The Spy Who Caught Feelings

Maya pressed her forehead against the cool glass of her bedroom window, eyes locked on the house across the street. For two weeks, she'd been spying on the new neighbor—a tall, mysterious guy who only emerged after sunset. Her best friend Niya called it "creepy stalker behavior," but Maya preferred "tactical observation."

The guy moved like a zombie, shoulders hunched, dragging his feet through the autumn leaves. Tonight was different though. Thunder rattled her window frame as lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating his pale face in stark relief. He wasn't just tired—he looked undead.

"Okay, that's definitely a vampire or zombie situation," Maya whispered, grabbing her phone to text Niya. But before she could type, another lightning strike revealed something else: he was wearing a nametag that read ESCAPE ROOM CREW.

Maya's curiosity outweighed her survival instincts. She slipped downstairs, dodging her mom's "where are you going?" with a mumbled "just checking the mail," and stepped into the rainy darkness.

The guy was fumbling with his keys, dropping them in the mud.

"Need help?" Maya called, rushing over.

He jumped like she'd electrocuted him. "JESUS—you scared me." He looked up, and yeah, up close he definitely had that whole 'hasn't slept in three days' vibe. "Sorry. I'm Leo. I just started working at that zombie escape room downtown, and the makeup artist goes HARD with the pale foundation."

Maya stared. "So you're not... you know. Undead?"

"Unfortunately, no." Leo laughed, and it was this warm, genuine sound that made Maya's stomach do that annoying fluttery thing. "Just broke. My car broke down, my phone died, and I've been walking home at 2 AM because my shift ends at midnight. I feel like a zombie though, ngl."

"That sucks," Maya said. "Want me to—"

"SPIED on him!" Niya's voice cut through the darkness. Maya's best friend stood on the sidewalk, arms crossed, grinning like she'd just won the lottery. "I saw you through your window. You've been SPYING on him for WEEKS, and now you're finally making your move!"

Lightning flashed again, illuminating Maya's absolutely brilliant shade of mortified red. Leo raised an eyebrow, thoroughly amused.

"Wait, you've been—"

"Not spying!" Maya protested. "Tactical observation. There's a difference."

"Sure," Leo said, smiling now. "Well, since you've already done the background research, maybe you want to get coffee sometime? When I'm not covered in zombie makeup?"

Maya's heart did this completely illegal jump thing. "I'd like that."

"Cool." He finally unlocked his door. "See you around, Spy Girl."

As he disappeared inside, Niya appeared beside Maya, cackling. "You're welcome, by the way."

"Shut up," Maya grinned, feeling electric and alive for the first time in forever. "That was all me."