The Sphinx of Backyard Parties

Maya's palms were sweating so much she half-expected her solo cup to dissolve. House parties were supposed to be her thing now that she was sixteen, but honestly? She felt like an imposter. The backyard was packed with juniors from Franklin High, all acting like they owned the place.

Then there was Leo—sitting alone by the oak tree, wearing this ridiculous fedora that somehow worked on him. Maya had been lowkey obsessed with him since bio class, when he'd made that dissected frog puppet show that got everyone laughing. Now he looked like he was plotting something.

"You gonna stand there all night or actually say hi?" Her best friend Chloe pushed her forward, nearly spilling her drink.

Maya stumbled, suddenly clumsy. That's when Leo's golden retriever, Barnaby, came racing out of nowhere and tackled her. She went down hard, solo cup flying, punch splashing everywhere.

"Oh my god, I am so dead," she muttered, face burning.

But Leo just laughed. Not mean laughing—like, actually-amused laughing. He helped her up, fedora tipped back to reveal dark eyes crinkling at the corners. "Barnaby has excellent taste. He only tackles the interesting people."

Maya's heart did that stupid flip thing. "Interesting? I literally just face-planted in front of everyone."

"Exactly. You're not trying to play it cool like the rest of these fake people." Leo gestured at the party scene. "They're all playing their parts, but you? You just got taken out by a 70-pound dog and you're still standing. That's some sphinx-level mysterious energy right there."

"Sphinx-level mysterious?" Maya raised an eyebrow. "Is that your way of calling me confusing?"

"Nah, it's my way of saying you're not like everyone else." Leo's grin turned sly, fox-like. "You're the real deal. Most people here are wearing masks, but you? You're just yourself, even when you're covered in punch."

Maya looked down at her sticky shirt and started laughing. Maybe this party wasn't so terrible after all.

"Hey." Leo adjusted his hat, suddenly looking nervous himself. "You want to get out of here? I know this spot down by the creek where we can actually hear each other think."

Maya's palms didn't feel sweaty anymore. "Yeah," she said, grinning. "Let's bounce."