The Padel Court Catastrophe

Maya felt like a walking zombie after three straight nights of studying for finals. Her iPhone battery hovered at 4%, mocking her with its dying glow. But none of that mattered today. Today was the day she'd finally talk to Leo at the padel courts.

She'd been crushing on him since September, when he'd complimented her custom Vans. Her friends said he was out of her league, but Maya's dad always told her to shoot her shot. So here she was, wearing her sister's borrowed padel outfit and clutching a racket she'd never actually used.

Her golden retriever, Buster, pulled at his leash, desperate to chase the ball players were hitting. "Buster, chill," she whispered, but the dog was already making a beeline for Leo's game.

The cable she'd tripped over in her rush to get ready had knocked over her mom's favorite lamp. Now everything was falling apart. Buster dragged her toward the court just as Leo smashed the ball toward her.

"Watch out!" Leo called, but it was too late. The ball hit Buster's favorite tennis toy, sending both balls flying in opposite directions. Maya's face burned. She wanted to disappear.

But Leo jogged over, grinning. "Nice dog, mine's just as chaotic." He handed her the padel ball. "You play?"

Maya's brain short-circuited. "I— uh, I'm learning?"

"Cool. I can teach you sometime. If you want." Leo's phone buzzed. He checked it and rolled his eyes. "My mom. Gotta head home, but seriously—text me?"

He tapped his iPhone screen, then hers was blowing up with notifications from her group chat. MAYA. WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED. Leo. JUST. asked. for. YOUR. number.

Buster sat beside her, thumping his tail, proud of his matchmaking skills. Maya wasn't a zombie anymore. She was absolutely, wonderfully alive.