The Truth Teller's Carnival

Maya's palms were sweating so much she could barely grip the dollar bill. Behind her, Jake was cracking up.

"Dude, you're actually gonna let the fraud tell your future?" He elbowed her, way too hard. "She's probably gonna say you'll die alone."

Maya's face burned. This was the problem with Jake — he was never mean, exactly, but he had zero filter. Like when he'd told the whole lunch table that Maya had cried watching "Toy Story 3." Classic.

"Shut up, Jake," she muttered, pushing through the velvet curtain. The tent smelled like incense and old carpet. Inside, an elderly woman with elaborate gold earrings sat behind a crystal ball. She looked like she'd seen everything and wasn't impressed by any of it.

"Give me your hand," the woman said. Her voice sounded like gravel. Maya extended her palm, heart hammering. The woman traced the lines with a fingernail, then abruptly stopped.

"Someone's not your friend," she said, meeting Maya's eyes with an intense, unblinking stare. Like she was a sphinx guarding secrets, demanding Maya solve something she didn't understand.

Maya pulled her hand back. "What? Who?"

But the woman just waved her away. "Next."

Outside, Jake was waiting, scrolling through his phone. He didn't even look up.

"So? What's the big news? She tell you you're gonna be rich?"

Maya looked at him — really looked at him. Jake, who'd ditched her twice this month to hang with the popular kids. Jake, who'd promised to keep her secret about liking Ryan, then "accidentally" let it slip at a party. Jake, who was standing there right now, not caring that she'd just had a weird, intense moment.

"Nothing," Maya said. "Let's just go."

"Whatever. I'm gonna hit the arcade. Catch you later." He walked off without waiting for a response.

Maya stood there as the sun set over the carnival, rides spinning like colorful galaxies. The bull ride in the distance heaved and bucked, riders screaming as they held on for dear life.

She'd been holding onto her friendship with Jake like that — gripping tight, terrified of falling off, even as it threw her around.

Maybe it was time to let go.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Chloe, the quiet girl from English class who'd asked Maya to study yesterday: hey, still up for the library tomorrow? i found this crazy book about ancient prophecies.

Maya smiled, typing back: absolutely. can't wait.

The carnival lights flickered on around her. Maya flexed her hand, palm open, and walked toward the future.