Poolside Paranoia

The chlorine stung my eyes as I stared across the pool, watching Tyler laugh with his friends. This was it—Jessica's birthday bash, the social event of the summer, and I was hovering near the snack table like some undercover spy gathering intel instead of actually, you know, participating.

"You good, Maya?" Marcus asked, side-eyeing me as he grabbed a soda.

"Yeah! Totally good!" I said, maybe a little too loud. "Just... hydrating."

I lifted my water bottle like it was some kind of life-sustaining potion. My mom had made me pack these chewable vitamin C things earlier because "pool water wreaks havoc on your immune system, Maya." I'd almost died of embarrassment when she'd said that at the front door, but now I was actually grateful for the excuse to linger near the refreshments.

Tyler did a cannonball off the diving board, sending a wave of water splashing over the pool deck. Everyone screamed and laughed. My heart did this stupid little flutter thing that made me feel absolutely pathetic.

Across the pool, I caught Jessica whispering to her friends and glancing my way. Immediately, my brain went full spy mode. What were they saying? Was my swimsuit weird? Did I have something in my teeth? Oh god, was I THAT person—the awkward sophomore who couldn't even hang without looking like I was conducting a covert operation?

Then Jessica nudged Tyler and pointed at me.

Tyler nodded and started walking over. WATER. I needed WATER to appear occupied and casual and not like I'd been observing him like a complete weirdo for the past twenty minutes.

"Hey Maya," he said, dripping pool water everywhere. Smooth arms, wet hair, effortless confidence. "Jess said you brought those vitamin C things? She's getting a headache and Tylenol isn't helping."

I blinked. "Oh! Yeah, totally."

I dug through my bag and handed him the bottle. Our fingers brushed. I felt like I might spontaneously combust.

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver." He grinned. "Wanna play water volleyball? We need a sub."

The spy mission was over. Time to actually live. "Yeah," I said, and for the first time all afternoon, I didn't have to fake my smile. "I'd love to."