The Pool Party Hieroglyphics

Maya's stomach did backflips as she stepped through the chain-link gate. The Carter's pool party was already in full swing, music thumping from portable speakers, chlorine mixing with coconut sunscreen in the humid August air.

She smoothed her frizzy curls—hair that refused to be tamed even with half a bottle of expensive gel she'd blown two weeks' allowance on. Her older sister Jade had promised tonight would be different. "You're gonna make friends, Maya. Just put yourself out there."

Easier said than done when you were the new kid who'd moved to suburban Ohio three weeks before sophomore year started.

Maya hovered near the snack table, eyeing the fruit platter like it held the secrets to social acceptance. She reached for a wedge of papaya, trying to look casual and not like someone who'd never tried the exotic fruit before. The first bite was weird—sweet but kinda musky, like nothing she'd ever tasted.

"You eatin' that or murdering it?"

Maya jumped. A girl with electric blue streaks in her dark hair stood there grinning, holding a can of orange Fanta like it was a trophy. "I'm Kai. You're Maya, right? The new girl from Mr. Harrison's homeroom?"

"Yeah." Maya swallowed quickly. "It's... different."

"Papaya's an acquired taste." Kai leaned against the table. "So's this party, honestly. Come on."

Before Maya could protest, Kai dragged her toward the pool, where a group of guys were building something ridiculous out of empty soda cans. A literal pyramid, wobbling dangerously as some dude named Marcus tried to add another level.

"Twenty bucks says it collapses before he finishes," Kai whispered.

"You're on."

The pyramid held for exactly twelve seconds before crashing spectacularly, sending soda cans rolling across the concrete. Everyone cracked up, and for the first time all night, Maya laughed too—really laughed, not the fake polite laugh she'd been using all week.

Kai high-fived her. "Told you. Hey, you wanna help us with the next round? We're gonna beat Marcus's record."

"I'm Maya," she said again, like this time it actually meant something.

"Nice to meet you, Maya." Kai handed her a grape soda. "Welcome to the pyramid of chaos."

The orange sunset reflected off the pool water as Maya crouched down to help rebuild the soda cans. For the first time since moving, she thought maybe—just maybe—she'd actually be okay.