Zombies on Court Three

The heat radiating off Court Three at the Riverside Padel Club matched the warmth spreading through my chest whenever Jake looked my way—which was approximately never, but still.

"Earth to Maya," Chloe said, snapping her fingers in my face. "You gonna serve or just stand there like a zombie all day?"

I blinked. "Sorry. Long night. AP Bio exam plus my mom's new 'no screens after 10 PM' rule has me functioning on, like, 2% battery."

"Tell me about it." Chloe wiped sweat from her forehead with her wristband. "I'm literally deceased."

I adjusted my grip on the padel racket. The rubber grip was slightly worn from too many matches, too many overhand smashes that weren't nearly as impressive as I thought they were. Across the net, Jake and his best friend Marcus were laughing about something. Jake's hair curled slightly at the ends when damp, and the way his jersey clung to his shoulders should be illegal.

Chloe caught me staring. Again. "Just talk to him, Maya. He's not a mythological creature."

"Easy for you to say. You and Liam are basically already dating, even though you're 'just talking.'" I made finger quotes. "What am I supposed to say? 'Hey Jake, nice backhand' isn't exactly gonna start a rom-com moment."

"Game point!" Marcus called from the other side.

Jake served. The ball bounced near the back wall—a classic padel move that I should've been ready for. But my brain was still running through thirty different conversation starters, all equally cringe. I swung too late.

The ball hit my racket's frame and ricocheted sideways, bouncing off the glass wall and splashing directly into my water bottle, which I'd carelessly left courtside. Water exploded everywhere. Lid flew off. Ice cubes scattered like awkwardness at a middle school dance.

Everyone stared.

My face burned hotter than the asphalt.

Then Jake started laughing. Not mean laughter—like, actually laughing. He jogged over to the net, eyes bright. "That was honestly the most impressive thing I've ever seen on a padel court. 10/10 for creativity."

"I was aiming for... accuracy," I managed, my voice squeaking slightly.

"Clearly." He grinned, and I swear something shifted in the atmosphere. "Hey, after we crush you guys—which, let's be real, is happening in like three minutes—you want to grab smoothies? My treat. Consider it apology money for the water incident."

Chloe mouthed *I TOLD YOU* from behind him.

I nodded, trying to look chill instead of like my heart was doing cartwheels. "Only if you're paying for the large size."