Goldfish at the Thunder Pool Party

Maya's stomach did backflips as she stood by the **water**, clutching her phone like a lifeline. The pool party raged behind her—music thumping, people laughing, the whole social hierarchy on full display. Her former best friend Sarah was there, draped over Tyler like they'd been together forever instead of just two weeks.

You okay? whispered Lily, sliding up beside her. Lily, the only person who'd talked to Maya since the Incident.

Yeah. Just waiting for my moment. Maya gestured toward the house. I brought Bubbles.

Your **goldfish**? Why?

Distraction. Maya shrugged. Something to remember me by.

Suddenly, the sky cracked open. **Lightning** splintered across the darkness, and thunder shook the ground. The party screamed—half the people ran for cover, the other half pulled out phones to document the chaos.

That's when Maya saw it. Tyler, shoving Sarah away from the pool edge. Sarah stumbled, arms flailing, and splashed into the deep end. She couldn't swim.

Maya didn't think. She dropped her phone and dove.

The water swallowed them both. Sarah clawed at Maya's arms, eyes wide with terror. Maya kicked upward, breaking the surface with a gasp.

I've got you, she said, towing Sarah toward the shallow end. Tyler stood there frozen, mouth open.

The whole party stared. Maya helped Sarah sit up on the pool edge, coughing and shaking. Sarah looked at Maya, really looked at her, for the first time in months.

You saved me, Sarah whispered. After everything...

Maya shrugged, water dripping from her hair. Whatever. I'd do it for anyone.

But she wouldn't have. Not really. And everyone knew it.

Later, wrapped in a towel by the snack table, Sarah found Maya. Why did you do that?

Maya thought about Bubbles, swimming alone in his bowl back home. How sometimes you just have to keep swimming, even when the world feels too small.

Because you used to be my **friend**, Maya said. And sometimes that matters more than anything.

Outside, **lightning** flashed again. For the first time all night, Maya didn't feel like she was drowning.