Three Seconds of Courage

My life was basically a goldfish bowl—transparent, cramped, and full of people tapping on the glass expecting me to do something entertaining. Which was ironic, considering my actual goldfish, Finneas, had more freedom than I did. At least he didn't have to navigate high school with a target on his back.

I stood in the hallway, clutching my iPhone like it was a lifeline. The screen showed what I'd been dreading: someone had posted screenshots of my private texts in the group chat. I felt like I was living in a low-stakes spy movie, except instead of international espionage, it was just Jordan being a complete jerk about my crush on Riley.

"That's such bull," I muttered, but quietly. Because confrontation wasn't exactly my brand. My brand was avoidance, overthinking, and occasionally crying in the bathroom during lunch.

Finneas only had a three-second memory, according to science. Sometimes I wished I could trade places with him—just swimming in endless circles, forgetting every embarrassing thing instantly. But no, here I was, cursed with a brain that replayed every social disaster on an infinite loop.

"You're not actually gonna let Jordan get away with that, are you?" Riley appeared beside my locker, looking concerned. Actually concerned. Which was worse, honestly.

"I don't know. Maybe I deserve it?"

"No. That's bull." Riley's face softened. "For what it's worth, I think it's kind of... I don't know. Nice? That you like me?"

My stomach did that thing where it felt like it was trying to escape through my throat. "Oh. Cool. Cool cool cool."

I stood there, Jordan's laughter echoing from down the hall, Riley looking at me like I was something more than the girl who accidentally once said "you too" when a cashier said "enjoy your meal." And somewhere at home, Finneas was probably just swimming, completely unbothered.

I pulled out my iPhone and typed something into the group chat. Not an apology. Not a deflection.

"That's fake. Jordan, you're literally screenshots from our other convo where we were joking about me liking Riley, which isn't even a joke anymore so whatever. Also everyone knows you still sleep with a stuffed animal."

Send.

My hands shook. But then Riley smiled, and for once, I didn't feel like I was in a fish bowl. I felt like someone who'd just jumped into the deep end and realized she could actually swim.