The Riddle Behind the Screen

Jordan clutched their childhood **bear** — Mr. Cuddlesworth, with his missing ear and faded fur — like a lifeline. At fifteen, you weren't supposed to need stuffed animals, but the Egyptian exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum felt overwhelming, and Jordan's therapist said comfort objects weren't just for little kids.

The group chat was exploding. *Where r u?* *Jordan's missing again lol* *Omg they're probably in the bathroom crying.* Jordan's **iPhone** buzzed incessantly in their pocket, a physical weight heavier than the phone itself. Social hierarchies at Northwood High operated like an ancient **pyramid** — the popular kids at the top, everyone else crushed beneath. Jordan usually hovered somewhere near the bottom, invisible except when being mocked.

"Hey."

Jordan jumped. Riley leaned against the glass case containing the **sphinx** statue, looking somehow radiant under the dim museum lighting. Riley, who sat with the cool kids at lunch. Riley, who had liked Jordan's Instagram story yesterday.

"The guard told me not to touch the exhibits," Riley said, nodding at Mr. Cuddlesworth. "But honestly? I think the sphinx would approve."

Jordan's face burned. "I was just—"

"Anxious?" Riley finished. "Me too. These field trips suck. Everyone acting like they're too cool to learn anything." Riley stepped closer. "I saw you texting earlier. You always reply to everyone but me."

"I don't—"

"It's okay." Riley's smile was genuine. "I figured you were just ignoring me. Which is fair, I guess. Since I never said anything when Tyler made that joke about your..." Riley gestured vaguely at the bear.

"Emotional support animal," Jordan said automatically, then wished they hadn't.

Riley laughed, but not meanly. "That's actually kinda awesome. My mom threw out my old rabbit when I was twelve. Said I needed to grow up." Riley looked at the sphinx. "You know what these things represent? Riddles. Mysteries. Things that aren't what they seem."

"Like people?" Jordan suggested.

"Exactly." Riley pulled out their own phone. "Can I have your number? Like, for real this time? Not just group chat replies."

Jordan typed it in, heart racing, while Mr. Cuddlesworth watched from their arms. The pyramid felt a little less steep today.