The Cat Who Knew My Secrets

My phone buzzed in my pocket — another emergency text from Maya. "Status report? Is he talking to her yet?"

I leaned against the kitchen wall, trying to look casual while secretly spying on Tyler across the room. He was talking to Sarah. Of course. Sarah with the perfect hair and the effortless laugh. My palms were sweating so much I could practically water plants with them.

"Operation Crash and Burn is a go," I typed back.

A calico cat wound around my ankles, purring like a tiny motor. Mrs. Chen's cat, Mango, had escaped from the bedroom again. Everyone ignored it, but Mango seemed determined to be my emotional support animal for the night.

"You should have your palm read," said a voice behind me. I jumped and almost dropped my phone. It was Leo, that quiet guy from my English class. He held up a deck of tarot cards with a half-smile. "I mean, if you believe in that stuff."

"I don't," I said, but my betraying palms had other ideas — they were suddenly dry and curious. "But..."

Leo sat cross-legged on the floor, and Mango immediately abandoned me for him. The cat sprawled across his lap like he owned the place. Traitor.

"Your palm says you're overthinking everything," Leo said, tracing the lines on my hand with surprising gentleness. "And that you're spying on someone who's not worth it."

My face burned. "I'm not—"

"Tyler's been staring at Sarah all night," Leo said. "Meanwhile, you've been standing here texting someone about it." He shrugged. "I notice things. It's my curse."

Mango bit his finger affectionately.

"Ow. See? Even the cat thinks I should shut up." Leo handed me a tarot card — The Fool, reversed. "But seriously. Stop spying. Start existing."

Across the room, Tyler laughed at something Sarah said. I looked at the card, then at Leo, who was currently being used as a cat bed.

" existing," I repeated.

"Exactly. Existing." Leo Mango's head. "Also, your friend Maya just texted you. Again."

My phone buzzed.

"WELL?"

I put it in my pocket. "Let her wait."

Mango purred like he approved.