Chlorine and Truth

The pool party at Marcus's house was everything I dreaded. Bodies everywhere, slick with sunscreen and teenage desperation. I sat on the edge, feet dangling in water that smelled like chemical perfection, clutching my phone like it could save me from social suicide.

"You're not swimming?" Chloe asked, plopping beside me. Her best-friend-energy radiated like she'd just finished a marathon of being awesome. "You've been sitting here forever. Literally forever."

"I'm good," I said, even though I wasn't. I'd been taking this new vitamin D supplement that my mom swore would help with "mood regulation," but so far it only gave me weirdly vivid dreams and zero confidence.

Chloe rolled her eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck. "You're so in your head. Just come in. The water's fine, unless you're scared of getting wet."

"I'm not scared—"

"Then prove it."

Before I could respond, Tyler—my crush since approximately forever—splashed toward us. His wet hair plastered perfectly across his forehead. What kind of gene allows that? Mine would look like I'd survived a natural disaster.

"Hey," he said. "You coming in?"

"Maybe," I managed, voice cracking spectacularly. So smooth. I was practically a Shakespearean tragedy.

"Cool." He flashed this smile that made my stomach do actual gymnastics. "We're playing chicken. You and Chloe should team up."

He swam away before I could process that he'd noticed I existed.

"Did that just happen?" I whispered.

"Oh my god, YES," Chloe squealed. "We're doing this. Get up, take your vitamin D self into that pool, and let's crush everyone."

She dragged me up before I could overthink it. We scrambled onto Tyler's shoulders, and I was suddenly part of this chaotic, splashing mess. I laughed—actually laughed—as Chloe shoved some sophomore into the water with unnecessary force.

Later, as we dripped on the concrete watching the sun dip behind the fence, Tyler found me again.

"You're actually really fun," he said, like he'd discovered something new.

"Sometimes," I said, feeling brave. "Maybe next time I'll even jump in voluntarily."

"Next time," he agreed, and something about how he said it made me believe there would be a next time.

Chloe bumped my shoulder. "See? Vitamin or not, you're doing just fine."