Goldfish in the Papaya Bowl

Maya's abuela insisted she bring the papaya to the Spring Fling potluck. "It's traditional," she'd said, handing over the tupperware like it contained family secrets instead of sliced fruit. Maya groaned. Who brought papaya to a high school dance? This was so not the vibe. But Abuela had given her that look—the one that said, Your cousins in Miami would NEVER disrespect their heritage like this—so here she was, wincing as she approached the refreshment table. Two goldfish crackers floated in the punch bowl, probably some sophomore's idea of a prank. Maya reached for the ladle, heart hammering. She'd been crushing on Leo since he'd defended her in English when Brandon made that "why are you so quiet" comment for the third time. Leo, with his stupid perfect hair and the way he actually listened when people talked. Leo, who was currently wearing that orange hoodie that made his eyes look like amber. Leo, who was standing RIGHT THERE. Her hand slipped. The tupperware tipped. Papaya slices cascaded everywhere—into the punch, onto the table, one perfect piece landing directly in front of Leo's pristine white Vans. Maya's face burned hotter than a thousand suns. She dropped to her knees, scrambling to gather the fruit like her dignity depended on it. Because it did. "Need help?" Leo's voice came from above her. Maya looked up. He was kneeling too, scooping papaya into his hands like this was totally normal. "My abuela grows them," she heard herself saying. "In her backyard." Leo smiled. And not the polite smile he gave teachers. The real one. "That's actually really cool." He held out a hand to help her up, papaya and all. "Wanna get some actual food? I heard they have those tiny pizzas." The goldfish crackers swam lazily in the punch behind them, forgotten. Maya's phone buzzed in her pocket—Abuela checking in. She'd type back later. Right now, she had pizza to eat, and maybe, just maybe, a boy who didn't care that she'd just humiliated herself in front of the entire sophomore class. The papaya could wait.