Poolside Recon Mission

Maya felt like a zombie by third period, thanks to staying up until 3 AM doomscrolling through crush Carson's Instagram from 2019. Now here she was, hiding behind a stack of cafeteria trays, basically conducting a full-on spy operation just to figure out if Carson liked swimming—which seemed random, but hear her out.

"You're being creepy," whispered Jordan, sliding into the seat beside her. Jordan, who had been Maya's best friend since kindergarten and definitely knew better than to interrupt a stakeout. "Also, you have ketchup on your chin."

"Did you see his story yesterday?" Maya ignored the ketchup comment. "The pool filter background? The wet hair? He's definitely on the swim team. Or he just really likes recreational aquatic activities."

"Or maybe he just went swimming. Like normal people do." Jordan stole a fry from her tray. "You know what you need? To stop lurking and actually talk to him."

"Hard pass." Maya adjusted her hiding position. "Conversation requires social skills I don't possess. I'm more of a observe-from-afar-until-graduation type of person."

But then came the announcement: tryouts for the relay team. Because the universe had a twisted sense of humor.

"No way," Maya said when Jordan literally dragged her to the pool deck after school. "I haven't gone swimming since eighth grade. I doggy-paddled through that unit and called it a day."

"Exactly." Jordan pushed her toward the sign-up sheet. "Carson's the team captain. This is perfect. And who knows, maybe you're secretly talented."

Spoiler: Maya was not secretly talented. She spent the entire tryout gasping for air while doing something that generously could be called running—but horizontally, through water, while wearing a too-tight swimsuit that made her question every life choice.

"Your form is... enthusiastic," Carson said afterward, standing entirely too close. "But you've got potential. Want me to help you work on it?"

Maya's brain short-circuited. "I—what? Really?"

"Yeah." Carson smiled. Actually smiled. "Practice starts tomorrow at 6. Don't be late."

Walking away from the pool, Maya felt something shift. Maybe she wasn't a zombie anymore. Maybe sometimes the scariest things—like trying something new, or letting yourself be seen—could turn into something good. Even if you had to risk looking ridiculous first.

"So," Jordan grinned. "About that 'I don't do conversation' line?"

"Shut up." But Maya was smiling too. "And yes, you can be maid of honor at the wedding."