Saltwater Wakes

The Pacific Ocean crashed against my legs, freezing cold, but I couldn't feel anything anymore. Three days of finals had turned me into a total zombie—eyes burning, brain fried, functioning on caffeine and spite.

"Maya! You coming to the bonfire or what?"

I glanced back at the beach. Tyler's orange snapback glowed in the dying light like some kind of beacon. All the popular kids were there, of course. Taylor, with her perfect Instagram-ready life. The crew I'd been trying to impress since freshman year.

"Yeah," I called back. "Just need a minute."

The truth was, I didn't want to go back. I was tired of performing. Tired of laughing at jokes that weren't funny. Tired of being whoever they wanted me to be.

A wet nose pressed against my calf.

I jumped. A massive golden retriever sat there, tongue lolling, completely unbothered by the awkwardness radiating off me. He had one floppy ear and the most judgment-free face I'd ever seen.

"Hey, buddy." I sank into the wet sand, letting the water soak my denim shorts. "You here for the party too?"

He flopped down beside me like we'd been friends forever. No expectations. No social games. Just a dog who wanted company.

"You know what's stupid?" I whispered, scratching behind his ears. "I spent all year trying to fit in with people who don't actually care about me. Meanwhile, I'm sitting here with a stranger who's nicer than anyone at my school."

The dog made a snorting sound that sounded suspiciously like agreement.

The orange snapback was visible in the distance. Tyler was probably looking for me. Probably wondering why the weird quiet girl had wandered off.

I stood up, brushing sand from my legs. The dog watched me, head tilted.

"You coming?"

He bounced up, tail wagging like he'd just won the lottery.

We walked back together—me and this random beach dog—like it was the most normal thing in the world. Like maybe I didn't have to perform for anyone. Not anymore.

The bonfire crackled. Taylor laughed at something Tyler said. But for the first time all year, I didn't feel like I had to join in. I just sat by the fire with my new best friend, finally feeling something real.