Three Point Match

Maya pressed her back against the chain-link fence, heart hammering like she'd just finished a set. She wasn't exactly a spy—more like a socially awkward sophomore with corner-store sunglasses and too much time on her hands—but watching Tyler and his new friends from behind the padel courts had become her Friday ritual.

The fence dug into her spine. Through the gaps, Tyler laughed at something Chloe said, his arm brushing hers way too casually. Maya's stomach did that awful twisty thing, like a goldfish caught in a net, gasping at air that wasn't there.

"You gonna stand there all night or actually play?"

Maya jumped. A girl with teal hair and a beat-up padel racket leaned against the fence, smirking. "I've been watching you watch them for three weeks. It's getting weird."

"I'm not—" Maya started, then deflated. "Okay, maybe I am."

"I'm Jade." The girl pushed off the fence. "I need a partner for mixed doubles. Tyler's group already claimed Court 1, but Court 2's open. And you've been staring long enough to pick up his backhand technique."

Maya hesitated. "I've never played."

"Perfect. Neither has half the club." Jade tossed her a spare racket. "Besides, nothing says 'I'm over it' like beating your crush's team from the next court over."

Something clicked in Maya's chest. The goldfish feeling dissolved, replaced by something that felt suspiciously like power. "I'm in."

Two hours later, Maya's hair stuck to her forehead in sweaty clumps, her wrist screamed, and she'd missed at least a dozen easy shots. But when Jade's smash sailed past Tyler's shoulder—landing perfectly in the corner as he turned, confused, toward Court 2—Maya caught his eye.

He looked surprised. Then impressed.

"Same time next week?" Jade asked, already scrolling through her phone for open court slots.

"Absolutely." Maya grinned, racket bumping against her hip. The spy glasses went into her bag, probably for good. Some things were way better watched from the inside.