Poolside Fracture

The chlorine stung Maya's nose as she hovered at the edge of the patio, nursing her solo cup like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Jordan's pool party raged around her—bodies cannonballing into turquoise water, bass thumping from someone's portable speaker, laughter slicing through the humid July air.

Maya clutched her iphone like a lifeline, scrolling through feeds she'd already seen twelve times. Anything to avoid the fact that she didn't know half these people and the other half barely acknowledged her existence. Senior year was supposed to be different. supposed to be the year she finally found her people, her vibe, her whatever.

Then the dog appeared.

A golden retriever puppy, maybe four months old, clumsily navigating the maze of legs and towels with that precious uncoordinated energy that makes even the coolest teenagers coo. It bounded toward Maya, tongue lolling, and promptly tripped over its own oversized paws, splashing into the shallow end with a yelp that was half indignation, half delight.

Maya laughed before she could stop herself.

"That's Biscuit," someone said behind her.

She turned to find Jordan's cousin Riley—the girl with the undercut and the vintage denim jacket who'd been in Maya's AP Bio class since freshman year but they'd never actually spoken. Riley held out a towel. "She's a disaster. My aunt got her last week and now the whole family regrets it."

"She's perfect though," Maya said, surprised by how steady her voice sounded.

"Right? Like, actual serotonin in canine form." Riley's grin was crooked, genuine. "I'm Riley, by the way. We have third period together."

"Maya."

"I know. You sit behind me in bio. You draw really cool stuff in your notes."

Maya felt something loosen in her chest. "You noticed?"

Riley shrugged, tucking wet hair behind her ear. "Hard not to. You drew this sick mermaid during the mitochondria lecture and I've been lowkey obsessed with it since."

"Wait, really?"

"Duh. You're like, actually talented. Unlike me, who can barely draw a stick figure without questioning my entire existence."

They sat together on the pool edge, feet dangling in the water as Biscuit paddled around them like a furry orange buoy. Maya's iphone stayed forgotten in her pocket. For the first time all summer, the anxiety quieted. Maybe senior year wouldn't be so lonely after all.

Maybe she'd just found her friend.