Riddles Before First Period

Maya's palms were sweating so bad she was practically leaving puddles on her geometry notebook. Not ideal when you're trying to look chill sitting next to your crush, who just happened to be the cute new guy with the messy hair and vintage band tees.

"You good?" Jake asked, half-grinning.

"Yeah, just running on zero sleep and three energy drinks," she said, attempting to smooth down her frizzy curls and definitely failing. Classic Maya move.

He laughed. "I feel that."

The classroom had that weird sphinx thing painted on the wall—a leftover from some motivational poster that had been half-scraped off years ago. The riddle creature's eyes seemed to judge Maya's entire existence.

"So," Jake said, spinning his pen, "there's this party at Jordan's house Friday. You going?"

Maya's brain did an Olympic gymnast routine. Party. Jordan. Friday. Jake asking about Friday. Her friends would literally kill her if she messed this up.

"Maybe?" Maya managed, her voice cracking slightly. "I mean, probably. I'd have to check with... everyone."

"Cool." He smiled. And not the polite smile he gave everyone. The real one.

The bell rang, and everyone started scrambling for their stuff. Maya stood up too fast, knocking her backpack over. A single tampon rolled out. Across the floor. Stopped right at Jake's sneaker.

The universe had a personal vendetta against her, honestly.

He just nudged it back with his foot like it was no big deal. "See you Friday, Maya."

She walked out with what little dignity she had left, palms finally dry, heart running a marathon against her ribs. Her friends found her by her locker five seconds later.

"Well?" Priya demanded. "What happened? Did he ask about the party?"

"Yeah," Maya said, unable to stop smiling. "Yeah, he did."

"And?" Chloe pressed.

"And I'll see you guys at Jordan's."

The bell for second period rang. "Later!" Maya called, already halfway to her next class, not caring that she'd left her geometry homework behind. Some things were more important than quadratic equations.

The sphinx on the classroom wall seemed almost approving. Maya finally understood its riddle: The scariest moments were the ones worth showing up for.