The Green Between

The Friday pool party at Tyler's house was already mid-level chaotic when Maya arrived. Her stomach did that familiar flip-flop thing it always did around Tyler—the cute, popular Tyler who'd actually texted her *first* to invite her. She clutched her tote bag like a lifeline, her phone tucked inside, safe from potential splash zones.

"Maya! You made it!" Tyler called from the deep end, droplets cascading down his abs like something straight out of a teen drama. "You getting in or what?"

"Just... gotta eat first," Maya mumbled, gesturing vaguely at the snack table where she'd strategically positioned herself. Her nerves had her stomach in knots, and she'd grabbed the only thing that looked safe: a massive spinach wrap from the fancy catering tray.

She took a bite, green stuff escaping everywhere, because of course it did. She was mid-chew, trying to look casual and not like she was hyperaware of Tyler's potential attention, when Jordan—Tyler's ex who still hung around like a bad rash—held up their iPhone, finger hovering over the shutter button.

"Say Instagram," Jordan said with that tone that meant nothing good.

Maya swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. The spinach wrap sat heavy in her stomach, a mistake in lettuce form. She knew Jordan was about to take the most unflattering photo possible, post it everywhere, and basically cement her status as Tyler's new target for public humiliation. This was it. The moment her social life died, wrapped in chlorinated air and humiliation.

"Wait," someone said.

It was Tyler. He'd hauled himself out of the pool, water streaming off him in ways that made Maya's brain short-circuit. He walked right up to Jordan, took the iPhone, and looked at the photo.

"Delete it," he said, like it was nothing. Then he turned to Maya, eyes crinkling at the corners. "You got some spinach in your teeth, by the way."

Maya wanted to evaporate. Like, actually become vapor and float away into the atmosphere.

"But," Tyler continued, "I was gonna come over anyway and tell you that I like how you're always reading by the pool during free period. You're like, the only person who brings actual books to school anymore."

Maya blinked. The spinach incident suddenly felt smaller, somehow.

"Oh," she said.

"Yeah," Tyler said, rubbing the back of his neck. "So... you wanna get in the pool? I promise not to splash you. Much."

Maya found herself smiling, spinach and all. "Maybe. But you're telling me if I have food in my teeth again."

"Deal."