Green Against the Pyramid

Maya stabbed at the soggy **spinach** on her tray, her appetite officially dead. The cafeteria at Northwood High operated on a strict **pyramid** system: varsity athletes at the popular tables, theater kids in the middle, and everyone else fighting for scraps at the edges. Maya had been stuck at the bottom since September.

"You gonna eat that?" Leo asked, sliding into the seat across from her. His hair was doing that thing where it looked intentionally messy.

"Be my guest," she pushed the tray forward. "Also, that story about Josh's party? Total **bull**."

Leo's eyes widened. "Wait, you were there?"

"No. But Josh posted a TikTok from his couch at eleven. Same time as the 'massive rager.' I'm just saying."

Leo laughed—actually laughed, like, surprised laugh. And then: "You're sharp. You should come to my cousin's food truck event Saturday. She's doing this fusion thing with **papaya** and spicy chicken."

Maya blinked. "Is that a weird metaphor?"

"No. It's literally **papaya**. Her truck is parked downtown. It'll be fun." He hesitated. "Unless you have plans?"

She thought about her weekend plans: rewatching Office episodes, avoiding her geometry homework, maybe painting her nails if she felt ambitious.

"I'm free."

"Cool." Leo smiled. And for the first time since freshman orientation, Maya didn't feel like she was stuck at the bottom of anything. She took a bite of Leo's pineapple spear from his plate.

"Hey, that's my lunch!"

"Payment for the invite," she said. And the food actually tasted good.