The Palm Reader's Secret

Maya's supposed to be studying for finals, but instead she's spying on her ex-best friend through the cafeteria window. Jordan's sitting with the popular crowd now, laughing like she didn't spend all of last year sobbing in Maya's bathroom about how much she hated those exact people.

"You're being creepy," says Kai, dropping into the seat across from her. "Again."

Maya jumps, nearly knocking over her textbook. "I'm not being creepy. I'm conducting research. For journalism. Maybe."

Kai raises an eyebrow. "Right. Because that's definitely why you've been spying on Jordan for three weeks straight."

Maya sighs, tracing patterns on the table with her palm. "We promised we'd tell each other everything. Remember? Before she decided I wasn't cool enough anymore?"

"Okay, first of all," Kai says, pulling out their phone, "she didn't decide that. She's just... figuring stuff out. And second, you're literally doing the exact same thing—"

"I am NOT—"

"—you're totally reinventing yourself this year. New haircut. Different style. You joined the stupid photography club even though you hate cameras."

Maya opens her mouth to argue, then closes it. Because Kai's right. She has been changing, trying on different versions of herself like they're outfits she might return if they don't fit.

Jordan catches her eye through the window and waves.

Maya's stomach does this flip thing. She waves back, awkward and weird.

"She's coming over," Kai whispers, like this is a covert operation.

Jordan slides into the booth next to Maya, smelling like vanilla and stress. "I got the part."

"What?" Maya asks.

"The play. Lead role." Jordan's shaking. "I'm gonna throw up."

And then it clicks—the spy thing, the distance, the new friends. Jordan wasn't leaving Maya behind. She was just scared. Auditioning for something huge and terrified she'd fail.

Maya takes Jordan's hand, reads her palm like she used to do when they were twelve and pretending to be psychic. "Hmm," she says solemnly. "I see... lots of people clapping. Also, you need to practice your lines more."

Jordan laughs, and it sounds like relief. "You're still the worst fake psychic ever."

"But you're gonna be amazing," Maya says, and means it.

Kai pulls out their phone again. "Great. Now can we please finish studying before we fail everything?"

"After," Jordan says, "we're getting boba. My treat."

"Extra pearls?"

"Obviously."

And just like that, the distance between them shrinks to nothing. Some friendships have gap years, Maya thinks. That doesn't mean they're over.