Goldfish in the Palm

The problem with my hair was that it had a mind of its own. Especially today, when I'd spent forty-five minutes trying to tame the frizz before Jordan's party. Now, standing by her above-ground pool with red Solo cup in hand, I could feel the humidity already winning the battle.

"You look nice, Maya," someone said behind me. I turned to find Caleb, his swim trunks bright orange against his tan skin. My palms instantly started sweating. Great. Now I'd have to avoid shaking hands with anyone all night.

"Thanks," I managed, my voice coming out weirdly high-pased. Smooth.

Caleb leaned against the pool fence, watching Jordan's little sister wading in the shallow end. "That goldfish looks like it's about to die."

I followed his gaze. A lone goldfish floated sideways in the water, its gills moving way too fast. "Probably just exhausted from Jordan's sister trying to catch it all afternoon."

"Wanna do something about it?" Caleb's eyes crinkled when he smiled. It should be illegal to have eyelashes that long when you're sixteen.

"What? Like fish CPR?"

"No." He knelt by the pool edge, cupping his hands in the water. "Like relocate it to somewhere less chaotic."

Before I could process what was happening, I found myself kneeling beside him, our shoulders brushing. The contact sent electricity racing up my arm. Together, we guided the goldfish into his cupped palms.

"Now what?" I whispered, conscious of how close our faces were.

"Your turn." He nodded toward a decorative glass bowl on a nearby table, probably meant for chips but currently empty.

I reached out, hyper-aware that my hair was probably a disaster and my palms were still gross and clammy. But when I transferred the goldfish from his hands to mine, I felt something shift. The tiny fish's scales shimmered in the party lights, its fins delicate and impossible.

I placed it in the bowl, and Caleb grinned.

"Teamwork makes the dream work."

"That was literally the cringiest thing you could've said right now."

"But you smiled."

I did smile. And for once, I didn't care about my hair.