Sphinx Mode at the Pool Party

Maya stood in the corner of Jake's backyard, clutching her iPhone like a lifeline. The screen showed 47 notifications — none from the people actually at this party. Around her, half the sophomore class splashed in the pool, while the other half stood in awkward clusters, pretending to be absorbed in their phones too.

"You're in full sphinx mode," said Chloe, dropping onto the lounge chair beside her. "Mysterious. Unapproachable."

"I'm not mysterious," Maya muttered. "I'm just socially incapable."

"Girl, you're literally the smartest person in our grade. You figured out that fox nobody else could find in Mr. Harrison's escape room last month. You can handle a pool party."

Maya glanced toward the pool. Devon — the cute junior from her art class — was climbing out of the water, droplets sliding down his arms. He caught her eye and actually smiled.

Her stomach did something embarrassing.

"Oh my GOD," Chloe whispered. "He's coming over. Act natural."

"What does that even MEAN?"

"Put down the phone, for starters."

Maya's thumb hovered over her screen, her safety blanket. But she locked it and set it on the table, heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.

"Hey," Devon said, dripping pool water onto the concrete. "You're not swimming?"

"Not really a swimming person," Maya managed, fighting the urge to grab her iPhone again. "More of a... dry observer."

He laughed. "I used to be like that. Last year, I wouldn't go to parties at all."

"You?" Maya raised an eyebrow. "But you're like..."

"Like what? Confident? Chill?" Devon shook water from his hair. "Fake it till you make it, right? Anyway, my friends are doing chicken fights in the deep end. Want to join? We can sit on the edge and judge everyone together."

Maya looked at Chloe, who was practically vibrating with suppressed excitement.

"Sure," Maya said, standing up. "But I'm keeping my phone close."

"Deal." Devon's smile was real, not performative. "Come on, sphinx. Let's social."