The Mascot Incident

Maya pressed her forehead against the cold cafeteria table, groaning like she was dying. Which she basically was.

"You survived," Jazz said, sliding into the seat across from her. "The bear mascot incident is already ancient history. Like, two days ancient."

"Everyone saw me trip over my own feet and faceplant into the mascot costume during the pep rally," Maya moaned. "It's practically on TikTok. My dignity? Gone. Like, actually gone."

"At least you didn't vomit on the principal's shoes like that freshman last year," Jazz pointed out. "Also, Tyler was literally laughing with you, not at you."

Maya's stomach did this tiny flutter thing. Tyler. The Tyler who sat behind her in AP Calc and smelled like citrus and expensive deodorant. The Tyler who'd helped her up when she'd wiped out in the giant bear head, his hand warm on her arm.

"He was probably laughing," Maya said, but her voice went soft.

"Or he was flirting?" Jazz raised both eyebrows dramatically. "You should've come to the party last night. Sarah's cat got out and we spent two hours hunting it down in the dark. It was literally the most random bonding experience ever."

"I had to study. Also, parties aren't really my scene."

"No kidding. You're practically a hermit. But Tyler was asking about you."

Maya's head snapped up. "What?"

"He was wondering if you needed help with the calc project. Said you looked stressed before the mascot fail."

"I looked stressed because I was stressed. That bear suit weighed like fifty pounds."

"So call him," Jazz said. "Ask about the project. Worst case, you get math help. Best case, you get a boyfriend who doesn't suck."

"I'm not calling him. That's literally terrifying."

"Then text him. Or—" Jazz's eyes lit up. "Sarah's dog is having puppies. Like, right now. Tell him you need to come see them and invite him along. It's cute, it's casual, it's not weird at all."

Maya considered it. Puppies were objectively adorable. And if it went wrong, at least she could focus on the dogs instead of her own awkwardness.

"Fine," she said. "But if this goes sideways, I'm never listening to you again."

"Deal. Now let's go see some puppies before my mom finds out I'm skipping study hall."

Maya grabbed her phone, fingers hovering over Tyler's contact. Her heart hammered like she'd just run a marathon, but for the first time all week, she wasn't thinking about the bear costume at all. She was thinking about citrus and puppy breath and maybe, just maybe, not being invisible anymore.