Goldfish Operations

Maya pulled her beanie **hat** lower over her curls, melting into the shadow behind the palm tree at Tyler's backyard party. She wasn't supposed to be here—okay, technically she was invited, but only because her older sister bribe-forced the host, and honestly? She'd rather be at home binge-watching Netflix.

She held her red solo cup like a shield, watching Kayla laugh at something Tyler said. Maya had been lowkey **spy**ing on Kayla's Instagram stories for weeks now, analyzing every cryptic post for signs that her crush liked her back. The evidence was inconclusive at best.

"You look like you're plotting someone's murder," said a voice behind her.

Maya jumped, nearly spilling her drink. Dylan, Tyler's weird cousin who always wore that same black hoodie, stood there holding a beer. He gestured to her hiding spot. "This palm tree's not exactly cover, you know."

"I'm not plotting anything," Maya lied. "Just... observing."

"Observing. Right." Dylan leaned against the tree. "Like how I observe my **cat** stalking birds through the window? Zero follow-through, lots of drama."

Maya snorted. "Your cat has more game than me."

"Probably." He pulled out his phone, swiped through something, and turned the screen toward her. "Kayla's private account. She posted about you last week."

Maya's heart did that stupid flippy thing. "What? Why?"

"Something about how you always wear that hat and she thinks it's cute." Dylan shrugged. "Also, she's terrified of goldfish. Like, actual phobia. Which is random but good info."

"Goldfish? Seriously?"

"People are weird, Maya." He took a sip of his drink. "You gonna talk to her, or keep playing goldfish operations from behind this tree?"

**Goldfish**. The word hit her like a revelation. Memory foam: third grade, field trip to the pet store, Kayla screaming and climbing onto a bench when a goldfish tank bubbled too loud. Maya had held her hand.

She had forgotten. Kayla hadn't.

Maya pushed off the tree, adjusting her hat with new confidence. Some things weren't Instagram-deep. Some things went back to elementary school, to small moments that stuck like glitter in your memory.

"Hey Dylan?" she said, already walking toward Kayla.

"Yeah?"

"Your cat would be proud."

Behind her, Dylan laughed. Maya didn't look back. For once, she wasn't watching from the sidelines. For once, she was diving in.