Concession Stand Heart

Maya's palms were sweating so bad she could barely grip the ladle. Her first shift at the concession stand, and naturally Dylan was in line—the same Dylan who sat behind her in pre-calc and made her brain turn to static whenever he asked to borrow a calculator.

"What can I get you?" she managed, trying to sound casual instead of like she was internally screaming.

"Uh, what's good?" Dylan asked, actually smiling at her. His dog—a chaotic golden retriever named Benny—was practically vibrating beside him, probably smelling the popcorn.

"Everything's amazing," Maya lied confidently. "But the orange slushies are basically life-changing."

"Sold."

She turned to grab a cup, feeling her face heat up. This was fine. Totally fine. She was just serving her crush a frozen sugar explosion while his baseball team waited for their post-game snacks. No pressure.

When she turned back, Dylan was grinning. "You got a little something..." He gestured to his own front tooth.

Maya's stomach dropped. She'd had spinach in her teeth. All. Shift. Long. From lunch. In front of EVERYONE.

"Oh my GOD," she whispered, ready to evaporate on the spot.

"No, it's actually kind of iconic," Dylan said, and she couldn't tell if he was roasting her or being genuine. "Like, confidence levels unknown."

Benny chose that moment to jump up, paws on the counter, and aggressively sniff her apron.

"BENNY, no," Dylan said, pulling him back. But he was laughing. "Sorry, he's all about that concession stand life."

Maya handed him the slushie, their fingers brushing for a microsecond that her brain cataloged for future reference. "That'll be four dollars."

Dylan paid, then paused. "Hey, we're playing again next Thursday if you want to watch. I mean, if you're working. Or... whatever."

Her brain did three cartwheels. "I'm working. But I'll definitely watch."

"Cool." He walked away with Benny bouncing beside him, then turned back. "By the way? The spinach situation was honestly a power move. Own it."

Maya watched him go, touching her front tooth, still smiling. Worst job ever? Maybe. Best shift ever? Definitely.