Poolside Sphinx

The neighborhood pool in July was basically social headquarters for anyone aged thirteen to nineteen. If you weren't there, you didn't exist. Period.

I was chilling on a lounge chair, trying to look casual while actually panicking because Maya—the Sphinx of our friend group—was sitting two chairs over, scrolling through her phone like she owned the entire world. We called her the Sphinx because she'd just stare at you with those dark, knowing eyes until you spilled your entire life story. Riddles? She didn't need them. She just knew things.

"So," she said, not looking up from her screen. "You gonna ask Jordan to the dance, or what?"

I almost choked on my own spit. How did she—

"You've been staring at Jordan across the pool for forty-five minutes," Maya added, finally glancing up with this tiny smirk. "Not exactly subtle, bestie."

Before I could defend myself (I was NOT staring, okay? I was... observing), Jordan emerged from the water like some movie moment, hair slicked back, droplets sliding down ridiculously perfect collarbones. They were carrying a plastic bag filled with water.

"Look what I won at the carnival," Jordan said, holding up the bag. Inside swam a confused-looking goldfish. "His name is Captain Fin."

Maya raised one perfect eyebrow. "A goldfish? Really?"

"He's majestic," Jordan insisted, and I swear my heart did this stupid little flutter thing that was honestly embarrassing.

The Sphinx struck again. "You know goldfish have a three-second memory, right? Kind of perfect for someone who keeps 'forgetting' to text back."

Jordan's face flushed. It was brutal. Maya wielded her observations like weapons, but Jordan just laughed it off, walking toward me with Captain Fin sloshing around in his bag.

"Want to see him?"

I nodded, suddenly hyper-aware of my wet hair and chlorine-smelling skin. "Yeah. Yeah, totally."

We sat together on the edge of the pool, feet in the water, watching this tiny orange fish swim in confused circles. And for like, five whole minutes, we just talked. About nothing. About everything.

Later, Maya caught my eye and did this thing with her eyebrows that said I told you so.

The Sphinx always knows. But for once? I was kinda glad she did.