Green Smoothie sabotage

I was lowkey panicking. Like, full-on spiraling in the middle of Smoothie Theory while my friends waited for their orders, casually discussing homecoming nominations like it wasn't literally the most important social event of our sophomore year.

"You gonna get the usual?" Maya asked, eyebrows raised.

I stared at the menu like it contained the secrets to my entire future. Because in a way, it kind of did. See, I'd decided to reinvent myself this year. New Zoe. Healthier Zoe. Zoe who didn't survive on Mountain Dew and anxiety.

"Yeah," I said, trying to sound confident. "The green one. With the spinach."

The word felt foreign in my mouth. Spinach. Since when did I voluntarily consume leafy greens? But I'd read that influencers swore by it. Something about vitamins and glowing skin and becoming the kind of person who effortlessly posted aesthetic sunset pics while the rest of us were still figuring out which filter didn't make us look like potatoes.

The barista – whose name tag read BULL, which felt aggressive for someone making smoothies – slid a murky green concoction across the counter. I stared at it like it might personally attack me.

"First time?" Bull asked, genuinely amused.

"Is it that obvious?"

"You're looking at it like it's radioactive."

I took a tentative sip. It tasted like a garden that had seen better days.

"It's... an acquired taste," I managed, trying not to gag.

"You'll get used to it." Bull winked. "I've been making these for three years. Still haven't."

I laughed. Actually laughed. And for a second, the performance dropped – no more New Zoe, just me standing in a smoothie shop with something that tasted like liquid lawn.

Then someone cleared their throat behind me.

I turned to see Liam, last year's homecoming king, looking impossibly perfect in his varsity jacket. He nodded at my drink.

"That's actually pretty good if you add extra water. Thins it out a bit."

The fact that Liam Choi, who had never once acknowledged my existence, was giving me smoothie advice?

I was absolutely going to spy on his order next time. Absolutely.

"Thanks," I squeaked.

"No problem." He paused. "I'm Liam, by the way."

"Zoe."

"Cool. See you around, Zoe."

He walked away, and my friends stared at me like I'd just grown a second head.

"Did that just happen?" Maya whispered.

I looked down at my questionable green smoothie. Maybe this whole reinvention thing wasn't so terrible after all.

"I think," I said, "I might be onto something here."