Sweating the Small Stuff

Maya's palms were literally sweating. Like, actual dripping situation. She gripped the padel racket tighter, glaring across the court at Jake—the human equivalent of a golden retriever who had no idea he was being adorable.

"You gonna serve or what, Maya?" Jake called, grinning that stupid lopsided grin that made her brain malfunction.

"Shut up, I'm mentally preparing," she shot back, though her voice cracked. Smooth. Total pro move.

This was supposed to be casual. Just a bunch of sophomores hanging at Tyler's house after finals, playing padel and avoiding talking about how high school was almost halfway over. But somewhere between Maya accidentally making eye contact with Jake for three seconds straight and her best friend whispering "he's so into you" with zero evidence, things had gotten weird.

Maya served. The ball hit the net.

"That's fine," Jake said, jogging to retrieve it. "I miss way more than you do."

"Doubtful."

After the game—Jake won, obviously—everyone migrated toward the pool. The water looked impossibly blue in the afternoon light, and someone had already pushed Tyler in fully clothed. Classic.

Maya sat on the edge, feet dangling in, trying to look chill and failing. Jake dropped beside her, close enough that their shoulders almost touched. Her heart did that embarrassing flutter thing she desperately needed to get under control.

"Hey," he said. "Nice game. You're actually getting good."

"Wow, a compliment? Are you feeling okay?"

He laughed, and somehow his hand brushed against hers. And it wasn't terrible. It was the opposite of terrible.

Then Tyler's cat, a judgmental orange tabby named Mango, appeared from nowhere and decided Jake's lap was its new throne. Jake froze.

"Is this... okay?" Maya asked, fighting back a smile.

"I don't know what to do," Jake admitted, "cats usually hate me."

"Looks like you've been chosen."

Mango settled in, purring aggressively. Jake carefully rested his hand on the cat's back, and his pinky finger grazed Maya's wrist. Neither of them moved away.

"Hey," Jake said quietly, not looking at her. "After everyone leaves... you wanna play another round? Just us?"

Maya's palms weren't sweating anymore. "Yeah. I'd like that."

And then, because the universe had a sense of humor, Tyler cannonballed into the pool directly behind them, soaking both of them and sending Mango sprinting toward the nearest palm tree.

Jake wiped water from his face, laughing. "Well, that happened."

Maya grinned. "Welcome to my life."

Maybe being a teenager wasn't so bad after all.