The Spinach Bagel Incident

Sixteen-year-old Maya stood behind the counter at Sal's Bagels, watching her phone blow up with texts she couldn't answer. Her best friend Chloe was at Taylor's party without her, again. Maya scanned another everything bagel with cream cheese and spinach, the irony hitting her like a punch to the gut. She was literally stuck here while everyone else was living their best lives.

"Order up!" Sal's voice cut through her thoughts. "Table seven needs that everything bagel with extra spinach, like, NOW."

Maya grabbed the plate, avoiding eye contact with the popular kids from school. She'd been running track all season to prove she wasn't just "the smart girl," but somehow she always ended up back here – stuck behind the counter while her friend group partied without her.

That's when she saw him. Liam from her English class, standing by the entrance with his dog, a golden retriever that looked like it had walked straight out of a Disney movie.

"Hey," he said, ducking inside as the rain started. "Sorry, my dog got scared of the thunder. Can we wait here a minute?"

Maya felt her face heat up. Because OF COURSE the first time Liam talked to her all year, she was wearing a bagel uniform covered in spinach flakes.

"Yeah, no problem," she managed, while internally screaming. This was fine. Everything was fine.

The dog, whose name was apparently Buster, decided this was the moment to become her new best friend, nudging her hand with his wet nose. Maya laughed despite herself.

"He likes you," Liam said, grinning.

"I'm more of a cat person," she blurted out, then wanted to die. Why did she say that? She didn't even have a cat.

"My sister had a goldfish once," Liam offered. "Named it Toast. It lived for like, five years, which I'm pretty sure is a world record."

"Toast the goldfish," Maya repeated, and they both cracked up. Just like that, the awkwardness broke.

"So," Liam said, leaning against the counter, "you're always here on Fridays, right? I've seen you. Why aren't you at Taylor's party?"

Maya shrugged. "Not really my scene. Besides, someone's gotta keep Sal's spinach bagel empire running."

"Good point," Liam said. "Hey, after your shift, want to go for a walk? Buster could use the exercise, and I know this spot downtown with the best milkshakes."

Something warm bloomed in Maya's chest. Chloe could have Taylor's party. Maya had something better – a golden retriever, a potential milkshake date, and the realization that maybe she didn't need to run with the popular crowd to find her people.

"Only if you let me hold the leash," she said.

Liam's grin widened. "Deal."