The Hat That Changed Everything

Maya pulled the brim of her ridiculous bucket hat lower, practically disappearing inside it. At fifteen, you're supposed to be confident, not hiding behind oversized headwear at Jessica's pool party like some kind of conspiracy theorist.

The papaya punch bowl sat mocking her from across the patio. Who even liked papaya? Probably the same people who actually knew how to exist without wanting to melt into the sidewalk.

"Hey, nice hat." A guy appeared beside her, skateboarding even though this was a pool party. Because of course he was. His hair was this perfect intentional mess, unlike Maya's accidental disaster.

"It's for sun protection," she lied.

"Cool." He sat next to her. "I'm Leo. I'm mostly here because my mom made me socialize this summer."

A ginger cat slinked around the corner of the house, eyeing them both suspiciously.

"That your cat?" Maya asked.

"Nah. That's Mr. Whiskers. He belongs to the neighbors but basically lives here now. Total freeloader." Leo tossed a goldfish cracker from a nearby bowl. The cat declined with supreme judgment and padded away.

"Smooth."

"I never said I was good at this." Leo gestured at the party. "Everyone pretending to have it together. At least I know I'm awkward about it."

The pool area erupted in laughter. Someone did a cannonball. Splash.

"You should go in," Leo said. "The water's actually not terrible. I tried it earlier before I retreated to avoid social interaction."

"What if I take off the hat and everyone realizes I have zero personality without my prop?"

Leo laughed. "First of all, that's not true. Second, I'll go in too. We can be awkward together."

She looked at him—really looked. His slightly crooked smile, the way he kept adjusting his glasses like they might escape his face.

"Fine. But if I sink, you're saving me."

"Deal."

They jumped in simultaneously, fully clothed because that's what you do when you're fifteen and making questionable decisions. The water was shockingly cold, perfect and terrible all at once. Maya's hat floated away like a tiny abandoned boat, but she didn't even care.

Sometimes you just have to jump in.