The Sphinx by the Pool

Maya felt like a zombie—four hours of sleep after finals will do that to you. She stood by the pool in Kyle's backyard, clutching her red Solo cup like it was a lifeline, watching everyone else actually have fun.

"You look like you're solving for x instead of swimming," someone said.

Maya turned to find Leo perched on the diving board like he owned it. He'd transferred in three weeks ago and already acted like some kind of sphinx—mysterious, quiet, always watching everything.

"Just tired," she muttered.

"Spying on your crush again?" He grinned, and she felt her face heat up.

"I'm not—"

"You are. You've been watching Jordan since you got here." He hopped off the board. "Wanna know what I think?"

"Not really."

"I think you're scared." He swiped something weird and orange from a platter. "Try this."

"What is it?"

"Papaya. My mom's obsessed with 'exotic' foods now." He held it out. "First time for everything, right?"

Maya stared at it like it was a bomb. Then at Jordan, laughing with friends across the pool. Then back at Leo.

She took the papaya. It tasted like nothing she'd ever had—sweet, musky, strange.

"Well?" Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Weird," she admitted. "But not bad."

"Exactly." He nodded toward Jordan. "That's your papaya moment, Maya. Either try it or spend all summer spying from the edge of the pool."

The thing about sphinxes? They ask the right questions. Maya walked across the pool deck, heart hammering, and said the first thing that came to mind: "Jordan, want to try some papaya?"

Jordan looked up, surprised. Then smiled. "Only if you tell me what it actually tastes like."

Maya glanced back at Leo. He gave her the smallest thumbs-up before diving into the pool.

"Deal," she said.

Maybe she wasn't such a zombie after all.