Poolside Confidential

Maya pressed her back against the side of the house, phone camera ready. She felt like such a **cat** — curious but terrified of getting caught. Her heart hammered as she inched closer to the wooden fence, desperate to see what was happening at Jake's pool party. The one she definitely wasn't invited to.

Through the gap in the fence, she could see the shimmering blue water of the **pool**, filled with popular kids laughing and splashing. Maya's crush, Jake, stood by the deep end, looking absolutely perfect in his swim trunks. She felt pathetic, literally **spying** on a party like some creepy stalker instead of being there living her best life.

"Nice angle," a voice whispered behind her.

Maya practically jumped out of her skin. Riley, the quiet girl from her English class, stood there with an amused smile. "I'm not **spying**," Maya lied, face burning. "I was just... checking my reception."

"Totally." Riley sat beside her. "Jake's parties are legendary. Last year, some kid did a cannonball off the roof and cracked the concrete."

"No way."

"Way. My brother was there." Riley pulled out her phone, showing Maya a TikTok of a guy dancing by the same fence. "This went viral. Everyone thinks Jake's the **fox** with the best parties, but honestly? His cousin Sophie plans everything."

They sat there for an hour, trading stories and watching the party unfold through the fence crack. Riley was surprisingly cool, with dry humor and zero interest in being popular.

"Want to crash it?" Riley asked suddenly.

Maya hesitated. The old Maya would've said no. But something about Riley's confidence made her brave. "Hell yes."

They marched through the gate like they owned the place. When Jake spotted them, he didn't ask why they weren't on the guest list. He just waved them over, handing them both **water** bottles.

"Finally!" he said. "Sophie said you two were the coolest people she hasn't met yet."

Maya glanced at Riley, who winked. Sometimes the best parties happen when you stop watching from the outside and jump in the **water**.