Spinach and Secrets

The bodega's cable TV flickered above the papaya display, threatening to ruin my Friday night. I was stuck covering my dad's shift again while everyone else was at Tyler's party. My phone buzzed with Snapchats I couldn't answer.

Malak walked in — the same Malak who sat three rows behind me in AP Bio, looking impossibly perfect in her vintage band tee. My heart did that stupid flutter thing. She reached for the last papaya like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Need cable for your setup or what?" I blurted out, trying to sound casual.

She laughed. "Nah, just making smoothies. You ever tried papaya with spinach?"

"That sounds like straight-up punishment."

"It's actually fire, but whatever." Her eyes sparkled. "You're Abdul's kid, right? From the bodega?"

I leaned against the counter, forgetting the cable TV drama for a second. "Yeah. I'm Ahmed. And I'm judging your taste." I grabbed a bag of spinach from the display. "This? Really?"

"Don't knock it 'til you try it." She moved closer, and I caught a whiff of vanilla and something citrusy. "My mom makes this papaya-spinach smoothie that'll change your life. But if you tell anyone I said that, I'll end you."

"Your secret's safe with me." The words felt heavy, like they meant more.

The cable TV finally died completely, and I groaned. "Of course. Now my dad's gonna lose it over the game."

Malak pulled her phone out. "I can help. I'm kinda good with that stuff. My dad's all tech."

She fixed it in three minutes flat while I watched like an idiot. When the TV sparked back to life, she grinned. "See? I got you."

"You're ridiculous."

"And you're stuck here all night." She checked the time. "Bring that papaya and spinach to my place. I'll prove you wrong about the smoothie. And my brother has better snacks than this place."

The cable TV droned in the background as I grabbed my jacket. Worst shift ever? Nah. Best night of my life.