Green Between My Teeth

The chlorine smell hit me before I even stepped through the gate. Taylor's annual pool party — the social event of the summer for Northwood High's incoming sophomores. I'd been waiting for this invite since June.

I adjusted my swim trunks for the tenth time, suddenly hyper-aware of how my stomach stuck out slightly. Maya was already by the pool, laughing with her friends, her sun-drenched hair perfectly messy. I grabbed a burger from the grill, piled on the fresh spinach from the garden bar — trying to look healthy, sophisticated, someone who ate vegetables by choice.

"Hey Liam!" Maya waved me over. My heart did that stupid fluttery thing. "We're setting up a padel tournament on the court. You in?"

Padel. Of course Taylor had a padel court. I'd never played, but I nodded like I'd been born with a racquet in hand. "Yeah, totally. Love padel."

I took a huge bite of my burger, gesturing enthusiastically as I agreed. Maya's expression shifted — a tiny crinkle between her brows. I kept talking, kept smiling, until I caught my reflection in the sliding glass door.

A massive, vibrant chunk of spinach wedged firmly between my front teeth.

I froze. Every insecurity I'd ever had about being the awkward kid, the one who tried too hard, came rushing back. I spun around toward the bathroom.

"Wait, Liam!" Maya caught my arm. Her hand was warm, slightly damp from pool water. "You've got—" She gestured to her own teeth, and my face burned hotter than the July sun.

"I know," I mumbled. "I'm such an idiot."

Her laughter bubbled up, but not mean. It was genuine. "Everyone gets spinach in their teeth. You should've seen me at my eighth-grade graduation." She leaned closer. "Besides, it's kind of adorable that you're still willing to play padel with me even though I literally beat you three sets to nothing last summer."

Wait, what?

I grinned — carefully, with my lips mostly closed. "You're on. But I'm warning you, I've been practicing."

"In your dreams, Reynolds." She grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the court. "And maybe next time, skip the spinach?"

"Maybe," I said, and for the first time all day, I wasn't thinking about my stomach or whether I was cool enough. I was just walking toward the padel court, hand in hand with Maya, spinach-free and weirdly hopeful.