Fox Mode: On

The pool party looked like something out of a teen movie—kids laughing, music thumping, everyone sparkling with chlorine confidence. Meanwhile, I stood by the snack table, gripping my **vitamin** water like it was a lifeline. Mom had packed my lunchbox with actual **vitamin** supplements that morning, her way of saying "have fun, but don't die of malnutrition." Classic.

I wasn't even supposed to be here. Maya, the only person who talked to me in homeroom, had invited me. Now she was across the pool, surrounded by her friends, all of them **swimming** with easy grace while I stayed fully clothed, calculating my exit strategy.

"Hey." A guy appeared beside me. Tall, messy brown hair, eyes that actually crinkled when he smiled. "I'm Leo. You're the new girl, right?"

"Chloe," I managed, my voice doing that embarrassing crackle thing. "And yeah. New-ish."

"Cool." He leaned against the table. "So, are you gonna get in, or are you planning to evolve beyond the need for hydration?"

I laughed. "Option B. I'm actually part **goldfish**. I can just absorb water through my skin."

"That explains so much." He grinned. "My car's a piece of junk, but it gets me places. My sister calls it the Foxmobile because it's always breaking down and I have to use jumper **cables** like I'm some kind of mechanic."

"The Foxmobile," I repeated. "So you're the **fox**?"

"Only when I need to be." He studied me. "You know, Maya's been trying to get you to come to things for weeks. She thinks you're cool."

"Maya thinks everyone is cool."

"Not everyone." Leo's phone buzzed. He checked it, his face falling. "That's my mom. I have to go. My sister needs... actually, never mind. Family stuff."

He started to leave, then turned back. "Hey, Chloe? Next time, get in the pool. The water's not actually that scary once you're in it."

I watched him walk away, something shifting in my chest. Not big. Not dramatic. Just... different.

"Chloe!" Maya waved from the pool steps. "Come in!"

And just like that, I was kicking off my sandals. Not because everything was suddenly perfect. Not because I'd magically transformed into one of those sparkling confident people. But because sometimes you have to stop standing at the edge, overthinking everything, and just jump.

Fox mode: on. It was time to start swimming.