Sphinx Nights and Spinach Smoothies

The sphinx statue in Mr. Henderson's front yard had seen some things. Mostly it had seen me and Maya sitting on its concrete paws at 2 AM, sharing secrets and stolen sour gummies, but tonight it was witnessing something worse: me sitting alone while she hung out with the varsity crowd at Jax's party.

"You good, kid?" A voice sliced through the humidity. Leo, my older brother's friend, leaned against the sphinx, skateboarding at midnight like he didn't have work tomorrow.

"Just thinking about how this sphinx probably knows more about my life than my actual therapist," I said, which was true but also deflecting.

He laughed. "Maya's at that party?" When I nodded, he said, "She's been weird lately. Like, texting me about college applications weird."

My stomach dropped. College. She was leaving in August, and I was stuck here until I could afford to escape.

"Whatever," I said, because that's what you say when your best friend feels 87 miles away. "I should go. My mom's making me drink these spinach smoothies now. Says it'll help with 'focus.'" I made air quotes. "It tastes like lawn clippings and despair."

"Rough." Leo hesitated. "Hey, you know Jax has that mechanical bull set up tonight?"

"So?"

"So, last time you rode one, you stayed on longer than anyone. Even the guys who talk big game." He pushed off the sphinx. "Sometimes the quiet ones surprise everyone. Even themselves."

I thought about that. About how I let Maya make all the plans, call all the shots, decide when we were hanging out and when I was conveniently forgotten. I thought about spinach smoothies I hated drinking but did anyway because I was trying to be someone who did things like that.

The sphinx's stone eyes seemed to dare me.

I pulled out my phone, texted Maya: *having fun without me?*

Three dots appeared. *actually no. these people are exhausting. come over?*

*already there,* I lied. *mechanical bull awaits.*

She sent back a crying-laughing emoji and a promise to save me a spot.

"You coming?" Leo called, already skating toward the party lights.

"Yeah," I said, standing up and brushing concrete dust from my jeans. "Yeah, I am."