The Party Algorithm

Maya's iPhone died at exactly 11:47 PM during Jake's party, which was actually a blessing in disguise because she'd been doom-scrolling through Instagram for the last hour instead of, like, actually talking to people.

"You good?" asked Sam, sliding onto the backyard patio beside her. Sam was that kind of friend who showed up to everything and somehow knew everyone, but never made Maya feel weird for being socially anxious.

"Phone's dead. No cable." Maya gestured vaguely at her useless device. "Whatever. I'm over it anyway."

"Same. Jake's parties are always mid." Sam leaned back. "Hey, did you see that bear statue by the pool? The one wearing sunglasses?"

Maya cracked up. "Okay but why does it exist?"

"His dad won it in a poker game, I think? Or found it at a garage sale. Who knows. The real mystery is why Jake thought keeping it was a vibe."

A massive dog—half Newfoundland, half something equally enormous—wandered over and plopped between them, resting its head on Maya's knee like she was its new best friend.

"That's Bear," Sam said, when Maya stared at the dog's nametag. "Yes, really. Jake's parents are basic like that."

"Bear the dog," Maya repeated, scratching behind his ears. "This is the best thing about this party."

"For real." Sam studied her for a moment. "You know you don't have to perform, right? Like, you're actually chill when you're not overthinking everything."

Maya's face flushed hot. "I wasn't—"

"You were. But like, nobody notices except you. Everyone else is too busy worrying about themselves." Sam stood up. "I'm gonna grab food. You coming?"

"In a minute."

Bear whined softly, resting his snout on her leg.

"Yeah," Maya told him quietly. "I feel that."

Her iPhone stayed dead in her pocket. She didn't miss it at all.

The bear sunglasses statue watched them from the pool deck, judgment-free.

Maybe that was the whole point.