Spinach Between My Teeth

I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, dark circles under my eyes, frizz escaping my bun in every direction. Third week at Oak Creek High, and I'd already earned the nickname 'quiet girl' — not exactly the reputation I'd left behind.

'You coming to the courts?' Maya called from outside the stall. We'd been best friend since kindergarten, back when our biggest worry was who got the pink marker. Now she was varsity captain, effortlessly gliding through social circles I couldn't even access.

'Just a sec!' I smoothed my shirt, grabbed my bag, and followed her out.

The padel courts were packed — everyone who was anyone hung out there after school. I clutched my borrowed racket like a shield, my stomach doing somersaults. I'd never played before, but Maya insisted it was the perfect way to 'meet people.' Spoiler: she was wrong.

Her actual friend group stood by the fence, laughing at something Tyler said. Tyler with his perfect hair and easy grin, who probably didn't even know my name. I hung back, adjusting my grip on the racket until my knuckles turned white.

'This is Lia,' Maya announced, like she was introducing a new puppy instead of a socially anxious human. 'She's trying out padel.'

'Track's more my sport,' I mumbled, already planning my escape.

'Track season's over though,' someone pointed out. 'Here's your chance to try something new.' It was Tyler, looking at me with actual interest. My brain short-circuited.

'Yeah, totally,' I managed, which was approximately the lamest response ever.

We paired off, and somehow I ended up across from Tyler. Maya shot me a thumbs-up from the other court, not helpful at all. I served — missed completely, the ball sailing into the fence.

'First time?' he asked, not unkindly.

'Is it that obvious?' I felt my face burning.

'Everyone starts somewhere.' He tossed me another ball. 'Try keeping your wrist firm, like this.'

Somehow, we fell into a rhythm. I stopped overthinking every movement, started actually having fun. My returns got better, my serves less disastrous. I even laughed when I tripped over my own feet, which was a personal growth milestone.

Afterward, the group sat on the grass, sharing snacks. Someone offered me a spinach wrap from the cafeteria — the healthy option nobody actually chose voluntarily. I was starving, my stomach growling loud enough for everyone to hear, so I took it.

Big mistake.

We were talking about playlists, me actually contributing, when Tyler's expression shifted. He was staring at my mouth, trying not to smile.

'You've got...' He gestured at his teeth.

Spinach. Of course. The universe hated me.

I wiped frantically with my napkin, my face hotter than the sun. 'How long?'

'The entire conversation,' Maya admitted, failing to suppress laughter.

I wanted to disappear. Instead, Tyler burst out laughing — not mean laughing, but genuine, head-thrown-back laughter. 'That's legendary,' he said. 'Honestly, I was intimidated by how composed you seemed. This is way better.'

'You were intimidated?' I asked through my embarrassment.

'You're mysterious,' he shrugged. 'Spinach makes you more relatable.'

The group cracked up, and something shifted. I wasn't the new girl anymore, not entirely. I was the girl with spinach in her teeth who could still laugh about it.

Later, at my locker, my phone buzzed. Unknown number: 'Padel tomorrow? Bring your own snacks this time.'

I grinned, digging through my bag for my charging cable. I'd forgotten to plug in last night, and my phone was at 4%. Some things didn't change.

But maybe some things had.