Green at the Pool Party

Maya's palms were sweating so much she could practically water plants with them. She stood by the **pool** at Tyler's house, clutching a red plastic cup, feeling like the world's most awkward **zombie**—dead inside, shambling around, trying to look alive.

"Hey, you gonna swim or just hover like a ghost?"

She jumped. It was Leo from her English class, wearing swim trunks with flamingos on them. Of all people.

"I'm good," Maya said, but then Chloe—the actual worst—shouted from across the yard: "OMG Maya, you have **spinach** in your teeth! Are you seriously eating salad at a pool party?"

The laughter started before she could even react. Maya's face burned like it was on fire. She dropped her cup and started **running** toward the gate, tears already stinging her eyes.

"Wait!" Leo caught up to her, breathless. "Don't leave. Chloe's being a jerk."

Maya wiped her eyes. "It's not just that. I haven't been sleeping because my grandma's in the hospital, and I came because my mom said I should 'act normal,' but I feel terrible and—"

"Hold out your hand," Leo said suddenly.

"What?"

"Your **palm**. My abuela taught me palm reading. It's dumb, but... let me see."

Maya hesitated, then held out her hand. Leo studied it like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"You're going through something hard," Leo said softly. "But you're strong. And..." He smiled. "You're gonna be okay."

Maya actually laughed. "That's so fake."

"Maybe," Leo shrugged. "But sometimes you need to hear it anyway."

They sat by the pool the rest of the party, talking about everything and nothing. Maya didn't go swimming, but for the first time in weeks, she didn't feel like she was drowning either.