The Cat Who Served

Maya stared at her reflection, fingers twisting through her newly dyed blue hair. The box promised vibrant ocean waves, but honestly? It looked more like pond water after a rainstorm.

"You're overthinking it again," Layla said from where she sprawled across Maya's bed, scrolling through her phone. "Just take your vitamin D gummy and chill. We're gonna be late for padel."

Padel. Of course. The social event of the semester, where everyone pretended to be athletic while secretly checking their reflections in the glass walls. Maya's stomach did that thing it did whenever she had to perform—whether that meant a presentation or just existing in public.

"I can't go," Maya said. "My hair looks tragic, and Jordan's gonna be there, and he's literally never seen me without my hoodie up."

Layla sat up. "Jordan? THE Jordan? As in, the guy you've been lowkey obsessed with since biology?"

"Shh! Don't say his name, you'll summon him!" Maya's face burned. "I just... I'm not ready."

Outside, something meowed. Loudly.

Both girls froze. That was not a normal cat sound. That was a demand.

Maya crept to the window and pulled back the curtain. A massive orange tabby sat on her porch, staring directly at her. And beside it? Jordan's bike.

"No way," Layla breathed, appearing behind her shoulder. "That's the legendary community cat. The one that hangs around the padel courts stealing people's food." Her eyes widened. "Maya. Jordan's out there. Looking for HIS cat."

"His cat?"

"His little sister's cat, which escaped this morning. He's been posting about it all over insta." Layla shoved Maya toward the door. "GO. SAVE THE CAT. SECURE THE MAN."

"That is literally the worst plan you've ever had—"

"DO IT."

Maya stumbled outside, pond-water hair and all. Jordan stood by his bike, looking stressed. The orange cat wound around Maya's legs like he'd known her forever.

"Oh my god," Jordan said, spotting her. "Is that—"

"Citrus," Maya heard herself say, surprising everyone. "Yeah. He was just... serving looks on my porch."

Jordan laughed, and it was better than anything she'd imagined. "That's my sister's cat, actually. You're literally a lifesaver." He stepped closer, eyes dipping to her blue hair. "I like your hair, by the way. It's... different. Cool different."

Maya felt something inside her unknot. "Thanks. It's supposed to be ocean."

"It is," he said. "Maybe not ocean. But like... really nice pond water?"

She laughed. "Wow. The backhanded compliments start EARLY."

Jordan grinned, and yeah. Yeah, she could do this. Hair disasters, social anxiety, and all.

"Wanna walk Citrus home together?" he asked.

"Absolutely."