The Fox at the Party

Maya pulled the brim of her snapback lower, using the hat like a shield. House parties weren't exactly her vibe, but Jen—her best friend since seventh grade—had promised this one would be chill.

"You good?" Jen asked, already bouncing toward the kitchen.

"My phone's dead." Maya fumbled with her charging cable. "And I left my portable battery at home."

"Live a little, Maya." Jen disappeared into the crowd.

Maya found herself alone on the couch, sandwiched between a couple making out and—wait, was that a cat?

A sleek calico cat emerged from beneath the coffee table, eyeing her with judgment. I feel you, Maya thought. Then she spotted him across the room: the fox.

No, not an actual fox—though at this point, she wouldn't be surprised. It was what everyone called Leo, the junior with that mischievous smile and impossible ability to get away with everything. He caught her looking. Instead of looking away like she normally would, she held his gaze.

He made his way over, dodging spilled drinks and drunk dancers like it was an Olympic sport.

"That's Luna," he said, nodding at the cat. "She hates parties. My sister's hosting."

"Same," Maya said, then immediately wanted to die.

Leo laughed. "You're Jen's friend, right? The one who's always reading at lunch?"

"And judging everyone silently," she added, surprising herself.

"Good." Leo dropped onto the couch next to her. "Someone's gotta do it."

They talked for an hour—about books, about teachers, about how much they both hated performing confidence for strangers. For the first time, Maya didn't feel like she was faking it.

"My parents are strict Muslim parents," she found herself admitting. "They'd flip if they knew I was at a party."

Leo nodded. "My mom thinks I'm at a study group. We're both living dangerously."

The fox in the room wasn't Leo anymore—it was her, sneaking out of her comfort zone, finally.

Jen returned, phone in hand. "Maya, you ready to bounce? Leo's trying to get with you?"

"Shut up," Leo said, but he was smiling at Maya.

"Cable's dead anyway," Maya said, standing up. "But I'm good."

"You're more than good," Leo said. "You're actually interesting."

Jen rolled her eyes. "Great. Another one."

As they left, Luna the cat followed them to the door, as if approving. Maya walked out without pulling her hat down once, and for the first time, she didn't feel like she needed to hide.