The Goldfish Signal

Maya's bedroom had become something of a sanctuary ever since the incident at lunch. She sat cross-legged on her floor, watching Finn glide through his bowl with the kind of effortless grace she definitely didn't feel at school these days.

"At least you don't have to worry about being seen with me," she whispered to the goldfish.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Chloe: *still coming to jackson's?*

Maya's thumb hovered over the screen. Jackson's party was tonight, and everyone would be there—including the people who'd watched her wipe out in the cafeteria last week, tray slipping, chocolate milk splashing everywhere. The video had already made it to three different group chats.

She flopped onto her bed, throwing an arm over her eyes. The coaxial cable dangling from her wall-mounted TV swayed slightly, catching the afternoon light. Why couldn't she just be like other people? The kind who didn't accidentally become viral content before third period.

A soft weight landed on her stomach. Princess Buttlet—her brother's cat, currently occupying Maya's room because apparently the creature had decided Maya's bed was superior territory—blinked slowly at her.

"You're judging me," Maya said. "I can feel it."

The cat kneaded her hoodie, purring like a tiny engine.

Maya's phone lit up again. *plz come. it'll be chill i promise. also jake's asking about u*

Jackson's. Where Jake would be. Jake, who'd sat next to her in bio since August and never once mentioned the chocolate milk incident. Jake, who somehow made looking at her feel like stepping into sunlight.

She stared at her palm—specifically, the slight tremor in her fingers whenever she thought about actually showing up somewhere socially important. Why was this so hard for other people?

The cat abandoned her stomach for the windowsill, tail twitching with feline judgment.

"Fine," Maya said, sitting up. "Fine."

She texted Chloe back: *im in. what time*

"You're coming," she told Finn, who continued swimming in serene, judgment-free circles. "And you," she pointed at the cat, "don't look so smug. This could still be a disaster."

Princess Buttlet yawned, unimpressed.

By 9 PM, Maya was standing in Jackson's crowded backyard, solo cup in hand, heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. Jake materialized beside her, grinning that slightly crooked grin.

"Hey," he said. "Glad you came."

"Me too," she said, and realized it was actually true.

The cat would definitely approve. Probably.