Papaya at the Pool Party

The pool water sparkled like someone had dumped a million glitter packets in it, which honestly wouldn't surprise me at this point. This was Taylor's house, after all. Taylor, whose birthday parties were legendary, whose Instagram stories looked like a movie, and who had invited me – me, Maya, who spent most Fridays watching Netflix alone in her room.

I stood there in my one-piece swimsuit (two-pieces were so not happening) while people cannonballed and laughed and looked like they belonged in a teen drama. My so-called best friend since fourth grade, Priya, was somewhere inside, probably flirting with Jake from chemistry class. The same Jake who had made fun of my project presentation last week. Some friend, right?

"Maya! You made it!" Taylor appeared beside me, holding a tray of fruit skewers. "You have to try this papaya – my mom got it from this special market, it's literally life-changing."

Papaya. I'd never had it. My mom said it smelled like gym socks, but Taylor was already thrusting a skewer toward me with this expectant look, and everyone was watching, and suddenly this was A Thing.

I took the skewer. The fruit was orange and weirdly perfect, like it had been photoshopped in real life. I took a bite, expecting to hate it.

Instead – this explosion of sweetness, like sunshine and tropical vacations and everything I'd never experienced. My eyes widened.

"Right?!" Taylor grinned. "Also, I saw you standing here alone and I wanted to say – your science project was actually so cool. Jake's just being an idiot because he didn't understand it."

Something in my chest loosened. Taylor remembered my project?

Priya came outside then, laughing at something Jake said, and I realized something – real friends aren't the ones who've known you forever. Real friends are the ones who show up for you, even when it's awkward. Even at a pool party where you don't feel like you belong.

"Thanks," I said to Taylor. "And seriously, this papaya is legit."

She smiled like she'd been hoping I'd say that. "I knew you'd get it."