Poolside Static

The pool glittered like liquid diamond under the July sun, but my stomach twisted like a wet towel. Another pool party where I didn't belong.

I clutched my iphone like a lifeline, scrolling through feeds that made everyone else's summer look like a movie montage. Meanwhile, I was just awkward girl in the corner, nursing a lukewarm soda.

"Hey, Earth to Maya."

I jumped. Alex stood there, hair dripping wet, droplets sliding down his neck. My palms started sweating immediately. Great. Just great.

"Your brother's looking for you," he said, tilting his head toward where everyone was playing chicken fights. "Wanna join?"

"Maybe later," I mumbled, staring at my phone like it held the secrets to the universe.

He shrugged. "Your loss. But seriously, you've been scrolling for twenty minutes. Whatever you're looking for isn't on there."

He walked away, and I wanted to disappear. Because he was right. I was hiding behind a screen again.

Then something brushed against my leg.

I looked down. A calico cat—probably a stray from the neighborhood—wound between my ankles like it owned the place. It purred loudly, demanding attention like it knew I needed a distraction.

"Hey there," I whispered, crouching down. The cat head-butted my hand, and for some reason, tears pricked my eyes. This creature didn't care if I was cool or awkward or hiding behind my phone.

"That's Mango. She shows up to every party."

Alex stood above me, holding out a hand. My palms were still sweaty, but I took it anyway.

"Wanna help me find her some treats? She likes the tuna crackers in the kitchen."

I nodded, leaving my phone on the table. For the first time all summer, I didn't reach for it once.

"So," Alex said as we walked toward the house, the cat following like a furry shadow. "What's actually interesting about you? Besides, you know, being the person who hangs out with cats at parties."

I laughed. "You'd be surprised."

The pool still glittered behind us, but the twisting in my stomach had finally unspooled into something else—something like possibility.