Green Teeth and Ancient Riddles

Maya's life was officially over. At least, that's how it felt when she caught her reflection in the bathroom mirror during third period.

A massive, vibrant chunk of **spinach** was wedged between her front teeth like a green neon sign announcing her embarrassment to the world.

"No, no, no," she muttered, frantically digging at it with her fingernail. This wouldn't be happening if she hadn't tried to eat healthy this week. If she'd just stuck to her usual lunch of crackers and anxiety like a normal person.

The bathroom door swung open. Chloe walked in, surrounded by her little circle of friends. Perfect, popular Chloe, whose Instagram stories were basically a documentary on how to exist correctly.

"Hey Maya," Chloe said, then did a double take. "You've got a little..."

Maya's face burned hotter than a sunburn. "I know, I know."

"I was going to say you've got a little something in your teeth, but actually, you saved me," Chloe continued. "We were supposed to present our Egypt project today, but Liam left his notecards in his locker. The thing's due in five minutes."

Maya froze. Her Social Anxiety™ was screaming at her to flush herself down the toilet. But...

"What's the project?"

"The Great **Pyramid** of Giza," Chloe said. "We built this model and everything, but now we have nothing to say about it."

Maya had read literally every book on ancient Egypt in the school library last year during her "history phase" (her mom's words). She'd moved on since then, but the information was still there, collecting dust in the back of her brain like old receipts.

"I can help," Maya heard herself say. Her internal monologue was screaming *WHAT ARE YOU DOING*, but her mouth had other plans.

Three minutes later, Maya stood at the front of Mr. Harrison's class, heart pounding like a bass drop, while Chloe set up their pyramid model. Maya's palms were sweating. She couldn't remember a single fact about pyramids. Her brain was blank, just static and panic and—

"The **sphinx**," Maya blurted out. Everyone stared. "The Great Sphinx guarded the pyramids. It has the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, probably Khafre. Nobody knows exactly why it was built, but some theories say it represents wisdom and strength combined."

The class went silent. Then Mr. Harrison nodded slowly. "Excellent, Maya. Would you like to continue?"

And somehow, she did. Words poured out of her, smooth and confident, while Chloe grinned beside her like they'd been friends forever.

After class, Chloe high-fived her in the hallway. "You literally saved us. You're, like, secretly a genius."

"Just really into documentaries," Maya shrugged, trying to play it cool.

"You should come sit with us at lunch," Chloe said. "Liam can recite the entire history of cheese, so you'll fit right in."

Maya smiled, catching her reflection in a locker mirror. She still had a little green spinach stuck in her teeth. And somehow, that was okay.