Green Between My Teeth

Maya stood at the edge of the pool clutching her solo cup like a lifeline. The invite said 'casual hang' but this was definitely NOT casual. Everyone looked perfect in their swimwear, doing that effortless thing that Maya had been trying to master since freshman year. The water glittered like someone had spilled actual diamonds across the surface, which would've been chill if Maya didn't feel like she was about to throw up.

'Sup, Maya.' Jason slid up, dripping wet, looking like he'd just walked out of a TikTok thirst trap. 'You gonna swim or just vibe from the sidelines?'

Maya's brain short-circuited. 'Uh, yeah, totally. Just. Warming up.'

Then it hit her—the moment that would live in infamy in her mental cringe compilation. During lunch earlier, she'd gotten spinach stuck in her teeth and hadn't realized until after she'd talked to Lucas for, like, twenty minutes. TWENTY MINUTES with green stuff in her smile while she was trying to be smooth. Now she kept compulsively checking her reflection in everything—phone screen, spoon, someone's sunglasses.

Across the pool, a girl sat alone on a diving board, legs crossed, watching everything with this intense, unreadable expression. Raven hair, sharp features, eyes that seemed to take in everything and give away nothing. She reminded Maya of a sphinx—mysterious and slightly intimidating in the best way.

Their eyes met. The sphinx-girl raised an eyebrow, and Maya felt herself flush hot.

'She's been staring at you,' Jason said, totally misreading the vibe. 'I think she likes you.'

Maya's stomach did that thing where it felt like her organs were rearranging themselves. 'No she's not. I probably have something in my teeth again.' She started checking her phone camera frantically.

The girl hopped off the diving board and sauntered over, water droplets gleaming on her dark skin like starlight.

'Hey,' she said, her voice low and confident. 'I'm Sam. You checking your teeth because you're self-conscious, or because your phone is actually that interesting?'

Maya froze. 'Both? Neither? I'm Maya, and I'm having a minor crisis, apparently.'

Sam laughed, and it was this warm, real sound that made Maya's chest feel light. 'Happens to the best of us. For the record, your teeth are fine. I was staring because you looked like you needed an out from whatever Jason was saying.'

Jason gasped, offended. 'Rude! I'm delightful.'

'My compliments to the chef,' Sam told him dryly, then turned back to Maya. 'Wanna get out of here? There's a boba place down the street.'

Maya looked at the sparkling water, at Jason's exaggerated betrayal, at Sam's knowing smile. Something in her unknot.

'Yes,' Maya said. 'A thousand times yes.'