Riddle of the Sphinx

Maya's pet goldfish, Neptune, was the only one who knew her secret: she was basically a professional spy. Okay, fine, she just spent lunch period watching the popular table like a creep, but still. The intel she gathered was top-tier.

"You won't believe what Jake said," she whispered to Neptune's bowl, dumping in some flakes. "He thinks he's slick, but I see everything."

Her dog, Barnaby, chose that moment to sprint through her room with one of her bras clamped triumphantly in his teeth. "BARNABY, NO!" She lunged, but he was already gone—little traitor.

School the next day was its usual disaster. Maya sat alone at her usual spot, notebook open, pretending to write poetry while actually documenting: Sarah and Emma's friendship was definitely fraying. Tyler was checking his phone every thirty seconds. Something was brewing.

Then the new girl walked in.

Everyone called her the Sphinx behind her back because no one knew anything about her. She sat alone at lunch, reading a battered paperback, completely unbothered by the staring. She had this insane curly hair and eyes that looked like they knew exactly what you were thinking before you did.

Maya tried to spy on her too, but it felt weirdly personal. Like the Sphinx knew she was watching and didn't care.

"You're kinda obsessed with her," Jenny, the only person who ever talked to Maya, noted one day.

"Am not. Just curious."

"Sure." Jenny bumped her shoulder. "Why don't you actually talk to her instead of writing your little spy notes?"

Maya's face went hot. "I don't write—"

"I've seen your notebook, Maya. It's cute. Also creepy? Mostly cute."

The night of the homecoming game, everything went sideways. Maya's mom made her go because "you need to get out of the house." Barnaby had already eaten her favorite hoodie, so she was stuck wearing this weird vintage dress she'd thrifted on impulse.

Storm clouds gathered. Maya stood alone near the concession stand, feeling ridiculous in her velvet monstrosity while everyone else was in jeans and spirit wear. Then lightning cracked across the sky—BOOM, lights flickered, rain dumped like the sky was personally offended.

Everyone screamed and ran for cover. Maya spotted the Sphinx alone under the bleachers, not moving.

Without thinking, Maya ran toward her. "Hey! You gotta get inside!"

The Sphinx looked up, eyes-wide and totally unbothered. "I like storms. They make everything quiet."

"You're gonna get struck by lightning."

"She smiled. It transformed her whole face. "I'm Riya, by the way."

Maya stood there, rain plastering her hair to her face, feeling like the world had just shifted on its axis. "Maya."

"I know. You're the one who's always watching."

Maya's face burned. "I'm not—"

"It's okay." Riya's smile got bigger. "I've been waiting for you to come talk to me for like two weeks."

Lightning flashed again, illuminating everything—the rain, Riya's curious expression, the chaos of students running past them. And suddenly Maya's spy notes seemed pointless. She hadn't been watching Riya. She'd been waiting for her.

"Want to get out of here?" Maya heard herself ask. "I have a goldfish who's an excellent listener."

Riya laughed, and it was the best sound Maya had heard all year. "Only if your dog doesn't steal my stuff."

"...You know about Barnaby?"

"I told you. I see everything too."