The Sphinx at Summer Court

Maya stood at the edge of the padel court, gripping her racquet like a lifeline. Third day at sleepaway camp, and somehow she'd already been roped into tournament doubles with Leo—the guy who'd already built a reputation for being untouchably cool. Her stomach did backflips. She felt like a zombie after last night's midnight cabin raid, where Sarah had force-fed everyone papaya chunks, claiming they were 'essential for radiant camp skin.' Now Maya's hands shook, and not just from the whatever vitamin supplement Sarah had also insisted was 'literally life-changing, I swear.'

Leo stretched lazily against the fence, all effortless confidence. 'You ready to get crushed, new girl?'

The nickname stung more than she wanted to admit. But something about his tone—playful, not mean—made her look closer. His eyes crinkled at the corners. Was he... flirting? Or just being nice in that devastating way popular kids had?

'Sphinx,' he said suddenly.

'What?'

'Riddle. You solve it, we win the game. You don't, we lose anyway, so no pressure.' He tossed the ball up, caught it. 'What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?'

Maya's brain short-circuited. She knew this one—Greek mythology, Mr. Harrison's English class—but her mind went blank. The ball sailed over the net. She swung and missed.

'Man,' Leo groaned, but he was grinning. 'You're supposed to answer BEFORE I serve.'

They lost the match 6-2. But walking back to the cabins, Leo fell into step beside her. 'Hey, you still owe me that sphinx answer. Tomorrow, same court?'

Maya's heart did something embarrassing. 'Man,' she said, mimicking his tone. 'And I thought I was supposed to be the new girl who didn't know anything.'

His laugh surprised her—genuine, surprised. 'Touché.' He bumped her shoulder with his. 'See you tomorrow, Maya.'

Her name. He knew her name. Behind them, the papaya incident, the vitamin panic, the zombie exhaustion—all of it faded. Something real had happened on that court, something better than winning. A beginning.