Chlorine & Courage

The pool party was supposed to be casual. Just some kids from school hanging out before sophomore year officially kicked our asses. But for me, casual meant hiding in the bathroom while everyone else played beer pong with actual beer.

"Maya? You coming out?" It was Jordan. My best friend since seventh grade, back when we both had matching braces and zero social skills.

"Yeah, just a sec."

I stared at my reflection. My palm was sweaty against my phone case. I'd been refreshing Instagram for twenty minutes, watching stories of people actually living their lives while I hyperventilated.

Outside, I found Jordan near the **pool**, holding a slice of **papaya** like it was the most normal snack in the world.

"What are you eating?"

"Papaya. Lucas's mom is basically a wellness influencer now. She's got us all on these **vitamin** regimes and stuff." He rolled his eyes but kept eating. "It's actually not terrible. You want some?"

I declined because I was too busy noticing how Lucas's shirt clung to his chest in ways that made my stomach do gymnastics. He was in the deep end, laughing at something I couldn't hear, water droplets sliding down his arms.

"You should talk to him," Jordan said, like it was that simple. Like I could just walk up to the guy I'd been crushing on since freshman year and form complete sentences.

"I can't just—"

"Yes you can. Watch this." Jordan shouted, "Yo Lucas! Maya thinks you're gonna drown!"

My face burned. Lucas looked over, smiled, and swam toward us. "I'm good, but thanks for looking out for me."

Jordan smirked. "See? Easy."

But then Lucas was right there, climbing out of the pool, and I forgot everything I'd planned to say. Which was nothing, because I hadn't planned anything.

"You want to play?" he asked. "We need another person for chicken fights."

I looked at Jordan. Jordan nodded.

"Yeah," I said. "Yeah, I'm in."

Later, when we were both dripping wet and tired, Lucas sat beside me on the patio.

"You're really good at that," he said.

"Chicken fights?"

"Yeah. You're strong. Unexpected." He smiled, and this time it felt different. Like it was just for me.

I caught Jordan's eye across the pool. Jordan gave me a thumbs-up.

Sometimes courage is just climbing into the water before you can talk yourself out of it.