The Cap Snatch

Marcus's vintage Yankees hat sat backward on his head—his lucky charm, his armor, his everything. First week at Northwood High, and the cafeteria felt like a minefield of social explosions he wasn't equipped to navigate.

Then he saw her: Jade Chen, leaning against the bleachers during third period, wearing his missing hat. Same slight tear on the brim from when his dog got hold of it last summer.

"Yo, that's mine," he blurted, zero chill.

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Finders keepers. Besides, it looks better on me."

"Pretty sure that's not how property laws work."

"Marcus, right?" She smirked. "I've seen you running around the track after school. You've got form, but zero strategy."

He blinked. "You've been watching me? Like, in a creepy way or—"

"Relax, I'm not a spy," she said, tossing the hat back. "My brother's the junior varsity baseball coach. He points out the newbies."

Marcus caught it, suddenly hyperaware that Jade Chen, actual human with perfect eyeliner and a reputation for devastating sarcasm, had noticed him existing.

"Saturday's the scrimmage," she said, already walking away. "If you're gonna keep running, might as well make yourself useful. Bring the hat."

Marcus stood there, hat in hand, heart racing like he'd just finished a sprint. First week of high school, and he'd already been roasted, maybe flirted with? Hard to tell. Definitely recruited.

He pulled the hat back on, adjusting it carefully. Not armor anymore. Maybe just a start.