The Papaya Protocol

Maya's thumb hovered over the send button, her iPhone screen glowing in the dark of her bedroom. She was about to do something borderline psychotic.

For three weeks, she'd been watching Zara's Instagram stories like a hawk, noticing the way Zara's eyes always lingered on Jake in group photos. Maya had become a self-appointed spy, documenting every "accidental" touch, every inside joke that didn't include her. Her best friend since seventh grade was keeping secrets.

The notification pinged. Zara was posting again.

Maya tapped so fast she almost dropped her phone. Another story: Jake and Zara at Smoothie Heaven, sharing what looked like—Maya zoomed in—papaya?

Who ordered papaya at a smoothie place? Unless they were trying to be ~exotic~ and ~adventurous~ together. Which meant it was a date thing. Which meant Maya was the third wheel in her own friendship.

She tossed her iPhone onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. The Zaya (Zara + Maya) empire was crumbling. All because some boy with nice hair showed up and started making Zara try tropical fruits.

Her phone buzzed. Zara.

"come over. emergency."

Maya's heart dropped. Zara was going to end their friendship. She knew it.

She grabbed her hoodie and snuck out the window, because dramatic moments called for dramatic exits.

When she got to Zara's room, Zara sat surrounded by rejected outfits, looking like she'd witnessed a natural disaster.

"What happened?"

"Jake tried to kiss me," Zara whispered.

Maya sat down hard. "Oh."

"I panicked. I told him I was allergic to his cologne." She buried her face in a pillow. "I don't know if I even LIKE him like that. I need my best friend."

Maya let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I'm here."

"You're not mad? I know I've been spending time with him—"

"Dude, no. I thought you were replacing me."

"Never." Zara grabbed her hand. "You're my person. Boys are temporary. You're permanent."

"Even when I'm being a total spy and obsessively checking your stories?"

"I knew you were doing that." Zara laughed. "I posted the papaya smoothie so you'd ask me about it. It wasn't a date thing. Jake's cool, but not papaya-sharing cool."

Her phone buzzed. She groaned. "He's texting me again. What do I say?"

"Tell him you're busy having quality time with your actual favorite person."

Zara grinned. "Perfect. And then tomorrow we can get actual good smoothies and you can tell me I'm an idiot for panicking over a kiss."

"Deal. But you are an idiot."

"I know." Zara bumped her shoulder. "Good thing I have you to save me from myself."

"And I have you to save me from spiraling into a jealous mess."

Maya smiled, the dread in her chest finally loosening. Some things, at least, stayed the same.