Undercover in the Deep End

The chlorine hit Marcus like a wall as he stepped through the pool gate. Jordan's pool party. The social event of the season. And Marcus, decidedly not a swimmer, was about to infiltrate.

He'd been practicing his spy game all week—watching from the bleachers during swim practice, learning the hierarchies. Jordan at the top, surrounded by her friends like fish in a school. Marcus at the bottom, clutching his towel like a shield.

"Hey! You made it!" Jordan waved from the water, droplets streaming down her arms like liquid diamonds. Marcus's stomach did something embarrassing.

"Yeah!" he called back, voice cracking slightly. "Just needed to change first."

His real mission: avoid the actual swimming part at all costs. Marcus and water had never been friends. Last time he'd tried swimming lessons, he'd spent forty-five minutes clinging to the wall like a barnacle while seven-year-olds lapped him.

He headed to the snack bar, which was basically his safe zone. That's when he saw it—someone had brought actual spinach dip. The fancy stuff, with actual leaves visible. Marcus loaded up a plate, because nothing says I'm totally comfortable here like eating alone at a pool party.

He was halfway through his second bite when Jordan suddenly appeared beside him, dripping wet and unfairly gorgeous.

"Saving room for the real food?" she teased, nodding at his spinach-covered plate.

Marcus almost choked. "My mom says I need my vitamins."

Jordan laughed, and it was the best sound he'd ever heard. "Good answer. Hey, you should come in. The water's perfect."

Before he could construct a believable excuse, she grabbed his hand. Marcus's brain short-circuited. He was being pulled toward his worst nightmare by his favorite person.

"I don't really... swim," he managed, feet hitting the tiled edge.

"Neither does Maya," Jordan whispered, nodding toward the shallow end where the so-called queen bee was standing in waist-deep water, fully clothed, holding a drink with a tiny umbrella. "Half the people here are just posing. It's not about the swimming, Marcus. It's about being seen."

Something clicked. Marcus stepped into the water. It was terrifying and amazing all at once. Jordan stayed beside him as he found his footing in the shallow end, not swimming, not running away, just existing.

"You're literally the worst spy ever," she said quietly.

Marcus froze. "What?"

"I've seen you watching practice all week from the bleachers." Jordan grinned. "Next time, just say hi."

The chlorine didn't smell so bad anymore. Marcus took a bite of his spinach dip and finally felt like he could breathe underwater.