The Sphinx's Palm

The neon orange sign outside said 'MADAME ZORA'S MYSTERY EMPORIUM' but inside, it was just a dusty closet with a folding table and me in a cheap sequined hat. I was the Sphinx for the summer - my mom's idea to 'get me out of my comfort zone.' Which basically meant wearing an itchy costume and telling random strangers their futures for minimum wage.

'You're holding your palm wrong,' a voice said. I looked up to see Jake Morrison from my AP Chem class, leaning against the doorframe with that effortless vibe that made my stomach do weird things.

'It's not a real reading,' I said, trying to sound chill instead of absolutely mortified. 'I literally make it up based on their shoes.'

He laughed. 'That's actually kind of brilliant.'

The bell above the door jingled. My ex-best friend Chloe walked in with her new squad, all crop tops and confidence that I definitely didn't possess. She froze when she saw Jake, then smirked at my costume.

'Nice hat, Maya. Very... mystical.'

Before I could respond, my stomach let out the loudest rumble ever. Because apparently the universe wasn't done humiliating me yet. Jake handed me a tupperware from his backpack.

'My mom's spinach and feta quiche,' he said. 'I was gonna save it for lunch but you look like you need it more.'

I took a bite, expecting it to be gross. It was perfect - flaky and savory and exactly what I needed. Chloe rolled her eyes and stormed out, her squad trailing behind her like ducklings.

'Thanks,' I said, finally breathing again.

'Anytime,' Jake grinned. 'Hey, you think the Sphinx could tell my fortune after all?'

I looked at his palm - actually looked at it - and saw the callus from guitar strings, the tiny scar from who knows what. 'I see great things,' I said, and for once, I wasn't making it up.

He believed me. And maybe, just maybe, I was starting to believe it too.