Goldfish in the Sphinx

Jordan's first real high school party wasn't exactly TikTok worthy. The host's golden retriever, Max, had already knocked over two red cups and was currently eyeing Jordan's nachos like a possessed creature from a horror movie.

"Yo, Max, chill!" Marcus shouted, but the dog was already mid-jump.

Jordan sidestepped like a ninja, nachos intact. Social points: +10.

The house was decorated for some random Egypt theme—because apparently, that's what happens when your parents are wealthy archaeologists. A plastic sphinx sat in the corner of the living room, its painted-on smile judging everyone's dance moves. Jordan's crush, Sam, was standing near it, looking unfairly good in a hoodie that probably cost more than Jordan's entire wardrobe.

"Nice sphinx," someone said. "Very ancient vibes."

Sam laughed, and Jordan felt that weird flutter in their chest. The kind that makes you forget your own name.

"So," Sam said, turning to Jordan. "You gonna play beer pong or are you gonna stand there looking like you're calculating your entire future?"

Jordan opened their mouth to respond—something smooth, something cool—and nothing came out. Complete system freeze.

"Wow, okay," Sam teased. "You good?"

"Yeah, just—goldfish mode," Jordan managed, which made ZERO sense but somehow Sam laughed anyway.

"Goldfish mode? Like, seven-second memory?"

"Exactly like that."

Someone shouted that the fish bowl game prizes were being handed out. Jordan won a literal goldfish in a plastic bag. It swam around, looking as confused about existence as Jordan felt about being alive.

"His name is Squishy," Sam said, like it was obvious.

"Squishy the goldfish. Classic."

"You know," Sam said quietly, "you're pretty chill when you're not overthinking everything."

Jordan's brain short-circuited. Again. But this time, Sam was still smiling.

The dog bolted past, knocking over the sphinx. The plastic statue's nose cracked off.

"MAX!" Marcus yelled.

Jordan and Sam looked at each other and started laughing. It was the kind of laugh that feels like electricity, the kind that makes you think maybe, just maybe, high school wouldn't completely suck after all.

"Wanna get food?" Sam asked. "Like, away from Max the Destroyer?"

Jordan nodded, clutching Squishy's bag. "Absolutely."

They walked out into the cool night air, and Jordan didn't even mind that they'd forgotten what they were going to say. Goldfish mode was fine. Goldfish mode was perfect, actually.