Poolside Truths

The chlorine stung my eyes, or maybe that was just the humiliation. Kai's pool party raged around me—bass thumping, bodies splashing, the whole Instagram-worthy scene. And me? Stuck on a lounge chair like a total loser, because my "friend" Maya had decided to ditch me the moment Taylor and the popular crew showed up.

"Riley, you coming in?" Maya called, already waist-deep in the pool, surrounded by people who wouldn't look at me twice yesterday.

"Nah, I'm good," I said, trying to sound chill instead of gutted.

That's when I heard it—a pathetic mewling from the other side of the privacy fence. A scrawny cat, soaked from someone's sprinkler, stared at me with eyes that said, "Yeah, life sucks, huh?" I scooped it up, not even caring that my white shirt was probably ruined.

"What's with the cat?" Maya appeared suddenly, dripping wet and actually looking at me.

"Found him. He seems cool."

She sat down beside me. "Look, about earlier..."

"It's whatever."

"It's not whatever." She sighed. "Taylor's crew makes me feel like I have to perform, you know? But you're my actual friend. The real one."

The cat purred like a tiny motorboat against my chest.

"I'm tired of bearing it," Maya said quietly. "Tired of pretending. This party sucks anyway."

"Wanna bail? There's a boba place down the street."

"Hell yes." She grabbed her towel, then paused. "You think that cat wants boba?"

"Bro, this cat has better taste than anyone at this party."

We left, pool noise fading behind us, two girls and a very judgmental cat walking toward something real.