The Riddle of Lucas's Party

My palms were sweating so hard I could practically water plants with them. Standing outside Lucas's house, I watched through his patio doors like a total spy, checking if anyone cool had arrived yet. First party of freshman year, and I was already spiraling.

Then I saw her—Maya, leaning against a fake pyramid of red Solo cups near the DJ booth, laughing with her friends. She looked like she actually belonged here, unlike me, shaking in my Vans.

"Hey, you coming in or what?" A voice behind me made me jump. It was Leo's weird older sister, holding a cat that looked perpetually judgmental. "This is Cleopatra," she said, scratching the cat's head. "She's basically the queen of everything."

"Cool," I managed, while my brain screamed, WHY AM I TALKING TO A CAT.

Inside, the air smelled like cheap body spray and anxiety. I gravitated toward the kitchen, where Leo stood beside his infamous creation—a literal pyramid made entirely of Mountain Dew cans, three feet high and gloriously unstable.

"Dude," I said, genuinely impressed. "This is iconic."

"Right?" Leo grinned, then pointed dramatically. "But to take from the top shelf, you must solve my riddle. I am the sphinx of snacks."

I stared at him. "You're literally holding a bag of Doritos."

"AND I am the sphinx." His eyes sparkled with chaotic energy. "What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening—"

"Man, that's so extra," I laughed, but something shifted. The knot in my chest loosened. This wasn't some test I had to pass. It was just... a party. Weird, awkward, and perfect.

Then Maya appeared beside us, grabbed a Dorito, and winked. "Nice pyramid, Leo. Your sphinx game is strong."

My palms stopped sweating. Maybe ninth grade wouldn't be so bad after all.