Three Seconds of Courage

I felt like a total zombie as I stood at the edge of the pool, clutching my red solo cup like it was a life raft. My mom had made me take some vitamin D supplement before leaving—"for your energy, honey"—but honestly, the only thing I needed energy for was overthinking every social interaction at Tyler's party.

"You gonna jump in or what, Maya?" Tyler called out, doing that stupid cannonball splash that drenched everyone within a ten-foot radius.

My palms were sweating so bad I could barely hold my phone. I'd been crushing on Tyler since seventh period English, and tonight felt like my one chance to actually talk to him without it being weird. But every time I tried, I froze up like a goldfish in a bowl—exposed and flailing.

The backyard was dotted with those tiki torches that made everything look warm and golden, and beneath the palm tree, I saw Tyler laughing with Sarah. Of course. Sarah, who somehow made everything look effortless. Sarah, who probably didn't need vitamin supplements because she naturally glowed.

I scrolled through my phone, pretending to be absorbed in something important, but really I was just watching their reflection in the darkened screen. Suddenly, Tyler's voice cut through my mental spiral.

"Maya! You're missing the best part!"

I looked up. Tyler was treading water right in front of me, dripping wet, grinning like an idiot.

"The water's perfect," he said. "And Sarah challenged me to a breath-holding contest, but I need a referee who won't cheat."

My heart did that embarrassing flutter thing. "You want me to ref?"

"Yeah, you're the only one who wouldn't take sides." He splashed water at me. "Come in, zombie girl. The water'll wake you up."

I set down my cup. My vitamin-enhanced energy surged through me as I jumped—cannonball style, no grace whatsoever. The water rushed over me, cool and shocking, and when I surfaced, Tyler was still grinning.

"Took you long enough," he said.

Sometimes, I thought, you just need three seconds of courage. Okay, maybe five.