Shallow End, Deep Secrets

The pool party at Tyler's house was supposed to be chill. Just the squad, some snacks, maybe a game of volleyball. But I should've known better. Nothing's ever chill when Mia's around.

I'm standing in the shallow end, feeling ridiculous. The **water** rises to my waist, chlorine stinging my nose, while everyone else hangs out on the pool deck looking like they stepped out of a TikTok. Jordan's already posted three stories. I can feel my phone vibrating in my beach bag somewhere—probably more notifications I don't want to check.

"You coming in or what?" Tyler calls from the diving board. He does this perfect cannonball that sends a wave right at me. Classic Tyler move.

I'm about to respond when I notice Maya watching me from her lounge chair. Not normal watching—like, actually studying me. Like she's trying to **spy** on whatever's going through my head. Maya's been my best **friend** since sixth grade, back when we both had matching braces and couldn't talk to boys without dissolving into giggles. But lately? Everything's different. She's chasing popularity like it's limited edition, and I'm just... here. Existing in the background while she levels up socially.

The worst part is I know she told Tyler I like him. I found out through Alexa, who heard it from Brianna, who definitely got it from Maya's Instagram close friends story. And now I'm stuck at this party, pretending everything's normal while Mia—the literal human embodiment of confidence—keeps touching Tyler's arm every time he laughs.

I can't **bear** it anymore. The emotional weight, the performative casualness, the way everyone's carefully curating their image even while supposedly having fun. I grab my towel and head toward the house.

"Where you going?" Maya calls out, all fake concern. "You okay?"

I turn back, hair dripping, feeling suddenly powerful. "Yeah. Just needed to get out before I drowned in all the fake laughter."

Tyler actually looks confused. But Maya? Maya looks caught. And honestly? That's worth more than any perfect pool party aesthetic.