Sweaty Palms & Serves

Maya's palms were practically dripping as she clutched her phone under the desk, frantically refreshing Instagram to **spy** on Jordan's latest story. Everyone at Roosevelt High seemed to know exactly who they were—except her. The popular kids, the theater kids, the athletes—they all had their tribes. Maya was just... there.

"You coming to **padel** practice?" Leo asked, dropping into the seat beside her. His dimpled smile made her stomach do that annoying little flip thing.

"Oh, uh, maybe?" Maya mumbled, shoving her phone into her pocket. She'd somehow agreed to join the new co-ed padel team because Leo had mentioned it, and now she was regretting everything. She'd never even held a racquet before.

"Dude, you're gonna crush it," he said, fist-bumping her. "Besides, after what happened at the fall mixer—"

Maya groaned. The mixer. Where she'd literally been **running** away from Tyler after he'd tried to "help" her with her costume by accidentally tearing it, and she'd face-planted in front of everyone.

"Don't remind me."

"Nah, it was iconic. You recovered like a champ. But hey, watch out for Brianna today. She's in full **bull** mode again."

Brianna. The team captain who treated padel like the Olympics and freshmen like they were personally offending her by existing. Perfect.

The courts were blistering hot. Maya's palms were sweating so much she could barely grip her racquet. Of course Brianna was partnered with Jordan, looking perfect in her matching outfit. Maya got paired with Sarah, a freshman who kept apologizing every time she missed the ball.

"Sorry!" Sarah squeaked after another shot went wide.

"You're good, we're good," Maya said, though her heart was pounding. When it was her turn to serve, her hands were literally shaking. She bounced the ball once, twice—

"TIME'S UP, people!" Brianna yelled from the next court over. "Some of us are actually trying to improve here."

Something in Maya snapped. Maybe it was the heat, or the embarrassment, or just—everything. But suddenly she wasn't thinking about sweating or being judged. She just served. And the ball hit the glass wall perfectly, bouncing right past Brienna and Jordan's outstretched racquets.

The court went silent.

"What," Maya breathed, staring at her own hands like they belonged to someone else, "was that?"

"Okay then," Leo called from the sidelines, grinning. "Maybe we should call you the secret weapon."

Jordan actually smiled. "No fricking way."

Brienna just nodded. "Not bad, new girl. Not bad."

Maya looked down at her palms. Still sweating. But maybe—just maybe—that wasn't such a bad thing after all.