Orange Hat at the Pyramid

The social pyramid at Northwood High was more real than the actual pyramid scheme my cousin fell for last summer. There I was, Maya Chen, hovering somewhere around the middle—visible enough to get invited to things, invisible enough to avoid drama. Until today.

The Fall Fiesta was tonight, and I'd spent thirty bucks on this ridiculous orange beret that I thought made me look like a French art student. My best friend Jasmine took one look at it and said, "Girl, you look like a traffic cone that learned to sew." But I refused to take it off. It was my statement piece.

Then I saw him.

Lucas Rivera stood by the bleachers like the Great Sphinx of Egypt—mysterious, untouchable, and apparently deeply contemplative about whatever playlist he was scrolling through. Everyone called him "the Sphinx" behind his back because he rarely spoke but always seemed to know everything. I'd had a crush on him since seventh period pre-calc, where he sat three rows ahead and never turned around.

I was supposed to be working up the courage to ask him to dance. Instead, I was working on not spilling my orange soda all over my white dress while Jasmine hyped me up from the safety of the snack table.

"Just go over there," she said. "What's the worst that could happen?"

I could think of approximately seventeen worst things.

I took a breath, adjusted my orange beret for maximum artistry, and started toward the Sphinx. Three steps in, someone bumped my arm. My orange soda splashed everywhere—mostly down the front of my dress, partially onto the ground.

The social pyramid didn't collapse. But my dignity sure did.

Lucas actually looked up. Our eyes met. I stood there, orange-stained and bereted, while the entire gym seemed to go quiet.

Then the Sphinx spoke.

"Nice hat," he said. "And orange is definitely your color."

I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or genuine. But he was smiling. And somehow, that was enough.

"Thanks," I managed. "It's, uh, supposed to look French."

"It looks like you," he said. "Bold."

The social pyramid could wait. Sometimes you just have to spill some soda and wear the stupid hat anyway.