Goldfish at the Deep End

Maya stood at the edge of the pool, toes curled against the warm concrete while everyone else splashed in the water like they hadn't a care in the world. Typical. This was exactly why she'd spent the entire summer avoiding Taylor's parties. But Jen had promised it would be chill this time, and honestly? Jen was the kind of friend who made you believe things even when you knew better. The high school pyramid scheme of popularity had Taylor and her squad at the apex, then the jocks, then everyone else floating somewhere in the middle like debris. Maya had pretty much established herself at the bottom, right next to the lost items and forgotten dreams. Her goldfish, Fin, had lasted three whole years before passing last week. Three years. That was longer than she'd managed to keep any friendship stable since starting freshman year. 'Earth to Maya.' Sam appeared beside her, baseball cap backward and that lopsided grin that made her stomach do weird things. 'You gonna stand there looking like a contemplative statue all night, or are you actually gonna swim?' He'd made varsity baseball last spring, something everyone congratulated him for except maybe his GPA. 'I'm contemplating the social dynamics of pool parties,' Maya deadpanned, though her face flushed hot. 'It's fascinating stuff.' Sam laughed, the sound cutting through the splashes and shout-outs from the popular crew doing cannonballs off the diving board. 'You're overthinking it. Again.' He paused. 'Hey, about Fin. I know he was... you know, a fish. But it sucks.' And just like that, the crushing weight in her chest lightened a little. Because Sam remembered. Because Sam noticed things. The pyramid of popularity didn't matter when someone actually saw you. 'Thanks,' she whispered, and before she could overthink it, she grabbed his hand and pulled them both into the pool with a massive splash that drenched Taylor's perfect hair and absolutely, positively made it worth it.