The Orange Speedo Incident

Marco's face burned hotter than the July sun beating down on the Blackburns' backyard pool. The problem wasn't the pool party itself—it was the fact that he was wearing his dad's old neon orange swim trunks, which somehow made it look like he was smuggling a tangerine.

Across the deck, the baseball team from school lounged like they owned the place. Jake Morrison, varsity pitcher and the biggest bull Marco had ever encountered, caught Marco's eye and smirked.

"Nice highlighters, freshman," Jake called out. His crew snickered.

Marco's stomach did that thing where it felt like it was trying to escape through his throat. This was exactly why he'd avoided joining the swim team this year, even though he'd been swimming competitively since he was seven. High school had already taught him that standing out meant getting targeted.

He was halfway to the pool gate when Sierra—Sierra actual Lopez, who Marco had had a crush on since sixth grade—appeared beside him.

"Where you going?" she asked. She had this way of looking at people, like she was actually seeing them.

"Just... forgot something," Marco lied.

"You forgot how to swim?" She grinned. "Because I remember you killing it at the YMCA meet last year. What was your time again?"

Marco froze. She remembered?

Jake tossed a baseball toward the pool, aiming for the floating target. "Who wants to see if I can hit it from here?"

The ball overshot dramatically and splashed into the deep end, way beyond anyone's reach.

"My bad," Jake said, not looking particularly sorry.

Before Marco could process what he was doing, he was already moving. He dove in, cutting through the water clean and smooth, exactly like he'd practiced a thousand times. He reached the bottom easily, grabbed the baseball with two fingers, and kicked upward, breaking the surface with a flourish.

He tossed the ball to Jake, who looked genuinely confused.

"Thanks," Jake said. "You're actually pretty good."

"That's what I've been saying," Sierra called from the deck. She winked at Marco. "Also, orange is totally your color."

Marco ducked back underwater to hide his smile. Sometimes the things that made you stand out were the same things that made you unforgettable.