Poolside Secrets

The chlorine stung my eyes, but I didn't care. I was too busy staring at Maya across the pool, her hair wet and slicked back like she'd just walked out of a music video. My iPhone buzzed in my pocket — probably another notification I'd ignore until I worked up the nerve to actually talk to her.

"You're being a creep again," Liam said, splashing water in my direction. "Either go over there or stop staring like you're trying to become her personal spy."

"Shut up," I muttered, but he wasn't wrong. I'd been watching Maya's Instagram stories all week like it was my job. Pathetic, really.

The problem was, ever since she'd transferred to our school last month, she'd been wrapped up with Jake's crew. And Jake was a piece of work — always bragging about his dad's money, talking over people, spouting absolute bull about his "connections" in the music industry. Nobody bought it, but everyone laughed along because that's what you did when Jake held court.

"Hey!" someone shouted. Jake was standing on the diving board, phone raised. "Who wants to see me do a backflip?"

Maya was watching him, and my stomach did that annoying twisty thing. She was smiling, but not like she was impressed. More like she was humoring him.

Then Jake jumped — and completely wiped out. He hit the water wrong, surfaced coughing, and everyone went dead silent for three seconds before losing it. Even Maya cracked up.

I caught her eye. She grinned and mouthed "wow" with so much sarcasm I almost laughed out loud.

My iPhone buzzed again. A DM from Maya: "That was the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen. Are you coming over here or what?"

Liam punched my shoulder. "Told you to stop spying and start talking."

I dried off and headed toward her, finally ready to stop watching from the sidelines.