The Sphinx's Serve

Maya's hair was doing that thing again — that infuriating flip where the front layers refused to cooperate with the rest of her curly situation. She'd spent forty-five minutes with the diffuser, only for the middle school humidity to turn her efforts into frizz city. Great. First day at Country Day Academy, and she already looked like she'd stuck her finger in an electrical socket.

"You must be the new transfer."

Maya jumped. A girl sat on the bench behind her, all sleek braids and impossible cool. Her nickname was literally Sphinx — short for Stephanie, but the nickname stuck because she never gave anything away. Not opinions, not homework answers, not the time of day.

"Yeah," Maya managed. "I'm Maya."

"I know. Everyone knows." Sphinx's eyes swept over Maya's hair, her too-big hand-me-down uniform. "You trying out for padel?"

"Padel?"

"The sport? It's like tennis met pickleball and they had a baby." Sphinx stood up, grabbing a racket from her bag. "Come on. Court's empty during lunch."

Maya followed her outside, where enclosed courts sat baking in the sun. She'd never played anything more athletic than Wii Tennis. This was going to be a disaster.

"Here." Sphinx tossed her a racket. "Hit this."

The ball came fast. Maya swung and missed, spinning in a clumsy circle. Some of the guys watching from the fence snickered. Heat crept up her neck.

"Again." Sphinx's expression didn't change. "You're thinking too much. Stop thinking."

"How do I stop —"

"Hit. The. Ball."

This time, Maya's racket connected with a solid THWACK. The ball sailed over the net, landing exactly where it should.

"There." Sphinx actually smiled — barely, but it counted. "You're a natural. We need a fourth for mixed doubles at regionals. You in?"

"Wait — what?" Maya blinked. "You just met me."

"Yeah, and you've got good instincts. Also, you seem like you wouldn't throw a fit about uniform colors." Sphinx checked her phone. "We're practicing at my house tomorrow. My mom's making smoothies."

"What kind?"

"Papaya-ginger. Don't make that face — it grows on you." Sphinx started walking away, then turned back. "Oh, and Maya?"

"Yeah?"

"Your hair's fine. It's got personality. Learn to work with it instead of fighting it."

Maya touched a curl, watching Sphinx disappear into the building. Maybe Country Day wouldn't be so bad after all. A sphinx who gave advice, a sport she didn't totally suck at, and papaya smoothies in her future. Weirdly, it felt like exactly what she needed.