The Fox at Center Court

Maya's least favorite part of freshman year wasn't the homework or the awkward locker combinations — it was the feeling that someone was always watching. Someone definitely was.

"You're being paranoid," Zoe said, adjusting her grip on the padel racket. "Nobody at this school cares that much."

Maya wiped her palms on her shorts. The indoor court echoed with the squeak of sneakers and the rhythmic *thwack* of balls hitting walls. Padel was supposed to be the chill alternative to tennis, but Maya's stomach did backflips every time she stepped onto the court.

"Then explain this," Maya said, pulling out her phone. She'd been screenshotting evidence for weeks. "Someone's been liking every single one of my Instagram stories within three seconds. Three seconds, Zoe. Even the ones from last summer at 2 AM."

"Okay, that's actual low-key creepy behavior."

"AND," Maya continued, "someone keeps leaving those gummy candy packs in my locker. The fox ones. I hate foxes."

Zoe paused. "Wait. You think you have a secret admirer?"

"I think I have a secret spy, and I'm genuinely concerned for my safety." Maya served the ball, missing entirely. It hit the backboard with a sad *clonk*.

Across the court, Liam — the junior who'd been giving Maya look-but-don't-approach vibes since September — bent to tie his shoe. His friends, including that loud sophomore with the neon hair, laughed about something. Maya's face burned.

"He's looking," Zoe hissed.

"Don't look at him looking at me!"

"You know what this requires?" Zoe lowered her voice. "Counter-surveillance."

"I'm not setting up a sting operation, Zoe."

"Post a fake story. Set a trap. See who takes the bait."

Maya considered it. It was ridiculous, except her phone was blowing up again, and someone had definitely left another fox gummy pack in her locker that morning, and —

The padel ball sailed toward her face. Maya's body moved on instinct, racket swinging up in a perfect volley that slammed the ball into the corner, untouched.

"YEAH MAYA!" Liam yelled from across the court, pumping his fist. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Maya's knees almost gave out.

"Oh my GOD," Zoe whispered. "He's been watching your game this whole time."

"To critique me?"

"To cheer you on, you absolute walnut."

After the match, Maya's phone buzzed. A notification: *liam_the_fox started following you.*

"No way," Maya breathed. "He's the spy?"

"He's been leaving you fox candy because he made that joke about being 'sly as a fox' at orientation, and you smiled." Zoe face-palmed. "Maya, you absolute disaster."

The neon-haired sophomore — Liam's little sister — appeared beside them. "He's been trying to talk to you for months," she said. "I told him his approach was weird, but he insisted on being all mysterious. Bros are dumb."

Maya looked across the court. Liam was watching her, clearly pretending not to. He waved, awkward and genuine.

"So," Zoe said, "are you going to talk to your spy, or what?"

Maya smiled. "I think I might let him surveil me a little longer."