Operation: Goldfish

Maya had basically mastered the art of being lowkey. Not invisible, just strategically overlooked — the kind of girl who blended into the background like a human NPC. But being the school's unofficial **spy** wasn't exactly a choice. More like a survival mechanism when you're socially awkward and notice everything.

She'd been watching Liam since September. Not in a creepy way — okay, maybe kinda creepy. He was everything she wasn't: loud, genuine, surrounded by people who actually seemed to vibe with him. Maya collected intel like it was her job. He wore mismatched socks on Tuesdays. He secretly fed the stray cats behind the gym. He had this laugh that hit different, like sunshine through curtains.

Her only confidant was Bubbles, her dad's ancient **goldfish**. Maya would spill her entire soul into his tiny bowl while he did those judgment-adjacent mouth movements. "You're down bad," he seemed to say. "Just talk to him already."

Then came Jordan's pool party — the main event of sophomore year. Maya only got an invite because her mom was besties with Jordan's mom, and apparently nepotism extended to high school social circles.

Standing poolside, clutching a solo cup like a lifeline, Maya watched Liam cannonball. **water** exploded everywhere, soaking half the party. He surfaced, grinning like he'd won the lottery, and locked eyes with her.

"You good?" he called, splashing **water** her way. "Jump in!"

"I can't swim," Maya blurted — technically true, possibly the most cringe confession possible.

Liam shrugged. "Neither can I. Watch this." He demonstrated the worst doggy-paddling known to humanity, and somehow it was charming as hell.

She spent the rest of the night in the shallow end with him, discussing everything from whether **goldfish** actually had three-second memories (they don't) to how being a perpetual observer was exhausting. The **water** felt different when you were in it instead of watching from the edge.

Turns out, Liam had noticed her too. He'd seen her sketching in the library, been waiting for an opening.

"I didn't know you paid attention," Maya said later, legs dangling in the **water**, chlorine making her skin prickle.

"Of course I did," he said, voice soft. "You're kind of hard to miss."

Maya considered mentioning her months of reconnaissance, how she'd been his personal FBI agent since September. Instead she just smiled. "Yeah. You too."

That night, Maya gave Bubbles extra food. "I think I'm done with all that spying stuff," she told him. Bubbles did a little flip that looked like approval.

For the first time, Maya didn't feel like an NPC. She felt like she was finally swimming.