Riddles and Goldfish

The party was already in full swing when Maya arrived, the bass vibrating through the soles of her knock-off Vans. She'd spent forty-five minutes on her makeup just to look like she wasn't trying. Classic.

"You made it!" Kai yelled over the music, appearing with two red cups. "Want some jungle juice?"

"What's in it?"

"Fruit punch and absolutely zero alcohol, I promise." He grinned. "My mom's literally in the kitchen."

Maya relaxed a little. She took the cup, following Kai through the crowded living room where people were dancing—or whatever you called that awkward jumping motion everyone did when they were trying too hard.

Then she saw HIM.

Julian. Leaning against the wall by the aquarium like he hadn't a care in the world, looking effortlessly good in that way that made her stomach do actual gymnastics. He was talking to Sasha, who'd somehow managed to position herself directly under the spinning disco light.

"That's pure bull," Maya muttered to herself.

"What's bull?" Kai asked.

"Nothing. Just... admiring the decor." She gestured vaguely at a poster of a Greek sphinx someone had taped to the wall. "Very educational."

Kai snorted. "That's been there since seventh grade. My sister's ancient history phase."

Maya's phone buzzed. A text from her best friend: *WYD?*

*Existing awkwardly at Kai's party. Julian is here and I forgot how to words.*

*GO TALK TO HIM*

*Easy for u to say u don't get tongue-tied*

She was still typing when she felt someone behind her.

"Hey Maya."

She turned around way too fast. Some of her punch splashed onto her hand. Smooth.

"Julian! Hey! What's up!" Her voice went up at the end. Why did it do that.

"Not much." He nodded toward the aquarium behind her. "Your fish looks depressed."

Maya turned. The single goldfish in Kai's tank was indeed floating near the bottom, looking distinctly unimpressed with teenage party life. "His name is Bubbles and he's having an existential crisis."

Julian laughed. Actually laughed. "What kind of crisis?"

"The kind where you realize you're swimming in circles in a tiny glass box while everyone else is out there living their best lives." She gestured at the party. "Relatable content, honestly."

"That's... weirdly deep." He studied her with newfound interest. "You always this philosophical about depressed pets?"

"Only on Tuesdays. And when there's awkward punch involved."

"Want to go look at that weird sphinx poster instead?" Julian nodded toward the living room. "I've been staring at it for twenty minutes trying to figure out why it's staring into my soul."

Maya's heart did that thing where it forgot how to rhythm. "Lead the way."

As they walked away, she caught Sasha's confused expression and felt something like triumph. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so awkward after all.

The goldfish continued swimming in circles, completely unaware it had just changed lives.