The Palm Reader's Party Panic

Maya's palms were sweating so much she could probably water plants with them. Which was ironic, considering she was currently gripping a plastic cup of lukewarm punch at Tyler Anderson's house party, the social event of the sophomore year.

"You okay?" asked Chloe, her best friend since seventh grade, who was significantly more comfortable in this chaotic sea of hormonal teenagers blasting bad music.

"Fine," Maya lied, immediately aware that something felt wrong. She ducked into the bathroom, pressed her face to the mirror, and there it was—a bright green chunk of spinach wedged between her front teeth. From the dinner her mom had made before she'd rushed out the door, desperate to make a good impression at her first real high school party.

She wanted to die. Actually die. Spinach in her teeth while talking to the cutest guy in her history class? This was what nightmares were made of.

When she emerged, freshly spinach-free, the party had shifted. Someone had set up a folding table in the corner with a crystal ball and tarot cards. A senior named Luna with dramatic eyeliner was charging five bucks for palm readings.

"Your future awaits," Luna intoned, gesturing to Maya's surprisingly still trembling hands.

Why not? At this point, the night couldn't get more embarrassing.

Luna traced the lines on Maya's palm with manicured fingernails. "Interesting. You're facing a big choice soon. Something about being true to yourself versus what others expect."

Maya's heart raced. She'd been debating between trying out for the school play (her secret passion) or sticking with the safe track team like her friends wanted.

"Also," Luna grinned, "you'll meet someone important. Someone who gets you."

A crash from the kitchen interrupted them. Tyler's family cat, a fat orange tabby named Mango, had knocked over a stack of Solo cups and was now casually grooming itself on the counter like nothing had happened.

The entire room erupted in laughter. Including Tyler. Who was suddenly standing right next to her.

"That cat is such a drama queen," Tyler said, catching Maya's eye. "Hey, you're in my history class, right? The one who always has the best answers?"

Maya's palms stopped sweating. "Yeah. That's me."

"Cool," he said. "Want to help me wrangle Mango before he destroys the rest of the party?"

As they corralled the orange cat together, Maya realized Luna might be onto something with that whole palm reading thing. Or maybe sometimes, you just had to embrace the chaos—and the occasional vegetable in your teeth—to find the good stuff.

"So," Tyler said as they deposited Mango safely in a bedroom. "I'm trying out for the spring play. You should too. We could use someone who actually knows their lines."

Maya smiled, her hands finally steady. "Yeah. I think I will."