Sphinx Riddle by the Pool

Leo's hair was doing that thing again — sticking up in three different directions like it was trying to escape his head. That's why the hat stayed planted, even though it was ninety degrees and the pool party was already in full swing.

"Yo Leo, you gonna swim or what?" Tyler called out, doing a cannonball that sent water everywhere.

Leo adjusted his snapback. "Maybe later."

He wasn't actually there for swimming. He was there for Maya, who had been sitting on the edge of the pool with her feet in the water for the past hour, looking like she wanted to disappear into the concrete. Leo knew that feeling. Last year, he'd had to bear through three weeks of everyone calling him "Bathroom Leo" after he got locked in the school restroom for forty minutes.

He grabbed two sodas from the cooler and made his way over.

"Hey," he said, sitting beside her.

Maya jumped, pulling her feet out of the water. "Hi."

"So I heard you're trying out for the play,"

She groaned. "Yeah, and I'm gonna flop. Everyone's so... confident."

Leo thought for a second. "Okay, riddle time. What has to speak but has no mouth?"

"What?" She turned to him, confused.

"It's a sphinx thing. My sister's obsessed with Greek mythology now." Leo leaned back. "Answer or you don't get this Sprite."

Maya studied him. Then she smiled, just a little. "An actor?"

"Exactly." Leo handed her the soda. "You're gonna crush it."

"You think?"

"I know." Leo took off his hat, running a hand through his messy hair. "This hair is the evidence that I don't know everything, but I know talent. And you've got it."

Maya laughed, actually laughed, and for the first time all afternoon, she didn't look like she wanted to disappear.

"Okay," she said. "But if I embarrass myself, you're jumping in that pool. Fully clothed."

"Deal," Leo said, already knowing he'd probably take the plunge anyway. Some things were worth bearing through, especially if it made someone else feel seen.