Three Strikes and a Goldfish

I stared at the plastic bag in my hands, Franklin the goldfish swimming obliviously inside. I was literally carrying a pet to my first day of sophomore year because my mom was obsessed with the idea that classroom pets taught responsibility.Spoiler: they just taught public humiliation.

'Nice fish,' someone said behind me. I turned to see Riley, the new transfer student with fox-red hair and eyes that looked like they saw everything. She was leaning against her locker like she owned the school.

'Thanks,' I croaked. 'It's Franklin.'

'Cool name.' She smirked. 'I'm Riley. You heading to biology too?'

I nodded, trying to play it cool even though I could feel my face doing that thing where it looked like I was having an allergic reaction to social interaction.

But then catastrophe happened. Jason—the varsity baseball captain who'd somehow already achieved legendary hot-guy status—came barreling down the hallway with his team, throwing a baseball back and forth like it was a normal thing to do indoors.

'Incoming!' someone yelled, but my reflexes were garbage. I tried to dodge, but the ball smacked into my backpack. I stumbled, and Franklin went airborne. The plastic bag sailed in slow motion toward Jason's face.

He caught it. Mid-spin. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Everyone froze. Jason stared at Franklin, who was now doing panicked laps in the bag.

'Is that... a goldfish?' Jason asked, sounding weirdly delighted.

'His name is Franklin,' I squeaked.

Jason started laughing. Not mean laughing—like, actual genuine laughing. 'That's the most metal thing I've ever seen. Who brings a goldfish to school on their first day?'

Riley appeared beside me, grinning. 'Someone who's not basic, apparently.'

Jason's eyes lit up. 'You should come to our game Friday. Bring Franklin. We need a mascot.'

I stood there, clutching my bag like it was a lifeline, feeling something shift inside me. Maybe this year wouldn't be total trash. Maybe I could actually bear to show my real weird self.

'Franklin would love that,' Riley said, slipping her arm through mine like we'd been friends forever. 'But first, biology awaits.'