The Spy Who Walked My Dog

Maya dragged herself through third period, feeling like a total zombie after staying up until 2 AM finishing her history project. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, making her headache thump in time with her phone vibrating in her pocket.

"You look dead," whispered Jenny, sliding into the seat next to her. "Rough night?"

"You have no idea." Maya massaged her temples. "And my mom's on my case about the college applications again. It's like she thinks I'm not stressed enough already."

After school, Maya met up with Carlos at the park. Her golden retriever, Buster, immediately started jumping on Carlos like they hadn't seen each other in years instead of just since lunch.

"Dude, your dog has zero chill," Carlos laughed, scratching Buster behind the ears. "Anyway, you'll never guess what I found out."

"That you're actually a spy?" Maya joked. "Because that would explain how you always know everything about everyone."

Carlos's expression shifted. He looked around, then lowered his voice. "Okay, don't freak out, but kind of?"

Maya stared at him. "What?"

"My cousin works in the main office, and she showed me something." Carlos pulled out his phone. "Someone's been documenting everything. The popular kids have this whole spreadsheet about who's 'worthy' of being in their group. They're literally spying on everyone."

Maya's stomach dropped. "That's bull. Who does that?"

"It gets worse." Carlos scrolled through screenshots. "They rate people. Like, give them scores on their clothes, their Instagram followers, even their 'social value.'"

That weekend, as Maya walked Buster through the neighborhood, she couldn't stop thinking about it. How had she let herself care so much about what people who did stuff like that thought of her?

Her phone buzzed. A group chat notification from the popular kids' circle she'd been trying so hard to get into.

"party @ jess's sat! 🎉"

Maya stared at the screen. Then at Buster, who was currently investigating a squirrel with genuine curiosity. Then back at the phone.

She deleted the message. Then blocked the number.

"Worth it," she told Buster, who thumped his tail in agreement.

At school Monday, Jenny gave her a weird look. "I heard you turned down Jess's party."

"Yeah.">She realized she'd been so busy trying to impress people who didn't matter that she'd forgotten what actually made her happy. "Wait, how did you know about that?"

Jenny grinned. "Let's just say I have my sources. Maybe I'm the spy here."

Maya laughed, feeling lighter than she had in months. "Okay, James Bond. Whatever you say."