Electric at the Pool

Maya stood at the edge of the **pool**, chlorine stinging her nose, heart hammering like she'd downed three energy drinks instead of just one. Jordan's annual summer bash. The social event of the season. And she was hiding behind a potted plant like a total loser.

"You look like a **zombie**," her best friend Priya announced, dropping onto the lounge chair beside her. "Rough week?"

"Rough life," Maya muttered. "Everyone's being all... normal. And I'm over here having an existential crisis about whether to say hey to Jason or just pretend I need to check my nonexistent notifications."

Priya snorted. "Drama queen. Also, you have **spinach** in your teeth. From that spinach dip you claimed you'd never eat."

Maya's face burned. She scrubbed her teeth with her tongue. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

"I was busy surviving. Also, watch out—here comes **the Sphinx**." Priya nodded toward the pool house where Jason's older sister Elena lounged on a chaise, surrounded by a worshipful crowd. Elena was gorgeous, effortlessly cool, and notoriously difficult to impress. She'd earned the nickname months ago after she'd shot down some senior's pickup line by asking him a riddle he couldn't solve.

"She's not that intimidating," Maya lied.

"Right. So go talk to her about that book you read. The one she mentioned wanting to read on her story."

Before Maya could chicken out, the sky cracked open. **Lightning** fractured the darkness beyond the pool deck, thunder shaking the ground beneath them.

"Everyone inside!" Jordan's dad yelled.

In the chaos of towels and phones and half-empty soda cans, Maya found herself squeezed onto the couch next to Elena. Everyone else was busy flipping breakers or complaining about the WiFi going down.

"Hey," Elena said, half-smiling like she'd already decided Maya was worth talking to. "You're the one who posted about that sci-fi novel, right? With the messed-up timeline?"

"Yeah!" Maya's voice squeaked. Smooth. "It's... it's got some incredible ideas about memory and identity."

"I've been dying to read it," Elena said, and Maya realized the older girl wasn't being sarcastic. "We could trade recommendations? If you're not busy being a social butterfly."

Maya laughed. "Trust me, social butterfly is not my vibe."

"Same here," Elena said. "Pool parties are literally my nightmare." She extended a hand. "I'm Elena, by the way. Local introvert and professional Sphinx impressionist."

"Maya. Professional overthinker and apparently, someone who gets spinach stuck in her teeth at the worst possible moments."

Elena's laugh was genuine. "Welcome to the club. We've got jackets."