The Palm Reader's Prophecy

Maya stared at her iPhone screen, the blue light illuminating her nervous face in the darkness of her bedroom. Three notifications from the group chat—all from Jordan. Everyone else had gone radio silent after the incident at lunch.

'Can we talk?' 'Pls respond' 'I didn't mean to'

Maya's palms were sweating. She closed her eyes, remembering how Jordan had convinced them all to join that stupid investment 'opportunity'—which turned out to be a total pyramid scheme. Her older brother had warned her, but Jordan had been so convincing, so confident.

Now Maya had lost two hundred dollars babysitting money, and their friend group had shattered like dropped glass.

Her phone buzzed again. Not Jordan this time—Sophie.

'Jordan's crying in the bathroom. I know you're mad but we can't just abandon them'

Maya groaned into her pillow. Why did she have to be the one to bear the weight of everyone's mistakes? Again?

The next day at school, Jordan found her by the lockers. Their eyes were red-rimmed, hair messy—totally not the put-together persona they usually maintained.

'My parents are making me work at the family restaurant all summer to pay everyone back,' Jordan said quietly. 'I'm sorry I was so arrogant. I really thought I'd found something genius.'

Maya looked at Jordan's trembling hands, then down at her own. She thought about what her mom always said: 'Sometimes the people who need the most grace are the ones who've made the biggest mistakes.'

'I'm still mad about the money,' Maya said. 'And you should've listened when I said something felt off.'

'I know.'

Maya sighed. 'But you're my best friend. We'll figure it out.'

Jordan's shoulders dropped, relief washing over their face. 'Thank you.'

'Maybe you can cover my shift next Friday?' Maya tried, offering a small smile. 'I need to study for finals anyway.'

Jordan laughed through the last of their tears. 'Deal.'