The Dog Stole My Vibe

My beat-up Dodgers hat sat three inches deep in chlorine. Somewhere beneath the blue surface, along with my dignity. This was supposed to be casual—just the squad hanging at Maya's before sophomore year started—but naturally, her older brother's friends were here. Including Ryan, who'd barely acknowledged my existence since sixth grade.

"Your dog literally just robbed me," I said, dripping wet. Maya's golden retriever, Buster, stood proudly on the pool deck, my hat clamped in his jaws like a prize.

Maya laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone. "He's running! Buster, drop it!"

"He's not running," I muttered, hoisting myself out of the pool. "He's making a statement."

Ryan looked up from his chair. "Chill, it's funny."

Funny, sure. If you weren't the one whose hair looked like a drowned rat.

The chase took us through Maya's backyard, around the garden hose, past the lounge chairs where everyone was pretending not to watch. I could hear splashing behind me—Maya's friends recording, probably. Buster thought this was the best game ever, tail wagging as he sprinted toward the fence with my favorite hat.

"Dude, give it up!" I called, breathless.

Ryan appeared beside me, matching my pace. "Left flank."

We trapped Buster by the garden shed. My hat was slobbery but intact. Ryan bumped my fist like we did this every day.

"Solid teamwork," he said.

Maya's friend Leah filmed the whole thing. "That's definitely going on your story."

Later, perched on the pool edge with my hat back on my head (slightly warped, slightly gross), Ryan passed me a bag of chips.

"So," he said. "You trying out for basketball this year?"

"Maybe. You?"

"Already training with the varsity guys." He dipped a chip. "You should come by sometime."

Maya mouthed "WHAT" from behind his shoulder. I just shrugged, trying to look casual instead of screaming internally.

Buster chose that moment to shake himself off directly next to us, spraying water everywhere.

"This dog," I said, wiping chlorine off my face. "Is my new best friend."

Ryan laughed—a real one, not polite. "Same."

Sometimes the most embarrassing moments become exactly what you need. Even if they involve a stolen hat and a very wet golden retriever.