Goldfish in the Deep End

Maya stood at the edge of the pool, clutching her towel like it was the only thing holding her together. The last thing she wanted to do was go swimming in front of Jake Miller, who was currently demonstrating his perfect cannonball form to everyone who'd bother watching.

"You coming in or what?" Jake called, grinning that devastating grin that made half the sophomore class forget their own names.

"Yeah, just, uh, warming up," Maya lied. Her heart was doing jumping jacks.

She spotted her best friend Chen by the snack table, frantically checking their reflection in a spoon. "Dude," Chen hissed, pulling her aside. "I've had spinach stuck in my teeth for like an hour. Why didn't you tell me?"

Maya laughed, some of the tension melting. "I was too busy having a panic attack about Jake seeing me in a swimsuit. Also, it was barely visible."

"Barely visible is still visible!" Chen groaned, scrubbing with a napkin. "This is so awkward. This whole party is awkward. Why does Jake's family even have a goldfish pond? Who are they?"

It was true — nestled between the tiki torches and inflatable palm tree was an actual pond with three orange goldfish swimming lazily around, completely unbothered by the teenage social dynamics unfolding around them.

"They're probably the most chill ones here," Maya said.

"Still better than Jordan," Chen nodded toward where Jordan was holding court on the diving board, holding forth like some kind of self-appointed oracle. "He thinks he's so deep. He literally quoted a sphinx riddle earlier. Like, we get it, you watched a YouTube video about ancient Egypt. Nobody cares, Jordan."

Maya snorted. Jordan had spent all week trying to reinvent himself as 'mysterious and philosophical' instead of just 'the guy who tells really long stories.' It wasn't working.

"Okay, okay," Maya said, dropping her towel. "I'm doing it. I'm going in."

"YAS!" Chen cheered, a little too loud. Jake looked over.

The water felt amazing — cool and forgiving, washing away the sticky heat and insecurity. Jake swam over, slicking his wet hair back.

"Hey," he said. "Glad you came."

"Yeah," Maya said, treading water, feeling surprisingly steady. "Me too."

The goldfish swam in lazy circles, oblivious. Jordan was now explaining the 'hidden meaning' of pool noodles to some unfortunate freshmen. Chen had successfully de-spinached and was living their best life.

And Maya was just floating, finally, in the deep end, not drowning at all.