Pool Party Recon

I stood pressed against the snack table, conducting my usual surveillance operation. As the designated friend group **spy**, my job was knowing everything about everyone without actually talking to anyone. Jason's house was packed – bodies everywhere, music thumping, the **pool** glowing that artificial blue in the twilight.

Then I saw her.

Hailey emerged from the water like she was in a music video, water dripping from her perfect hair. My chest did that thing where it forgot how to work. We'd made out at Kai's party last month, then she'd ghosted me. Hard.

"She's been asking about you," whispered Zara, appearing beside me like she'd been teleported. "But honestly? Between you and me? That's **bull**. She's just trying to make Ryan jealous."

I rolled my eyes. "Since when did you become an expert on my love life?"

"Since you started acting like a **zombie** every time her name comes up. Seriously, Marcus, it's been three weeks. Either talk to her or get over it."

She wasn't wrong. I had been walking around dead inside, replaying that night we'd spent talking until 3 AM about everything and nothing. She'd gotten my weird obsession with space documentaries. She'd laughed at my terrible puns. I'd thought...

Whatever. It didn't matter what I'd thought.

"Whatever," I muttered, grabbing a soda. "I'm not going in there. You know I suck at **swimming**."

"That's literally the point. Everyone's in the pool, Marcus. Including Hailey." Zara raised an eyebrow. "Unless you're scared?"

I hated that she knew exactly which buttons to push.

The water looked terrifying and inviting at the same time. I hadn't gone swimming properly since summer camp three years ago, when I'd nearly drowned during a diving contest. But there was Hailey, floating near the edge, laughing at something some guy was saying.

Something snapped inside me.

I shed my hoodie, kicked off my slides, and cannonballed into the deep end.

The shock of cold water hit me like electricity. I surfaced, sputtering, while half the pool erupted in cheers. Hailey turned, her eyes locking onto mine. For a second, everything else – the music, the people, my awkward doggy-paddle – faded away.

"Marcus?" She swam over, grinning. "I didn't know you were here."

"Just arrived," I lied smoothly.

"Well," she said, splashing water at me, "you have terrible timing. I was just about to ask someone to help me with my diving technique. You interested?"

I laughed so hard I almost went under again.

"Let me just check my schedule," I said, treading water like my life depended on it. "I think I can fit you in."

Zara caught my eye from the pool edge and mouthed: You're welcome.

I flipped her off, but I was grinning like an idiot. Maybe being a zombie was overrated anyway. Sometimes you just had to jump in the deep end and hope you didn't drown.