Goldfish Reconnaissance

The goldfish - nameless, orange, and perpetually suspicious - stared at me through the glass. I stared back.

"You gonna eat that spinach, or just inspect it?" My mom leaned against the doorframe, knowing damn well I'd already finished my plate.

"It's actually good now," I admitted, and the words felt weird in my mouth. Last year, I would've fought her on this. Now I was fifteen, and suddenly my taste buds had their own glow-up.

She nodded, satisfied. "Your sister's at the baseball game until nine. You're on goldfish duty. Don't let him spy on your passwords."

"Mom, he's a fish."

"He's got eyes. Use them." She left, and I was alone with the orange surveillance operative and my phone, which buzzed like it was trying to tell me something important.

The cable TV flickered in the background - something about the big game everyone was at except me. I could practically see it: Maya somewhere in the bleachers, probably laughing with her friends, probably not thinking about me at all. That was the thing about high school. You felt like everyone was watching, like you were the main character, but really you were just background noise in someone else's montage.

The goldfish did that creepy hovering thing fish do.

"You're judging me," I told it. "I can feel it."

It opened and closed its mouth, fish lips forming silent accusations about my lack of Friday night plans.

My phone lit up. A group chat notification. Everyone posting stories from the game - blurry photos, red cups, someone doing something stupid on the field. I felt that familiar twist in my chest, the FOMO that hit harder when you were stuck at home being responsible.

Then another notification. From Maya.

*Wish you were here. It's boring without you making fun of everyone's outfits.*

I stared at it. The goldfish stared at me.

*Miss you too,* I typed back. *Save me some of the vibe.*

The fish did a little swim-by, like it approved.

"Okay," I said. "You're not terrible at this spy thing."

The spinach-aftertaste in my mouth wasn't so bad anymore. Some things you grew into, whether you wanted to or not.