The Cat Who Knew

Maya's palms were sweating so much she thought she might accidentally water the fake palm tree in the school cafeteria. Which would be fine, really, because that plastic monstrosity had seen better days, but today was NOT the day to become known as the girl who hydrated cafeteria decor.

"You okay?" Chloe slid into the seat across from her, flipping her hair like she was in a shampoo commercial. "You look like you're about to barf."

Maya swallowed hard. "Fine. Just thinking about track tryouts."

"Lies." Chloe leaned in, lowering her voice. "I saw you staring at Jordan again."

"I was NOT staring!" Maya protested, but her face betrayed her. Heat crawled up her neck.

"You totally were. And you know what?" Chloe grinned. "He was totally staring back."

Maya's heart did that embarrassing flutter thing, like a cat purring against her ribs. Her cat, Mochi, did that whenever Maya opened a can of tuna. Mochi had zero chill, and apparently, neither did she.

But Jordan? The guy who maderunning look effortless? The one whose smile could power a small city? Yeah. No way.

"Whatever," Maya muttered, stabbing at her lunch. "This spinach wrap is dry anyway."

"Spinach? Seriously?" Chloe made a face. "What are you, 45?"

Maya shrugged, but she couldn't help smiling. Her mom had started this health kick phase, and honestly, Maya was kind of into it. Except for the part where she was now the girl eating spinach wraps while everyone else had pizza.

The bell rang. Time for track tryouts.

Her palms started sweating again.

"You got this," Chloe called as Maya gathered her stuff. "And hey—Jordan's trying out too."

Maya's stomach did a flip. This was it. The moment she'd been stress-eating spinach wraps for.

Outside, the track team gathered. Coach Brooks blew her whistle. "Alright, warm-up laps! Let's see what you've got!"

Maya started running, falling into rhythm. One foot in front of the other. Left, right, breathe. She could feel the tension melting away with each stride. This was her thing. This was where she didn't have to worry about sweaty palms or whether Jordan was watching or if she looked ridiculous eating spinach.

She was just... running. And it was enough.

"Maya!" Coach Brooks called out as she finished her lap. "Good form! Come here!"

Maya jogged over, heart pounding for a completely different reason now.

"You made the team," Coach Brooks said with a nod. "And Jordan?" She gestured to where he stood, leaning against the fence, grinning. "He was asking if you wanted to be his running partner."

Maya's palms didn't feel sweaty anymore. They felt... ready.

"Yeah," she said, smiling back at him. "I'd like that."

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. A text from her mom: Don't forget Mochi's dinner tonight! And maybe pick up more spinach?

Maya laughed. Some things never changed. But some things? They definitely did.