The Green Smile

Maya stood frozen in the doorway of Jake's basement party, her heart doing gymnastics. At fifteen, this was supposed to be her first real high school party, but her social anxiety had other plans. She'd spent forty minutes perfecting her mascara — which she now realized was probably overkill.

"Hey! You made it!" Jake materialized through the crowd of dancing bodies, looking adorable in his worn hoodie. Maya felt her face burn.

"Yeah! Just... you know," she managed, clutching her phone like a lifeline. Her iPhone had become her social crutch, the thing she fiddled with whenever awkwardness struck.

The kitchen was packed. Someone's mom had set out a spread of snacks, and there it was — the disaster waiting to happen: a massive spinach artichoke dip, looking innocent enough but clearly a trap. Maya's stomach growled. She hadn't eaten since lunch, too nervous about tonight.

She loaded up her plate. The dip was actually good. Like, really good. She was on her third bite when Jake approached, smiling that perfect half-smile that made her knees weak.

"So, what's your Snapchat?" he asked, leaning against the counter.

Maya panicked. In her haste to answer, she swallowed wrong. Her eyes watered. She grabbed a glass of water from the counter and chugged it, trying to compose herself.

"I'm —" she started, but then noticed Jake's expression. He wasn't looking at her eyes. He was staring at her mouth, trying desperately not to laugh.

"You have..." He gestured vaguely at his own teeth.

Maya bolted to the bathroom. There, reflected in the harsh fluorescent lighting, was her nightmare: a massive, bright green piece of spinach wedged squarely between her front teeth. She scrubbed it away with her finger, her face burning hotter than ever.

When she finally emerged, mortified and ready to leave, Jake was waiting outside the door.

"Hey," he said softly. "I was gonna tell you, but you ran off so fast."

"That was so embarrassing," Maya groaned, covering her face with her hands.

Jake laughed. "Maya, last week I tripped over my own feet at lunch and my tray went flying. Everywhere." He stepped closer. "Can I get your number? The real way this time?"

She smiled, careful to check her teeth first. "Yeah. I'd like that."