The Sphinx of 7th Period

Maya's fingers flew across her iPhone screen, eyes narrowing at the screenshot her best friend had sent. 'HE SAID WHAT?' she typed, thumbs moving like she was texting for her life.

The cafeteria noise swirled around her—clattering trays, laughter, someone shouting about nachos—but Maya felt like she was underwater. Her first week at Oak Creek High, and she already had a crush on a guy who thought she was 'exotic.' Whatever that meant.

'You gonna eat that papaya or just stare at it?'

Maya looked up. Leo. The guy with theGravity Falls hoodie and the curly hair that defied physics. He was pointing at the fruit cup on her tray.

'My mom packs them,' she said, defensive. 'It's... healthy.' She hated how it came out, like she was apologizing for her lunch.

Leo slid into the seat across from her. 'Papaya's got this vibe, right? Like it's trying to be a mango but gave up halfway.' He grinned, and Maya's stomach did this annoying fluttery thing. 'I'm Leo, by the way. The sphinx of seventh period world history.'

'Sphinx?'

'Riddle-me-this, right? I sit in the back, look mysterious, and Mr. Henderson still calls me 'Leonard' like I'm a fifty-year-old accountant.' Leo mimed an imaginary beard. 'What's your deal, new girl?'

'Maya.' She hesitated. 'And I don't have a deal. I'm just... here.'

'Bull.' Leo's voice dropped. 'Everybody's got a deal. Mine's that I can't bear small talk, so I just make weird observations about fruit until someone either laughs or walks away.' He raised an eyebrow. 'So which is it?'

Maya found herself laughing, actually laughing, for the first time since moving to this town with its perfectly manicured lawns and people who asked 'what are you?' before they asked your name.

'Both,' she said. 'But mostly... I'm trying to figure out how to be the person my mom expects and the person I actually am.' She pushed the papaya around with her fork. 'She sends these. Like, eat this, remember where you're from. But I've never even been to the Philippines. I was born in Fresno.'

Leo nodded like she'd just confessed something huge. 'That's the thing about papaya, though. It doesn't have to pick. It's just papaya. Sweet, kind of weird looking, and completely valid.' His phone buzzed. 'Crap. Gotta run. Theater club.'

He stood up, then turned back. 'Hey, Maya? Your deal is you're figuring it out. That's better than most of us.' He winked. 'Sit with us tomorrow. Sphinx commands.'

Maya watched him go, then took a bite of papaya. It was sweet, tangy, and completely herself. She picked up her iPhone and texted her mom: 'Thanks for the papaya.' Then she added a new contact: Leo - Sphinx & Fruit Philosopher.

Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.