Riddle of the Bathroom Mirror

Maya stared at her reflection, fingers tangling in her frizzy hair. The humidity was absolutely destroying her curls, and tonight was Leo's party—her first chance to talk to him since he'd liked her Instagram post. She'd spent forty-five minutes trying to look effortless.

"You look fine," her little brother called from the hallway. "Leo's not gonna notice if one hair is out of place."

"That's literally the point, Jayden." She applied more gel. "He's gonna notice everything."

Their family cat, Mittens, wound around her legs, meowing for attention. Maya scooped her up, burying her face in soft fur. At least someone appreciated her.

Her phone buzzed. A notification from *that* group chat—the one where all the popular kids planned everything. Leo had posted: "who's coming tonight??"

Maya's thumbs hovered over the screen. Type something cool. Something chill.

"might swing by lol"

Sent.

Lightning cracked outside, illuminating her bedroom in a flash of purple-white. Great. A storm. Perfect timing for walking three blocks in a dress she'd convinced herself was vintage-chic but her mom had called "interesting."

She grabbed her jacket, checked her hair one more time, and headed downstairs. Her dad was in the living room, watching a documentary about ancient Egypt. Something about the Great Sphinx and its missing nose.

"Have fun," he said. "Not too late."

"I know, Dad." She stepped outside into the drizzle.

Halfway to Leo's, her phone buzzed again. Different notification this time. A DM from Leo.

"hey sphinx"

Maya stopped walking. Sphinx? Was that a nickname? Some weird inside joke she didn't know? Or...

Oh no.

Oh no, no, no.

She remembered typing her bio last month, trying to sound mysterious: "living like a sphinx in a world of riddles 🔮"

He was teasing her. He'd actually read her bio.

Lightning flashed again. Rain started falling harder. Maya turned around and ran back home, laughing despite herself. She was soaking wet, her hair was probably ruined, and Leo had just called her Sphinx.

She burst into the house, Mittens waiting by the door like she'd known Maya would return.

"How was it?" Jayden called.

Maya grinned, water dripping from her curls. "Bullshit. Absolute bullshit." She held up her phone. "But I think he likes me."