The Fox and the Follower

Maya's sweaty palms gripped her iPhone like a lifeline, the screen illuminating her frantic face in the darkness of her bathroom. 11:47 PM. The party downstairs thundered with bass and laughter, but up here, she was refreshing Instagram like her life depended on it.

"You missing out?"

Maya jumped. Chloe leaned against the doorframe, that fox-like smirk playing on her lips—the same expression that had gotten them both into trouble three times this semester. "Or just waiting for someone to notice you disappeared?"

"I'm not missing out," Maya lied, though her vitamin gummy addiction was doing nothing for her nerves. "Just... needed a minute."

"Everyone's doing palm readings now," Chloe said, tilting her head. "Even Tyler. Which is hilarious because he can barely read."

Maya snorted despite herself. Chloe always knew exactly what to say to make everything feel slightly less catastrophic.

"You coming back?" Chloe asked, extending her hand. "Or should I tell everyone you're communing with the bathroom spirits?"

"You're the worst," Maya said, but she grabbed Chloe's hand. "But fine. Only if you promise to save me from Tyler's palm-reading attempts."

"Deal." Chloe's grin widened. "Besides, I saw someone I want you to meet."

Maya's stomach did that terrible fluttery thing. "Chloe..."

"What? He's cute! He has that messy hair thing you like. And he's not checking his iPhone every five seconds like someone I know."

Maya looked down at her phone, then back at Chloe. "Fine. But if this goes wrong, I'm taking all your vitamins."

"You'd have to catch me first." Chloe winked. "Now come on, before Tyler starts reading his own palm and accidentally summons something."

Maya laughed, and for the first time all night, she actually meant it.