Breathing Underwater

The invitation had been sitting in my group chat for three days. 'Pool party @ Jake's — Saturday 2pm. Bring swimsuit OR DON'T COME LOL.'

I wasn't exactly running from the idea, but I definitely wasn't sprinting toward it either. Sophomore year had done this thing where it splintered everyone into these tiny micro-worlds, and somehow I'd ended up floating alone in the wrong orbit.

The house was already thumping with bass when I showed up. Groups of shiny people stood around the pool, laughing like they'd practiced it. I spotted Maya instantly — she was my absolute best friend from sixth grade through eighth, back when we spent entire summers at the community pool, seeing who could hold our breath the longest. Now she was wearing this expensive bikini and surrounded by the kind of people who said 'no cap' unironically.

I stood there holding my towel like a shield, seriously considering just turning around and walking back to my safe, air-conditioned bedroom.

'Leo!' Someone called my name. It was Maya, waving me over like nothing had changed. 'You made it!'

I waded into the shallow end, the water cool against my legs. People I barely knew nodded at me. Someone tossed a volleyball and it splashed right next to me.

'Sorry, bro!' A guy I'd shared history class with all year grinned. 'My bad, my arms are like literal noodles today.'

Maya swam over. 'Remember when we tried to build that underwater fort out of pool noodles?'

'And it immediately fell apart,' I said, surprised she even remembered.

'That summer felt like it lasted forever,' she said quietly.

The sun was starting to dip, painting everything this deep orange. Someone's phone blasted that song everyone knew the words to, and suddenly everyone was singing, splashing water at each other, and I was just... there. Part of it. Not running anymore.

Later, Maya found me sitting on the edge, feet dangling in the water. 'I missed you,' she said simply.

'Me too,' I admitted.

'Same time next week?' she asked.

'Only if you promise not to make me build any more underwater forts.'

She laughed, and it sounded exactly like it did in sixth grade. 'Deal.'