The Cat Who Paddled

Maya's entire summer had dissolved into an endless scroll through her iPhone, her thumb moving on autopilot while her real life collected dust in the corner like last year's forgotten resolutions.

"You need vitamin D," her mom announced, thrusting a bottle of neon gummies at her. "Also, human contact. Possibly fresh air. I've heard great things about fresh air."

Maya rolled her eyes so hard she practically saw her own brain. "I'm fine. My friends are online."

"The people who like your posts aren't your friends, Maya. They're your audience."

The words stung because they were true.

Then came the swimming incident — the one her mom swore would "change everything." Maya showed up at the community pool with zero intention of actually entering the water. She'd perfected the art of poolside lurking, iPhone clutched in hand like a lifeline.

That's when she saw him.

The new kid from down the street — Leo, something-or-other — standing at the edge of the pool, staring in horror as a orange tabby cat paddled frantically through the water like a tiny, furious boat.

"Is that... swimming?" Maya found herself asking, completely abandoning her phone.

"That's Vitamin," Leo groaned, already rolling up his jeans. "My grandma's cat. She's obsessed with water. It's weird, okay? Don't judge."

"I'm definitely judging," Maya said, but she was already moving toward them. "But also kind of impressed?"

Together, they fished the soggy cat out of the pool. Vitamin shook herself vigorously, spraying water everywhere while Leo and Maya stood there dripping and laughing like they'd known each other for years instead of minutes.

"Want to see something actually impressive?" Leo asked, still grinning. "I can teach Vitamin to high-five. It's the dumbest thing you'll ever witness."

"Show me," Maya said. And for the first time all summer, she didn't reach for her phone once.