The Vitamin Caper

Maya's parents owned Nature's Best—the cringiest vitamin shop in the entire mall. Which meant Maya spent every Saturday stocking shelves while watching her classmates live their best lives at the food court through her carefully curated finsta. She wasn't a creep, just a dedicated researcher of social dynamics. A spy, really.

"Vitamin D for strong bones and mood support!" her dad chirped at a customer.

Maya died inside.

Then Lucas Chen walked in. Lucas, who somehow made varsity jacket wearing look effortless. Lucas, whose smile could cure actual diseases. Lucas, who needed... vitamins?

"Hey, you're Maya, right?" He held up a phone. "Saw your posts about the mall renovations. You notice everything."

Her stomach did that thing. "I guess?"

"Wanna help me with something? I'm kinda spying on my sister. She said she's at padel practice but I think she's at Hot Topic with her boyfriend. Can you text me if you see her?"

Maya agreed because she was helpful. Definitely not because Lucas had dimples.

Twenty minutes later, Lucas returned. "She wasn't at Hot Topic."

"The padel courts are behind the mall," Maya found herself saying. "Near the parking garage."

"You're a lifesaver." He hesitated. "Come watch? I'm supposed to challenge her when she's done."

The courts were cool. Indoor glass walls, neon lights, actual vibes. Lucas's sister crushed it, but then it was just Lucas and some random guy rallying, and Lucas kept missing because he was too busy explaining to Maya how padel was basically tennis but cooler.

"Your form's trash," she said.

"Fix it then."

So Maya found herself on the court, racket in hand, absolutely destroying Lucas at his own game. Somewhere between her third killer serve and his fourth "okay damn," she forgot to be self-conscious.

"You're like, weirdly good," he said, panting.

"I notice everything, remember?"

Later, back at the vitamin shop, her dad handed her a smoothie. "Vitamin C boost! You look like you need it after... whatever that was."

Lucas waved from outside. Maya caught his eye and smiled.

"Actually," she said, "I think I'm good."