Fox Run Goldfish Confession

I'd been **running** from the truth for three weeks, which was ironic considering I couldn't even run a mile without wheezing like I'd chain-smoked a pack of Newports.

The **goldfish** bowl sat on my nightstand, its orange inhabitant—Captain Bubbles, according to my little sister—staring at me with what I swear was judgment in those bulgy eyes. He'd witnessed everything: the secret Snapchats, the late-night FaceTimes, the way my stomach did actual gymnastics whenever Riley's name lit up my phone.

"You gonna tell her?" Maya asked, kicking her boots onto my bedspread. "Or you gonna let your sister keep winning?"

I glared at her. "It's not a competition."

"Uh, it's totally a competition. Riley's been flirting with you since September, and you're still playing the 'I'm totally chill' card while Lila posts thirst traps with zero shame. That girl's a **fox**, I'll give her that, but you're the one she actually likes."

I buried my face in my pillow. Lila was my older sister, who had everything naturally—effortless waves, the ability to talk to anyone without overthinking it for three days afterward, and apparently, now Riley's attention.

The next day, I found Lila in her room, straightening her hair while **cable** news played in the background because she was weirdly obsessed with politics for someone who still couldn't do her own laundry.

"So," she said, not looking up from the mirror. "Riley asked if you were coming to Jordan's party Friday."

My stomach dropped. "And you said?"

"That you'd be there." She finally met my eyes in the reflection. "Unless you're gonna keep being weird about it. What's your deal, anyway? You like her, don't you?"

"It's not that simple."

"It literally is. You **bear** your feelings or you don't. Those are the options." She paused. "Also, Mom said we're having salmon for dinner. Again. Just FYI."

Friday came, and I couldn't put it off any longer. Riley was by the snack table, and my heart was doing something that felt distinctly unsafe as I walked over.

"Hey," she said, and her smile was genuine. "I was hoping you'd show."

"Lila said you asked about me."

"Yeah." Riley's cheeks went pink. "I was trying to be subtle about it, but your sister's subtle like a sledgehammer. Anyway, I was wondering—"

"I like you," I blurted. "Like, a lot. And I've been terrible at showing it, but—"

Riley laughed, and it was the best sound I'd ever heard. "I know. I've been waiting for you to catch up."

Captain Bubbles would be proud. I'd finally stopped running.