Poolside Surveillance

Chloe pressed her back against the garage wall, heart hammering like she'd just chugged three energy drinks. Officially, she was at Maya's birthday party. Unofficially, she was on a mission—Operation: Don't Look Like a Total Loser in Front of Everyone.

The backyard was basically social warfare territory. Popular kids clustered around the **pool**, their perfect bodies glistening. Chloe's swimsuit was from last season (ancient, basically), and she'd forgotten to shave her ankles. A solid start.

"Chloe! You made it!" Maya waved from the deep end, doing that effortless dolphin-paddle thing that made everyone look like a mermaid. "Come in!"

"Yeah, totally! Just need to... find my goggles!" Chloe lied smoothly. She'd never owned goggles in her life.

She surveyed the area like a total **spy**, cataloging threats: Jenna by the snacks (judgmental eye roll capacity: high), Tyler playing beer pong with his shirt off (distraction level: critical), and some random freshman crying quietly near the fence (safe to approach).

Chloe crept toward the crying girl, accidentally stepping in something suspicious. A **dog**—Maya's Golden Retriever, Buster—had clearly claimed this corner as his own.

"Oh, hey," Chloe whispered, crouching beside the girl. "You okay?"

The girl sniffled. "Everyone's just so... cool. And I'm just here."

Chloe's chest did that weird fluttery thing. "Honestly? I'm literally hiding behind a dog because I'm scared to get in the **water**."

The girl giggled. "I'm Lily. Wanna not-get-in together?"

"Deal. I'm Chloe."

They spent the next hour being antisocial heroes together—judging outfits, roasting Tyler's hair, and feeding Buster chips when Maya wasn't looking. By the time Jenna dramatically splashed everyone, Chloe realized something stupid but important: sometimes the worst-case scenario was actually just finding your people.

"Wanna actually get in?" Lily asked. "Together?"

Chloe looked at the pool—sparkling, terrifying, full of everything she'd feared. She grabbed Lily's hand.

"Let's do this."

They jumped in screaming, and honestly? The water was perfect.