Goldfish in the Deep End

Maya stood at the edge of the pool, clutching her red solo cup like a lifeline. The house party was in full swing—students from West High scattered across the backyard, music thumping from somewhere inside, and water splashing as people cannonballed into the deep end. She'd spent two hours getting ready, only to arrive and realize her crush Jake was already there, laughing with some seniors near the outdoor speakers.

Her eyes kept darting to the glass bowl on the patio table where Haley's pet goldfish swam in lazy circles. She'd promised to fish-sit for the weekend, but now the poor thing was stuck next to a bowl of spinach dip that had definitely been sitting out too long.

"Yo, Maya!" Marcus appeared beside her, grinning. "You gonna stand there all night or actually get in the pool? It's lit out here."

Marcus was what everyone called "the bull"—not because he was aggressive, but because he charged headfirst into everything. Social situations, relationships, literally the pool five minutes ago.

"I'm good," she said, then felt something weird between her front teeth. Oh god. Spinach. From the hors d'oeuvres she'd nervously snacked on earlier. She was standing next to her crush with green stuff stuck in her teeth like some kind of social sphinx, doomed to forever be riddled with awkwardness.

Maya made a beeline for the bathroom, heart hammering. Caught her reflection in the mirror—spinach fully visible. Got it out. Took three deep breaths. Checked her reflection one more time.

When she stepped back outside, Jake was at the patio table, looking into the goldfish bowl.

"Nice fish," he said when he noticed her. "What's its name?"

"Bubbles," she said, then immediately wanted to die. "I mean—that's what Haley calls him. I'm just fish-sitting."

Jake laughed, and it wasn't mean. "That's actually kind of adorable."

The goldfish swam to the surface, then dove back down like it owned the place. Maybe Maya could take a page from Bubbles' book. She kicked off her sandals.

"Wanna get in the pool?" she heard herself say.

Jake smiled. "Thought you'd never ask."