The Friday Night Shift

Maya's phone buzzed for the third time in five minutes. Another group chat blowing up about Jordan's party—the one she definitely wasn't invited to. She shoved it deeper into her apron pocket and focused on not spilling another latte.

"You good, Maya?" Carlos asked from the register. He was twenty-two, had a lip piercing, and had somehow survived being a teenager.

"Yeah. Just thinking about how I'm literally zombie right now." She gestured at her dark circles. "Three shifts in two days will do that to you."

Carlos laughed. "Ain't that the truth. But hey, at least you're making that overtime money."

Maya wiped down the counter, her palm still tingling from that moment in chemistry yesterday—when she'd accidentally brushed against Skylar's hand while reaching for a beaker. Two seconds of contact that had replayed in her head approximately a thousand times since.

The bell jingled. Two girls from her English class walked in, laughing at something on one of their phones. They didn't even notice Maya behind the counter. She became suddenly fascinated by the espresso machine's steam wand.

Then Skylar walked in.

Maya's heart did something stupid. Skylar ordered a chai, their eyes meeting for a solid second before Maya looked away too fast. Smooth. Real smooth.

"Your cat came by my window again," Skylar said suddenly, like it was the most normal thing to say to someone you barely talked to.

"What?"

"Your cat? The orange one? He sits on my windowsill and screams at 2 AM. I think he wants to be friends with my dog."

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." Maya felt her face heating up. "He's literally so embarrassing."

"It's kinda iconic tbh." Skylar grinned. "Anyway, you coming to Jordan's tonight?"

Maya blinked. "I wasn't really invited."

"Bull." Skylar pulled out their phone. "He was literally asking me if I knew your number earlier. Hold up."

Maya stood there, frozen, as Skylar typed something. Then her phone buzzed.

"There," Skylar said. "Now you're invited. Also, your cat's a legend. Don't let him tell you otherwise."

When Skylar left with their chai, Carlos whistled. "Dude. What just happened?"

"I think," Maya said slowly, "I might have plans tonight."

"Finally!" Carlos high-fived her as she clocked out. "Go live your best life, zombie girl."