Palm Reads & Pool Sides

Chloe's mom had shoved the bottle of gummy vitamins at her that morning, muttering something about 'growth spurts and teenage brains,' but right now, Chloe's brain was 100% focused on not drowning in social humiliation.

She stood at the edge of Maya's pool party, clutching her towel like a lifeline. Her hair was supposed to be beach waves—had spent forty-five minutes with the curling iron achieving them—but the humidity had other plans. Now it was more like 'frizz explosion 2024.'

Meanwhile, Jessica was across the pool, looking perfect with her sleek bob and designer swimsuit, holding court with half the soccer team. Because of course Jessica was holding court. Jessica was probably born holding court.

"Hey, Chlo!" Maya waved from her inflatable flamingo. "Get in! The water's perfect!"

Chloe hesitated. She'd gotten a splash of pool water on her arm earlier and her skin had immediately reacted. Thanks, universe. She was basically allergic to fun.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Her cat, Miso, had sent another nonsense text from her mom's phone (why her mother let the cat 'walk' across the keyboard every morning, she'd never understand). It read: 'qwer78u3i49r0p['. Classic Miso.

"You doing palm readings today?" It was Leo, sliding up beside her. He had that easy smile that made her stomach do things she didn't want to analyze too deeply.

"What? No. I mean—wait, how did you know I even do that?"

"You did mine at that fall festival last year," Leo said. "Told me I'd have a 'life-changing summer.' So far I've just played Fortnite and argued with my brother."

Chloe felt herself relaxing. "Well, maybe the life-changing part is still coming. Fate works on her own timeline, you know."

"Yeah?" Leo extended his hand, palm up. "Read it again. Update me on my destiny."

His palm was warm when she touched it, tracing the life line with her finger. She wasn't actually into this stuff—she'd learned it from a YouTube video for a talent show gag—but Leo's eyes were serious, interested.

"Hmm," she pretended to study. "Interesting. Very interesting."

"What? What do you see?"

"I see..." She looked up, smiling. "Someone who should probably get in the pool before Jessica over there decides you're her next target."

Leo laughed, and it was this genuine sound that made something in her chest feel light. "You saved my life. Again."

They cannonballed together, and somewhere in the splash and the chaos of pool-noodle warfare, Chloe's frizzy hair didn't matter anymore. The vitamins could wait. Her phone—probably now autocorrecting Miso's gibberish into something embarrassing—could wait.

For the first time all day, she wasn't worried about how she looked. She was just... here. Floating. Okay with being exactly who she was.