Blue Crush Summer

The screen of Kai's iphone cracked in slow motion against the concrete edge of the community pool. Six months of babysitting money, gone in one clumsy moment.

"You've got to be kidding me," Maya said, but her eyes betrayed her amusement. She was sprawled on a lounge chair,Adjusting her oversized sun hat like a crown. "Tell me you didn't just commit social suicide before seventh period even starts."

Kai scrambled toward the broken device, but Tyler—the self-appointed king of Lincoln Middle—"accidentally" kicked it into the deep end. The tiny device sank like a stone.

"My bad," Tyler sneered, high-fiving his lacrosse bros. "Total accident, bro."

Kai's palm stung from the impact with concrete, but his ego hurt worse. The humiliation washed over him in waves. He couldn't just walk away—not with everyone watching. That's when Tyler's taunt echoed across the pool deck: "What are you gonna do about it? Too scared to go swimming?"

The challenge hung in the humid summer air. Kai was the worst swimmer on the swim team. Tyler knew it. Everyone knew it. But somehow, Kai found himself at the pool's edge, heart hammering against his ribs.

"If I retrieve it," Kai said, voice steadier than he felt, "you apologize. In front of everyone."

Tyler's grin faltered. "Deal. But you've got three minutes before it short-circuits."

Kai dove. The water engulfed him, cool and demanding. Down he swam, lungs burning, until his fingers brushed broken glass. He grabbed it and kicked upward, breaking the surface gasping.

The pool erupted. Even Tyler's crew was impressed. Kai tossed the ruined phone onto the deck, water dripping from his nose.

"Nice," Maya said, lowering her sunglasses. "But you're still buying dinner with your babysitting money."

"Worth it," Kai said, grinning despite everything. "Totally worth it."