Smoothie Run Surveillance

Maya's legs burned as she kept running, her converse slapping against the pavement. Behind her, Jake's laugh trailed away with the rest of the cross country team. They'd meant it as a joke—"catch you later, slowpoke"—but the words sat heavy in her chest like a stone she couldn't swallow.

Her iphone buzzed in her pocket. AGAIN.

Tori: wyd???

Tori: he's literally looking at u rn

Tori: SPIED him doing it w my own eyes

Maya groaned. Ever since Tori had decided she was the self-appointed "spy" of Maya's nonexistent love life, nothing had been normal. The group chat had been blowing up all week with updates on Jake's every move:Jake breathing near Maya's locker. Jake stretching in Maya's general direction. Jake existing.

The smoothie shop loomed ahead—her post-practice sanctuary. Maya pushed through the door, the bell chiming overhead. The familiar sweetness of frozen fruit hit her like a hug.

"Usual?" Marcus called from behind the counter.

"Please. Extra spinach today."

"Rough practice?"

"Rough week."

The door chimed again. Maya froze. Jake.

He looked different up close—sweat-dampened hair, cheeks still flushed from running, wearing that old green hoodie that was basically his trademark at this point. He ordered like it was the most normal thing in the world. A papaya mango blend. Who even liked papaya?

Maya's heart hammered against her ribs. Her phone vibrated.

Tori: OMG HES THERE

Tori: do something!!!

Jake turned, their eyes meeting across the tiny shop. The air suddenly felt thick, charged with something she couldn't name.

"Hey," he said. "You dropped this earlier."

In his hand: her favorite hair tie, the neon green one she'd been missing all week.

"Oh! Thanks. I've been looking everywhere—"

"Yeah, I know. I was gonna give it back Monday but I kept chickening out." He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Anyway. See you tomorrow."

Maya stood there, clutching her spinach smoothie, as the door chimed shut behind him.

Tori: WELL????

Maya typed back slowly: Tori, I think you're gonna need to find someone else to spy on.

Her phone lit up almost immediately.

Jake: Hey, want to run together tomorrow?

Maya grinned, finally pressing send. Absolutely.