Fox in the Deep End

Maya's chest burned. She'd been **running** from reality for three weeks, ever since Kai's text lit up her screen: we need to talk. Classic. The universal translation: I'm about to ruin your Tuesday.

Now she stood at the edge of Carter's pool party, clutching a red solo cup like it contained the antidote to social death. The water looked like liquid anxiety, rippling with laughter and bodies she didn't want to navigate.

"You gonna **swim** or just stand there looking like you're mentally calculating escape routes?"

Maya jumped. Fox. That's what everyone called Carter's little sister, barely fourteen and radiating a chaotic energy that made Maya feel ancient at seventeen. Fox with her mismatched bikini and zero awareness of social hierarchies.

"I'm observing," Maya said. "It's a valid lifestyle choice."

Fox snorted. "You're running from something. I can tell. You've got that same look our dog gets when he knows he's about to get bathed."

Maya's phone buzzed. Kai again. Her heart did that stupid flutter thing she'd been trying to therapize away for twenty-one days. Why did he have to pick NOW to want to talk?

"Okay, truth or truth," Fox said, splashing water onto Maya's legs. "What's the deal? You've been moping since you got here and it's killing the vibe."

"It's nothing. Just... boy drama. You'll understand when you're older."

"I'm literally two years away from being you, don't even." Fox sobered. "Look, my brother says you're overthinking it. Whatever it is. He says you always do that thing where you build whole scenarios in your head instead of just... dealing."

Maya stared at her. "Since when does Carter have emotional insights?"

"Since he caught me crying behind the shed last month because I thought my friends were ditching me. They weren't, by the way. I was just being paranoid." Fox shrugged. "We're all **running** from something, Maya. Might as well figure out what it actually is instead of letting your brain invent monsters."

The words hit harder than Maya expected. She looked at her phone again. One notification. Just *Can we talk?* Not *I hate you* or *It's over.* Just a question.

"You're annoyingly wise for a freshman," Maya said, setting her cup down. "You know that?"

"I know everything," Fox grinned. "Now get in the pool before I push you."

Maya laughed, and for the first time in weeks, something in her chest loosened. The water didn't look so scary anymore. Neither did the conversation she'd been avoiding.

"Bet you can't catch me." She jumped.

Fox was right. Whatever was waiting on the other side, she'd deal with it. But right now, she was just swimming.