The Truth About Savannah's Party

Maya's palm was sweating against her phone as she stood outside Savannah's house. The bass from inside vibrated through the soles of her Converse. Three weeks into sophomore year, and she was finally invited to THE party.

"You coming in or what?" It was Jake, the guy who sat behind her in history. He had this tiny fox tattoo on his wrist that everyone thought was so deep and meaningful.

"Yeah," Maya said, though her voice came out smaller than she intended. "Just... checking my mom."

Classic lie. Her mom was working the night shift at the hospital. Jake knew it too, but he just shrugged.

Inside, the air smelled like cheap body spray and something burning. Savannah was holding court in the living room, holding court like she always did—head thrown back, laughing at something Chad said with that practiced, performative vibe.

"Oh my GOD," someone squealed. "Chad, you're such a cat sometimes."

Maya rolled her eyes so hard it actually hurt. These people and their weird slang.

"Seriously though," Chad continued, all faux seriousness. "Riley's been spreading some straight-up bull about you."

Savannah's smile didn't waver, but something flickered behind her eyes. "What kind of bull?"

"That you hooked up with Tyler at Jordan's party last month."

The room went quiet. Maya remembered that party—she'd been there, and she'd seen Savannah leave early, crying, while Tyler stayed behind playing beer pong with his friends. Everyone knew what had actually happened, but rumors had a way of becoming truth in this school.

"That bear," Savannah said finally, her voice tight. "That absolute bear of a human being."

Maya didn't know what that meant, but everyone else nodded sagely like it was the cleverest insult ever.

She found herself alone on the back patio later, phone buzzing with texts from her only real friend, Lena, who hadn't been invited. Lena probably would've hated this anyway.

"Hey," Jake said, suddenly beside her. His fox tattoo caught the patio light. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she said. "Just... this is a lot."

"Yeah." He leaned against the railing. "Savannah's just bearing her soul to anyone who'll listen. It's kind of her thing."

Maya laughed despite herself. "That was terrible."

"I know." He grinned. "Hey, you want to get out of here? There's this cat café downtown that's open late."

She looked at her sweaty palm, then at him. "Actually... yeah."

They walked to his car, leaving behind the bass and the cheap body spray and the performative laughter. Maya didn't know if this was a friend thing or a date thing, but for once, she didn't overthink it.

"You know," Jake said as they pulled away from the curb, "that bull Chad was spreading? I was there. Savannah and Tyler didn't hook up. She caught him cheating on her."

Maya watched the house disappear in the rearview mirror. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Not my drama." He glanced at her. "Besides, I was too busy hoping you'd show up."

Her palm stopped sweating. "Oh."

"Yeah." He smiled. "Oh."