Spinach Teeth & Bull Mascots

Leo's legs burned as he rounded the track, his breath coming in sharp bursts. Running was supposed to clear his head, but today it only made him more nervous about Friday night—the homecoming game where he'd be wearing the bull mascot costume.

"You good, man?" his best friend Ty called from the sidelines, iPhone raised like he was filming a documentary instead of Leo's suffering.

"Never better," Leo lied, wiping sweat from his forehead. The truth was, he'd agreed to be the mascot because Maya would be cheering at that game. Maya, who somehow made screaming into a megaphone look cute. Maya, who'd actually smiled at him in the hallway yesterday.

But then came lunch period's disaster. Leo had taken a bite of his spinach and feta wrap right before Maya approached his table. They'd talked for a solid three minutes about the upcoming chemistry test—three minutes he'd spent grinning like an idiot with bright green spinach stuck between his front teeth. Ty had practically been wheezing trying not to laugh.

"That was legendary stupidity," Ty had said afterward. "Even for you."

Now, finishing his run, Leo's phone buzzed. A group chat notification popped up—Maya had added him to the homecoming planning group. His stomach did this nervous little flip, equal parts excitement and terror.

"So," Ty said, falling into step beside him as they walked toward the locker room. "You gonna do it?"

"Do what?"

"Ask her to the dance. Or are you gonna let another bull costume moment pass you by?"

Leo groaned. "She's never gonna let me live that down, is she?"

"Bro, she thinks it's hilarious. In a good way." Ty clapped his shoulder. "Like, this awkward freshman who became the mascot and somehow made it cool? That's your brand now. Own it."

Maybe Ty was right. Maya had noticed him—really noticed him—even with spinach in his teeth. Even when he was sweating through a cross country practice or stuck inside a stuffy bull costume.

His iPhone lit up again. Maya: *Hey! Quick question about decorations for the dance...*

Leo smiled, typing back with thumbs that still felt a little shaky. Maybe running from things wasn't the answer. Maybe it was time to stop running and actually stay in one place long enough to see what happened next.