Bull in the Deep End

The spinach was stuck between my front teeth. I could feel it camping there like it was paying rent, mocking my entire existence.

"You're not bailing, Maya," Chloe said, flipping her hair as she adjusted her swimsuit straps. "Everyone's going to be at Jake's **pool** party. It's, like, literally the event of the summer."

I groaned. My cat, Luna, wound around my ankles, sensing my misery. She was the only one who understood that social interaction should be classified as an extreme sport.

"I can't go. I look like a **bull** in a bathing suit. I'm basically swimming in fabric, Chloe. It's tragic."

She rolled her eyes so hard I worried they'd get stuck. "You're being dramatic. You look fire. Besides, Jordan's gonna be there."

I perked up despite myself. Jordan, with the messy hair and the smile that made my stomach do actual gymnastics.

"Fine," I muttered. "But I'm bringing my **hat**. For before. And after. And maybe during, if things get weird."

The party was already popping when we arrived. People were cannonballing, music thumping, someone had brought those tiny umbrellas for their soda like they were fancy. I spotted Jordan immediately, laughing at something near the deep end.

I took a breath and channeled my inner bull—minus the china shop destruction vibe—and marched over.

"Hey Maya!" Jordan grinned. "You made it!"

"Yeah, just had to, you know, finish some important business," I said smoothly.

"What kind of business?"

"Spinich farming," I deadpanned. "It's very underground. Literally."

Jordan burst out laughing. I felt something warm bloom in my chest, expanding until I forgot about the spinach that had definitely been in my teeth earlier. I forgot about feeling like a bull. I even forgot about my hat sitting uselessly on a chair.

"You're hilarious," Jordan said, eyes crinkling. "You should come swimming."

I looked at the pool, at Chloe already doing a perfect dive, at Luna waiting for me back home. Then I looked at Jordan, still smiling at me like I was someone worth waiting for.

"Yeah," I said, kicking off my sandals. "Yeah, I'm coming."

Sometimes you just have to take the plunge—spinach in your teeth or not.