The Riddle of Who We Are

Maya's thumbs were practically shaking as she scrolled through her iPhone, seventh text message in two minutes from Group Chat A blasting her screen. The Spring Formal committee needed her final vote on the theme, and she was currently hiding in the school library bathroom stall because honestly, she was this close to running out the back exit and never coming back.

"You good in there?" called Jordan's voice from the hallway. "Ms. H said your sphinx sketch is due Friday."

"I'm not hiding," Maya lied, flushing automatically for effect. "Just thinking."

Right. Thinking about how her cat, Miso, had more confidence than she did. Miso strutted around their apartment like he owned the place, while Maya couldn't even decide between Egyptian Night or Enchanted Garden for prom without spiraling into a full-blown existential crisis.

The bathroom door creaked open and there was Jordan, leaning against the sink like this was totally normal bathroom behavior. "Rough week?"

"Everything's bull," Maya groaned, finally emerging. "I can't make decisions. I can't even decide what I want for lunch, let alone what defines my entire high school experience."

Jordan laughed. "First world problems, but valid." They slid down to sit on the floor, and Maya joined them, leaning against the cool tile. "You know what the sphinx's riddle was? What walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, three in the evening?"

"Man."

"Exactly. The answer is literally just... growing up. Changing. Being different versions of yourself at different times." Jordan paused. "Maybe that's your answer, Maya. You don't have to be one thing. You're allowed to be morning Maya and noon Maya and evening Maya."

Maya looked at her iPhone lighting up again, notifications stacking up like expectations. She thought about running track practice, how her body knew exactly what to do even when her mind didn't. She thought about Miso, who was simultaneously aloof and clingy, fierce and affectionate.

"Egyptian Night," she said suddenly. "For the theme."

Jordan grinned. "Bold choice."

"Yeah, well." Maya stood up, offering a hand. "Maybe I'm tired of playing it safe. Maybe I want to be the girl who voted for pyramids and mystery instead of flowers and fairy lights."

"Revolutionary." They fist-bumped. "Also, Ms. H mentioned something about extra credit if we incorporate personal meaning into our sphinx art project."

Maya smiled, genuinely smiled, for the first time all day. She had an idea. Her sphinx wouldn't have a human face. It would have a cat's face—because cats didn't care about social politics or fitting in. They just were. And that, she decided, was exactly the energy she needed for the rest of freshman year.