The Truth Pool

The betting pool had reached three hundred dollars. That's how much people had wagered on whether Jordan would actually ask me to homecoming. The odds were 7:1 against.

I knew about the pool because my best friend Teagan had bet five bucks on yes, which she insisted was supporting me and not just being broke.

"You're overthinking this," Teagan said, watching me spiral for the third time that day. "Just be chill."

"I am chill," I said, definitely not sounding chill. "I'm the chillest. This is just a normal Friday where I might drown in emotional water while everyone watches."

"Nobody's watching," she said, then added, "except the thirty people who put money in the pool."

That night was Chloe's pool party, the kind where everyone stands around awkwardly until someone jumps in. I showed up wearing my vintage swimsuit—hand-me-down from my cousin, which I'd lied about calling 'thrifted aesthetic'—and immediately spotted Jordan by the snacks.

Jordan looked good. unfairly good. Hair wet from recent swimming, wearing that hoodie that made their shoulders look broad enough to carry all my unresolved feelings.

I stayed near the water's edge, dipping my toes in, pretending to be fascinated by the pool lights. Someone pushed Jordan into the water with a splash that soaked half the party.

Jordan surfaced laughing, slicked back their hair, then—THEN—looked straight at me.

"Hey," Jordan said, walking over all dripping water and confidence. "Can we talk?"

My heart stopped. The betting pool flashed through my mind. Three hundred dollars riding on this moment.

"Sure," I squeaked.

"So, I know about the pool," Jordan said.

My stomach dropped. Of course they knew. Everyone knew.

"The whole homecoming thing," Jordan continued. "people taking bets on who'll ask who. it's weird, right?"

"Super weird," I agreed, mortified.

"But I wanted to ask you before someone wins that pool," Jordan said, cheeks actually turning pink. "like, would you want to go with me?"

The noise of the party faded. all I could hear was my own heartbeat, loud enough to bear witness to how terrified I was.

"Yes," I said. "like, definitely yes."

Later, Teagan would collect her five dollars. later, I'd find out Jordan had secretly bet on themselves asking me—a bold three-dollar wager on confidence. but in that moment, nobody else existed.

just me, Jordan, and the glittering water, where I'd definitely be jumping in next.

worth every dollar.