Orange Hair, Sphinx Stares

Maya's new orange hair hit the hallway like a grenade. Literally. She'd spent three hours perfecting the sunset gradient, only for it to become immediate social capital she never asked for.

"New aesthetic? Or did you lose a bet with a box of Fanta?"

Danny. Of course. The guy who'd been her lab partner since freshman year, now suddenly interested in her existence because she looked like a traffic cone.

"It's called self-expression, Danny. You should try it sometime."

The real problem wasn't the hair. It was Mr. Halloway's English class, where they were analyzing Oedipus and—because the universe hated her—actual sphinx mythology. Mr. Halloway, whom everyone called "the Sphinx" behind his back because his riddles could end your GPA, kept staring at her orange waves like they were a personal offense.

"Miss Chen," he said during third period. "Since you've clearly embraced change, perhaps you'd like to explain what the sphinx represents. And "that lion thing" is not an acceptable answer."

Her face burned hotter than her hair.

That was Tuesday. By Friday, everything went sideways. The school was hyping the homecoming assembly, where Tyler Matthews—star quarterback, human embodiment of "bull in a china shop," and Maya's crush since approximately forever—was doing this crazy bull-riding exhibition. Live bull. Real fear. Maximum chaos.

Maya got roped into helping set up because of course she did, student council requirements and all.

Then she saw it: the bull. Massive, cranky, and currently eyeing her orange hair like it was a personal challenge.

"Hey," said a voice behind her. Tyler. Actually Tyler. Standing there in his flannel shirt looking like a Pinterest board come to life. "Cool hair."

Her brain short-circuited. "Thanks. It's... orange."

"Yeah. I noticed." He grinned, all crinkly eyes and easy confidence. "You're helping with the bull thing? That's brave."

"I'm mostly just holding ropes and praying."

"Same." He stepped closer. "Hey, after this—you want to get food? My treat."

The bull snorted behind them, nearly knocking over a speaker stand.

"Is that a yes?" Tyler asked.

Maya looked at her orange reflection in the gym door, at the sphinx poster on the wall (RIDDLE US THIS: WHAT WALKS ON FOUR LEGS...), at this boy who was finally seeing her. Not lab partner Maya. Not quiet Maya. Orange-haired, weird, brave Maya.

"Yes," she said. "But you're buying the good snacks."

"Deal." His smile widened. "Your hair's kind of perfect, by the way. Like, extra credit perfect."

The bull charged the gate. The crowd screamed. And Maya finally felt like the main character.