Sweaty Palms & Screen Time

Maya's palm was literally dripping as she clutched her iPhone tighter. The group chat was blowing up—everyone was at Jake's party except her, and she'd promised herself she'd finally make an appearance. She'd been ghosting social events since the incident with Tyler in November, but it was time to stop being That Girl Who Never Showed Up.

The walk to Jake's house was only ten minutes, but it felt like she was training for a marathon. Her heart was already running a marathon against her ribs, thudding out a rhythm that definitely wasn't chill.

"You got this," she whispered to herself, staring at her iPhone screen. Maya's best friend Chen had sent a pre-game pep talk: "bff ur gonna slay i believe in u also wear that crop top we bought 😘"

Maya took a deep breath and practically jogged the last block. Her palm was still slick with nervous sweat as she reached for the doorbell. Before she could press it, the door swung open.

"MAYA!" Jake's eyes went wide. "I didn't think you'd actually—"

"Surprise?" She tried to sound casual but her voice cracked.

"No, I mean—good surprise." He stepped back. "Everyone's in the basement. Also, your palm is literally shaking right now."

She looked down. Her hand was trembling so hard her iPhone case was rattling against her fingers.

"Oh my god, I'm being so weird," she groaned.

"You're being Maya." Jake grinned. "It's fine. Also, Chen's been running around asking if you're here every five minutes so—"

Before she could spiral, Jake's sister came sprinting down the stairs, nearly crashing into them.

"JAKE! Mom said—oh, hi! You must be Maya!" The girl, who looked like a middle schooler, beamed at her. "Jake said you're like, really funny on your Instagram stories but you never come to anything. Are you staying? We're ordering pizza."

Maya blinked. This was... not the interrogation she'd expected.

"Uh, yeah? I think?"

"Awesome!" Jake's sister disappeared toward the kitchen.

"Sorry, she's—"

"No, she's cool," Maya said. Her palm had stopped sweating. The running commentary in her head had gone quiet.

"Wanna come down?" Jake asked. "Chen's literally vibrating waiting for you. Also, someone brought a Nintendo Switch if you're into that."

Maya looked at her iPhone one more time—three new messages from Chen screaming variations of "WHERE R YOU"—then slipped it into her pocket.

"Yeah," she said, and for the first time in months, her smile actually reached her eyes. "Yeah, I do."