Spinach Teeth & the Party Sphinx

Maya stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, her phone buzzing like an angry **zombie** on the counter. Sophie's house party had started twenty minutes ago, and she was still psyching herself up.

"You've got this," she whispered, then immediately checked her teeth for **spinach**. None. Thank god. That disaster at Homecoming would haunt her forever.

Her big sister's old teddy **bear** sat on the counter, its glass eyes judging her. "Don't look at me like that, Barnaby," she muttered. "At least I'm going."

Going was the problem. Maya had been crushing on Alex since seventh period English started, and tonight was supposed to be her moment. But the moment felt heavier than her entire existence.

She adjusted her crop top for the tenth time. Her palms were so sweaty she could barely **palm** her phone without it sliding. Why did being sixteen feel like walking through a minefield made of embarrassment and awkward pauses?

Downstairs, her mom called out: "Have fun, sweetie! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Maya grabbed Barnaby on impulse. The bear was ridiculous, she knew that. But something about its soft, battered fur made her feel less alone. Like having a tiny, ridiculous champion.

Sophie's house was already loud when she arrived. People she barely knew from Instagram stories were everywhere, red cups in hand, music throbbing like a heartbeat. Maya clutched Barnaby to her chest like a lifeline.

Then she saw Alex. Standing by the food table, looking perfect in that way that made Maya's brain short-circuit. Alex caught her eye and smiled. Maya's stomach did something unholy.

"Is that... a **bear**?" Alex asked, coming closer. Their voice was everything Maya had imagined and more.

Maya's face burned. "Yeah. I know, I'm—"

"It's awesome," Alex said, grinning. "I have a collection of vintage plushies at home. My friends think I'm weird, but... I don't know. They make everything less scary."

Maya's heart did this fluttery thing that probably wasn't healthy. "Exactly. That's exactly why I brought him."

"Barnaby and Maya," Alex said, extending their hand. "I'm Alex. And I'm glad you're weird too."

Maya took their hand, her palm still sweating but for once not caring. The party, the noise, everything else faded. She'd come here prepared for disaster, armed with a teddy bear and zero expectations, but somehow—miraculously—she'd found someone who got it.

Outside, the wind rustled through the **palm** trees as Maya finally smiled, really smiled, like she'd been waiting to do her whole life.