Spinach Smile Lightning Strike

The cafeteria noise hit me like a physical force. Another day of moving through high school like a **zombie** — backpack dragging, eyes half-closed, surviving on three hours of sleep and existential dread. I slid into my usual seat across from Chloe, who was literally glowing.

"You're actually brightening my retina," I muttered, stabbing at my tray. "What's your secret?"

She flashed this perfect smile. "My mom started me on these new **vitamin** gummies. They're supposed to help with stress and focus and literally everything."

"Cool. My mom's current obsession is making me eat **spinach** every single day." I gestured at the offending green stuff on my plate. "She's convinced it's brain fuel. Spoiler: it's just sadness in leaf form."

Chloe laughed so hard she snorted, and suddenly I was hyper-aware of my sweating **palms**. This happened whenever I liked someone — my body would just completely betray me.

Then Ethan walked by, and time literally stopped. Not in a cheesy way, but like actual **lightning** struck somewhere nearby and the entire cafeteria went dead silent for three seconds. He was wearing that vintage band tee I'd commented on once, and I swear he looked right at me.

"Did he just—" Chloe started, but I was already overthinking everything. Was there spinach in my teeth? Was my hair a disaster? Had I been staring?

"I think I'm having a heart attack," I whispered.

"Girl, breathe." Chloe leaned closer. "He was looking at you. Definitely."

I spent the rest of lunch alternating between staring at my spinach and trying to casually-but-not-too-casually glance at Ethan's table. My palms were so sweaty I could barely grip my phone.

"Okay, new plan," I decided suddenly. "Tomorrow, I'm actually going to talk to him. No zombie mode, no overthinking, just words coming out of my mouth in human sentences."

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Bold move. You want a vitamin gummy for courage?"

"I'll take whatever helps. Even spinach."

The bell rang, and as I grabbed my backpack, I caught Ethan's eye one more time. He actually smiled. Maybe tomorrow wouldn't be another zombie day after all.