The Mascot's Double Life

Leo adjusted the giant bear head, sweating inside his furry prison. Being the school mascot wasn't exactly how he'd imagined his freshman year would go, but at least nobody could see his face when he messed up the dance routines at basketball games.

"You're like my personal spy," Maya had whispered that morning, shoving a crumpled note into his paw. "Find out if Tyler's going to semi-formal. I'm dying here."

Now, Leo lumbered through the cafeteria, bear head swaying, trying to spot Tyler at the popular table. This was ridiculous. He was literally running reconnaissance in a bear costume while his sister sat three tables away, pretending to study.

"Yo, Bear!" someone shouted. "Do the shuffle!"

Leo obliged, doing an awkward dance that made the sophomore girls giggle. He spotted Tyler laughing with his friends, but Maya's note was clutched in his furry paw, and Leo couldn't exactly waltz over and hand it to him.

That's when he saw it—Tyler's phone on the table, screen lighting up with a text: "asking Maya 2morro 😏"

Leo froze. The information was literally right there. But also, what was he doing? Spying on his sister's crush while dressed as the school bear? This wasn't who he wanted to be.

He lumbered toward the exit, bear head feeling heavier than usual. Maya intercepted him by the doors.

"Well?"

Leo took off the bear head, sweat matting his hair. "I can't bear being your spy anymore, Maya. Just text him yourself."

Her face fell. "But what if he says no?"

"Then you'll know," Leo said, and for the first time, he didn't feel like just the kid in the bear costume. "And either way, you'll be okay."

Maya's eyes widened. "Since when are you the wise one?"

"Since I started running around in this thing," Leo said, putting the bear head back on. "Being ridiculous builds character."

That night, Maya came into his room, beaming. "He said yes!"

Leo grinned. "Told you. No bear needed."

"Shut up," she laughed, tossing a pillow at him. "You're still doing my spying next time, though."

"Deal," Leo said. "But I'm picking the costume."