The Art of Faking It

Maya's reflection in the bathroom mirror showed exactly what she'd been trying to hide all night: a massive piece of spinach wedged between her front teeth. Because obviously. Because the universe had decided that tonight, of all nights, when Jordan-the-perfect was finally talking to her at Tyler's party, she needed to walk around with green garbage in her smile.

'You good?' Sarah asked, leaning against the doorframe like she owned the place. Sarah always owned the place.

Maya scrubbed her teeth with her finger. 'Fine. Just lowkey having a mental breakdown.'

'Been there.' Sarah handed her a red cup. 'Jordan's been looking for you, by the way. He's by the pool.'

The pool. Where the water glowed blue from the underwater lights, where people Maya didn't know were laughing like they'd all been friends since kindergarten. Maya adjusted her crop top for the hundredth time. Why had she worn this? She looked like she was trying too hard, which she was, but nobody was supposed to know that.

'Take a breath, Maya. You're overthinking.' Sarah flipped her hair. 'Just be cool. Channel your inner fox. You know—sly, mysterious, unbothered.'

'My inner what now'

'Fox. You're over there acting like a scared cat every time someone makes eye contact. Loosen up.'

Maya laughed despite herself. Sarah made everything sound simple. That was Sarah's gift—she glided through high school like she had the cheat codes while Maya was still stuck on tutorial mode.

'Okay. Fox mode. Got it.' Maya checked her teeth one more time. 'How's my smile'

'Spinach-free and socially acceptable.' Sarah grinned. 'Now go talk to him before I do it for you.'

Maya took a breath and walked toward the pool, toward Jordan, toward whatever happened next. Maybe she'd say something smooth. Maybe she'd embarrass herself completely. Either way, she was done hiding in bathrooms.

'Hey,' she said, and her voice didn't even shake. 'Want to get some air'

Jordan looked up, and for the first time all night, Maya wasn't pretending to be anyone but herself. And somehow, that was enough.