A Morning Bubble

A tiny pocket of air trapped in the pool silt broke free, floating upward until it bumped against my submerged notch. It didn't pop. It clung to my gray stone edge, trembling gently under the clear water. Beside me, the small jelly slime woke, nudging lazily against my corner before stretching a soft edge toward the shining bubble. I held completely still, anchoring my base into the cool gravel so the water wouldn't ripple. Deep inside my shell, my amber core surged with a slow, quiet pulse. The golden glow illuminated the trapped air, turning it into a bright, golden bead between us.