Deep End Drama

The chlorine hit Maya's nose before she even saw the **pool** — that sharp, chemical smell that screamed 'summer social event' and equally screamed 'prepare to feel awkward.' She adjusted her swimsuit for the fiftieth time, feeling exposed despite the cover-up she refused to remove.

Pool parties at Tyler's house were legendary. Last summer, someone's older brother had jumped in fully clothed, and the video had gone viral. This year, everyone was acting like they were too cool for that energy, but Maya could feel the undercurrents. Who was dating who. Who was still hung up on Jordan from math class. Who was pretending not to care.

Her **iphone** buzzed in her hand — a group chat notification that made her stomach do that familiar flutter thing. "u coming? we're all waiting lol" from Sienna, who Maya had been trying to impress since sixth grade.

"I'm here!" she called back, dropping her phone onto the patio table without checking Sienna's actual response. Overthinking every little thing was her specialty, and today she was taking applications for an assistant.

The **water** glittered like something out of a movie — the kind where the popular girl always gets the guy, and no one's palms sweat when their crush walks by. Maya dipped her foot in. COLD. Like, physically shocking. She heard someone shriek as Marcus pushed Tyler in, clothes and all, and suddenly the whole atmosphere shifted.

"Do it, Maya!" someone yelled.

She hesitated. She'd been **running** track all spring, getting faster, stronger, more confident in her body. But here? In a swimsuit? Around people whose opinions she cared way too much about? That was a different kind of race.

Maya looked around — really looked. Everyone was laughing, splashing, being messy. No one was watching her as closely as she was watching herself. Sienna had already cannonballed in, her neon bikini creating a splash that rivaled the sun.

"Whatever," Maya whispered, and jumped.

The shock of cold **water** enveloped her, and she broke the surface laughing. Later, she'd discover her **iphone** had fallen in too — a casualty of the best pool party she'd ever been to. But right now, she was too busy being pulled into a chicken fight with Tyler (who was, surprisingly, not annoying at all) and finally, finally, just being in the moment instead of overthinking it.

Some things were worth a little water damage.