Goldfish and Glory

Leo's fingers trembled as he adjusted his swim cap. Tryouts for the varsity team were today, and he could feel everyone watching him—especially Nate, the senior who'd been messing with Leo since he accidentally knocked over Nate's tray in September.

"Freshman in the deep end? Bold choice," Nate said, loud enough for the whole team to hear.

Leo felt his face burn. At home, he spent hours talking to his goldfish, Finnick, about everything he couldn't say to real people. Finnick never judged him for being anxious or overthinking texts or worrying that everyone would realize he was faking being confident.

The whistle blew.

Leo launched himself into the pool, **swimming** harder than he ever had in his life. His arms burned, lungs screamed, but he kept going, lap after lap, until he touched the wall and heaved himself up.

"Not bad," the coach said, checking her stopwatch. "But you're hesitating on your turns. You're **running** from the wall instead of attacking it."

Nate snorted. "Probably scared he'll get hurt."

Something in Leo snapped. He turned to Nate, water dripping from his chin.

"Yeah," Leo said, his voice shaking but steady. "I'm scared. But I'm here anyway. What's your excuse?"

The deck went silent.

After practice, Leo found himself at the smoothie place with Maya, the girl who'd been watching him from the lane next to his.

"That was pretty badass," she said, stirring her drink. "Nate's been a **bull** to everyone since middle school. Nobody ever calls him out."

Leo shrugged, feeling weirdly proud. "I just got tired of being scared."

"Want some?" Maya held out her cup. "It's got **spinach** in it. Sounds gross, tastes like magic."

He took a sip. It wasn't bad—sweet, earthy, real.

"So," Maya said, "you gonna make the team?"

"Dunno," Leo said. "But I'm definitely coming back tomorrow."

That night, Leo dropped a fish food flake into Finnick's tank. His phone buzzed—a text from Maya. Want to swim laps tomorrow before tryouts? I can teach you how to own those turns.

Leo grinned, typing his answer fast. The goldfish swam to the glass, and for the first time, Leo felt like he was the one watching from the outside, finally inside his own life.