Pool Party Apocalypse

Maya stood at the edge of the pool, clutching her phone like a lifeline. Two weeks at Northwood High and she was still officially The New Girl, which meant everyone either stared too much or not at all. The Friday night pool party at Jake's house had felt like social suicide when she'd gotten the invite, but saying no would've been worse.

She was operating on three hours of sleep—thanks to that honors history paper due at midnight—and felt like a literal zombie. Maybe that's why she'd agreed to come. Her brain was too fried to overthink it.

"You gonna swim or just stand there looking like a sphinx guarding secrets?"

Maya jumped. Jake. Actual Jake, with wet hair and the kind of easy confidence that made her stomach do that annoying fluttery thing. He was holding a red cup, grinning like he'd known her forever.

"I'm... contemplating my life choices," she said, which was honestly bold for someone whose social anxiety usually made her as talkative as a rock.

He laughed. "Fair. Danny brought his dog, by the way. He's somewhere around here being an emotional support animal for everyone who's failing chemistry."

As if on cue, a golden retriever bolted past them, barking at absolutely nothing, and nearly took out a sophomore named Tyler who'd been attempting to look cool leaning against the patio furniture.

"That's Barnaby," Jake said. "He's a chaotic good boy."

Maya smiled despite herself. "I like him."

"You should. He's got better social skills than half the people here." Jake gestured toward the pool. "Also, my sister Chloe made you try that weird green vitamin smoothie she's obsessed with. Said you looked like you needed it."

A girl with purple highlights appeared beside them, thrusting a glass toward Maya. "It's got spirulina and adaptogens and shit. You look dead on your feet."

"Thanks," Maya said, taking it. "I think."

"Chloe, this is Maya. Maya, my annoying sister who thinks she's a wellness influencer."

"Nice to meet someone who doesn't already know my entire trauma history," Chloe said before disappearing back toward the house.

Maya took a sip of the smoothie. It tasted like grass and false hope.

"So," Jake said, dipping his feet in the pool. "You coming in or what?"

The old Maya would've made an excuse. The old Maya would've gone home and replayed the evening in her head, wondering what could've happened if she'd been braver. But Zombie Maya, running on exhaustion and something weirdly like hope, kicked off her flip-flops.

"Yeah," she said. "Yeah, I am."