The Sphinx by the Pool

Maya stood at the edge of the **pool**, clutching her solo cup like it was a lifeline. Jackson Harper's end-of-summer bash was in full swing—music bumping, people doing cannonballs, and there it was: the ridiculous stone **sphinx** statue Jackson's dad had imported from Egypt for their backyard. Because nothing screams 'cool teenager' like a mythological creature watching you fail at social interaction.

"Hey, you gonna stand there all night or actually get in?" said Leo, sliding up beside her. Leo Chen, who'd somehow transformed from her lab partner in sophomore year to the guy who made her stomach do weird flip-flops.

Maya shrugged. "Waiting for the right moment."

"The **water**'s not gonna get any warmer," he laughed, splashing her.

She squealed—okay, totally uncool squeal—and shoved him back. That's when it happened. Her plastic cup flew, drenching Jessica Martinez's white dress. Jessica, who happened to be Jackson's ex-girlfriend. Jessica, who was currently giving Maya the death stare.

"My bad," Maya muttered, face burning hotter than the sun beating down on the patio.

But then Leo was there, handing her a towel. "Smooth. Really smooth."

"Shut up," she said, but she was smiling.

"Wanna make it even more awkward?" he asked, nodding toward the sphinx. "Jackson says if you make a wish and touch its nose, it comes true."

"That's literally the most fake thing I've ever heard."

"Exactly. Which is why we have to do it."

So there they were, two sixteen-year-olds touching a stone sphinx's nose at 11 PM, while the rest of the party swam behind them. Maya closed her eyes and wished—not for Leo to like her back, not for popularity, just for the courage to stop waiting for 'the right moment' and just live.

"What did you wish for?" Leo asked.

She opened her eyes. "That I'd stop overthinking everything."

"Funny," he said, quiet. "I wished you'd say yes to dinner tomorrow."

The **pool** lights flickered behind them, casting ripples of light across the **sphinx**'s face. Maya laughed—not a nervous laugh, a real one—and grabbed Leo's hand.

"Pick me up at seven."

Later that night, texting her best friend about it, Maya would type: 'sometimes the **water**'s fine, you just have to jump in.'