Green Teeth & Golden Hour

Alex, 16, stood frozen at the edge of Taylor's pool party. The humidity had transformed Alex's carefully styled hair into a frizzy halo. The creamed spinach from dinner might still be lodged between their teeth - too nervous to check, too terrified to smile.

The real problem: Alex had never learned swimming. In landlocked Ohio, it hadn't mattered. But here, at the Party of the Season, everyone was cannonballing off the diving board while Alex remained fully clothed and mortified.

Taylor's little brother charged past in a bear costume, splashing into the shallow end like a determined cub.

"You coming in?" Taylor appeared beside Alex, dripping wet, impossibly gorgeous. The person at the very top of the social pyramid, somehow talking to Alex from somewhere in the middle.

"I can't swim," Alex said, before they could lie.

Taylor's face softened. "That's actually kind of awesome. You're uncorrupted by pool culture."

"Is that a thing?"

"I'm making it a thing." Taylor sat beside Alex on the lounge chair. "You know, these parties are exhausting. Everyone performing, trying to climb the pyramid." Taylor gestured at the groups. Varsity by the grill, debate team near the snacks. "High school threw itself a birthday party and nobody RSVP'd no."

"And you're at the top."

"Which means I'm supposed to be having the most fun." Taylor studied Alex. "You know, I have spinach in my teeth right now, don't I?"

Alex froze. "Uh -"

"It's fine." Taylor grinned, green fleck visible between front teeth. "If we both have it, nobody can say anything. We're matching."

"Matching in our humiliation."

"Or matching in our authenticity." Taylor stood, held out a hand. "Come on. I'll teach you. My dad can't swim either. Says he's like a captive bear - hates getting his fur wet, refuses to leave his den."

Alex took Taylor's hand. The bear-costumed brother splashed them as they waded in. The water felt like forgiveness - cool and accepting and deeper than fear.

"I'm ready," Alex said.

"Good," Taylor said, grinning. "Because you're about to learn from the best."

Behind them, someone started a human pyramid. Alex didn't look back.