Poolside Pyramids

The water in Miranda's **pool** glittered like someone had dumped actual diamonds in it, which, knowing Miranda's parents, wasn't impossible. My palms were sweating so bad I had to wipe them on my denim shorts — gross, but better than looking like I was nervous.

Which I definitely wasn't. Totally fine.

"You're doing that thing again," said Jade, my best friend since sixth grade, currently drinking a soda like it was her job. "Where you overthink everything and then stand in the corner looking like a **cat** that's been sprayed with a hose."

"I'm not overthinking," I lied. "I'm observing. There's a difference."

"You're staring at Jake from across the **pool** like he's a mythical creature."

Jake. The guy I'd been crushing on since April. The guy who was currently standing in a circle of people, laughing at something Miranda's brother said. Jake, with his messy dark hair and that smile that made my stomach do actual gymnastics.

The social hierarchy at Miranda's parties operated like a **pyramid** scheme. Miranda and her crew at the top, then the moderately cool kids, then everyone else trying to climb up. I was usually solidly in the "everyone else" category, but tonight Jake was here, and suddenly I cared way more than I should.

"Just go talk to him," Jade said. "What's the worst that could happen?"

"I could embarrass myself so hard that I have to move to a different state. Change my name. Start over as a mysterious stranger who doesn't know how conversations work."

"Dramatic." Jade checked her phone. "Okay, new plan. Miranda's about to do that thing where she makes people do party games. If you get picked, you'll have to talk to everyone anyway."

Oh no.

"Everyone!**!" Miranda's voice cut through the music. "Time for Truth or Dare, but elevated! We're doing riddles first. If you can't solve it, you have to do the dare or answer the question."

Great. My worst nightmare.

Miranda locked eyes with me. "Layla, you're up first. Here's your riddle, my little **sphinx**: I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?"

A map. The answer was literally a map.

"A map," I said immediately.

Miranda's eyebrows shot up. "Dang, okay. Fine, you're spared. Jake, you're next!"

Jake's riddle was harder, something about a thing that belonged to him but others used more. I watched him think through it, all intense and cute. When he finally got it right, our eyes met for like two seconds and I actually forgot how to breathe.

"Nice save," I said when he walked past me toward the snacks.

He smiled. "Your answer was way faster. I was over there sweating like I was taking a final exam."

"I could see your **palm** prints on your pants from here," I said, then immediately wanted to die.

Jake laughed. "Wow, called out. I'm Jake, by the way. We've been in homeroom together all year."

"Layla. I know. I mean, obviously, we sit three rows apart. Not that I count rows or anything. I'm going to stop talking now."

He laughed again. A real laugh, not a polite one. "You're funny, Layla. Want to get some food with me? Miranda's mom ordered way too much pizza."

Jade mouthed "YOU'RE WELCOME" from across the pool.

I followed Jake toward the house, my palms still sweaty but not caring anymore. Sometimes the social **pyramid** didn't matter. Sometimes you just had to jump in the deep end.