The Sphinx's Palm Prophecy

I shifted uncomfortably against the hallway wall, nursing a room-temperature orange soda that had gone flat an hour ago. The bass from Maya's party thudded through the floorboards, but I'd needed a break from the social gymnastics. Especially from watching Leo laugh at whatever Chelsea was saying.

"You know, your palm says you're overthinking everything."

I jumped. Danny slid out from behind a potted plant, grinning like he'd just uncovered a government conspiracy. "Dude, you trying to be a spy or something?"

"Nah, just giving you space." He gestured at my hand, still clutching the soda can like a lifeline. "But seriously, my cousin taught me palm reading. You've got this crazy strong life line, but your heart line's all tangled up. Classic teenage angst configuration."

"Since when are you the Sphinx of relationship wisdom?" I rolled my eyes, but my heart was doing gymnastics. "And you're one to talk. I saw you spill that drink all over Jenna earlier."

"Details, details." Danny grabbed my hand, tracing a line across my palm with surprising gentleness. "Here's the thing though — this cross right here? Means you're at a turning point. Like, ancient Egypt level of destiny stuff." He paused dramatically. "My cousin says the Sphinx was all about riddles because life's basically one giant question mark."

Weirdly, it made sense. I thought about Leo, about how I'd been spying on his Instagram stories at 2 AM, about how my stomach did backflips whenever he looked at me. About how terrified I was to actually *do* something.

"So what's the prophecy?" I asked, only half-joking.

Danny shrugged. "That you stop lurking in hallways holding orange sodas like they're the last elixir on earth. That you go in there and talk to him already. Life's short, and sophomore year's halfway over."

He was right. The worst that could happen was awkwardness — and honestly, I'd survived plenty of that already. I downed the rest of the soda, set the can down with renewed purpose.

"You're annoying, but you might be onto something."

"I'm always onto something." Danny winked. "Now go. Your prophecy awaits."