The Goldfish Protocol

Maya pressed her **palm** against the cafeteria window, watching the popular crowd like she'd done every lunch period since seventh grade. Being the invisible girl at Northwood High had its perks — she was basically a professional **spy** at this point. She knew Tyler was cheating on his chemistry tests, that Jordan's designer hoodie was a dupe from AliExpress, and that Queen Bee Chloe had a secret TikTok account where she posted thirst traps.

"You're doing it again," Marcus said, dropping into the seat across from her. "The creeper staring thing. It's weird, Maya."

"It's research," she said, pulling out her phone. "For when I eventually take over their social hierarchy. It's gonna be epic."

Marcus laughed. "Sure it will. Just like your plan to become TikTok famous?"

"That's still in development phase." Maya's phone buzzed — her mom reminding her about the **goldfish** feeding schedule. Because that was her life: seventeen years old, spending her Friday nights making sure Bubbles and Goldie Hawn didn't starve to death.

"You coming to Jake's party?" Marcus asked. "Everyone's gonna be there."

"Pass. I have important fish-related business to attend to."

"Maya." His voice softened. "You can't stay invisible forever."

But she could, and she did. Until the day Chloe showed up at the pet store where Maya worked, red-eyed and clutching a fish bowl. Something about her pet fish dying and needing a replacement ASAP because her parents would flip if they knew she'd let it die.

Maya sold her a fancy-tail **goldfish**, and somewhere between explaining proper water pH levels and watching Chloe's perfectly maintained Instagram story later that night, everything shifted. The spy glass went both ways.

Three months later, Maya still sat by the window sometimes. But now Chloe sat next to her, and Marcus complained about being the third wheel, and the goldfish — renamed Karen — swam in a filter-equipped tank on Maya's desk, living her best fish life.

"You're staring again," Chloe whispered, linking her pinky with Maya's. "But I think you're actually looking at me this time."

"Still research," Maya said, squeezing her hand. "Just different kinds."