Vitamin Gummies and Growth

Maya stared at the neon orange bottle on her desk. Teen Power Multivitamins — complete with promises of "better focus" and "stronger immunity." Yeah, right. Like a gummy **vitamin** was gonna fix sophomore year.

"You still taking those?" Jordan leaned against her doorframe, already dressed for the party. "You know they're basically candy, right?"

"Shut up." Maya grabbed her phone. "At least I'm trying to be healthy."

"You're perfect already." Jordan's voice softened. "My **friend**, since when do you care what anyone thinks?"

Since Derek called her "basic" in front of everyone. Since then, she'd been spiraling — overanalyzing everything, trying to upgrade herself like some glitchy app.

The party was already loud when they arrived. Someone had dragged a massive stuffed **bear** out of the basement — some ancient mascot from when their school actually won championships. People were taking goofy pictures with it, pretending to get mauled.

"This is such a **bull**shit party," Maya muttered, but Jordan was already gone, swallowed by the crowd.

Then she saw him. Derek, laughing with his friends, holding court like he owned the place. Her chest tightened. She turned to leave —

And crashed straight into the bear. It tipped over, pinning her awkwardly against the wall.

"Need a hand?"

She looked up. Derek. Actually nice-smelling, actually kind-eyed Derek. Not the monster she'd built up in her head.

"I got it." She shoved the bear aside, face burning. "Thanks."

"Those vitamins working yet?" he asked.

She froze. "You noticed?"

"You're always taking them in bio." He shrugged. "I think it's kinda cool you actually take care of yourself. Most people don't."

Wait.

"You think I'm basic?"

"What? No." Derek looked confused. "I called that café basic, not you. Why would you think—"

Jordan appeared, breathless. "Maya! Derek! There you guys are! Group photo with the bear!"

Maya looked at Jordan, at Derek, at the ridiculous stuffed animal behind them. And suddenly she was laughing — really laughing — for the first time in weeks.

Maybe she didn't need to be upgraded. Maybe she just needed to stop overthinking everything.

"Come on," she said, grabbing Jordan's hand. "Let's go molest that bear."