The Sphinx of Summer

The pool party at Jessica's house was supposed to be lit, but Maya stood at the edge in her oversized t-shirt, clutching her phone like a lifeline. Everyone was already splashing around, their laughter echoing against the fence, while she was stuck overthinking whether jumping in would look awkward.

"What's the worst that could happen?" a voice drawled behind her. Maya turned to see Sasha perched on the diving board like she owned it. Sasha was gorgeous in that effortless way that made everyone else feel basic, her hair already wet from a previous dip. She was also known as the Sphinx of sophomore year — beautiful, mysterious, and apparently obsessed with asking riddles instead of having normal conversations.

"I could... slip? Fall? Humiliate myself in front of everyone?" Maya listed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sasha's grin widened. "Those aren't the worst things. The worst thing is standing on the edge wondering 'what if' while everyone else is actually living."

Maya stared at her. Since when did pool parties become philosophical?

"Look," Sasha said, gesturing to the small inflatable goldfish floating near the deep end. "That little guy's been going in circles all day, but at least he's moving. You're just... stagnant."

"Did you just call me stagnant?"

"I called you a goldfish watcher, which is arguably worse." Sasha flipped off the diving board, cutting through the water with perfect form. When she surfaced, she called out, "Your riddle for today: What has water but won't swim, has depth but won't think, and will only welcome you once you stop overthinking it?"

Maya looked at the pool, then at Sasha waiting for an answer. Then at her phone blowing up with texts from her friends wondering where she was.

The pool.

The answer was literally the pool.

"You're insufferable," Maya shouted, pulling off her t-shirt. "And that was the worst riddle I've ever heard."

"Jump in anyway!" Sasha laughed.

Maya jumped. The water shocked her system cold and perfect, and when she came up gasping, Sasha was already there with that sphinx-like smile, handing her a Float goldfish that had somehow made its way across the pool.

"See? Not so scary."

"Shut up," Maya said, but she was smiling. "But seriously, enough with the riddles."

"No promises," Sasha replied. "Tomorrow's riddle is about why you're scared to text that cute guy from your biology class."

Maya splashed water at her. Some sphinx. But honestly? She might actually be right.