The Social Vitamin

I stood in front of Northwood High's actual **sphinx** — okay, it was just Maya Chen, perched on the cafeteria table like she owned the place. Her riddles weren't ancient Egyptian mysteries; they were social death traps.

"Who tried to slide into Jason's DMs last night?" she called out, her voice carrying like she'd swallowed a megaphone.

I shrank into my flannel. That would be me. I'm the girl who thinks **goldfish** have longer attention spans than I do with boys.

"Nobody," I muttered, my face radiating enough heat to warm the entire lunchroom.

"Sure about that?" Maya raised an eyebrow. "Because my **spy** network says otherwise."

Her spy network was just Jasmine, who spent more time watching people than living her own life. But still — my social life was about to be murdered.

Then HE walked in. Lucas, the sophomore who dressed like he'd raided a vintage thrift store and somehow made it look effortless. He spotted our table and I swear my heart forgot how to pump blood.

"Hey,"

He stopped right in front of me.

"I saw your Instagram story," he said. "The one about your **vitamin** gummies? Those actually work?"

WHAT.

"Uh, yeah?" I managed. "They're supposed to help with... stress?"

"Cool," he grinned, and my stomach did something gymnastic-level. "Maybe I'll try them. Being a teenager is basically a full-time job."

"Totally." TOTALLY? Who says totally?

Then Jeremy, the actual **bull** of Northwood, shoulder-checked him on his way past. "Nice shirt, hipster."

The entire cafeteria went quiet. Lucas just laughed it off. But I saw something flicker in his eyes.

I stood up. I don't know what happened. Maybe it was the vitamin gummies kicking in, or maybe I was just done watching.

"Hey Jeremy," I called out, my voice shaking but audible. "How's that detention going for spray-painting the gym last month?"

Silence. Then laughter. Not at me — at him.

Jeremy's face turned that special shade of red. He muttered something and stormed off.

Lucas looked at me with actual stars in his eyes. "That was... unexpected."

"I have moments," I shrugged, trying to play it cool while internally screaming.

"Cool," he said again, softer this time. "So, those vitamins? You want to sit together tomorrow?"

I may have faceplanted into my mashed potatoes five seconds later. But I'd take it.