Chasing Sunsets at Miller's Pond

Marcus stood at the edge of Miller's Pond, clutching a sticky gummy **vitamin** pack his mom had shoved into his pocket that morning. 'You need your immune support,' she'd said, like that was somehow going to help him survive freshman year at Westbridge High.

The water looked different than it had last summer. Then, it was just the place where he and his friends spent endless hours **swimming** until their fingers wrinkled like raisins. Now, it felt like a demarcation line between who he was and who everyone expected him to be.

'Yo, Marcus!' His older brother Jake leaned against the old oak tree, Crystal dangling off his arm like she belonged there. 'You coming or what?'

Marcus's **dog** Barnaby bounded up to him, muddy paws leaving prints on Marcus's pristine white Nikes. Great. Another thing for Jake to roast him about.

'I'm good,' Marcus said, even though every part of him wanted to jump in. 'Forgot my trunks.'

'Lame excuse.' Jake exchanged a look with Crystal that Marcus couldn't quite read. 'We're building a human **pyramid** in the water. You know, for TikTok. It's gonna be viral.'

Because of course they were. Everything was content now. Marcus watched as a group of seniors splashed into the water, their laughter carrying across the pond. They moved with the easy confidence of people who had never questioned whether they belonged.

Then he saw Tyler **Bull**—literally his last name, but also the way he moved through the world like nothing could touch him—wade into the pond fully clothed. Tyler caught Marcus's eye and grinned, holding up his phone. 'Your brother says you can hold a handstand underwater longer than anyone. Prove it.'

Something shifted in Marcus's chest. The anxiety that had been pressing against his ribs all summer suddenly felt lighter. Tyler Bull wanted to see what he could do?

Marcus kicked off his sneakers. 'Watch this.'

The water was shockingly cold against his skin, but as he pushed off the muddy bottom and flipped upside down, everything felt right. He held the handstand until his lungs burned, until the world above him became nothing but shimmering light distortion, until he broke the surface gasping for air to find everyone cheering.

'Okay, that was actually sick,' Jake admitted, looking almost impressed. 'Almost.'

But it was Tyler who swam over first. 'You're coming to the bonfire tonight, right? We need someone who can actually hold a handstand for the pyramid.'

Marcus grinned, treading water as the late afternoon sun turned everything golden. 'Yeah,' he said. 'I'm coming.'