Sphinx's Smile

Maya's phone buzzed with another screenshot from Chloe's new group chat. The caption read bestie crew goals 💅 and Maya's stomach did that familiar twist, like someone was wringing out her insides. They'd been joined at the hip since seventh grade, but freshman year at Northwood High was changing everything faster than Maya could scroll.

She grabbed Buster's leash. The golden retriever mix was her aunt's dog, but walking him had become Maya's excuse to escape the constant FOMO. His tail thwacked against her leg as they headed toward the park.

That's when she saw them: Chloe and the new girl, Brianna, sitting on the fountain edge. Brianna was wearing that vintage Egyptian tee from Etsy, the one with the sphinx across the front. Last week, Chloe had made fun of anyone who'd wear something that uncool. Now she was listening to Brianna like she was sharing the secrets of the universe.

Buster spotted a squirrel and yanked the leash, dragging Maya straight toward them. No. No no no.

"Maya!" Chloe called, like she hadn't left Maya on read for three days. "Brianna was just telling me about this escape room downtown—Sphinx's Riddle? We should go this weekend."

Maya's brain did the math: Chloe plus Brianna plus Maya equaled third wheel energy. But then Brianna said, "Actually, we need four people minimum. Want to come?"

"I'm not really into... puzzles," Maya lied, because suddenly her throat felt tight and everything was wrong.

Buster chose that moment to shake himself vigorously, spraying pond water all over Brianna's sphinx shirt. For a second, Maya thought she'd die. But Brianna just laughed—really laughed, head thrown back, snort and everything—and Chloe laughed too, and suddenly Maya was laughing.

"Dude," Chloe said, wiping tears from her eyes. "You're literally the only person who could make this situation less awkward."

Brianna grinned at Maya. "So, escape room? You in?"

Maya looked at Chloe, really looked at her. Not like an enemy, not like someone slipping away, but like someone who was just as scared of everything changing as Maya was. "Yeah," she said. "I'm in."

Walking home, Buster trotting happily beside them, Maya's phone stayed in her pocket. Some things were better than screenshots.