The Fox by the Pool

Maya's palms were literally sweating through her towel. The Taylor's annual pool party. Every Insta story would be about it tomorrow, and here she was, clutching her phone like a lifeline while actual humans socialized around her like normal people.

She'd forgotten her vitamin gummies at home—her pre-social event ritual, stupid but necessary. Now she felt exposed, raw, like everyone could sense her awkwardness radiating off her skin.

Then she saw him.

The fox. Not literally—though his reddish hair and clever eyes made the nickname kinda perfect. Danny had transferred to their school three weeks ago and already owned every hallway he walked through. He was currently draped across a pool chair, looking like he belonged in a music video while everyone tried way too hard to look chill around him.

The pool water sparkled behind him, all turquoise and artificially perfect, reflecting the late afternoon sun that filtered through the palm trees surrounding the Taylor's backyard. Maya suddenly remembered she was wearing a two-piece for the first time ever and her brain short-circuited.

"You gonna stand there all day or actually swim?"

She jumped. Danny was right behind her. How had he—

"I'm—" Her voice squeaked. Perfect. "I'm just... waiting. For the right moment."

"The water's not gonna bite, Maya." He knew her name. He knew her NAME. "Unless you're scared of getting wet?"

The challenge hung between them. His grin was all sharp edges and mischief, like he knew exactly how nervous he was making her and found it entertaining.

"I'm not scared."

"Prove it."

Before she could overthink it into paralysis, she jumped. The water rushed over her, cool and shocking against her skin. When she surfaced, spluttering and pushing hair from her eyes, Danny was already in the pool beside her, his white t-shirt plastered see-through against his chest.

"See?" He flicked water at her. "Not so bad."

"You're insufferable."

"You're smiling."

She was. And for the first time all afternoon, her palms were dry.