Green Smoothie Disaster

Maya's phone buzzed. Third text from Jake in ten minutes. U comng 2 the party???

She stared at her reflection. The braces were gone, finally, but something felt off. Her mom had gone through this 'health phase' and filled the fridge with kale, spinach, and basically everything that made Maya feel like a rabbit instead of a sixteen-year-old who just wanted to fit in.

"You look fine, honey," her mom called from the kitchen. "Just eat some spinach before you go. It's good for your skin."

Maya rolled her eyes so hard it actually hurt. Mom didn't get it. This wasn't about vegetables. It was about the fact that Jake, the cute lacrosse player who'd finally noticed her after two years of invisibility, was hosting his first party since his parents got divorced. Everyone was going. Everyone except maybe the girl who showed up with green teeth from spinach salad.

Her cat, Luna, wound around her ankles, meowing for attention. "At least someone thinks I'm interesting," Maya muttered, scratching behind Luna's ears.

The truth was, Maya had been hiding something bigger than her brace face history. She'd never been swimming before. Like, ever. Jake's party was poolside. What if someone pushed her in? What if they played pool volleyball? What if—

Her phone buzzed again. Pool volleyball starting soon dont miss it

Maya's stomach did that thing where it felt like it was literally swimming in acid. She grabbed a handful of spinach from the fridge—stupid mom and her superfoods—and stuffed it in her mouth like it was medicine.

Fine. Whatever. If she was going to embarrass herself, at least she'd have good skin while doing it.

The party was already loud when she arrived. Jake was in the pool, splashing water like he owned the place. Maya hung back, clutching her phone like a lifeline.

"Maya!" Jake waved. "Get in here!"

"I—I can't swim," she blurted. The words fell out before she could stop them.

The noise level dipped. Someone snickered. Jake stared.

"For real?" He treaded water, looking confused. "Like, never?"

"Never," she said, her face burning hotter than the stupid spinach smoothie her mom made her drink that morning.

Jake swam to the edge and pulled himself up. "That's actually kinda cool. I was terrified of water until I was twelve."

"You?"

"Dead serious." He grinned. "I'll teach you. Not today, obviously, that would be awkward. But maybe next weekend? Just us?"

Maya's heart did this little flip thing that definitely wasn't from anxiety. "Yeah," she said, a genuine smile finally reaching her eyes. "I'd like that."

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Mom again. Did u eat ur spinach??

Maya texted back: Actually it might have saved my life. Then she kicked off her sandals and sat at the edge of the pool, feet in the water, ready for whatever came next.