Dead Summer

The sun beat down on the backyard pool party like it had something personal against me. I stood by the snack table, nursing a flat orange soda and feeling like a total zombie. Summer school finals would do that to you—turn your brain into mush and your social skills into basically nothing.

Marcus waved at me from across the pool. My best friend since third grade, now suddenly best friends with everyone since he made varsity soccer. "Yo! Get in here!"

I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good."

What I meant was: I'm terrified that if I get in that pool, I'll realize we've become those people who used to be close but now have nothing to say to each other. That we'd float there awkwardly until one of us pretended to hear our mom calling.

Chloe drifted by on an orange inflatable flamingo, looking like she belonged in a music video. That was the thing about Marcus's new crew—they all belonged somewhere. I just existed.

"You good?" Marcus appeared beside me, dripping wet. He grabbed a bag of chips and leaned against the table. "You've been standing here all day like you're plotting something."

"Just tired," I said. "Summer school's kicking my butt."

"Dude, why didn't you tell me? I would've helped you study."

Something in his voice cracked. Not fake-cracked. Actually cracked.

"You've been busy," I said, trying to keep it casual. "Soccer, parties, whatever."

Marcus set down the chips. "I'm still your friend, Leo. That didn't change just because I made a stupid team."

The orange soda can sweated in my hand. Around us, the party kept going—laughter, splashing, someone's playlist blasting songs we used to scream in his basement.

"I know," I said finally. "I just thought maybe you'd moved on."

"From my best friend?" Marcus actually laughed. "Bro, who else would I text at 2 AM when I overthink everything?"

The zombie feeling lifted. Just like that.

"Fine," I said, pulling off my shirt. "Race you to the other side."

"You're going down, Leonard."

"Don't call me that!"

We hit the water at the same time. Somewhere behind us, Chloe's orange flamingo drifted solo, but neither of us noticed. Some things really don't change—and some friendships are worth fighting for, even when you're too tired to fight for anything else.