Poolside Pyramids

The hashtag #pyramid had been trending all week, but I didn't think my first real pool party would literally involve one.

"Dude, just DM her already," Marcus said, floating on a unicorn inflatable like he owned the place. "You've been staring at Maya since seventh grade. It's giving simp energy."

I adjusted my sunglasses, trying to look casual while my stomach did cartwheels. The Chandler pool party was supposed to be my moment – my chance to finally level up from background character to protagonist in my own life. Instead, I was bobbing in the shallow end while the popular kids held court around the outdoor kitchen.

"What would I even say?" I asked. "Hey Maya, nice weather? Want to discuss my papaya allergy?"

Marcus cracked up, splashing water everywhere. "Bro, you're overthinking it. Just slide into the DMs later. Everyone's doing it."

Speaking of everyone doing it – that's where the pyramid thing came in. Earlier that week, someone had started this "investment club" at school, promising crazy returns. Now half the senior class was in, including Maya's best friend Jessica. They were all standing by the snack bar, looking suspiciously intense about something.

I swam over to grab a juice box when I heard it: "You just need to get three people under you, then they each get three..."

Oh. OH.

"That's literally a pyramid scheme," I said, before I could stop myself.

Jessica rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might fall out. "It's not a scheme, Tyler. It's multi-level marketing. We're selling organic skincare."

"That's what a pyramid scheme IS," I insisted. "My dad's an accountant. He literally teaches courses on this stuff."

Suddenly Maya was right there, dripping wet and smelling like coconut everything. "Wait, Jessica said this was totally legit. Are you sure?"

Our eyes met. My brain short-circuited. "Uh, yeah. Pretty sure. Also, those products aren't even FDA approved. I looked them up yesterday."

Jessica looked busted. The popular kids exchanged glances.

"Whatever," she huffed, grabbing her towel. "Let's just swim."

The tension broke like that. Everyone jumped in the pool, and before I knew it, Maya was splashing me, laughing.

"You're kind of a nerd," she said, grinning. "But like, in a good way. Thanks for looking out for us."

Marcus shot me a thumbs-up from across the pool. I floated there, heart racing, realizing that being the person who speaks up – even when it's awkward, even when it's not cool – might actually be my thing.

"Hey," I said, "want to see my dog's TikTok? He's got, like, ten thousand followers."

Maya laughed. "Only if he's cuter than Marcus's unicorn."

Definitely my moment.