Riddle of the Sphinx

Jordan's vintage fedora was basically part of their skull at this point. Same old hat, every day—security blanket against the terrifying landscape of sophomore year. They adjusted the brim, eyes darting around the cafeteria like a startled animal.

Then THEY walked in.

The Sphinx. That's what everyone called Skylar—mysterious, unreadable, sitting alone at the corner table with those ancient, knowing eyes. Jordan had been crushing HARD for months, but conversation? Impossible. Skylar was a riddle Jordan couldn't solve.

"Hey, hat person."

Jordan nearly choked on their tater tot. Skylar was AT THEIR TABLE. UP CLOSE. Those eyes were actually concerned.

"You okay? You look like you just saw a..." Skylar's gaze drifted toward the window. "Oh my god, is that a DOG?"

A scruffy golden retriever puppy was trotting across the school lawn like he owned the place. Students were pulling out phones. Teachers were rushing toward the doors.

Jordan's brain short-circuited. "That's—that's my family's dog! Buster! How did he—"

"Let's go before campus security unleashes the apocalypse," Skylar said, already standing up.

They sprinted together, dodging through confused sophomores, burst through the side doors, and cornered Buster behind the gymnasium. The puppy flopped onto his back, tongue lolling, completely unbothered.

"Your dog has excellent timing," Skylar said, breathless. "I've been trying to talk to you for weeks, but you're always hidden behind that hat like a turtle in its shell."

Jordan's face burned. "Wait, YOU wanted to talk to ME?"

"Duh. You have the coolest vintage collection. I was hoping you'd help me with my costume for the fall showcase." Skylar reached out and gently tilted the fedora back. "There. Now I can see your face. Much better."

Buster chose that moment to roll onto his feet and nose Jordan's hand with a wet, cold snout. Jordan laughed—actually laughed, head thrown back, no hat to hide behind.

"So," Skylar said, grinning, "want to help me solve the riddle of what to wear?"

Jordan adjusted the fedora, then—with a burst of courage they didn't know they had—handed it to Skylar. "First, you're wearing this. And then we're getting Buster home before my mom realizes he escaped AGAIN."

Skylar put on the hat. It was perfect. Jordan's heart did something genuinely alarming.

Some riddles, it turned out, were worth solving.