The Sphinx on Court Three

The goldfish was supposed to be my zen moment. My therapist said get a pet, learn responsibility, whatever. But three days in, Bubbles was doing backstrokes at the top of his bowl, and I was spiraling. Again.

Then Lena drags me to the padel courts because apparently that's where the social hierarchy of sophomore year gets decided. I'm terrible at sports—like, could-trip-over-air terrible—but she's determined to make me 'participate in life.'

'There's the Sphinx,' she whispers, pointing at Court Three.

The Sphinx is this junior named Marcus who never speaks, just dominates every sport like he's got something to prove. He's playing mixed doubles with Sarah, who I've had a crush on since August but haven't managed more than three words to. Typical.

I'm sitting there on the bench, spiraling about Bubbles and Sarah and my entire existence, when this massive dog—a Golden Retriever, obviously—comes barrelling onto the court. Everyone stops. The Sphinx freezes mid-swing.

The dog makes a beeline for me, because why wouldn't he? I'm already dying. But then he just collapses at my feet, panting like he's the one who just ran a marathon. And I realize—I recognize this dog. It's Mr. Henderson's from down the street.

'Marco!' someone yells.

'That's not Marco,' I say without thinking.

The Sphinx turns. Look at me. Actually looks at me.

'That's Biscuit,' I say, feeling my face heat up. 'He lives on 4th. He's an escape artist.' I scratch behind Biscuit's ears and he leans into it like I'm his best friend.

The Sphinx walks over, racquet still in hand, and somehow it's not terrifying. It's just a guy who's really good at padel standing in front of a girl who's really good at awkward.

'You know dogs?' he asks. First words I've ever heard him say.

'I know this one.'

He kneels down, scratches Biscuit's other ear. 'I'm Marcus.'

'I know,' I say, then immediately want to die. 'I mean, everyone calls you the Sphinx and I just—'

He laughs. Actual laugh. 'My dad started that. Said I was mysterious. I think I was just quiet.' He looks at me. 'You want to play padel?'

'I'm terrible.'

'Me too,' Sarah says from behind him, grinning. 'We're all terrible. Marcus just has that resting game face.'

Biscuit chooses that moment to shake off, spraying water all over my new shoes. And I'm laughing. Actually laughing.

Lena gives me this look from the sidelines like *see? life happens outside your head*.

Later, I tell Marcus about Bubbles. He says his mom's a vet, offers to come over. And that's how I end up with my crush's phone number, a new padel partner, and a goldfish that's apparently just constipated.

The Sphinx isn't so mysterious after all. He's just a guy who likes dogs and is secretly terrible at doubles.