Chlorine & Kibble

Maya stared at the orange bottle on the kitchen counter. Vitamin C+ for Dogs, the label read. Her mom, deep in her wellness phase, had accidentally bought pet supplements again.

"Just take them," Maya's best friend Jaz said, FaceTiming from her bedroom. "They're probably the same thing. Besides, you need them for the pool party."

The pool party. At Tyler's house. Tyler, who'd smiled at Maya in algebra three times this week, which either meant he liked her or needed glasses.

"I can't go," Maya said, popping two dog vitamins because honestly, what was the difference? "I look like a pale potato in bathing suits. Everyone else is like, Instagram-ready."

"So? Tyler likes potatoes. He's always eating fries at lunch."

Maya groaned. "You're the worst."

"I'll be there. We'll suffer through the awkward small talk together. Besides, Tyler has that cute golden retriever, Buster. You love dogs."

That was true. Maya liked dogs better than most people. Dogs didn't ask if you were going to Bradley's party next week. Dogs didn't look at your thighs in a bikini. Dogs just existed, happily, without overthinking everything.

"Fine. I'll go. But if someone asks about my summer, I'm telling them I'm interning at a hot dog stand."

"Perfect. Wear that black one-piece. It's giving cool mysterious girl energy."

At the party, the air smelled like coconut sunscreen and chlorine. Too many people in too little space, laughing too loud. Maya found herself cornered by Tyler, who was shirtless and holding a red cup.

"Hey, Maya," he said. "Glad you came."

"Yeah," she squeaked. "Me too. Cool... pool."

What was wrong with her? Cool pool? That's what she came up with?

Suddenly, something wet nudged her leg. Buster, the golden retriever, appeared beside her, tail wagging.

"Buster loves you," Tyler said, grinning. "He usually hates new people. He's got great intuition."

Buster leaned into Maya's hand as she petted his soft golden fur. For the first time all afternoon, she felt real.

"Yeah," she said, voice steadier. "I've always had a thing for dogs. They're easier than people."

"Totally," Tyler said. "People are exhausting. Want to help me throw the ball for him?"

They spent the next hour throwing tennis balls into the pool and watching Buster excitedly retrieve them. No awkward small talk. No feeling like she had to perform. Just a dog, a boy who threw like a toddler, and the smell of chlorine that suddenly wasn't so bad.

Maybe dog vitamins weren't so different from people ones after all. Sometimes you just needed something to help you show up.

"Next party," Tyler said as Maya reluctantly headed home, "you should come early. Help me set up?"

She smiled. "Maybe. If Buster's invited."

"Always."