Pyramid Schemes and Other Freshman Mistakes

Kira stared at the food pyramid poster in the cafeteria, its colorful triangles mocking her existence. At Marshall High, the social hierarchy worked exactly like that ridiculous nutritional guide — the popular kids at the narrow top, everyone else spread across the widening base below.

"Earth to Kira," Manda said, snapping her fingers. "You're zoning out again."

"Sorry." Kira gestured at the poster. "Just thinking about how we're literally at the bottom of the pyramid."

"Speak for yourself." Manda flipped her neon orange hair. "Some of us are climbing."

Kira rolled her eyes. Manda had been obsessed with climbing the social ladder since freshman year started. Everything about her screamed "trying too hard" — from the orange hair to the constant vitamin supplements she took because someone told her they'd make her skin glow.

"Are those even FDA approved?" Kira asked as Manda popped another handful of colorful gummies.

"They're organic," Manda said defensively. "And they're working. Tyler noticed my highlights yesterday."

"Tyler who thinks 'The Great Gatsby' is a romantic hero?" Kika raised an eyebrow. "Hard pass."

"Whatever." Manda pulled out her phone. "You're just bitter because you won't let anyone set you up with—"

"No setups. Not after last time." Last time being the disaster with Amanda's cousin who spent forty minutes explaining why cryptocurrency was the future.

They walked home the long way, past the old orchard where sometimes foxes darted between the trees. Kira loved those moments — a flash of russet fur, bright eyes watching her before disappearing into shadows. Foxes knew something about survival that she was still learning.

"Speaking of disasters," Manda continued, "did you hear about Jake's party?"

"The one where he tried to impress everyone by claiming his family's bull was 'basically a celebrity' and then it turned out to be a regular cow from his uncle's farm?"

"That's the one." Manda giggled. "Anyway, he's having another one Friday. You should come."

"Pass."

"Kira, you can't spend your whole freshman year hiding in your room watching Netflix."

"Watch me."

That Friday, Kira did end up going. Not because she wanted to, but because Manda literally wouldn't stop texting her.

Jake's house was already packed when they arrived. Someone had brought a guitar, and a group of seniors sat in a circle playing something that was definitely not supposed to be sad but sounded like a funeral dirge.

"I need air," Kira said after ten minutes.

She found herself on the back porch, staring at the expensive pyramid-shaped tent Jake's parents had set up for "glamping." Because apparently regular camping wasn't boujee enough.

"Rough night?"

She turned to find Leo from her English class leaning against the railing, holding an orange soda.

"Just... too much performance anxiety," she admitted. "Everyone's acting like they're in a movie."

"Tell me about it." Leo nodded toward the tent. "Jake's parents literally bought a pyramid for the backyard. What even is that energy?"

Kira laughed. "Right? Who needs a geometric shape for camping?"

"Hey, at least it's not a bull." Leo gestured to the field beyond. "They have one too. Jake's dad's midlife crisis involves collecting farm animals he doesn't know how to take care of."

"You're kidding."

"Wish I was." Leo stepped closer. "I'm Leo, by the way. We read that poem about the fox last week."

"Kira." She smiled. "The one about how foxes adapt to any environment?"

"Exactly. I've been thinking about it. Maybe we're all just... adapting."

They stood there talking until Manda came out, her orange hair somehow even more fluorescent under the porch lights.

"There you are!" Manda grabbed Kira's arm. "Tyler's asking about you."

"Let him ask." Kira didn't move. "I'm good here."

Manda looked between them, then dramatically rolled her eyes. "Fine. But you're missing out. Tyler's pyramid scheme about his dad's business is apparently fascinating."

"Hard pass," Leo and Kira said simultaneously.

They looked at each other and laughed.

"You want to get out of here?" Leo asked. "There's a spot by the creek where the foxes sometimes hang out."

"Yes," Kira said, and meant it.

As they walked away from the party, Manda called after them: "You're both going to miss the vitamin toast! Jake's mom made these amazing orange gummies!"

"We'll survive!" Kira called back.

She didn't know what would happen with Leo, or if she'd ever climb the social pyramid, or if the foxes would even be at the creek. But for the first time all year, she felt like maybe she didn't need to adapt to fit someone else's shape.

"Hey Leo?" she said as they reached the tree line.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for saving me from Tyler's pyramid scheme."

"Anytime." He grinned. "Besides, I hear bull-sized egos aren't really your vibe."

Kira laughed, and somewhere in the distance, a fox called out under the moonlight.