The Food Pyramid Rebellion

Marcus stared at the government-sanigned pyramid poster on the cafeteria wall, its rainbow triangles mocking his usual lunch of pizza and tater tots. Sixteen years of playing it safe, and what did he have to show for it? Invisible.

"Dude, are you seriously eating that?" Tyler asked, gesturing at Marcus's tray like he'd grown a second head.

Marcus straightened his spine. "Yeah. It's called being intentional."

Because Maya—the senior who'd actually looked at him twice yesterday—was all about that wellness lifestyle. And if Marcus wanted to escape his background character status, he needed an upgrade. Hence the papaya (exotic, sophisticated), the spinach (earthy, mature), and the **vitamin** supplements he'd started taking with religious dedication.

The plan was working until Cameron spotted him.

"What's this, little Marcus trying to reinvent himself?" Cameron's voice carried across the cafeteria. "Thinking some fancy fruit's gonna make you cool?"

Laughter rippled through nearby tables. Marcus's face burned. He should've expected this—Cameron had been making his life hell since seventh grade.

"Ignore him," Tyler whispered.

But something shifted in Marcus's chest. Maybe it was the **bull**-headedness he'd been suppressing all these years, or maybe those vitamins really were kicking in. He met Cameron's gaze.

"Actually, yeah. I am trying something new." Marcus picked up a piece of papaya. "You should try it sometime instead of being a jerk 24/7. Might help with... whatever this is." He gestured at Cameron's entire existence.

The cafeteria went silent.

Then Maya materialized beside him, sliding into the empty seat. "Hey Marcus." She popped a piece of papaya from his tray. "Your lunch looks way better than whatever mystery meat they're serving."

Cameron's face dropped. Maya high-fived Marcus like they'd been friends for years.

"So," Maya said, grinning, "you always this bold, or is today special?"

Marcus laughed, the sound surprising even himself. "Today's special."