Riddles on the Court

The bull—that's what everyone called Tyler since middle school, mostly because he charged through life like he had something to prove. Padel practice was no exception. His racket smashed against the glass wall, echoing through the sports complex like gunshots.

"You're overthinking it," Tyler said, dripping sweat that glistened on his forehead like tiny diamonds. He'd been benched last season for anger issues, and everyone watched him like he was a sphinx waiting to strike—mysterious, unpredictable, potentially dangerous.

I clutched my phone, the charging cable still dangling from my pocket like a lifeline. Maya hadn't replied to my text in two hours. Two. Hours. That basically meant she hated me now, or worse, she'd seen my embarrassing TikTok from seventh grade circulating again and finally realized I was a loser.

"Earth to Leo." Tyler snapped his fingers. "Your serve."

Right. Padel. I was terrible at it, but Mom insisted I needed "social outlets" beyond gaming and AP classes. The glass walls reflected everything—my awkward stance, the way my wrist flopped like a dying fish, the truth I couldn't admit.

I hit the ball. It sailed directly into Tyler's shins.

"Dude." He didn't even flinch. "What's actually going on? You've been weird all week."

The words spilled out before I could stop them—about Maya, about how she'd mentioned she liked someone at Zack's party but wouldn't say who, about how I couldn't tell if she meant me or Jason from chem class or literally anyone else who wasn't me. How I felt like I was solving a riddle with no answer, stuck outside the gates while everyone else knew the secret password.

Tyler leaned against his racket, suddenly looking less like a bull and more like someone who got it. "That sphinx energy you think I have? Yeah. That's just anxiety, bro. Ask her directly. Worst she says is no."

"Worst she says is no and then tells everyone I asked and I become the main character of a cringe compilation."

"Or she says yes." Tyler passed me the ball. "Life's weird like that. Now hit the thing before coach makes us run laps again."

My phone buzzed. A notification from Maya: "You coming to Zack's Friday?"

The sphinx had spoken. The riddle had an answer after all. Maybe I'd figure it out. Maybe I wouldn't. But at least I had cable to keep my phone charged, a bull who turned out to be pretty solid, and a padel game that might actually be improving.

Small wins.