Goldfish Don't Text Back

The goldfish — technically a betta, but whatever — floated at the top of its bowl like it was judging my entire existence.

"You're pathetic," I told it, scrolling through my iPhone for the forty-seventh time. Still nothing from Maya since Friday night's party.

My hair looked like I'd been electrocuted, which honestly wasn't far from what happened emotionally. The orange streak I'd bleached and dyed last week had faded into something resembling crushed Cheetos, but I was too depressed to fix it.

"At least someone thinks I'm cool," I muttered, watching the betta flare its gills.

My phone buzzed. A notification from Instagram: your story has been viewed by 847 people.

Oh no.

The video I'd posted accidentally after two Dr Peppers and a moment of terminal weakness — me lip-syncing to Taylor Swift while the betta did laps in the background — had somehow gone viral in our grade. My cheeks burned. This was it. Social suicide.

Another buzz.

Maya: lol that fish has better moves than me

My stomach did that terrifying flip-flop thing.

Me:DELETE THIS FROM YOUR MEMORY

Maya:nah it's iconic. we should hang tho??

I stared at the screen until my vision blurred. Was this real?

Outside my window, palm trees swayed in the Florida heat, their fronds catching the orange-gold sunset like nature's disco ball. Same palms where I'd sat Friday night, drunk-flirting with Maya and convinced I'd ruined everything.

The goldfish — betta, whatever — did a little spiral.

"You know what?" I said, grabbing my phone. "You're right. I AM iconic."

Me:come over then. fish said it's cool

Maya: omw

I flopped onto my bed, heart racing, and caught my reflection in the mirror. Cheeto hair and all.

Maybe that was the point. Being messy and real and sometimes viral for all the wrong reasons. The goldfish swam peacefully, completely unbothered by human awkwardness.

I typed back one last time before the doorbell rang:

Me:and delete that video or i swear

Some things don't change. But sometimes, just maybe, that's okay.