Dead Goldfish Summer

The chlorine stung my eyes as I stared across the **pool** at Tyler, who was currently demonstrating his legendary cannonball. Water splashed everywhere, soaking Jessica's perfectly curated outfit. She shrieked, but she was laughing. That was the thing about Jessica—she could make anything look good, even being drenched.

"Earth to Maya," my best friend Kai said, flopping onto the lounge chair beside me. "You've been staring at Tyler for, like, ten minutes. It's getting creepy."

I rolled my eyes, but my face heated up anyway. "I am not. I was... thinking."

"About Tyler?"

"About the **zombie** apocalypse," I lied. "You know my brother let me watch that movie last weekend? I literally feel like a **zombie** today. I got zero sleep."

"Rough," Kai said, apparently buying it. They pulled a bottle from their bag. "Here. My mom makes me take these. Want one?"

I squinted at the orange bottle. "What is it?"

"**Vitamin** D. She says I don't get enough sun because I'm always 'rotting in my room,' which, fair." Kai shook two pills into their palm. "Want?"

"Sure, why not." I dry-swallowed one, even though I hated pills. Anything to fit in, right? That was the whole problem with being fifteen—everything felt like a performance, and I kept forgetting my lines.

Tyler climbed out of the pool, water dripping down his abs, and I had to look away before my face betrayed me completely. This was pathetic. I was pathetic.

"So," Kai said, breaking my spiral. "You ever gonna tell him?"

"Tell who what?"

"Oh my god, Maya. You're so exhausting." Kai stretched. "Remember my **goldfish**? Bubbles?"

"Yeah? You had a funeral for it and made me cry in seventh grade."

"Exactly. Life is short, Maya. Bubbles didn't even get to see the new Taylor Swift album. Don't be like Bubbles."

I stared at them. "That's literally the worst analogy I've ever heard."

"I'm serious!"

My phone buzzed. Mom: Your brother forgot to feed the **dog** again. Can you come home early?

"Ugh," I groaned. "I have to go. Sam's an idiot who can't remember to do literally anything."

"Go talk to Tyler first," Kai insisted. "Right now. I'll even distract everyone."

Before I could protest, Kai stood up and announced, "Hey everyone, who wants to see me do a backflip? I've definitely practiced this and will not injure myself!"

Everyone turned to look. Tyler was right there.

I took a breath. Walked over. My heart hammered against my ribs.

"Hey Maya!" He smiled. Water droplets clung to his eyelashes. "Having fun?"

"Yeah," I said. Then, because sometimes you just have to jump: "Want to hang out later? Just us?"

Tyler blinked. Then he smiled—really smiled. "Actually, yeah. I was hoping you'd ask."

As I walked back to Kai, grinning like an idiot, I realized something: being fifteen wasn't about having the right lines. It was about being brave enough to say them anyway.

"Well?" Kai whispered.

"He said yes," I whispered back.

"Bubbles would be proud," they said solemnly.

I laughed. Yeah. Maybe growing up wasn't so scary after all.