Green Teeth & Wild Hearts

Maya's Thursday started with a disaster in the cafeteria mirror. She had spinach in her teeth. Actual, leafy green spinach from the salad she'd dared to eat because her mom said it'd help with "that healthy glow." Whatever that meant.

She'd been crushing on Leo since September, and naturally, today was the day he finally noticed her. Not because of her vintage band tee or the way she actually laughed at his jokes. No. He noticed because she looked like she'd been eating a shrubbery.

"Your cat's been spying on me again," Leo said, sliding into the seat across from her. His orange hair was messy in that way that looked intentional on guys and accidental on everyone else.

Maya blinked. "What?"

"Barnaby. Your cat. I see him in your window every time I walk past your house. He's like a little furry spy." Leo grinned. "Unless you've been training him to watch me?"

Her face burned. She hadn't. But she also hadn't stopped Barnaby from sitting on her windowsill, watching Leo skateboard past their house every afternoon at 4:15 like clockwork. Sometimes she joined him. Sometimes.

"He's independent," Maya managed. "Very self-directed."

"Cool cat." Leo stole a grape from her tray. "Hey, you're coming to Jordan's party tomorrow, right?"

Maya's stomach did that thing where it forgot how to organ. "Maybe?"

"You should." He leaned in closer. "I heard someone say you're quiet. But you're not, are you? You're like..." He snapped his fingers, searching. "Remember that fox we saw behind the school last month?"

"The one that stole Mrs. Chen's sandwich?"

"Exactly. Everyone thought it was some sneaky little thief. But I saw it again later, just sitting in the sun, totally unbothered." Leo looked at her with eyes the color of storm clouds. "You're like that. Wild, but chill about it."

Maya couldn't breathe. She also couldn't remember if she'd removed all the spinach.

Outside, lightning cracked the sky in half. Rain hammered against the cafeteria windows like applause.

"Well," Leo said, standing up with his tray. "Now I have to wait for my mom. But tomorrow night? Don't make me send Barnaby to collect you."

Maya watched him go, then checked her reflection in her phone camera.

All clear. No spinach. Just her, smiling like someone who'd just figured out she wasn't invisible anymore.

Sometimes the universe gave you lightning moments. Sometimes you just got lucky and Leo noticed your cat noticed him first.

Either way, tomorrow night, she was wearing something spinach-proof.