The Fox at First Base

Maya leaned against the chain-link fence, dying inside. This was her third time "accidentally" walking past the baseball field during practice, and if anyone called her out on it, she'd simply expire.

"Nice view?" Lena appeared beside her, vibrating with contained chaos. "I spy someone with a massive crush."

Maya's face burned. "Shut up."

She watched Tyler—the fox with the smooth swing and the grin that had colonized her brain since homeroom—connect with the ball perfectly. The crack of the bat echoed through her chest like something important.

"You were literally spying on his social media at 2 AM," Lena continued, relentless. "I saw your notifications."

"That was research!"

"And what about lunch today?" Lena's voice dropped. "When Sarah made that comment about your hair? You just sat there like she was talking about the weather instead of being a total bull to your face."

The familiar knot tightened in Maya's stomach. Sarah had been passive-aggressive since seventh grade, and Maya still didn't know how to handle it without making everything weird.

"I don't want to cause drama."

"Well," Lena said suddenly, "Sarah's mom makes her bring spinach in her lunch every day. I heard her complaining about it. Even worse? I saw her trying to sneak it into the trash when no one was looking."

Maya blinked. "Wait, really? Super-healthy Sarah who lectures everyone about wellness is literally dumping vegetables?"

"Tell Tyler," Lena said with a mischievous glint. "He's been sitting next to her in bio. He can confirm."

Maya's heart did that embarrassing flutter thing. "I can't just ask him to spy on her lunch!"

"Why not? He's nice. He hates bullies. And I bet he'd think it's hilarious."

Before Maya could process the sudden spike of terror and excitement, Tyler jogged toward the fence, wiping sweat from his forehead. He stopped right in front of them, his baseball cap pushed back to reveal absurdly long lashes.

"Hey. You're Maya, right? From English?"

She actually squeaked. "Yeah."

"My cousin's having a party Saturday," he said, suddenly looking almost nervous himself. "I was wondering if you wanted to come?"

Lena's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline.

"Like, as a date?" Maya heard herself ask before her brain could stop her mouth.

"Unless you don't want it to be," he said quickly. "But I was hoping it would be."

"Then yeah," Maya managed, feeling light enough to float away. "I'd love that."

As Tyler headed back to practice with a grin that made something bright and terrified unfurl in her chest, Lena grabbed her arm.

"Okay, we're definitely discussing how you just asked that so smoothly."

"I think I might actually pass out," Maya admitted, but she was smiling.

She'd deal with Sarah later. Right now, she had a date with a fox.