Goldfish at the Padel Court

Maya stood at the edge of the outdoor padel court, clutching a plastic bowl containing her sister's emergency pet-sitting assignment — a goldfish named Bubble. The clear water sloshed gently as she shifted her weight, heart pounding like she'd just finished a match point.

"You coming?" Tyler called from the court, his grin doing absolutely nothing to settle her nerves. The new kid from school had somehow wrangled an invitation to what was supposed to be exclusively her friend group's hang.

"In a minute," Maya managed, though her throat felt like she'd swallowed pool water.

The padel court hummed with energy — sneakers squeaking, racquets striking the ball, someone's phone blasting a playlist that everyone pretended to know all the words to. Maya had been crushing on Tyler since he'd moved here three months ago, but somehow her big moment was happening while she was babysitting a fish.

Worse, Bubble was doing that weird floating thing goldfish do when they're dying, and Maya was spiraling. What if she killed her sister's pet? What if Tyler thought she was the weird fish girl? What if she died of social awkwardness before she even stepped onto the court?

"Everything okay?" Suddenly Tyler was beside her, sweat making his hair curl at the edges. He peered into the bowl. "Is that... a goldfish?"

"Yeah. Long story. My sister's out of town and—" Maya's face burned. "I know, it's pathetic."

Tyler's expression softened. "Actually? My goldfish died last summer. I cried for like, two days straight. My brother still won't let me live it down."

Maya blinked. "Seriously?"

"Dude, fish are low-key emotional support animals." Tyler nudged her arm. "Hey, you want to play? I can hold Bubble."

Maya's stomach did something weird and fluttery. "You'd hold a fish bowl?"

"For a chance to finally beat you at padel? Absolutely."

As Tyler gently took the bowl, Maya's fingers brushed his and okay, maybe being the fish girl wasn't so terrible after all.