The Spy in the Straw Hat

Chloe pulled the brim of her stupid cowboy hat lower. Why had she agreed to this lake party again? Oh right—because Maya had begged her to come, and Chloe was trying to be a better friend.

The air smelled like sunscreen and teenager anxiety. Chloe positioned herself behind the old oak tree, her designated spying post. From here, she could see everything without actually having to, like, talk to people.

"You're literally invisible in that hat," Maya had joked earlier. "It's perfect spy gear."

Chloe watched as Jake—the guy she'd been lowkey crushing on all semester—stood near the water's edge, laughing at something his friends said. He looked effortless in his swim trunks, while Chloe felt like a fraud in her oversized t-shirt and ridiculous hat she'd bought at a thrift store on impulse.

Then she saw it: Jasmine (aka The Human Bulldozer) marching toward Jake with that predatory look in her eyes. Jasmine always went after what she wanted, consequences be damned.

But Jake wasn't looking at Jasmine. He was looking around, almost like he was searching for someone.

Chloe's heart did that stupid fluttery thing. She watched, mesmerized, as Jake's gaze swept past her hiding spot, then snapped back. Their eyes met through the oak tree's branches.

He smiled.

Not a polite smile. A real smile, like he'd been hoping to find her.

"Hey," he called, striding over. Water dripped from his hair. "I've been looking for you. That hat is iconic, by the way."

Chloe's brain short-circuited. "Oh. Um. Thanks?"

"Wanna take a walk?" Jake gestured toward the wooded trail. "I promised my friends I'd help them with something later, but... I'd rather talk to you."

Behind them, Jasmine looked ready to explode. Chloe saw Maya watching from the dock, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Chloe touched the brim of her ridiculous spy hat. Maybe being seen wasn't so terrifying after all.

"Yeah," she said, surprising herself with how steady her voice sounded. "I'd like that."