The Spinach Incident

Marcus's heart hammered against his ribs as he leaned against the chain-link fence, watching Maya glide through the water like she was part liquid. The community pool sparkled under the July sun, but Marcus felt like he was drowning on dry land.

"Dude, you gonna stare all day or actually talk to her?" Tyler elbowed him, grinning. "Your phone's been blowing up anyway."

Marcus ignored him. He'd spent forty-five minutes on his hair this morning. His outfit was curated specifically to say 'effortlessly cool' instead of 'tried way too hard.' Everything was perfect.

Except.

He'd eaten spinach and feta wraps for lunch. And now, he could feel it—that microscopic piece of green devastation wedged between his front teeth. A social death sentence.

"Whatever," a voice boomed behind them.

Brad. The actual human **bull** of Jefferson High, currently shirtless and somehow still radiating pure menace while holding a melting ice cream cone. Tyler flinched. Marcus stood his ground, but his mouth stayed shut. Literally.

"Your sister texted me," Brad said, eyes narrowing. "Said your mom's flipping out about the **cable** being out again. You're gonna miss the game tonight."

Marcus shrugged, lips sealed tight. Game night with Brad's crew was legendary, but not worth exposing the spinach situation. Not in front of Maya, who was now pulling herself out of the water, droplets glistening on her arms like she'd been dipped in stars.

She started walking toward them. Marcus's brain short-circuited.

Then, like something from a cosmic joke, Brad's massive foot caught on the pool's electrical **cable**. The transformer box sparked. Half the pool area went dark. People screamed. Maya stopped.

"You okay?" Maya asked Brad, actually concerned.

Brad rubbed his shin, looking embarrassed. "Yeah, just being a dumbass."

Marcus forgot everything and started laughing. Not a fake chuckle—the real, can't-breathe kind. His mouth opened wide.

"What?" Brad demanded, then caught Marcus's reflection in the darkened window of the pool house. "Bro, you've got—" He gestured to his own teeth.

Maya dissolved into giggles. "Is that... spinach?"

Marcus wanted to evaporate. But then Maya was beside him, her wet arm brushing his. "I had popcorn stuck in my braces for three hours once. In seventh grade. While giving a presentation."

"Seriously?" Marcus managed.

"My life is basically a series of mortifying moments," she whispered. "Wanna go get Slurpees? I'll distract you while you check your teeth."