The Palm Reader's Sphinx

Maya's palms were sweating so much she could barely grip the red Solo cup. The Friday night house party was loud, bass vibrating through her chest, and she was three seconds from bailing.

Then Leo appeared, looking like a lost puppy who'd accidentally wandered into a wolf convention.

"Dude, you okay?" she asked, setting down her drink.

Leo's eyes darted around the crowded kitchen. "Noah's being a total sphinx. Won't tell me why he's mad, just keeps posting all these cryptic Instagram stories. I asked him straight up and he hit me with, 'figure it out.' Like, what is this, Greek mythology?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "Classic Noah behavior. He's probably just hangry."

"No, he's been like this all week. Ever since I started sitting with the cross country team at lunch instead of our usual table. It's like I'm supposed to choose between my oldest friend and actually having a social life." Leo dragged a hand through his hair. "I'm so done bearing all this emotional labor."

Maya's eyebrows shot up. "Since when do you know words like 'emotional labor'?"

"My mom's making me read this book about communication or whatever. Anyway, can you believe this? I tried being chill, I tried asking what's up, and I just get the riddle treatment."

"Okay," Maya said, setting her cup down. "Let me see your hand."

"What? Why?"

"I'm basically a palm reader now. My cousin taught me last weekend when we were bored. It's actually kinda sick." She grabbed his hand before he could protest. "Hmm. Interesting."

"You're totally making this up."

"Shh, I'm reading your future." Maya traced a line on his palm with exaggerated seriousness. "Okay, here's the deal. You've got a real struggle here between old connections and new ones. Like, you're growing apart but you don't want to admit it. That's why you're feeling guilty about sitting with cross country."

Leo stared at her. "Okay, that's actually weirdly specific."

"But also," Maya continued, flipping his hand over, "your lifeline goes straight into your friendship line, which means... hold on, I think I need more practice."

They both cracked up.

"Seriously though," she said, dropping the fake mystical voice. "Just talk to Noah. Like, actual talk. Not over text, not through some sphinx riddle mess. Face to face. Tell him you're not ditching him, you're just expanding your circle. Friendships aren't zero-sum games."

Leo considered this. "You're right. I'm over here acting like it's high school drama when we literally are in high school."

"Exactly. Now go find Noah before he posts another mysterious sunset picture with no caption. I cannot bear that kind of energy."

Leo fist-bumped her and headed toward the backyard. "Thanks, Maya. You're a real friend."

She smiled, grabbed her cup, and actually felt ready to enjoy the party. Who knew fake palm reading could fix real problems?