Bull's-Eye Summer

The humidity at Miller's Pond was thick enough to chew on. Jordan stood hip-deep in the murky water, waving me over like I was missing the party of the century.

"Dude, everyone's already in," Jordan called. "Don't be such a wuss."

I hesitated at the edge, toes curling into the slimy moss. My so-called best friend knew I'd nearly drowned at summer camp when I was eight. But Jordan also knew I'd do anything to avoid being That Guy who sat on the sidelines while everyone else had the time of their lives.

Screw it. I cannonballed in.

The water swallowed me whole – dark, cold, suffocating. My chest seized. I flailed upward, gasping, while Jordan cracked up. "Bro, you looked like a terrified cat."

Everyone laughed. I forced a smile, but something inside me shifted. The dynamic that had defined our friendship since sixth grade suddenly felt exhausting.

Then Tyler appeared at the edge of the dock. New kid, quietly confident in a way that made everyone listen. "Leave him alone, Jordan. That's getting old."

The group went silent. Even Jordan shut up.

Tyler extended a hand toward me. "Wanna get out? I'm done with this scene anyway."

I grabbed his hand and pulled myself onto the warm wood. Behind us, Jordan muttered something about how Tyler didn't get our "bull." Our inside joke for calling out fake behavior.

"Actually," I said, turning back, "that's not bull. Tyler's right."

The words hung there. Shocked faces, Jordan's mouth actually falling open.

We walked to the snack bar in dripping clothes. Tyler didn't make me explain myself, just handed me a grape soda. "First time standing up to him?"

"First time I realized I don't have to prove anything to be someone's friend."

The pond glittered behind us. Somewhere in the distance, a mechanical bull at the county fair let out its mechanical snore. I laughed – genuinely this time.

"What?" Tyler asked.

"Nothing. Just feeling like I finally see clearly. Like I hit bull's-eye on who I actually am."

He grinned. "Welcome to the club."