Goldfish in the Spinach Dip

Maya's palms were sweating so much she could practically water plants with them. House parties weren't really her vibe, but here she was, standing in some junior's living room, clutching a red solo cup like it was a lifeline.

"You're not actually gonna do it," Jordan teased, that familiar grin spreading across his face. The one that made half the school want to be his best friend and the other half want to be his girlfriend. Okay, maybe she was in the second camp. Whatever.

"Watch me," she shot back, trying to sound confident instead of like someone who'd spent the last three weeks studying AP Bio instead of learning how to socialize normally.

The mechanical bull sat in the middle of the room like some ridiculous throne. Someone's older brother must have rented it. Because obviously that's what normal people did for their seventeenth birthday.

Maya climbed on, adjusting her grip. The operator—some guy she'd never seen before—gave her a thumbs up. The bull jerked forward, and she immediately regretted every life choice that led to this moment. Her arms flailed. People were screaming. She lasted maybe four seconds before flying off, landing in what she hoped was a graceful stumble but probably looked more like a dying fish.

Jordan was howling with laughter. Not mean laughter, though. The good kind.

"You okay?" He extended a hand to help her up.

"Totally meant to do that," she said, brushing herself off. But then she noticed everyone staring at her teeth. Oh no. Please no. She excused herself to the bathroom, where she discovered a massive piece of spinach stuck front and center. Spinach. From the appetizers she'd nervously been eating earlier.

She wanted to disappear. Like, actually evaporate. This was it. Her social life was over.

"Hey," Jordan's voice came from the hallway. "You good?"

She looked in the mirror. Goldfish crackers scattered across the counter. Someone's pet goldfish swam in a bowl nearby, looking distinctly unimpressed with teenage drama.

"I'm great," she said, wiping away the spinach evidence. "Just chillin' with the aquatic life."

Jordan laughed. "For real, though? That was legendary. Most people wouldn't even get on that thing."

She stared at him. Was he... was he actually serious?

"Plus," he added, "the spinach thing? Honestly made you look more chill. Like, you're not trying too hard."

Maya smiled. Maybe tonight wasn't a complete disaster after all.