The Fedora Protocol

Maya thought she was chill with her new friend Alex—until she noticed he always wore that stupid fedora, even inside the cafeteria. Who does that?

Then she saw it. Alex was taking pictures of her notes. Not just glancing—actually snapping pics with his phone under the desk during AP Bio.

"Are you a spy or something?" she confronted him at lunch, slamming her tray down.

"What? No." Alex pulled his fedora lower. "Just... studying."

Maya's golden retriever, Buster, chose that moment to escape her backpack and sprint toward Alex's table. Because embarrassment runs in the family, apparently. The dog jumped on Alex, knocking his hat sideways.

"Your dog is awesome," Alex laughed, scratching Buster's ears. "Way cooler than my cat."

"Then explain the pics," Maya said, crossing her arms. "Because spying on my notes? That's weird behavior, Alex."

Alex sighed. "My parents think I'm struggling in AP Bio. They hired your friend Tyler to tutor me, but I can't afford his rates. He told me to 'observe your techniques'—I was trying to memorize your notes so I wouldn't fail."

Maya froze. Tyler? Her "friend" who ghosted her last week?

"He told you to spy on my notes instead of just asking?"

"He said you wouldn't mind since we're lab partners." Alex's face fell. "Was that messed up?"

"Yeah, actually." Maya's stomach twisted. "But not as messed as Tyler charging you to look at my notes without telling me."

She pulled a chair next to Alex. "Show me what you're missing. I'll help you study for real."

"Really?" Alex's eyes lit up. "What do you want in return?"

Maya pointed at his fedora, now sitting crookedly on his head. "That thing has to go. It's hiding your face."

Alex laughed and took off the hat. "Deal. But only if you help me pass this test."

"Deal." Maya smiled. "And Alex? Next time just ask. That's what friends are for. Not spying or weird secrets. Just asking."