The Truth in Her Palm

Maya's phone died at 2% during the most important group chat of her life. Typical.

"You're so dramatic," Jayden said, tossing her a charging cable across the cafeteria table. "It's just homecoming voting."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who accidentally sent 'I'd literally rather eat cafeteria mac and cheese than go with Tyler' to Tyler."

The cable landed in Maya's palm. She caught it reflexively, her skin still buzzing from where Tyler had brushed past her earlier. He'd smiled. That half-smile that meant everything or nothing, depending on which friend you asked.

"Wait," Jayden lowered his voice. "Don't look now, but I've been doing some recon."

Maya rolled her eyes as she plugged in her phone. "Your life is literally one giant spy mission. What now?"

"Tyler's been staring at you since lunch started."

"Yeah, to mentally plot my murder after that text."

"Or because he likes you?" Jayden raised an eyebrow. "I saw his response before you deleted it. 'Haha fair enough, I'd rather eat it too.'"

Maya's phone screen flickered to life. There it was—buried in the chat like she'd remembered.

"Bro, you're actually the worst friend sometimes. Why didn't you tell me?"

"And miss you panicking for three hours straight? Never." Jayden grinned. "So, are you going to say yes or what?"

"I don't even know if he's actually asking."

"He's walking over here right now."

Maya's palm went sweaty against her phone case. Tyler approached, looking way too calm for someone who'd just been roasted in a group chat.

"Hey," he said. "So, about homecoming..."

Jayden made himself invisible. Which meant he became extremely interested in the pattern on the cafeteria floor.

"Yeah?" Maya tried to sound normal and failed.

"Would you rather go with me than eat the mac and cheese?"

Maya stared. Then she laughed. "Honestly? Yes. A thousand times yes."

"Cool." Tyler smiled. That real one this time. "Pick you up at seven?"

"Seven works."

As he walked away, Jayden reappeared. "Told you. My spy skills are elite."

"You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculous and right. You're welcome."

Maya looked at her phone, then at Tyler's retreating back, then at her best friend who'd known exactly when to panic her and when to calm her down.

Some friends were worth their weight in gold. Others were worth their weight in homecoming dates and emotional sabotage.

"Love you, bro," she said, nudging him.

"Love you too. Now hurry up and charge your phone before someone else slides into your DMs."