Goldfish in the Outfield

Leo's **baseball** cap was pulled low, hiding eyes that kept darting toward Maya by the concession stand. She was laughing at something Jake said—of course she was. Jake, who'd started at varsity freshman year. Jake, whose hair somehow looked perfect even in ninety-degree heat.

"You gonna talk to her, or just be a total creep about it?" Marcus asked, elbowing Leo.

Leo adjusted his **hat**, his face burning. "I'm working up to it."

"Work faster. Festival ends tomorrow."

The annual Summer Festival had taken over the town square, transforming it into a chaos of rides, food trucks, and games. Leo had zero interest in the rigged ring toss or the sketchy **bull**-riding simulator that had already sent three people to urgent care this week.

But then he saw it: the **goldfish** booth. Ten dollars for three ping pong balls. Land one in a bowl, win a fish.

Maya loved fish. Her Instagram was basically a shrine to her betta, Neptune.

Before Leo could talk himself out of it, he handed the carnie a ten. His first ball bounced off the rim. Second one overshot completely. Third—

*Plunk.*

"Winner!" the carnie announced like Leo had just won the World Series.

Maya turned. Oh no. Oh no no no.

But then she was walking over, and Leo's brain short-circuited. "Is that... a fish?" she asked, grinning.

"Yeah, um." Leo's voice cracked. "It's stupid, but I know you like—"

"That's actually really sweet." She touched his arm. His entire body forgot how to human. "What're you gonna name him?"

"I... hadn't thought that far."

She laughed, and something in his chest unlocked. "Name him **Bear**. He looks like he could handle himself."

"Bear." Leo looked at the tiny orange fish swimming in confused circles. "Yeah. Yeah, I like that."

They ended up sitting on the grass by the baseball diamond, watching the sunset filter through the carnival rides. Maya didn't mention Jake once. Leo kept accidentally knocking the fish bowl with his knee, and every time it sloshed, she'd laugh.

"So," she said, as the first stars appeared. "You doing anything tomorrow?"

Leo grinned, forgetting about the hat, forgetting to be nervous. "I might need help building a proper tank for Bear."