Goldfish Confessions

Maya pulled her baseball cap lower, sweat collecting on her palms like tiny, nervous droplets. This was it—Jordan's party, the social event of the sophomore year, and she was hiding in the bathroom staring at a single goldfish in a bowl on the counter.

"Weird place for a pet," she whispered, her iPhone clutched tight in her hand. Three notifications from her group chat: *where r u???*

The goldfish, named Bubbles according to the sparkly sticker on the bowl, swam in endless circles. Maya felt seen.

"He's got anxiety too," a voice said behind her.

Maya spun around. A girl with teal-streaked hair leaned against the doorframe, holding a red cup. "I'm Kai, by the way. Jordan's cousin."

"Maya." She gestured at the bowl. "So, Bubbles..."

"My contribution to party decor." Kai stepped closer. "He's my emotional support fish."

Maya laughed, surprised and genuine. "No way. Emotional support goldfish is officially my favorite thing."

Kai's eyes sparkled. "Wanna know his backstory? My mom said if I couldn't keep a plant alive, no pets. But she forgot about fish being basically underwater plants."

"That's...genius level loophole energy."

They sat on the tiled floor, Bubbles swimming between them. Outside, bass thumped against the walls. Inside, Maya's palms had stopped sweating.

"So," Kai said, "what's your story? You seem like you're hiding from something too."

Maya hesitated, then took off her hat. Her hair flattened against her forehead. "Socially anxious introductee at her first real party. I've been in here twenty minutes pretending to check nonexistent texts."

"Been there." Kai's phone buzzed. She ignored it. "You know what helps?"

"What?"

"Finding the fellow goldfish in the room. The other people who'd rather be literally anywhere else." Kai nodded toward the door. "We should start a club."

"The Goldfish Society?" Maya suggested. "Members since they discovered crowds are overwhelming?"

"Exactly."

Bubbles rose to the surface, blowing a tiny bubble. Kai laughed. "I think he approves."

Maya's phone lit up again. *come say hi to everyone!!!* She looked at Kai, then at the fish, then at her phone.

"You know what?" Maya stood up, grabbing her hat but not putting it back on. "Let's go."

"To the party?"

"To find more goldfish."

Kai grinned, standing up. "Now that's a mission."

They walked out together, and Maya's palms stayed dry.