The Third Wheel Prophecy

I was literally being the biggest third wheel in the history of third wheels. Jason and Chloe had spent the last forty minutes making googly eyes at each other across the escape room table while I sat there dramatically dying inside.

"Okay, the sphinx riddle," I announced, maybe too loudly. "I've got this."

The sphinx statue in the corner of the room had this creepy painted smile, like it knew exactly how pathetic I looked. The puzzle was simple—match the ancient symbols to unlock the next door—but I was determined to prove I wasn't just the spare tire in their situationship.

"You got this, Leo," Jason said, without looking up from his phone.

Chloe laughed at something on his screen, and I felt that specific kind of low-key murderous that only comes from being the permanently single friend. I rotated the stone puzzle pieces, my fingers slightly sweaty because I'd low-key had a crush on Chloe since freshman year and now she was all about Jason's stupid perfect hair.

Outside, Max's dog—a golden retriever named Bean—kept barking at something in the alley. Bean had been Jason's wingman at parties since seventh grade, which was ironic considering dogs were supposed to be loyal and Jason had ghosted like three girls this month alone.

"Wait," Chloe said, finally looking at me. "That symbol—it's like a bear, right?"

I stared at the puzzle piece I'd been turning for five minutes without actually seeing. The symbol was a bear, rearing up on hind legs, and suddenly the whole thing clicked into place. Bear meant strength. Bear meant enduring. Bear meant not being the pathetic friend who couldn't handle his best friend dating his crush.

"Yeah," I said, voice barely steady. "Bear."

I rotated it into place, and the sphinx's mouth dropped open, revealing a tiny scroll that read: THE ANSWER YOU SEEK IS ALREADY BESIDE YOU.

Chloe gasped and grabbed my arm, actually excited. "Leo, you're actually a genius!"

Jason looked up, confused. "Wait, what did I miss?"

"Leo solved the riddle," Chloe said, grinning at me. "You were too busy texting to notice."

Bean barked again, and I realized something: third wheels have more torque than you'd think. They're the ones who actually see everything, who carry the emotional weight while the couple is busy being blinded by new-relationship goggles.

"Whatever," I said, shrugging like it wasn't the first time all night I'd felt seen. "Let's just finish this room already."