Green Between the Teeth

Maya's palms were sweating so much she could practically water plants with them. She leaned against the bleachers, clutching her phone like a lifeline, watching Zach—the cute sophomore with the perfect messy hair—laugh with his friends across the gym.

"You're staring again," whispered Lena, her best friend since third grade. "Just talk to him already."

"I can't," Maya hissed. "Last time I tried to flirt, I had spinach stuck in my front teeth for three periods. The entire lunch table called me 'Popeye' for a month."

Lena snorted. "That was sixth grade. Nobody remembers that."

"Easy for you to say. You didn't have to endure 'Hey Maya, what's for lunch? Spinach and dignity?'" Maya groaned. "I'm done. If he doesn't notice me by now, he's not interested."

"That's such bull," Lena said. "He looks over here every five minutes. He's probably just as nervous as you are."

Before Maya could respond, someone tapped her shoulder. She spun around to find Ashley, the junior varsity cheerleader who somehow made everything look effortless, standing there with a sympathetic smile.

"Hey," Ashley said. "Zach was actually asking about you earlier. He wanted to know if you're going to Jake's party tomorrow."

Maya's brain short-circuited. "Wait, really?"

"Totally." Ashley grinned. "By the way, you've got a little something in your teeth—"

Maya froze. "Please tell me it's not spinach."

"No, you're good," Ashley laughed. "But you should definitely come to the party. Oh, and tell Lena her friend with the fox sweatshirt is cute too."

Lena perked up. "Which friend?"

"The one who was at your locker earlier. Red hair, super tall?"

"That's Marcus!" Lena practically squealed. "He's in my bio class."

As Ashley walked away, Maya grabbed Lena's arm. "Did that just happen?"

"We're going to Jake's party tomorrow," Lena declared. "And this time, check your teeth first."

Maya finally let herself smile. Maybe this year wouldn't be so terrible after all.