Shallow End, Deep Truth

Maya's phone buzzed with another text from Jordan: *U coming? Regionals in 20.*

Maya stared at her running shoes by the door, then at the packed duffel bag with her swimsuit. Same Friday night as always — Jordan was running the 3200-meter, and Maya was supposed to be there screaming herself hoarse like the ultimate friend. The friend who always showed up, always hype, always riding Jordan's wave.

But tonight Maya was tired. Tired of being the side character in Jordan's spotlight story.

*Can't. Staying late for extra swim practice,* she typed back, knowing Jordan would roll their eyes at the excuse. Swimming was just Maya's thing now, ever since the shin splints killed her running dreams last season. Jordan had been understanding, but there was this weird distance lately, like Maya's choice to dive into pool water instead of pounding pavement had changed everything between them.

The aquatic center was strangely peaceful, the chlorine smell familiar and calming. Maya slipped into the cool water, cutting through the silence with steady strokes. No cheering crowds, no pressure, no Jordan narrating every moment like it belonged to both of them.

Twenty laps later, Maya pulled herself out, water dripping from her hair. Her phone lit up again.

*Coach said u looked good at sectionals. U瞒't tell me u made state cutoffs.*

Maya stared at the screen, her heart racing. She hadn't told Jordan about the qualifying times. Hadn't wanted to make it about her winning when Jordan had missed their own cutoff by two seconds.

*Didn't want to jinx it,* Maya typed slowly. *We can talk about it tomorrow.*

*Running over now,* Jordan texted back. *Bring it.*

And just like that, Maya understood what she'd been running from all along. Not the sport, not the competition, but the fear that her friendship with Jordan couldn't handle both of them being winners at the same time.

She grabbed her towel, water still clinging to her skin like second thoughts, and headed for the lobby. Jordan was already there, breathless and grinning, holding two Gatorades like nothing had changed.

"State qualifiers, huh?" Jordan bumped Maya's shoulder. "Guess I need to step up my game."

"Guess you do," Maya smiled, and for the first time in months, the water between them didn't feel so deep after all.