Truth, Lies, and Spinach

Marcus's life changed the day he tried to be smooth and ended up with spinach in his teeth. He was fifteen, a sophomore, and currently dying inside because senior Maya—the most gorgeous girl in school—was walking toward his table in the cafeteria. She had that effortless cool vibe, like she belonged in a music video instead of this fluorescent-lit prison of awkward energy.

"Hey," Maya said, sliding into the seat across from him. "I saw you at Jordan's party Friday. You were working that spinner rack like a pro." She laughed, and Marcus felt his face heat up. She'd noticed him. Actually noticed him.

But then came the bull—Tyler, the senior defensive end who sat two tables away. Tyler caught Marcus's eye and mouthed something that made Marcus's stomach drop. "That's bull," Tyler had said at the party when Marcus tried to impress everyone with his supposed DJ skills. Now Tyler was grinning like he knew something Marcus didn't.

Marcus had been spying on Tyler's Snapchat stories all week, trying to figure out if Tyler was talking trash about him. It was pathetic, he knew, but social hierarchy at Northwood High was basically Game of Thrones with more vape pens and pettiness.

"So," Maya said, leaning in closer. "My friend Chloe thinks you're cute. She was too shy to say anything, but..." She smiled, and Marcus felt water slosh in his stomach—nerves mixed with hope.

"Really?" Marcus asked, trying to play it cool. "Which Chloe?"

"Chloe Martinez. You have chem together, right?" She nodded toward his tray. "By the way, you've got a little..." She pointed to her teeth.

Marcus froze. He'd been chewing spinach from his lunch all through this conversation. The spinach incident. The one thing that could ruin everything.

"Oh my god," he muttered, grabbing a napkin.

Maya laughed—not mean laughing, but actually laughing. "It's fine! It's honestly kind of endearing. Most guys try too hard to be perfect. You're just... real." She stood up. "I'll tell Chloe you're interested. Her friend is having a pool party Saturday if you want to come. Bring your A-game, DJ Marcus."

As she walked away, Marcus caught Tyler's eye again. This time, Tyler gave him a thumbs-up. Maybe the bull wasn't as bad as Marcus thought. And maybe—just maybe—being himself, spinach and all, was actually enough.

He took a sip of water and smiled for the first time all day.