Vitamin G Truth Serum

Maya pulled her hoodie tighter, feeling like a total imposter as she watched the popular crowd from her spot against the gym wall. Being sophomore class photographer came with perks—invisible status. Like now, everyone ignored her while she snapped pics of homecoming prep. She was basically a spy in their world, documenting moments she'd never be part of.

Jake caught her eye and flashed that smile that made half the female population swoon. Maya's stomach did something embarrassing.

"Hey, you want in on this?" He waved her over.

Her feet moved before her brain could protest.

"We're doing this vitamin challenge," explained Chloe, queen of everything Maya wasn't. "My cousin's a trainer at this exclusive gym. Says these supplements are game-changers."

Maya squinted at the bottle. Vitamin G? Sounded sketch.

"It's legit," Jake insisted. "We're all trying it. You in, Maya?"

The word hung there. An invitation. Her chance to finally belong.

"Sure," she heard herself say.

That night, Maya googled Vitamin G. Nothing. No studies, no reviews, no mentions anywhere. Her journalist dad always said: if it seems too good to be true, that's because it's bull.

The phrase hit her like a bucket of ice water.

Next morning, Maya staked out the cafeteria like a pro. From her corner table, she watched as Chloe, Jake, and the others popped their pills. They looked ridiculous—like, genuinely uncool. Why hadn't she noticed before?

"This stuff is giving me crazy energy," Jake announced, then spent the rest of the period yawning.

"My skin is literally glowing," Chloe claimed, while Maya saw exactly zero difference.

Maya pulled out her phone and snapped a photo. Not for the yearbook. For herself.

"You're not taking yours?" Jake asked later at her locker.

Maya looked at the bottle in her hand. The supposed miracle vitamin that was probably just flour and food coloring. The key to a club she didn't even want to join anymore.

"Actually," she said, dropping it in the trash, "I'm good."

She walked away feeling lighter than she had in months. Sometimes the biggest power move was realizing you didn't need to change at all.

"Wait up!" Jake called.

Maya slowed down but didn't turn around. Let him chase her for once.