Goldfish Protocol

Leo's hands wouldn't stop sweating. Clutched in his palm was a plastic bag containing the single most ridiculous thing he'd ever owned: a goldfish named Kevin.

"Dude, you're not actually taking that to Maya's party," his sister had said from the doorway, already dressed in something that cost more than Leo's entire wardrobe.

"Kevin gets separation anxiety," Leo had lied, then immediately regretted everything.

Now he stood outside Maya's house, the bass thumping through the door like a second heartbeat. Senior year. First real party. And he was the guy with the emergency goldfish.

Inside, the air smelled like expensive perfume and nervous energy. Leo wedged Kevin into a decorative bowl on the mantelpiece, feeling like a total fraud. Everyone else seemed to know exactly what they were doing—laughing with inside jokes, standing in that effortlessly cool way Leo had practiced in his mirror for hours.

Then he saw Chloe. Chloe, who sat behind him in AP Bio and smelled like vanilla and old books. Chloe, who was currently being cornered by Jason—the kind of guy who could make "what's your GPA" sound like a threat. Jason, who everyone called a bull behind his back, mostly because he charged through social situations without caring who he trampled.

Leo's feet moved before his brain could protest.

"Hey," he said, voice cracking slightly. "Chloe, your fish looks kind of—I mean, I think your fish needs... something."

Jason stared at him. "What fish?"

"His fish," Leo said, gesturing vaguely toward the mantelpiece. Kevin the goldfish swam in aggressive circles, somehow judging everyone.

Chloe's eyes widened. She grabbed Leo's arm. "Right. My fish. Thanks, Leo."

She pulled him toward the backyard, where Maya's golden retriever lay sprawled across the patio like a furry rug. The dog thumped its tail as they approached.

"That was the worst thing I've ever witnessed," Chloe said, but she was smiling. "And I'm pretty sure that's not my fish."

"His name is Kevin," Leo admitted. "I panicked."

"Leo?" Chloe's voice softened. "You just stood up to Jason Miller. That was actually... pretty brave."

The dog rolled onto its back, demanding belly rubs. Chloe laughed, dropping beside it. Leo sat too, their shoulders brushing, and somewhere inside, a goldfish swam in circles, probably judging them both.

"Next time," Chloe said, "maybe leave Kevin at home."

"Yeah," Leo grinned. "Next time."