Poolside Goldfish

Maya's cousin Luis was bragging again at the pool party, going on about how he'd totally nailed his SAT prep and was basically a genius now. Meanwhile, Maya was clutching her red Solo cup like it was a lifeline, hyper-aware that she was the only one wearing a one-piece while everyone else rocked bikinis that cost more than her entire wardrobe.

"Yo Maya, you gonna swim or just hold up the wall?" Luis called out, splashing water her way.

Before she could even think of a comeback, Brianna—the queen bee of sophomore year—floated over on an inflatable flamingo. "Don't be mean, Luis." She turned to Maya. "Hey, your hair looks super cool actually. Is that, like, intentional?"

Maya's hand flew to her frizz, which had exploded in the humidity. "Um... thanks?"

"No for real, it's giving mermaid vibes." Brianna pointed at the far end of the pool. "Some of us were gonna grab those goldfish from the decorative bowl and race them. You in?"

Maya blinked. "You're gonna what now?"

"It's Julio's sister's quinceañera setup," Brianna whispered conspiratorially, dipping her palm into the water and creating tiny waves. "She'll never notice two fish. Live a little, Maya."

Something about Brianna's expectant look made Maya say yes when normally she'd have made up an excuse about having to study. And suddenly there she was, crouching beside an ornate ceramic bowl with a plastic net, scooping up two unsuspecting orange fish while Brianna kept lookout.

They ended up squeezed onto the flamingo together, cheering for their fish to reach the other side first. Brianna's fish was winning, obviously, because it was Brianna's everything, but Maya found herself laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.

"Dude, you're actually chill," Brianna said when they finally put the fish back, her legs still tangled with Maya's in the shallow end. "Why don't you ever come to these things?"

Maya shrugged, suddenly aware that Brianna's perfectly styled hair was starting to frizz too in the pool air. "I don't know. Figured you guys wouldn't want me here."

"We literally invited you three times," Brianna deadpanned. Then she grinned. "Next weekend, sleepover at my place. No fish, I promise. But there will be pizza."

"Deal," Maya said, and for the first time all summer, she didn't feel like the goldfish in the bowl—watching everyone else swim by while she stayed pressed against the glass.