Summer Skin

Maya's hair was supposed to be beach waves, but after three hours at the community pool, it looked more like a frizz explosion. She tugged at the strands while watching Liam from behind her sunglasses. He was doing laps, his arms cutting through the water with this effortless rhythm that made everyone else look like they were swimming through molasses.

"You're staring again," whispered Jayda, appearing beside her with a slice of papaya from the concession stand. "Try this, by the way. It's literally life."

Maya took a bite, then made a face. "It tastes like soap."

"You have no taste," Jayda shrugged, then nudged her. "Liam's heading over. Game face on."

Liam emerged from the pool, water dripping down his face. He ran a hand through his dark hair, which somehow managed to look perfect despite the chlorine. "Hey, you guys coming to the padel courts later? My cousin's bringing his squad, and we need more players."

Maya's stomach did that thing where it felt like tiny bears were doing gymnastics inside. "Yeah, sure. I mean, if that works."

"Cool." He grinned, and Maya's brain short-circuited. "Save me some of that papaya?"

Jayda slid the container toward him. "Knock yourself out."

Later, at the padel courts, Maya discovered two things: she had absolutely zero hand-eye coordination, and Liam's laugh was the best sound she'd ever heard. After she accidentally served the ball into the fence for the third time, he didn't even make fun of her.

"Here," he said, moving closer to adjust her grip. His fingers brushed hers, and Maya's whole body felt like it was electrified. "You're gripping too tight. Relax."

"Easy for you to say," she muttered, but she softened her hold.

That night, Maya couldn't sleep. She replayed every moment — the pool, the papaya, the padel court, his laugh. She caught her reflection in her phone screen and saw something different. Not the girl who was always second-guessing everything, but someone worth noticing.

Her mom poked her head in. "Everything okay?"

Maya smiled, touching her hair that still smelled faintly of chlorine. "Yeah. Just thinking about tomorrow."