Goldfish at Sunset Beach

Maya's palms were sweating—like, actually dripping—thanks to the humidity and the fact that she was currently hiding behind a resort **palm** tree, spying on Tyler and Hannah from sophomore year. The pair stood by the pool bar, laughing at something that definitely wasn't funny, and Maya felt like a total creep. But her best friend Chloe had dared her to gather intel, and Maya had never been good at saying no to a double dog dare.

"You look like a sketchy **spy**," Chloe whispered, appearing beside her with two fruit kabobs. "Also, try this."

She shoved a piece of **papaya** at Maya. It was sweet, musky, and honestly kind of tasted like a tropical flower had made out with a cantaloupe. Not terrible, but also not something Maya would choose voluntarily.

"Tyler and Hannah are just talking," Maya said, trying to sound casual while her heart did little backflips. "This is pointless. We look pathetic."

"We look thorough," Chloe corrected. "Also, remember your **goldfish**?"

"What about Goldie?"

"Goldie had more game than you right now," Chloe said. "That fish knew what it wanted. Food. And it went for it. Fearless."

Maya groaned. "Are you really comparing my love life to a fish's eating habits?"

"I'm just saying—" Chloe froze. "Oh snap. They're coming over."

Maya's stomach dropped. The papaya suddenly felt like lead in her stomach. Tyler was walking toward them, his swim trunks ridiculous but somehow still working for him, Hannah trailing behind.

"Hey," Tyler said. "We saw you guys... over here. What are you doing?"

Maya's brain short-circuited. Chloe's eyes went wide with panic.

"Papaya!" Maya blurted out. "We're eating papaya. It's... tropical. And we were just—admiring this palm tree."

Tyler looked at her. Then at the palm tree. Then back at her.

"Cool," he said slowly. "Anyway, we're going to play volleyball. You guys in?"

The sun was setting behind the ocean, painting everything in gold. Maya wiped her palms on her shorts. She thought about Goldie, who had lived fearlessly in his tiny castle, never overthinking anything. Fish goals, honestly.

"Yeah," Maya said, and her voice didn't even shake. "We're in."

Chloe flashed her a triumphant grin. As they walked toward the net, Maya realized sometimes you had to be your own spy in your life—gathering intel, taking risks, and occasionally hiding behind palm trees until you were ready to jump in. The papaya hadn't been half bad, either.