So, you liked me back then?"

Carlos laughed. "Back then? Maya, I still do."

Her iphone pinged—a message from Tess: You're welcome btw. And maybe we should study history together sometime? 😏

Maya grinned. Sometimes being a spy had unexpected perks.