The Goldfish Operation

My hair was doing that thing again — the thing where it stuck up in the back like I'd just rolled out of bed, which I technically had, but that's not the point. The point was that Maya was going to be at Jordan's party tonight, and I looked like a human chia pet.

"Just fix it, bro," Tyler said, tossing me his iPhone. "And stop doom-scrolling. You're literally spiraling."

I wasn't spiraling. I was conducting research. Because apparently, I was now a self-appointed spy, monitoring Maya's Instagram stories to figure out if she was bringing someone to the party. Someone who wasn't me. Someone whose hair actually behaved itself.

The party was already in full swing when we arrived. Jordan's basement smelled like coconut wax melts and desperate teens trying to look chill. I spotted Maya immediately, laughing at something, her hair cascading in perfect waves that definitely didn't require three different products and a prayer.

"Go talk to her," Tyler shoved me forward. "Don't be weird."

I made it approximately three steps before catastrophe struck. Jordan's little brother came tearing through the crowd, clutching a plastic bag filled with water. A single goldfish — let's call him Gerald — swam inside, looking just as confused as I felt.

"IT'S FOR THE BASEBALL GAME!" the kid screamed at literally no one. "I'M THE MASCOT!"

He crashed into me. Water splashed everywhere. Gerald flopped onto the carpet, flailing like my chances with Maya.

Everyone stared. I stared at Gerald. Maya stared at me.

And then something weird happened. I dropped to my knees, scooped Gerald into my hands, and bolted for the bathroom sink. The faucet roared to life. Gerald swam again, oblivious to his near-death experience and my total social annihilation.

When I returned, water dripping from my shirt, Maya was waiting.

"That was... actually kind of heroic," she said, grinning. "You saved Gerald."

"Gerald?"

"The goldfish. Obviously." She tilted her head. "Your hair is kinda crazy, by the way. I like it."

I blinked. She liked it? The thing that required three products and a prayer?

"Thanks," I managed. "It's got a mind of its own."

"Clearly." She nodded toward the kitchen. "Wanna help me find Gerald a proper home before Jordan's brother tries to recruit him for the baseball game again?"

"Bet." I followed her, feeling like maybe, just maybe, being a disaster wasn't the worst thing in the world.

Later that night, Tyler would demand the full story. I'd leave out the part about Maya holding my hand when we finally transferred Gerald to a proper bowl. Some spy missions were meant to stay classified.