The Sphinx's Secret
Maya dragged her feet through the Egyptian exhibit, feeling like a total **zombie** after staying up until 3 AM scrolling through TikTok. Her **iPhone** had died two hours ago, leaving her disconnected from her group chat's nonstop commentary about Jackson's party last Friday.
"Check out this **sphinx**," Leo whispered, pointing at the massive stone creature. His brown eyes widened with genuine wonder. Unlike the other guys in AP World History, Leo didn't pretend to be bored. He actually leaned in close, studying the riddle inscription carved into the base.
Maya's heart did that annoying flutter thing whenever he got within three feet of her. She'd been crushing on him since homecoming, when he'd helped her pick up the corsage she'd dropped during the slow dance.
"You know," she said, surprising herself, "sphinxes were supposed to be guardians. They challenged people with riddles before letting them pass."
Leo turned, grinning. "Like how Mr. Henderson makes us answer three questions before we can use the bathroom pass?"
Maya laughed. For the first time all week, her shoulders relaxed.
Suddenly, Connor—the absolute biggest **bull** in their grade—shoved past them, knocking into Maya's backpack. "Move it, nerds. Some of us actually have better things to do than stare at rocks."
Leo stepped between them. "She's not moving, Connor. You are."
The whole exhibit went silent. Connor's face reddened as his friends watched. Finally, he muttered something under his breath and stomped away.
"You didn't have to do that," Maya said softly.
"Yeah," Leo smiled, "I kinda did."
Her phone was still dead, but Maya realized something else was powering up instead. Maybe sometimes the universe forced you to disconnect so you could actually connect with what mattered.
"Want to figure out the riddle together?" she asked.
"Only if you help me with the calculus homework after."
"Deal."
As they studied the ancient guardian together, Maya decided that zombies—exhausted or otherwise—could still have pretty amazing days.