Operation Goldfish

The sun hat was my mother's idea. A massive, floppy monstrosity with a ridiculous pink bow that screamed 'I have no social awareness.' I stood at the edge of Jenna's pool party gripping my red solo cup like it was a life raft, the brim of the hat creating a cone of isolation around me.

I was supposed to be having fun. This was what normal fifteen-year-olds did on Saturdays—swimming, flirting, pretending to be chill. But I wasn't normal. I was a spy in my own life, collecting intel on how to be a regular teenager without ever actually participating.

'Hey, Maya.' Chase materialized beside me, dropping his towel on a lounge chair. His hair was wet from swimming, droplets catching the sunlight like he'd been dipped in glitter. Chase, who'd sat next to me in biology since September and never once acknowledged my existence until now.

I tugged the hat brim lower. 'Hey.'

'Nice hat,' he said, and I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. That was the problem with people—they had layers and subtext and I was terrible at decoding either.

'My mom made me wear it. Sun protection.' I hated how my voice sounded small.

Chase laughed, but not mean. 'That's actually kind of awesome. My mom would never care enough to fight me about a hat.' He gestured toward the pool. 'Everyone's doing a chicken fight tournament if you want in. Jenna and Trevor are undefeated.'

I looked at the water—turbulent with bodies, splashing and shouting. Then I saw a small, isolated goldfish bowl near the snack table, a single orange fish swimming in endless circles, completely alone despite being surrounded by chaos.

'Actually,' I said, surprising myself, 'I think I'll pass. Someone's gotta keep this goldfish company.' I gestured to the bowl.

Chase followed my gaze, then grinned. 'No way. That's legit.' He dropped onto the grass beside me, crossing his legs. 'What's its name?'

'Agent Double-Oh-Seven,' I said without thinking.

Chase burst out laughing. 'Of course. Undercover fish.' He leaned back on his hands. 'You know, you're kind of weird, Maya.'

My stomach dropped. 'Weird how?'

'Good weird.' He watched the goldfish swim. 'Like, you're at this huge party with all these people trying so hard to be cool, and you're just over here vibing with a fish. It's fearless.'

I looked at him—really looked. The water dripping from his hair, the way he wasn't checking his phone to see who was watching us. 'I'm not fearless,' I admitted. 'I'm terrified.'

'Me too.' Chase's voice dropped. 'Why do you think I'm over here talking to the fish instead of in the pool getting humiliated by Jenna?'

We sat there for twenty minutes while the party raged behind us—two undercover agents trading secrets while Agent Double-Oh-Seven swam endless circles, blissfully unaware that he was the reason two people finally stopped spying and started talking.