The Sphinx in the Sweater

Maya tugged at the cable-knit sweater her mom had forced her to wear. "It's vintage," her mom had said. Maya's translation: it's itchy and makes me look like I'm trying too hard.

She stood against the wall at Tyler's back-to-school party, nursing a lukewarm soda. Her best friend since seventh grade, Sam, was across the room, laughing with the popular crowd. The friend group that had left Maya behind after she'd refused to sneak out last month. Something about not wanting to disappoint her parents, who were already on her case about grades.

Maya felt like she was bearing the weight of their silent judgment every time she caught Sam's eye. The awkward smiles, the waves that never quite reached their eyes.

"You know," a voice said beside her. "You look like you're solving a sphinx riddle over here."

She jumped. It was Alex from her English class, wearing a ridiculous bear ear headband that was definitely supposed to be ironic.

"What?" Maya blinked.

"You know, like you're contemplating the mysteries of the universe." Alex gestured at her intense face. "Also, nice sweater. Very cozy librarian chic."

She felt herself smiling. "Are you making fun of me?"

"Maybe a little." Alex grinned. "But also, Sam's been looking over here like she wants to say something but doesn't know how. You should talk to her."

Maya's stomach did a flip. "You spy on people at parties too?"

"Occupational hazard of being socially anxious. You observe everything because you're too scared to participate." Alex nudged her arm gently. "Go. Before you lose your nerve."

Maya took a breath, squared her shoulders, and marched across the room. The sweater was still itchy, but for the first time all night, she didn't care.