Chlorine Lies

Marcus stood behind the pool house, pressing his back against the warm stucco. His heartbeat echoed in his ears—louder than the splashes and laughter from the **pool** party on the other side. He wasn't even supposed to be here. Jenna's invitation had been specifically for "everyone from advisory," and everyone knew Marcus and Jenna had been weird since homecoming.

"You spying again?"

Marcus jumped. Ty appeared from around the corner, holding a fluorescent orange **vitamin** water drink like it was contraband. His swim trunks were neon pink—a statement piece, he'd called them earlier that week when Marcus had asked why he hated himself.

"I'm not spying," Marcus lied, pulling at the hem of his t-shirt. "I'm just... observing. Strategic social reconnaissance."

"That's literally what spying is, my guy." Ty cracked the drink open. "You know she's gonna see you eventually, right? Jenna's not blind."

Marcus groaned. "I know, okay? But every time I try to talk to her, I say something stupid. Last week I asked if she wanted to study for the history test we don't have."

Ty snorted. "That's **bull**, and you know it."

"It's NOT bull! My brain just... stops working around her."

"Bro, that's called being a functioning teenager with a crush." Ty took a swig of his drink. "You know what you need? You need to just go over there and talk to her like she's a normal person. Not like she's some final boss you gotta defeat."

"Says the guy who's been hiding behind the snack bar for twenty minutes."

Ty's face flushed. "I'm NOT hiding. I'm... strategically positioning myself. There's a difference."

They both cracked up. The tension in Marcus's chest loosened, just a little.

"Look," Ty said, pointing toward the pool. "She's alone over there by the diving board. This is your shot, Marcus. Don't overthink it. Just go be cool for once in your life."

Marcus took a deep breath. Chlorine and sunscreen hung in the humid air. "You're right. Okay. Yeah. I got this."

"You got this. Now go before I change my mind and come with you."

Marcus stepped out from behind the pool house, his heart pounding, and walked toward the girl who made his brain forget how to human. He didn't have a plan. He didn't have a script. But for the first time all night, he was ready to just talk—and maybe, just maybe, not make it weird.

Okay, probably still weird. But baby steps.