When the Sphinx Finally Smiled

Maya's heart did that thing where it felt like a hummingbird was trapped in her chest. The popular crowd's pool party. Her nemesis since seventh grade, Chloe—aka the Sphinx, because she was gorgeous, untouchable, and completely impossible to read—lounged on a chaise like she owned the entire cul-de-sac.

"Hey, you're Connor's cousin, right?" Chloe asked, and Maya almost choked on her own spit.

"Yeah, um, hi." Maya's voice squeaked. Great start.

Chloe's rescue dog, a chaotic golden retriever named Bolt, came tearing across the patio with a half-eaten papaya in his mouth like it was some kind of prize. "Bolt, DROP IT." But the dog was on a mission, zooming like he'd been struck by lightning, which was honestly ironic because actual storm clouds were gathering overhead.

Maya made a dive for the dog and somehow ended up with papaya slime all over her favorite orange shirt. Perfect. This was it. The social equivalent of death. She started planning her fake sick excuse to leave immediately.

But then Chloe laughed. Not mean-girl laughed. Actually laughed.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Chloe said, grabbing napkins. "Bolt is a literal disaster. That papaya was supposed to be for this aesthetic fruit platter my mom made me put out."

"It's fine, I—" Maya started, but then thunder cracked and the sky opened up. They both scrambled for the covered porch, watching the rain turn the pool deck into a shimmering mess.

"You know," Chloe said, dipping a tortilla chip into the abandoned fruit platter, "I've been meaning to talk to you. Your Instagram posts about that art program look sick. I've been wanting to ask how you got into it."

Maya blinked. The Sphinx had just called her art sick.

"Wait, you actually noticed those?"

"Duh." Chloe popped an orange slice into her mouth. "You're talented. Also, you're not basic like half the people here." She gestured vaguely at the party. "This whole thing is my parents' idea. I'd literally rather be anywhere else."

Lightning flashed again, illuminating Chloe's genuine smile for the first time all night. The sphinx's riddle had been simple: she was just as awkward as everyone else.

Maya's phone buzzed—Connor, probably wondering where she'd disappeared to. She silenced it.

"Hey," Maya said, wiping the last of the papaya from her shirt. "You want to get out of here? There's this bubble tea place nearby."

Chloe's grin widened. "Honestly? That sounds legendary."