Three Levels Above

The chlorine from Marco's **pool** stung my eyes, or maybe that was just the embarrassment. I was the only one not in the water, perched on a lounge chair like I had somewhere better to be. I didn't.

"Bro, you're literally missing the whole vibe," Emma called from underwater, surfacing with water droplets glistening on her shoulders like she'd been Photoshopped.

I couldn't exactly explain that my swimsuit was from three summers ago and I'd outgrown it in every way that mattered.

Then Jordan appeared out of nowhere, phone in hand, eyes lit up like he'd discovered electricity. "Chloe. Okay, so I'm only gonna tell you because we're legit friends."

The word 'friends' hit different when he needed something.

"It's this skincare line. My cousin's making four K a month, and she's sixteen. You sign up three people, they sign up three people—" He drew a triangle in the air with his finger. "—it's literally a **pyramid** of success."

I stared at him. "Jordan. That's the definition of a pyramid scheme."

"It's not a scheme, it's entrepreneurial mindset. My cousin drove here in her own Tesla."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Marco's little sister carrying a plastic bag toward the deep end. Inside, a single **goldfish** swam in tight, panicked circles. She was going to release it into the chlorinated water like some kind of mercy mission.

"Watch this," I whispered, abandoning Jordan mid-pitch.

I intercepted her at the edge. "Hey. That's not gonna work out how you think."

She clutched the bag like I might steal it. "He needs freedom."

"He needs actual fish water, not Marco's mom's chlorine catastrophe. There's a creek behind my house. I can take him there."

She studied my face, my outstretched **palm**. Something in her expression shifted—like she'd been waiting for someone to stop her from making a mistake.

"You promise?"

"Promise."

She handed it over, the plastic cool against my hand. The fish swam once, twice, calmer somehow.

When I turned back, Jordan was already gone, working the next person in his circle of friends. Emma watched me from the pool, gave a tiny nod. Like she saw something worth seeing.

The goldfish bag swished against my leg as I walked away, leaving the party behind. Some things weren't meant to be contained, and I was starting to realize I might be one of them.