The Poolside Palm Reader

Maya's palms were sweating. Literally sweating. She wiped them on her denim shorts for the third time, watching Jordan flip his wet hair out of his eyes like he was in a slow-motion sunscreen commercial.

The pool party was supposed to be casual. Just the squad hanging before sophomore year started. But somehow it felt like everything. The orange plastic cups. The palm trees swaying in the background, looking way more chill than she felt. Everyone already in the water, laughing like they didn't have a care in the world.

Except her. Stuck on the deck, flip-flops on, overthinking.

"You coming in?" Jordan called, splashing water at no one in particular. His braces caught the sunlight. They were cute. He was cute. And that was the problem.

"Uh, yeah!" Maya yelled back. "Just, uh, taking selfies for the aesthetic!" She held up her phone like it explained everything.

Good save. Not really.

Her best friend Chenae climbed out of the pool, dripping water everywhere. She sat down next to Maya on the concrete edge. "You okay? You look like you're about to throw up."

"I'm good!" Maya squeaked. "Just admiring the, like, ambience. Very vibe."

"You're nervous about Jordan."

"I am NOT nervous about Jordan. I don't even—"

"You've liked him since eighth grade. We all know. Even Jordan probably knows."

Maya buried her face in her hands. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to everyone. So what's the move?"

"There is no move! I'm just going to exist awkwardly and hope college is better."

Chenae grabbed Maya's hand and pressed her thumb into the center of her palm. "Okay, palm reader time. This says you're about to jump in that pool and live your best life."

"That's not what palm readers say."

"I'm reinventing the industry. Now GO."

Maya stood up, heart hammering. She pulled off her cover-up, revealing the swimsuit she'd spent forty-five minutes picking out. The deck felt warm under her bare feet. Jordan was doing laps now, rhythmic and perfect.

She took a breath.

She ran.

She jumped.

The water was perfect. Cool and shocking all at once. She surfaced, sputtering, and Jordan was right there grinning like he'd been waiting.

"Finally!" he said. "Took you long enough."

"Shut up," Maya laughed, splashing him right in the face.

The orange sunset reflected off the water. Her palms weren't sweating anymore. They were just wet. And that was way better.