The Riddle of Cassady's Smile

Cassady's drama teacher called her a sphinx — always quiet, always watching, never letting anyone see what she was really thinking. Which was hilarious, because internally? Cassady was screaming.

It was the day of the Winter Formal, and Cassady had three problems. One: her mom had insisted she wear the ridiculous vintage dress with actual shoulder pads. Two: she'd eaten a spinach and feta wrap for lunch and was now paranoid about green stuff in her braces. Three: Leo Rivera was actually looking at her.

Leo, who took the bull by the horns in every situation. Leo, who'd soloed at the talent show last year even though his voice cracked mid-song. Leo, who somehow made being nervous look charming instead of, you know, terrifying.

"You look... intense," Leo said, sliding into the seat across from her in the cafeteria.

Cassady's brain did that thing where it forgot how to words. "Just thinking about the English presentation."

"The one on riddles?" Leo grinned. "You're gonna crush it. You're like, smart mysterious."

Her face burned. She was about to deflect with something self-deprecating when Maya — Cassady's best friend and certified fox — appeared behind Leo, making exaggerated hand signals that definitely meant CHECK YOUR TEETH.

Cassady's stomach dropped. No. No no no. She hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand and mumbled something about needing the bathroom.

She practically sprinted to the mirror, heart pounding. And there it was. A tiny, humiliating piece of spinach, right in front. Had Leo seen it? Was he being nice? Had she ruined everything before it even started?

Maya found her in the bathroom. "Dude, I tried to warn you. But also... Leo was watching you walk away. He looked, I don't know, nervous?"

Cassady met her own eyes in the mirror. The sphinx routine had been safety armor. Stay quiet, stay hidden, stay safe. But Leo had still noticed her — spinach and all.

"You know what," Cassady said, removing the offending green fleck with her pinky finger. "Screw it."

She walked back to the cafeteria, sat across from Leo again, and said, "So, about that English presentation. Want to practice together?"

Leo's face lit up. "Actually, I was hoping you'd ask."

Maybe the riddle wasn't about being mysterious. Maybe it was about being brave enough to let people see you anyway — spinach, shoulder pads, and all.