Pool Party Surveillance

The backyard was chaos — bodies everywhere, music thumping, laughter bouncing off the fence. I stood by the snack table, clutching my **iPhone** like a lifeline, refreshing Instagram for the third time in two minutes. Lame. I knew I was lame.

Across the pool, Kayla floated on an inflatable flamingo, hair slicked back, laughing at something Tyler said. Tyler, who'd somehow become popular over summer break. Tyler, who I'd been **spy**ing on via social media for weeks, analyzing every caption and story like I was solving a conspiracy instead of just having a normal crush.

"Yo, Marcus!" Tyler yelled, splashing water. "Get in here! The water's perfect!"

I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good."

My palms were actually sweating. This was the problem with being newly sixteen — suddenly every social interaction carried the weight of a final exam. I'd spent my whole childhood **swimming** in this exact pool, but today it felt like diving into shark-infested waters.

Then I felt it — brush against my leg. I jumped.

**Cat**.

Kayla's calico, Mango, wound between my legs like she owned the place. Which she kind of did. I knelt down, scratching behind her ears. She purred so loud I could feel it in my fingertips.

"She likes you," Kayla said, suddenly standing beside me, dripping wet. How had she gotten there so fast? "Mango doesn't like anyone. She's basically a furry judgment machine."

"Yeah, well, I'm good with animals." I shrugged, trying to play it cool. My heart was hammering. "Humans are harder."

"No kidding." She leaned against the table. "Tyler's been talking about you all week, by the way. Said you're finally trying out for the team next season?"

Wait. Tyler noticed me? Not just noticed — had been talking ABOUT me?

Outside, **lightning** cracked the sky, purple against the darkening clouds. Thunder followed three seconds later.

"Everyone inside!" someone yelled.

As the party erupted into motion, Kayla caught my eye. "Hey. Me and Tyler are gonna study for bio tomorrow. You should come over."

I stood there for a second, Mango still purring against my leg, rain starting to fall. Then I grabbed a towel, put my phone in my pocket — unlocked, unrefreshed — and followed them inside.

Some nights, you stop watching from the sidelines and just dive in.