The Hat, The Gummies, The DM

Maya pulled the brim of her dad's old trucker **hat** lower, hiding behind it like a shield. The cafeteria noise crashed over her — laughter bouncing off linoleum, trays clattering, the constant hum of teenage chaos. She was invisible, and honestly? She preferred it that way.

Until Kai sat down across from her.

"Nice hat," he said, genuinely smiling like he wasn't the most popular junior at Northwood High. "You going to Jordan's party tonight?"

Maya's stomach flipped. She'd been crushing on Kai since he'd defended her from Kyle's harassment in sophomore year. But parties? Her worst nightmare.

"I don't know," she mumbled, fidgeting with her phone.

"You should come." His phone buzzed. "Everyone's posting about it." He held up his **iPhone**, showing her the Snapchat stories. "Even the freshmen are hyped."

That's when her little brother Noah came barreling over, clutching an orange bottle. "MAYA! Did you take your **vitamin** gummies yet? Mom said you'll get sick if you don't take your—"

"Noah!" She practically hissed, face burning. Kai was trying SO HARD not to laugh. "I'm fourteen, I don't need—"

"They're the peach ones!" Noah announced to the entire cafeteria. "She LOVES the peach ones!"

Maya wanted to evaporate. This was it. The most mortifying moment of her life. Kai would never speak to her again.

But then Kai started laughing. Not mean laughter — genuine, falling-apart laughter that made his eyes crinkle.

"Peach is the superior flavor," he told Noah solemnly. "Your sister has good taste."

Noah beamed like Kai had just handed him a trophy. "EXACTLY!"

Maya's cheeks were still on fire, but something shifted. The embarrassment didn't feel fatal anymore.

"So..." Kai wiped tears from his eyes. "About that party. I can pick you up? If your mom says you've had your vitamins, obviously."

Noah cackled. Maya groaned, but under the table, her phone lit up with a new friend request.

She adjusted her hat, sat up straighter, and for the first time all year, she didn't want to disappear.

"Only if there's pizza," she said.

Kai grinned. "Obviously."