Dead Fish Walking

Maya felt like a zombie. Not the cool Netflix kind with perfect smoky eye makeup and torn clothes, but the awkward real-life version: hoodie pulled low, phone clutched like a lifeline, moving through Jackson's house party with the grace of someone who'd forgotten how to human. She'd only come because Chloe practically dragged her here, and now Chloe was somewhere doing shots with seniors while Maya stood alone by a fishtank, watching a single goldfish swim in endless circles.

"RIP Ginger," she whispered. Her own goldfish had died that morning—flushed down the toilet like a royal funeral witnessed only by her and her little brother. Six years of life, gone in a swirl of toilet water. It felt stupid to be sad about a fish, but her chest felt hollow anyway.

"You okay?"

Maya jumped. A guy with curly hair and Converse stood there holding a red cup. He was cute in that way where you don't realize it until he's looking at you.

"Yeah," Maya said. "Just having a moment with the fish."

"Barnaby," the guy said. "I named him that in seventh grade. He's seen some things."

Something cracked in Maya's chest, and she laughed for real. "My fish died today."

"Oh damn," he said. "I'm sorry. That's rough."

"It's a fish, I know—"

"No, it's not dumb," he said, and his eyes were serious. "Pets are family. Even the ones with three-second memories."

They stood there talking while the party thumped around them. His name was Leo. He liked indie bands and hated chemistry class. When a calico cat wound through his legs and jumped onto the table, tail flicking at Barnaby's tank, Maya instinctively reached down to scratch its ears.

"That's Toast," Leo said. "She lives here now. Jackson's mom thinks she's still a stray."

"Good secret keeper," Maya said, and the cat purred like a tiny motor.

"Hey," Leo said, suddenly nervous. "I'm gonna get some air. You wanna come?"

Maya looked at Chloe across the room, laughing with someone else. She looked at Barnaby doing his endless laps. She looked at Leo, waiting for an answer like it actually mattered to him.

"Yeah," Maya said, feeling something come alive inside her that wasn't zombie-like at all. "Let's go."