The Spinach Incident

Maya was running toward the cafeteria, heart pounding like she'd just finished a 5K without actually training for one. Her iphone buzzed in her pocket - probably another text from Jordan about their History project due tomorrow that she'd completely forgotten about.

"Spinach smoothie? Really?" Chelsea rolled her eyes as Maya slid into their usual spot. "That looks like something that crawled out of a swamp."

"It's healthy, Chels." Maya took a defiant sip, trying to ignore how it looked like radioactive sludge. "Some of us care about our bodies."

"Some of us care about not looking like we're drinking pond water during third period," Chelsea shot back, but she was grinning. That's what Maya loved about their friendship - no topic was too weird for Chelsea to roast.

The smoothie was revenge for yesterday's lunch, when Chelsea had dared Maya to ask the new kid, Leo, if he'd transferred from some exotic European country. He'd looked confused and said, "Uh, New Jersey?" Maya had wanted to melt through the floor.

Speaking of Leo, there he was, sitting at the next table with a book. Maya's stomach did that annoying fluttery thing. She'd been crushing on him for weeks but couldn't manage more than awkward mumbles when they crossed paths.

Thunder rattled the cafeteria windows. Outside, lightning cracked across the sky - actual, dramatic movie lightning that made everyone look up.

"Dude, that's intense," Leo said, glancing over.

Maya opened her mouth to respond cool and casual-like. Instead, what came out was, "Mmph-hmm."

Because she still had spinach smoothie in her teeth. She could feel it. The green goblin of social awkwardness had taken residence in her smile.

After school, Maya found herself hiding in the library, avoiding human contact until she could floss in peace. That's when she saw it - the ancient Egypt display with the carved sphinx statue. The riddle-asking creature that destroyed anyone who couldn't answer its questions.

The sphinx's stone face seemed almost sympathetic. Like it knew what it was like to have something stuck in its teeth for eternity.

"Being a teenager is basically one long sphinx riddle," Maya muttered to herself. "Who am I? What do I want? And why did I drink that stupid smoothie?"

Her phone buzzed again. Jordan: "Did you forget the project too or are you just ignoring me? We should meet at the library."

Maya stared at the sphinx, then at her reflection in the darkened library window. Green stuff still visible in her teeth. Lightning flashing outside, illuminating everything she'd been trying to hide.

She pulled out her phone and texted back: "Library in 10. Also, I have spinach in my teeth. Come prepared with floss."

Then she sent Leo a message: "Smoothie disaster. You should see it."

His response came instantly: "Send pics. Also, do you want to study for Mr. Henderson's test tomorrow?"

Maya grinned, spinach and all. Growing up wasn't about having all the answers. It was about learning to ask the right questions - and texting cute boys even when you looked ridiculous.