Bear with the Awkward

Maya stared at her reflection, the box of neon blue hair dye mocking her from the bathroom counter. Three months into freshman year, and she was still the same invisible girl who sat in the back of algebra, her mouse-brown hair forever in a messy bun because actually trying seemed like asking for attention she didn't want.

"You're not seriously doing that." Her older brother leaned against the doorframe, Cosmic — their ancient golden retriever mix — wagging his tail beside him. "Mom will literally lose it."

"Watch me." Maya's hands shook as she applied the dye, something rebellious sparking in her chest for the first time.

The next day at lunch, she finally caught His Attention: Ethan, who sat two tables away, actually looked up from his phone. Maya's heart did that embarrassing flutter thing. She was reaching for her tray of cafeteria mystery meat and what appeared to be steamed spinach when Cosmic (who'd somehow escaped the backyard) bounded through the lunchroom.

"Cosmic!" Her brother's voice echoed.

The dog didn't stop. He leaped onto the bench, knocked Maya's tray upward, and sent a perfect spear of spinach flying directly into her newly blue hair. The entire lunchroom went silent. Then someone giggled. Then everyone laughed.

Maya's face burned so hot she thought she might literally catch fire. She grabbed her backpack and bolted, hearing someone call after her.

"Hey! Wait up!" It was Ethan. Of course. The one time she got noticed, and it was because a dog attacked her lunch.

He caught up to her outside the gym, where she furiously picked spinach pieces from her blue-streaked hair.

"That was..." He started. "Actually kind of legendary."

Maya froze. "What?"

"The spinach. In your hair." Ethan grinned. "I was going to ask for your Insta anyway, but I didn't know how to do it without being weird." He shrugged. "You know, bear with me here — I'm not great at this."

Maya stared at him, spinach still tangled in her blue hair. Then she started laughing. Not the polite laugh she used with teachers, but real laughter.

"You're asking for my Instagram... because a dog put spinach in my hair?"

"Well." Ethan pulled out his phone. "When you put it like that..."

"My hair is literally full of spinach."

"Yeah." His grin widened. "But you laughed."

Maya looked at her reflection in the gym door — blue hair, spinach and all. Maybe trying wasn't so scary after all. Maybe getting noticed wasn't the worst thing that could happen.

"Fine." She pulled the last piece of spinach from her bangs. "But if my dog ruins this moment, I'm charging you emotional damages."