Running Up the Pyramid

I never thought I'd be the kind of person to pull a total stalker move, but here I was, lurking behind the gym doors in my brother's oversized beanie, basically begging someone to notice I wasn't supposed to be here.

Emma stood by the refreshment table, laughing at something Jake said — head tilted back, hair perfect, holding court like she'd been born to it. Three months ago, she'd been sitting with me at lunch, making fun of Jake's pyramid scheme Energy Drink obsession. Now she was part of his squad, climbing that invisible social pyramid that I hadn't even realized existed until she started ascending it without me.

"You look like you're spying on a crime scene," someone said behind me.

I jumped, nearly knocking over a stack of chairs. It was Marcus from track, holding two cups of punch.

"I'm not — I was just —" I sputtered, pulling my hat lower.

"Spying on your friend?" He handed me a cup. "She looks like she's doing fine without the reconnaissance mission."

"She's not my friend anymore," I said, then immediately hated how petty it sounded.

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Could've fooled me. She keeps looking over here like she's waiting for you to rescue her."

I followed his gaze. Emma wasn't laughing anymore. She was standing alone near the exit, fidgeting with the bracelet I'd made her last summer — a friendship bracelet that said BEST in bright yellow thread. The capital letters had faded.

"I've been running from this conversation for weeks," I admitted.

"Then stop running," Marcus said simply. "Some things are worth climbing for."

So I walked over there, heart hammering, and I didn't hide behind my hat or the social pyramid that had somehow become real between us. Emma's face lit up like she'd been hoping I would come save her all along.

"I missed you," she said immediately. "Jake's energy drink talk is literally torture."

"You could've just told me that instead of joining the cool kids," I said, but I was already smiling.

"I know." She linked her arm through mine. "I'm an idiot. But I'm your idiot."

Some friendships survive the pyramid. Some don't. Ours just needed us to stop running from each other.