Goldfish in the Deep End

The pool party at Jessica's house was exactly where I didn't want to be. I stood by the edge, clutching my red solo cup like it was a lifeline, watching everyone else having the time of their lives. They were all swimming and splashing and being normal teenagers, while I felt like I had the social skills of a goldfish—three-second memory span included.

My best friend since kindergarten, Sophie, had ditched me the moment we arrived. She was currently in the deep end, surrounded by a group of seniors who looked like they belonged in a music video. I couldn't blame her, really. Sophie had always been the bold one, the one who could talk to anyone, while I was the background character in my own life.

"You look like you're mentally calculating escape routes," a voice said beside me.

I jumped and almost spilled my drink. This guy with shaggy brown hair and an oversized fox hoodie stood there, looking amused.

"Is it that obvious?" I groaned. "I'm not exactly killing it tonight."

He laughed. "Join the club. I've been hiding in the kitchen for twenty minutes.

"That sounds way better than standing here by the water like a loser."

"The water's not so bad," he said. "Unless you can't swim. Then we have a problem."

"I can swim," I protested. "I just... I don't know anyone here."

"You know Sophie," he pointed out.

"Yeah, and she's too busy being social to notice I exist."

He considered this. "Wanna make her notice?"

Before I could ask what he meant, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the pool.

"Wait—"

"Trust me," he said, and we jumped in together.

The shock of cold water was perfect. We surfaced laughing, and of course Sophie noticed immediately. She swam over, looking surprised and a little guilty.

"Lily! You're actually in the pool!" She looked between me and Fox Hoodie Guy. "And who's your friend?"

"This is... actually, I don't know your name," I said.

"Ethan," he said, splashing water at Sophie. "And I just helped your friend realize that pool parties are actually more fun when you're in the pool instead of standing on the edge worrying about looking cool."

Sophie's expression softened. "You're right. I'm sorry, Lil. I shouldn't have left you alone."

"It's okay," I said, and for the first time all night, it actually was. "I made a new friend anyway."

Later that night, sitting on the pool edge with Ethan while our phones played the same songs on repeat, I realized something. Maybe I didn't have the memory of a goldfish after all. Maybe I just needed someone to jump in with me.