Riddles at the Pool

The chlorine stung my eyes, but I kept them open. Watching. Across the pool, Taylor moved through the water like she was part liquid — all grace and zero effort. I was just trying not to drown while everyone else treated this like another casual summer day.

"You're staring again," Maya whispered from beside me, nudging my shoulder. "Weirdo behavior, even for you."

I shoved her back, but my face burned. Maya didn't get it. She didn't get how Taylor had this whole sphinx thing going on — mysterious, untouchable, like she knew something nobody else did. Every time Taylor spoke, it felt like a riddle I couldn't solve.

The baseball team showed up at the pool's edge, jerseys and all. Riley waved at me. I froze.

"Your vitamin deficiency is showing," Maya said, noticing my panic. "Remember what Dr. Chen said? Stress depletes your B12. Or was that your confidence?"

I took the actual vitamin supplements from my bag and dry-swallowed two. Riley had asked me to the baseball finals Friday. I still hadn't answered. Baseball wasn't my thing — it was my dad's thing, then my brother's, and now everyone expected it to be mine. But lately, I'd rather be here, watching Taylor solve math problems in her head while swimming laps, than anywhere else.

Taylor climbed out of the pool, water streaming off her like something out of a movie. She saw me watching. Smiled. Actually smiled.

My stomach did something illegal.

She walked over, dripping, perfect. "Hey, you're that baseball guy, right? Riley's friend?"

"Yeah," I squeaked. "But not really. I mean, yes. But —"

"Cool." She pulled a crumpled schedule from her bag. "I need a plus-one for the math tournament Friday. Everyone else is busy. You want to come? It's at the community center."

Math tournament. The same night as the baseball finals.

"I —" My voice actually shook. "Yes. Absolutely."

"Awesome." She grinned, and suddenly the sphinx wasn't mysterious anymore. She was just a girl who liked math and maybe wanted company. "See you there."

"You just bailed on baseball," Maya said, sounding impressed. "Your dad's gonna lose it."

"Yeah," I said, watching Taylor walk away. "But I think I just figured out who I actually am."

"About time," Maya said. "Now pass me a vitamin. This social drama is exhausting."