Green in the Teeth

Maya's been **running** from her reflection since seventh grade. Okay, not literally. But with braces that could pick up radio signals and a social anxiety that made group projects feel like medieval torture, she'd mastered the art of becoming invisible.

Until junior year, when she decided to reinvent herself.

New Maya wears a vintage denim jacket and actually raises her hand in AP Bio. New Maya joined cross country because her therapist said exercise helps with "stress regulation." Whatever that means. Mostly it just means her lungs burn like she swallowed fire.

"You coming to Connor's party?" asks Chloe, sliding into the seat beside her. Chloe's hair somehow falls perfectly even when she's sweating after a 5K practice. "Everyone's gonna be there."

Maya's stomach does that thing where it feels like someone's squeezing it like a stress ball. "Probably."

"Cool." Chloe grins. "Wear that cool **hat** you got at thrift store. It's giving main character energy."

Main character energy. The phrase lodges in Maya's brain like a catchy song she can't un-hear.

At the party, Maya actually talks to people. She jokes about Coach Miller making them run hills until their legs feel like jelly. She even laughs when someone spills **water** on her vintage jacket. New Maya is crushing it.

Then Leo—actual Leo, who sits behind her in English and has that one dimple when he smiles—wanders over.

"Hey," he says. "You're Maya, right? From cross country?"

"Yeah!" The word comes out too loud. Too eager. Classic Maya move.

They talk for ten minutes. Ten whole minutes about music and how much hills suck and whether aliens are real. Maya's floating, weightless, until his eyes crinkle.

"You have a little..." He gestures to his own teeth.

Maya's heart freezes.

She rushes to the bathroom. There it is. A bright green piece of **spinach** from the veggie tray, stuck in her braces like some kind of dietary war crime. She's been talking to Leo for ten minutes with spinach in her teeth.

New Maya is dead. Old Maya has returned to assume her position.

She's about to bolt when Chloe appears beside her. "Leo's asking about you."

"He saw the spinach."

"So?" Chloe shrugs. "We ate veggie tray. Everyone has spinach somewhere. It's not that deep."

Maya stares at her reflection. The spinach is gone. Her cheeks are flushed. But for the first time in years, she doesn't want to hide.

Maybe main character energy isn't about being perfect. Maybe it's about surviving the embarrassing parts and showing up anyway.

She walks back into the party. Leo's still there. He smiles when he sees her.

She smiles back. Green teeth and all.