Goldfish in the Deep End

Maya's orange crop top felt like a neon sign flashing 'I don't belong here.' She tugged at the hem while standing at the edge of Jessica's in-ground pool, watching the popular kids float on inflatables like they owned the water. Some freshman had already done a cannonball—splash, chaos, and now everyone was pretending his phone wasn't at the bottom of the deep end.

'You gonna swim or what?'

She jumped. It was Tyler, her crush since seventh period algebra, standing way too close with red Solo cup in hand. His hair was wet, droplets tracking down his neck, and Maya's brain short-circuited.

'Yeah. Definitely. Just waiting for...' What was she even saying? '...optimal splash conditions?'

Tyler laughed. Actually laughed. 'Cool, cool. Hey, you got something right...' He gestured to his own smile.

Oh god. The spinach from the spinach-artichoke dip. It was stuck in her braces. She'd had braces for two years and somehow still managed to look like a toddler who'd just eaten a salad.

She spun around fast. 'Be right back.'

'Something wrong with your...' Behind her, a yelp. A splash.

Maya turned. Tyler was in the pool, coughing up water, looking around wildly. 'My retainer!'

The popular kids went quiet. Some freshman started giggling. But then Maya spotted it—glinting near the filter intake, a pale pink shell with... was that a tiny goldfish sticker? Tyler had goldfish stickers on his retainer case. That was weirdly specific and adorable.

'Got it.' She didn't think. She just dove.

Water rushed her ears, chlorine stinging her eyes. She reached, fingers brushing concrete, then—plastic. She surfaced with the retainer held high like Excalibur.

Tyler stared. 'You just... full-on committed.'

'It's a talent.'

'Wanna get food? There's more dip.'

'My braces say otherwise.'

'Cool.' He grinned. 'I'll steal you a towel.'

Maya's orange crop top was soaked. Her hair looked like a disaster. But Tyler was still smiling, and somehow that felt like winning.