The Green Between My Teeth

The cafeteria was doing that thing where the noise level hit exactly the wrong decibel for anxiety. I picked at my lunch, convinced everyone was watching me—which they weren't, because the social hierarchy of Westbridge High had placed me firmly in the background, somewhere between the library regulars and the kids who played Magic in the hallway.

Then Marcus sat down across from me.

Marcus, who wore the same beat-up denim jacket every day. Marcus, whose vintage snapback had become his whole personality. Marcus, who I'd been lowkey obsessed with since September.

"Yo, you coming to Jordan's party Friday?" He asked it like he'd known me for years, not like we'd shared exactly three sentences since school started.

I choked on my spinach. Literally. A piece launched itself between my front teeth like a tiny green flag of surrender.

"Uh, maybe?" I managed, while my brain calculated exit strategies. Parties weren't really my vibe. I was more of a 'overthink social interactions from the safety of my bedroom' type.

Marcus laughed, and it was this actual genuine sound, not performative. "You should. Be sick."

He paused, then leaned in like he was sharing classified intel. "Hey, you got a little—" He gestured at his own teeth.

My soul left my body.

I scrubbed at my teeth with my napkin while Marcus watched, unfazed. "My bad, that was awkward of me. Should've let you find out in fourth period."

"Why are you talking to me?" The words escaped before I could filter them.

Marcus shrugged. "You seem chill. Plus, I saw you drawing in the library last week. That dragon was actually fire."

I felt something shift in my chest, like a window cracking open.

"Thanks."

"Anyway, Jordan's older brother is buying us pizza if we help setup. You in?"

I thought about my safe, predictable Friday evening. Then I thought about Marcus's hat, the way he'd complimented my art instead of making fun of it, how he hadn't even hesitated when I literally had spinach in my teeth.

"Yeah," I said, and my voice didn't shake. "I'm in."

The bell rang. Marcus grabbed his backpack, then paused.

"Oh, and nice hat, by the way."

I wasn't wearing a hat. But as he walked away, I found myself smiling anyway.