Electric Waters

The pool deck was packed, everyone from sophomore year squeezed into the Chen's backyard. I stood by the deep end, clutching my phone like a lifeline.

"You coming in or what?" Marcus called, already doing cannonballs off the diving board. He'd been my best friend since seventh grade, back when we both thought finger mustaches were peak comedy.

"Yeah, just, uh, waiting for the right moment," I lied, tugging at my t-shirt. The scar running down my side was barely visible, but I felt like everyone could see it.

Suddenly, Mrs. Chen appeared carrying a glass bowl. "Who wants to take care of Bubbles? He needs a new home!"

Inside, a goldfish the color of radioactive orange soda swam in tiny, frantic circles.

"That fish is vibing," Sarah from my English class laughed. "Totally giving main character energy."

I was about to finally get in the pool when the sky went purple. A streak of lightning cracked through the clouds—silent at first, then BOOM, thunder shook the patio furniture.

"Everyone out NOW!" Mr. Chen yelled.

Chaos erupted. Kids scrambled toward the house, but Bubbles's bowl went flying—straight toward the pool. Instinct took over. I dove, catching the bowl mid-air, but not before water sloshed everywhere. The goldfish flopped onto the wet concrete, gasping.

I scooped him up, bare hands slippery with pool water, and sprinted through the rain toward the house. Inside, dripping wet, I dropped Bubbles into a random vase someone had grabbed.

"Dude," Marcus said, his eyes wide. "That was legendary."

Sarah high-fived me. "You literally saved Bubbles's life."

For the first time since the accident, nobody was looking at my scar. They were all looking at me like some kind of hero. I looked down at my t-shirt, plastered to my skin, and finally didn't care.

"Whatever," I said, grinning. "Anyone got snacks? I'm starving after saving a whole ecosystem."

Outside, another lightning strike illuminated the whole pool, sparks dancing across the water. Maybe tonight wasn't so terrible after all.