Sphinx in the Speedo

Jordan's mouth still tasted like that spinach smoothie his health-obsessed mom forced on him before the pool party. He tugged his neon orange swim trunks up, feeling ridiculous. Why did he agree to this? The Hamilton High Spring Fling wasn't exactly his scene. More like a social minefield where one wrong move meant eternal humiliation.

"Yo Jordan! You coming in or what?" Marcus called from the pool, splashing water everywhere like he owned the place. Jordan adjusted his swim hat—his grandma's old floral number that he'd discovered could actually cover his awful haircut. Trendy? No. Functional? Unfortunately yes.

"Yeah, yeah, hold up," Jordan muttered, scanning the deck. There she was: Chloe, laughing at something Tyler said. Tyler, who looked like he'd never had an awkward moment in his entire life. Tyler, whose hair was perfect even when wet.

"I swear I'm not gonna survive this," he whispered to himself.

Then he spotted it. Behind the fake palm trees, someone had set up a carnival-style sphinx statue as decoration. It was completely ridiculous, with painted gold wings and a cardboard sign that read: "ANSWER MY RIDDLE OR PERISH (socially)."

A crowd was gathering. Of course they were.

Jordan's feet moved before his brain could stop them. He marched up to that sphinx like it was destiny itself. The hat slipped over his eyes, but he adjusted it with newfound confidence.

"I got your riddle," he announced. "Hit me."

Marcus whooped. Someone started recording on their phone. This was either going to be legendary or a complete disaster. Jordan's heart hammered against his ribs like it was trying to escape his chest.

"What has roots as nobody sees..." the sphinx's speaker crackled to life, "is taller than trees, up, up it goes, and yet never grows?"

Silence. Then Jordan grinned. "A mountain."

The crowd erupted. Chloe was actually looking at him now, really looking, not just through him. Jordan felt lighter than air, like he could go swimming right through the ceiling.

"Not bad, Jordan," Tyler said, and it didn't even sound sarcastic.

Jordan adjusted his ridiculous hat. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so bad after all.