Riddles in the Deep End

Maya pulled her baseball hat down low, trying to disappear into the crowd at Tyler's pool party. The June heat already had everyone jumping into the water, while she stood there in her oversized cover-up, feeling like the most awkward person on the planet.

"Hey!" Riley appeared beside her, dripping wet and grinning. "Tyler's dad just installed a padel court in the backyard. We're gonna play later. You should join."

"Yeah, right. I trip over my own feet in sneakers, let alone a racket." Maya adjusted her hat, shielding her eyes from the sun.

Across the pool, she noticed Tyler talking to Sasha—perfect, popular Sasha who'd been everyone's crush since seventh grade. Maya felt that familiar pang in her chest. Why was high school like some ancient sphinx guard protecting the secrets of belonging? Riddle after riddle, and if you got one wrong, you were out.

Riley grabbed Maya's hand, studying her palm dramatically. "Let me see... future's cloudy, but I predict you'll actually have fun if you stop hiding under that hat."

Maya laughed despite herself. "You're terrible at this."

"I'm serious!" Riley pulled her toward the pool. "Tyler keeps looking over here, by the way."

Before Maya could process that, someone shoved Riley from behind. They both tumbled into the pool with a splash, surfacing sputtering and laughing. Maya's hat floated away like a little boat.

Tyler swam over, smiling. "About time you joined us."

Maybe the sphinx's riddle wasn't as impossible as she'd thought. Sometimes you just had to jump in.