The Spy in the Cafeteria

Maya's palms were sweating — like, actually dripping — as she slid into the booth at Taco Tuesday. She was on a mission: Operation **Spy** on Jordan, the sophomore with the ridiculous hair who'd somehow become her crush over winter break.

"You're being so weird about this," said Sam, her best friend since sixth grade, stabbing at her quesadilla. "Just talk to him like a normal human being."

"Excuse me for having strategy," Maya whispered, ducking behind her menu as Jordan walked past. "This is delicate work. One wrong move and I become the girl who openly thirsted in public. Again."

Sam rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. "That was ONE time in seventh grade, and you were wearing a neon **cat** ear headband. It's been three years. Let it go."

Before Maya could defend her fashion choices, Jordan — looking annoyingly perfect in his oversized hoodie — stopped at their table. Maya's heart did that thing where it forgot how to heart.

"Hey," he said. "You dropped this." He held out a rainbow friendship bracelet.

Maya stared. It was the one her little sister made — the one with the tiny **fox** charm that represented her Minecraft skin. The one she'd been freaking out about losing all morning.

"Oh my god, thank you," she breathed, reaching for it. Their fingers brushed. Jordan's hands were warm. Maya's brain short-circuited.

"No problem," he said, grinning. "Also, nice save earlier." He gestured toward the salad bar, where a freshman was dramatically cleaning **spinach** off their shirt.

"What?"

"You know — the whole tray-catching thing? That was kind of legendary. You moved like a ninja."

Maya blinked. She'd been too busy hyperventilating about Jordan to even notice she'd saved someone's lunch.

"I... yeah. Totally meant to do that," she said, channeling confidence she absolutely did not feel.

Jordan laughed. It was nice. Like, really nice. "Cool. Well, see you in bio tomorrow."

He walked away, and Maya immediately slumped onto the table.

"Did that just happen?" she muffled into her arms.

Sam was already typing furiously on her phone. "Update the group chat. The plan worked. You're welcome."