Fox at the Pool Party

Maya's hair was supposed to be beachy waves. Instead, after three hours of humidity and pool chlorine, it looked like she'd stuck her finger in an electrical socket. She stood at the edge of the in-ground pool, clutching her iPhone like a lifeline, watching everyone else splash and laugh like this was the most natural thing in the world.

"You coming in?" called Jake, the guy she'd been crushing on since September. He treaded water, grinning that devastating grin that made her stomach do actual gymnastics.

"Yeah! Just..." Maya gestured vaguely at her hair. "Fixing this situation first."

"You look great," he said, and the worst part was he sounded like he meant it.

Her phone buzzed in her hand – another notification. Probably her group chat blowing up about how Emma's party was literally the event of the century. Maya slipped the iPhone into her waterproof pouch and made her way to the snack table, suddenly needing space.

That's when she saw it.

A fox – an actual, gorgeous russet-colored fox – standing at the edge of the patio, watching the party with what looked suspiciously like judgment. Its eyes met hers, intelligent and wild and completely unimpressed by the entire spectacle of teenage social performance.

Maya froze. The fox's gaze held hers for what felt like forever but was probably five seconds. Then it turned and vanished into the woods like a ghost.

"Did you see that?" she whispered, but no one was paying attention. They were all too busy being seen.

The moment stayed with her though – that wild, unselfconscious creature just living its truth. Maya found herself drifting toward the papaya on the fruit tray, something she'd never tried before. She took a slice. The weird musky-sweet flavor exploded in her mouth – not bad, actually. Different.

"Is that papaya?" Jake had appeared beside her, dripping pool water everywhere. "Bold choice."

"Yeah?" Maya surprised herself by smiling. "I'm trying new things."

"Good," he said, and there was something in his voice – like he meant more than the fruit. "Want to see who can do the worst cannonball?"

Maya's messy hair could wait. She dropped her phone pouch on a chair and walked toward the pool, feeling something inside her finally loosen. The fox would understand – sometimes you just have to dive in.