Goldfish Tears and Neon Skies

Maya's blue **hair** fell into her eyes as she stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. The DIY dye job had turned out more splotchy than sea-green ocean waves, but she didn't care. Today was the day she'd finally **run** away from everyone's expectations.

"You look like a smurf exploded on you," said Jay, her oldest **friend**, leaning against the doorframe with that annoying knowing smirk. But his eyes held something else – pride, maybe?

"Shut up, Jay. At least I'm not wearing that stupid varsity jacket anymore." She tugged at her oversized hoodie, feeling the freedom of finally dressing like herself.

The **goldfish** bowl sat on her windowsill, its single occupant – a tiny orange fish she'd named Glitter – swimming in endless circles. Her mom had bought it for her when she got sick last year, like a **vitamin** supplement in pet form. "Fish are therapeutic," she'd said. Maya thought Glitter looked lonely, just like she felt before she met Luna.

Luna was the reason for the blue hair. The reason Maya had signed up for cross country even though she hated **running**. The reason she'd finally come out as nonbinary to her parents last week.

But now Luna was ghosting her. No texts for three days. Maya's stomach twisted.

"You okay?" Jay's voice softened. "Still no word from Luna?"

Maya shook her head, blinking back tears. "Maybe I scared them off. Maybe this whole... me thing is too much."

"Maya." Jay stepped closer. "Luna didn't fall for some version of you. They fell for YOU. The blue hair, the running, the terrible goldfish puns – that's the package."

Her phone buzzed. Luna.

*Hey! Sorry, phone died. Can we meet? Want to show you something.*

Maya's heart leaped. She grabbed her keys, blue hair flowing behind her like a banner. Some things were worth **running** toward, even when you were terrified. And real friends? They loved every version of you, even the messy, blue-haired ones still figuring it out.

"Go get 'em, smurf," Jay called as she dashed out the door.

Glitter swam another circle in the bowl. Everything was going to be okay.