Dog Paddle & Placebo Effects

Marcus stood at the edge of the pool, fingers gripping his phone like a lifeline. The sophomore spring fling. Every single person from school was here, splashing around in that sparkling blue water like they didn't have a care in the world.

Everyone except him.

"Yo Marcus, you good?" called Jenna, floating on an inflatable pizza slice. She looked perfect, obviously. Water droplets glistening on her shoulders, that effortless smile that made his stomach do weird gymnastics.

"Yeah, yeah," he lied. "Just, uh, checking something important."

His phone buzzed. A text from his mom: Don't forget your vitamin! 🌿

Marcus rolled his eyes so hard it hurt. For the past month, his mom had been obsessed with these "special vitamins" from some wellness influencer she followed. claimed they helped with anxiety, confidence, basically everything. Marcus had been humoring her, popping the little orange pills every morning even though he was 97% sure they were just expensive placebo.

But damn if he didn't need ALL the confidence right now.

A wet nose nudged his calf.

"Buster?" Marcus looked down. His family's golden retriever had somehow gotten loose, trotting around the pool area like he owned the place. Buster hated water—ironic considering his "dog paddle" was basically sinking—but loved people. Especially people holding food.

"Whoa, cute dog!" Someone screamed from the pool.

"Buster, no—" Marcus started, but Buster had already spotted something. A girl's tote bag with an open sandwich wrapper sitting on a lounge chair. Buster made a beeline for it, and Marcus lunged to stop him.

Too late. Buster's paws hit the wet pool deck, slipped, and suddenly Marcus was airborne. He crashed into the pool with a spectacular splash that sent waves crashing over everyone.

The world went muffled and blue. Marcus flailed, coming up sputling, his clothes soaked, his dignity absolutely obliterated.

Then everyone was laughing.

But not mean laughing. Jenna was literally crying, she was laughing so hard. "OMG Marcus, 10/10 for dramatic entrance!"

"Your dog just yeeted you," someone else commented.

Marcus wiped water from his eyes. Buster stood at the edge, looking wildly pleased with himself, tail wagging like he'd just accomplished something amazing.

"My bad," Marcus said, and then he was laughing too. Something in his chest loosened. All that tension about taking off his shirt, about not knowing how to swim properly, about looking stupid—it had all just happened. And he was fine. Better than fine.

"Vitamin courage," he muttered to himself, treading water.

"What?" Jenna asked, swimming closer.

"Nothing," Marcus said, and for the first time all day, he smiled—really smiled. "Just thinking maybe my mom's actually onto something."