The Hair Flip Heard 'Round the Court

Maya's hair had been through seven different transformations since freshman year started. Currently it was a messy bun that defied gravity and basic physics, held together by hope and three scrunchies she'd found in her backpack.

"You're actually going to do it?" Chloe whispered from the bleachers, where she'd been dramatically fake-studying for forty minutes.

"He's watching," Maya hissed, adjusting her crop top for the eighteenth time.

The object of Maya's semester-long crisis, Liam, was currently obliterating everyone at padel on the court below. His curls bounced with every serve. His arms looked incredible. Maya had memorized his schedule three weeks ago and "coincidentally" shown up to every single one of his games.

She'd never played padel in her life.

"Just be chill," Chloe advised. "Chill people don't get hair stuck in their racket."

Maya smoothed her hair—currently loose waves because she'd spent forty-five minutes perfecting them this morning. This was it. She was going to approach Liam after his game. She was going to say something normal and attractive and not weird.

"Nice game," she practiced under her breath. "I'm Maya. I think you're cute. Want to get bubble tea?"

Liam finished his match, sweating and gorgeous, and headed toward the bench where Maya was strategically sitting with her "forgotten" racket.

She stood up. She flipped her hair.

It got caught.

Not just caught—tangled. In the net of the padel court she'd been standing next to. Maya tried to pull it free. The net held on like a jealous ex.

"You good?"

Liam was standing there. Right there. Smiling.

"My hair," Maya said, and then her brain died.

"Let me help."

He spent five minutes untangling her hair while she wanted to dissolve into the earth. After, they sat on the bench while he drank Gatorade and she died inside.

"So," he said, "do you actually play?"

"I have a goldfish," Maya blurted. "His name is Bear. He judges me."

Liam laughed. It was a good laugh. "That's messed up."

"I know," Maya said. "I'm messed up."

"Yeah, but like, in a good way." He checked his phone. "I'm getting bubble tea after this. You want to come? Bear can wait."

Maya's hair was frizzy from the net incident. She'd embarrassed herself publicly. And somehow, this was working.

"Bear is very understanding," she said. "Lead the way."