Riddle at the Pool Party

I stood by the edge of Jensen's massive pool, clutching my red solo cup like it was a lifeline. The music thudded against my ribs, but I felt like a zombie moving through molasses—just another awkward sophomore at the senior party, pretending I belonged.

That's when I spotted it: a giant stone sphinx statue lurking by the garden shed, half-hidden in climbing vines. Its painted-on eyes seemed to mock my entire existence.

"Yo, Toby!" Marcus yelled, doing a cannonball that sent water cascading over everyone. "Get in here or what?"

I mumbled something about needing food and practically sprinted toward the snack table, where I proceeded to shovel spinach dip into my mouth with zero grace. Because apparently, my social skills were matched only by my ability to eat like a starving raccoon.

"You've got—" started a voice behind me.

I spun around. It was Chloe, the girl I'd had a crush on since seventh grade, who I'd successfully spoken to approximately never. She gestured at her own teeth.

"Spinach. Like, everywhere."

I wanted to dissolve. Become one with the pool tiles. Cease existing.

But then Buster—Jensen's enormous, slobbering golden retriever—came barreling out of nowhere, bounced off my legs, and sent me stumbling backward into the sphinx. The statue tipped, then rocked back into place like nothing had happened. Chloe burst out laughing, and somehow, that broke everything open.

"That statue's been haunted since forever," she said, wiping tears from her eyes. "My brother says it's cursed. Anyone who touches it has to answer its riddle or whatever."

"What's the riddle?" I asked, spinach forgotten.

She grinned. "Figure it out, zombie boy."

"What?"

"You've been walking around dead all night." She handed me a cup. "Come swim. The sphinx can wait."

I followed her toward the pool, and for the first time all night, I didn't feel like pretending anymore. The real riddle wasn't stone-carved. It was the one I'd been asking myself all along: who was I when I stopped performing?