Poolside Prophecy

Maya's mom had dropped her off with a "have fun, sweetie" that was really code for "please make actual friends for once." Now she stood by the pool in her too-expensive swimsuit, nursing a lukewarm soda while half the sophomore class splashed around like they were in a music video. The backyard had been transformed into a tropical nightmare - complete with two pathetic palm trees in pots that looked like they'd seen better days.

That's when her ex-best friend Chloe emerged from the water, hair slicked back like a mermaid who'd peaked in middle school. "Maya! Finally. We're doing pyramid formations for Instagram. You're in."

"Pass," Maya said, but Chloe's friend group had already formed a literal human pyramid by the deep end, precarious and ready to collapse.

A chocolate lab named Buster came barreling out of nowhere, water spraying everywhere as he shook himself like a furry disaster. The dog plowed through the human pyramid like a bowling ball made of pure chaos. People went down screaming. Chloe's carefully applied mascara was suddenly running down her face.

Maya couldn't help it—she laughed. Actually laughed. For the first time since the school year started.

Buster's owner, a girl with wild curly hair and paint on her fingers, came rushing over. "I'm SO sorry," she said, grabbing the dog's collar. "I'm Riley, by the way. And this chaos demon is Buster."

"Maya," she said, wiping tears from her eyes. "That was the best thing I've seen all year."

Riley lowered her voice. "Wanna escape? I found this spot behind the garage where the WiFi doesn't reach. It's magical."

They ended up sitting on the grass, watching the party from a distance like anthropologists studying a strange tribe. Riley pulled a sketchbook from her bag, revealing pages filled with incredible drawings—cars that looked like they were flying, trees with faces, a pyramid made entirely of pizza slices.

"You're amazing," Maya said. "Like, actually amazing."

"I'm gonna be an automotive designer," Riley said matter-of-factly. "Already planning my portfolio for RISD."

They sat there for an hour, talking about everything and nothing while the party continued without them. Maya realized she'd spent so long trying to fit into Chloe's world that she'd forgotten to build her own.

"Hey," Riley said as Maya's mom's car pulled into the driveway. "School starts Monday. You should sit with me at lunch. I promise not to make you join any human pyramids."

Maya grinned, feeling lighter than she had in months. "Only if Buster promises to destroy them."