The Vitamin Water Incident

Maya's first week at Northwood High could've gone better. Actually, it could've gone a lot better.

She'd planned her reinvention carefully: new wardrobe, new attitude, zero reminders of the girl who once fell into a pond during sixth-grade graduation. But somehow, she'd ended up hiding in the cafeteria corner, wearing an oversized orange beanie that swallowed half her forehead.

Hair emergency. The hat was temporary, or that's what she told herself.

Then Lucas Chen sat down across from her. Lucas Chen, who somehow made cross country and debate team look effortless. Who had, Maya noticed with sudden panic, a water bottle full of some suspiciously green sludge.

"Is that..." Maya started before she could stop herself.

"Spinach smoothie," Lucas said, like this was normal teenage behavior. "Want to try? My mom's on this health kick. Basically a liquid vitamin."

Maya should've said no. Maya had fully intended to say no. But Lucas was looking at her with actual interest, and suddenly she was nodding, accepting the cup, taking a gulp while maintaining what she hoped was casual eye contact.

The spinach hit her throat like a vegetable slap.

She swallowed. Somehow.

"Not bad," she wheezed, while something that definitely wasn't pride swelled in her chest. She was someone who drank green smoothies now. Someone who didn't have orange leaves in her hair from gym class yesterday. Someone worth talking to.

"Cool," Lucas said. "You play any sports?"

Maya opened her mouth to respond—

And a piece of spinach, defying all laws of physics and dignity, launched from her front tooth in a perfect arc onto Lucas's white backpack.

The silence stretched. Maya's face burned so hot she could probably power the school.

Lucas stared at the spinach. Then at her. Then he started laughing. Not mean laughing—actual, doubled-over, shoulders-shaking laughter.

"Dude," he said, wiping tears from his eyes. "That was honestly impressive."

Maya groaned into her hands. "I'm never going to live this down."

"Nah," Lucas said, still grinning. "But maybe next time, try the mixed berry one? LessProjectile issues."

She peeked through her fingers. He was offering her another cup.

Maya's first week at Northwood High could've gone better. But as she accepted the smoothie—carefully this time—she figured it could've gone worse.