The Papaya Pyramid Scheme

Maya stood behind the concession stand at the Willow Creek Pool, staring at the monstrosity before her. A papaya. Who even ate papaya? Definitely not the swim team diving off the three-meter board like they owned the place.

"Dude, that's literally tragic," said Leo, sliding up to the counter. His hair was wet, chlorine evidence he'd been swimming laps again. "Your face right now? Peak tragedy."

"Shut up, Leo." Maya sighed, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Somebody ordered a papaya smoothie. I have to figure out how to make this sludge drinkable."

Leo leaned in, all conspiratorial whispers and wet shoulder against her arm. "Speaking of things that seem fine but are actually terrible — my cousin's starting this thing. You sign people up, they sign people up, everyone makes money. It's this whole... pyramid structure, but legit."

Maya snorted. "That's literally the definition of a pyramid scheme, Leo."

"No, no, it's different." He pulled out his phone, showing her a glossy presentation. "All you need is a cable subscription. You get people to switch their cable provider, you get commissions. Easy."

"I don't even have cable, Leo. I'm sixteen."

"That's what makes it perfect!" His eyes were so earnest, so painfully hopeful. Maya felt something twist in her chest. Leo, who still believed in things. Leo, who hadn't learned yet that sometimes people took advantage.

The papaya sat on the counter like an orange judgment.

"Let me think about it," Maya said, because she couldn't break his heart. Not today.

Later, she'd research. Later, she'd figure out how to explain that multi-level marketing destroyed friendships and drained bank accounts. Later, she'd learn that standing up for people meant more than just protecting their feelings.

But right now, she chopped the papaya. Because maybe papaya wasn't so bad. Maybe you just had to give things a chance before writing them off.

And maybe, just maybe, she'd help Leo save his money without making him feel stupid. That's what friends did.

Even if they were wrong about pyramid schemes.