Crystal Pyramids & Sweaty Palms

Maya's palms were sweating. Again. She wiped them on her ripped jeans, trying to look chill as Lucas passed her in the hallway. He didn't even notice her.

"Earth to Maya," her best friend Jenna said, snapping fingers. "You're doing that thing where you stare like your cat died."

"My cat's fine, thanks for asking." But Mochi was probably judging her from his spot on the windowsill right now.

The real problem was Lucas, and her brother Jordan's stupid 'wellness empire' pyramid scheme she'd gotten roped into. Three crystal pyramids sat in her backpack, digging into her spine. Each one cost fifty bucks. Jordan swore they'd 'amplify positive energy' or whatever. Mostly they amplified her cringe levels.

"You still selling those rocks?" Jenna asked.

"They're not rocks, they're ancient geometry tools for manifestation—"

"You sound exactly like him. That's concerning."

It was concerning. Jordan had dropped out of college to sell 'pyramid power' full-time, and somehow convinced Maya she needed to build her 'downline' too. Now she was that girl at school, trying to get people to buy overpriced glass triangles.

Lucas actually stopped at her locker.

"Hey, your brother mentioned those crystal things?" He rubbed the back of his neck, looking awkward. "My mom's been super stressed lately, and—"

Maya's palms started sweating again. This was it. Her chance to talk to Lucas, to maybe even sit with him at lunch tomorrow, all she had to do was—

"Actually," she said, her voice shaking, "they're kind of just... regular pyramids? Like, geometrically speaking? Not ancient or anything."

Lucas blinked. "Oh. Cool. Thanks for being honest."

He walked away, and Maya felt lighter than she had in weeks. She pulled the crystal pyramids from her backpack and set them on the hallway floor. Someone would probably take them. Whatever.

Her phone buzzed — Jordan, asking how many she'd sold today.

She typed back: i quit. keeping the cat though.

At home, Mochi wrapped around her legs, purring. Maya picked him up, ignoring the crystals still sitting on her desk. Some things were actually worth keeping.