Fox at the Pool Party

Maya's palms were sweating so bad she could practically fill the **pool** by herself. Which was ironic, considering she was standing at the edge of Jordan's annual end-of-year blowout, fully clothed, while half the sophomore class splashed around like they'd invented water.

"You coming in or what?" Jordan called from the deep end, flicking water at her.

Maya's stomach did that thing it did whenever anyone looked at her for more than three seconds. "Maybe later."

Behind her, someone laughed — this low, warm sound that made the hairs on her arms stand up. She turned to see Riley Fox (yes, **Fox**, like the animal, and honestly the nickname fit because that girl was dangerously clever) leaning against the patio door, drinking something that looked way too fancy for a high school party.

"She's not gonna swim," Riley said, like she knew Maya's deepest secrets. "She's got that whole mysterious aura going on."

Maya's face burned. "I just — I forgot my suit."

"Mhm." Riley's eyebrows said she didn't buy it. "Hey, my cousin does palm readings. She's inside if you want your future told. Predictably, it involves boys, drama, and regrettable outfit choices."

Something about Riley's vibe made Maya actually want to play along. "My **palm** says I'm gonna avoid social embarrassment tonight."

"Bold prediction." Riley set her drink down. "Wanna bet?"

Three hours later, Maya still hadn't gone **swimming**, but she'd spent the entire night talking to Riley about everything from their shared hatred of gym class to how Riley's family had somehow ended up with the last name Fox. (They hadn't been UK royalty, disappointingly.)

And when Jordan's mom finally announced it was midnight and people needed to leave, Riley walked Maya to her car.

"Same time next year?" Riley asked, casual-like.

Maya's palms stopped sweating for the first time all night. "Definitely."

Sometimes the best pool parties weren't about the water at all.