Poolside Intelligence

Maya's palms were sweating, which was exactly why she was holding this stupid red cup like it contained state secrets instead of lukewarm punch.

"You gonna swim or what?" Tyler asked, flashing that grin that made half the sophomore class want to pass out. He was standing by the **pool**, shirt already off, because Tyler Reynolds was the kind of comfortable in his skin that most people spent their whole lives trying to fake.

"Maybe later," Maya managed, which was what she'd been saying for the past hour. The truth was, she'd forgotten to pack a swimsuit. Not that she'd admit that. Instead, she was playing it cool, leaning against the patio furniture like she was too above-it-all to jump in. Like she wasn't internally screaming about how everyone looked so effortless and she felt like a **spy** who'd forgotten her cover story.

Chloe appeared beside her, depositing a plate with what looked like salad remnants. "Your mom's spinach dip is actually fire, though."

"Oh my god, is there spinach in my teeth?" Maya panic-checked her reflection in the darkened patio door. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I literally just did. Also, you're good." Chloe rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "You're overthinking everything. Again."

Which was rich coming from Chloe, who'd spent twenty minutes earlier hiding in the bathroom because her ex was here with someone new. The whole social ecosystem of high school felt like some elaborate experiment they were all failing.

Tyler cannonballed into the water, sending a wave sloshing over the concrete. Someone squealed. Someone else pushed him under. And there it was—that weird tension where Maya desperately wanted to be part of it but also kind of hated herself for wanting it.

"You good?" Chloe asked softly.

"Yeah. Just." Maya gestured vaguely at nothing. "It's a lot, you know?"

"Yeah." Chloe bumped her shoulder. "Wanna bear hug it out?"

"I will literally push you in that pool."

"You'd have to actually get near the water first, coward."

Maya laughed, some of the tightness in her chest loosening. Maybe that was the thing nobody told you about growing up—how you'd spend half your time feeling like an imposter, but somehow you'd find the people who made even the awkward parts feel survivable. The ones who'd tell you about spinach in your teeth and still hang out with you anyway.

"Okay," Maya said, setting down her cup. "Okay. I'm gonna do it."

"Finally," Chloe said, but she was already taking off her sandals. "I've got your back."

Maya took a breath, shucked her shorts, and jumped. The water shocked her skin—cold and sudden and absolutely, terrifyingly alive.