Fox Fire at the Pool Party

Maya felt like a **zombie** dragging herself through the last week of sophomore year. Three AP classes, swim practice until 6 PM, and her mom's constant questions about college applications had left her running on autopilot.

"You coming to Jake's pool party tonight?" Chloe asked as they gathered their stuff from gym locker rooms. "Everyone's gonna be there. Even Tyler."

Maya's stomach did that thing it always did when Tyler was mentioned. "Maybe. I have to study for—"

"You're not even taking AP Chem yet! Come on, live a little." Chloe raised an eyebrow. "It's literally the last Friday before break."

At home, Maya discovered her older brother Jason sprawled on the couch, gaming controller in hand, dark circles under his eyes. Freshman year at college had clearly turned him into an actual **zombie**. "Hey, can I borrow your car?"

"Sure, whatever." He didn't look away from the screen. "Just don't scratch it again."

The pool party was already in full swing when Maya arrived. Music thumped against the garage door. People floated on inflatables, couples couples-cuddled at the shallow end. Tyler was there, looking effortlessly good in a navy swimsuit, laughing with someone from the debate team.

Maya stood by the fence, suddenly hyperaware of her floral bikini and the fact that she didn't know what to do with her hands.

Then she saw it.

A **fox**.

It was standing at the edge of the woods behind Jake's backyard, impossibly still, russet fur glowing in the string lights. Their eyes locked—amber to amber. Something in Maya's chest tightened.

"Hey, what are you looking at?"

She jumped. Tyler had swum over to the side.

"There's a fox," she whispered. "I think it's hurt."

Tyler followed her gaze. "Whoa. No way." He pulled himself out of the **pool**, water streaming down his torso. "Jake! There's like, actually a fox in your yard."

Within minutes, everyone had gathered. The fox, whose leg appeared injured, watched them warily. Jake called animal control while someone brought it water from a colorful cup.

Maya knelt beside it, forgetting about her bikini or Tyler or social dynamics entirely. "Hey there, little guy."

The fox made a soft sound, almost like acknowledgment.

"You're like, really good with animals," Tyler said, sitting beside her. "That's kinda cool."

Her face burned. But not in a bad way.

By the time animal control arrived, the moon was up. The fox, safely captured, kept looking back at Maya as they drove away.

"So," Tyler said, "want to get pizza tomorrow? There's this place—"

"Yes," Maya said. And for the first time in months, she didn't feel like a zombie at all.