Green Between Your Teeth

The backward snapback was my armor. Wore it low, shadow over my eyes, mystery over everything else. First day at Northwood High and I was already sweating through my limited edition tee. Rumor had it the social ladder was paved with padel courts—if you couldn't crush a backhand, you didn't exist.

Lunch came too fast. Tray trembling, I scanned the cafeteria like it was a minefield. Every table had its own ecosystem. The athletes section practically glowed. That's where she sat: Chloe, junior varsity captain, laughing like she owned the oxygen in the room.

"Hey, new kid." A voice behind me. This guy in a stained jersey, chewing something green. "You're in my seat."

The spinach.

I'd eaten a spinach wrap that morning, desperate for something healthy to calm my nerves. Now I could feel it— lodged between my front teeth like a tiny green betrayal. I clamped my mouth shut.

"Sorry," I mumbled through sealed lips, speed-walking toward the exit.

Outside, I leaned against the brick wall and pulled out my phone. Five mirror selfies later, confirmed: the spinach was spectacular. Visible from space.

"You know," said a voice, "you've been checking your reflection for five minutes and you still haven't fixed it."

I looked up. The guy from inside—Chloe's table. The one with the green-stained jersey. He was grinning.

"I'm Liam," he said. "And you've got spinach in your teeth. Also, that hat? It's doing too much heavy lifting."

I stared at him. Then I took off the hat.

"I'm Marcus," I said, finally running my tongue over my teeth. "And I think I hate padel anyway."

Liam's eyes lit up. "Oh thank GOD. Come sit with us. Chloe's been talking about 'proper backhand form' since fourth period and I think my brain is leaking out my ears."

I followed him inside, hat in hand, spinach finally gone. Some friends find you in triumph. Others find you when you've got green stuck in your teeth and the courage to laugh about it.

Liam turned back. "Oh, and Marcus? Welcome to the loser table. Best view of the padel courts from here—we can watch them stress while we eat whatever the hell we want."

I grinned. spinach-free and hatless for the first time all day. "Think I'll like it here."