Green Smoothie Sabotage

Maya dragged herself through the school hallway feeling like a total **zombie** after staying up until 3AM doom-scrolling through her ex's Instagram stories. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, making her already-pounding headache worse.

"You look rough," said Jace, leaning against his locker with that annoyingly perfect grin. "Rough night being a social media **spy** again?"

Maya rolled her eyes so hard it actually hurt. "For your information, I was studying. And at least I'm not stalking anyone's finsta."

"Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, Maya." He laughed and tossed her an apple, which she caught despite her zombie reflexes. "But hey, you coming to Kai's pool party later? Everyone's gonna be there."

The **water**. Maya's stomach did that annoying flip-flop thing. She'd been hiding it all summer – that she'd never properly learned to swim. While everyone else was posting TikToks from the beach or lake house, she was "busy" with "family stuff." But the truth was way more embarrassing.

"I'll think about it," she mumbled, suddenly fascinated by the scuff on her sneakers.

Her phone buzzed. MOM: Don't forget we're making that **spinach** and **papaya** smoothie recipe later! Your dad bought everything!

Maya groaned. Her health-nut parents were going through another phase. Last month it was kombucha. This month: "tropical green smoothies for radiant skin!" She could already imagine the disgusting swamp-colored concoction.

"What's wrong?" Jace raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Just my parents being weird. Again."

Hours later, Maya stood in her kitchen, staring at the blender like it was a bomb. Half a bag of **spinach**, a whole peeled **papaya**, some coconut water, and – god help her – a scoop of something called "adaptogenic mushroom powder."

Her phone lit up with notifications. Kai's pool party was already starting. People were posting stories. She was missing it. Again.

The blender roared to life, creating the most unholy green sludge she'd ever seen. But when she took a sip, expecting pure nastiness...

It was actually kind of good? Like, not gonna-post-about-it-on-social-media good, but definitely drinkable.

"See?" Her mom beamed. "Sometimes the stuff you think will be nasty surprises you."

Maya stared at her glass, then at her phone, then back at the glass. Maybe it was time to stop being a **zombie** who just watched life happen through other people's posts. Maybe it was time to jump in the literal **water**, even if she looked stupid doing it.

"Hey Mom? Can I bring the rest of this to Kai's party?"

Her mom's grin widened. "Go get 'em, Maya."