Poolside Papaya Secrets

The sun beat down on the chlorinated water, but I couldn't enjoy the pool party like everyone else. My mind was racing, heart doing that weird fluttery thing it does when everything feels wrong.

Three days ago, my best friend stopped replying to my texts. Then I saw her Instagram story – hanging out with Jessica from the volleyball team. Jessica, who I'd literally (and not literally) hated since seventh grade.

I felt like a total creep, but I couldn't stop myself. I became a spy, stalking Maya's socials like it was my full-time job. Every new post stung: her at Starbucks with people I didn't know, her looking flawless in outfits we should've been shopping for together. My iphone battery was draining from all the refreshing, just like my energy was draining from all the overthinking.

"You good?" Maya's voice cut through my mental spiral. She stood at the pool's edge, dripping wet, hair slicked back.

I wanted to scream. Instead I shrugged. "Fine."

She frowned, then her face lit up. "Oh my god, I forgot to tell you!" She dug through her bag and pulled out this weird-looking fruit. "My abuela sent me home with papayas from her garden. They're supposedly amazing for your skin? I was gonna save you one."

"You... what?"

"I've been at Jessica's house all week helping her with this massive bio project," Maya said, like it was obvious. "We've been practically living in her basement. Why haven't you answered MY texts?"

I blinked. Pulled out my phone. Do Not Disturb had been on since Tuesday.

"Oh."

"Yeah, 'oh.'" Maya rolled her eyes but grinned. "You're so dramatic. Now try this papaya smoothie I made, it's actually fire."

The first sip was weird – tropical and sweet and nothing like what I expected. But by the second sip, I was laughing. Some friendships survive miscommunications and social media spirals. Some survive papaya experiments.

"Okay but actually," I said, "this is low-key delicious."

Maya smirked. "Told you. Now get in the pool, loser."

Some things never change. And honestly? I wouldn't want them to.