Chlorine and Green Smoothies

I blended the green sludge, my palms sweating against the cool plastic of the shaker bottle. **Spinach**, banana, and that grassy **vitamin** powder Mom swore would change my life. I'd been doing this all summer - the reinvention protocol - trying to become someone who belonged at the **pool** parties.

Every Friday, the popular kids gathered at the Morrison's house. Their laughter echoed across the water, while I sat on the edge, toes barely touching the surface. My oversized t-shirt felt like armor against their perfect bodies.

"You coming in?"

I looked up to find Leo dripping pool water, his hair plastered to his forehead. He wasn't laughing. His eyes were genuine, curious.

"I, uh—" I stammered, my hand instinctively covering my shaker bottle.

Leo noticed. His brow lifted. "What's that?"

My face burned. "Nothing. Just this green smoothie thing."

"You made it?"

"Yeah. Spinach and stuff." I wanted to dissolve.

Leo held out his hand. "Can I try?"

I hesitated, then passed him the bottle. He took a long sip, made a thoughtful face, and grinned.

"Not terrible. Could use more berries though."

He took another sip, then smirked. "You know, I've been trying to get my mom to buy actual vegetables instead of just frozen pizza. Maybe you could give me the recipe?"

I blinked. "You want my recipe?"

"Duh." Leo's ears turned pink. "I mean, unless it's, like, a secret family thing or whatever."

"No!" I said too quickly. "I can write it down."

"Cool." He slid into the water beside me, not leaving, not disappearing back to the loud group. "So, you coming in? The water's actually not that cold."

I looked at my oversized t-shirt, then at the spinach stains on my fingers, then at Leo waiting in the blue water.

"I think," I said, sliding off the edge, "I will."