The Pyramid Scheme

Freshman year hit Maya like a freight train made of insecurity and overly judgmental upperclassmen. She'd spent forty-five minutes flat-ironing her hair that morning, only for the Texas humidity to transform it into a frizzy disappointment by third period. Classic.

"Your palm is sweating again," whispered Leo, her lab partner and definitely not crush. "You good?"

Maya wiped her hand on her jeans. The school's social pyramid loomed over everyone like a cursed Egyptian artifact, and she'd just been invited to its apex: Chloe Martinez's birthday party. The Chloe Martinez. Junior class president, Instagram royalty, the kind of person who somehow made everything look effortless.

But here's the thing — Chloe had a bulldog named Bull who'd escaped during last year's homecoming game and tackled the mascot. The video had three million views. Bull was basically a legend.

Maya's plan: impress Chloe with dog treats, secure a friendship upgrade, climb several rungs up the pyramid. Simple. Flawless. Absolutely destined to work.

"You're bringing WHAT to the party?" Leo asked, looking at the gourmet bacon snacks like she'd lost her mind.

"Bull loves bacon. I watched his highlight reel."

"His what now?"

The party arrived. Maya stood before Chloe's mansion, heart doing gymnastics, palm sweating so badly she nearly dropped the treats. Bull bounded toward her, and she froze — this was it, her moment to seal the deal.

Bull snorfled the treats, sat politely, and proceeded to vomit directly onto Chloe's limited edition white rug.

The room went silent.

Chloe burst out laughing. "Oh my GOD, that's his THIRD rug this month. You're officially my favorite person now."

Maya's hair frizzed gloriously in the party lights. Leo grinned from across the room. And somewhere beneath her embarrassment, she realized the social pyramid was maybe just a bunch of people pretending they knew what they were doing.

"Next time," Chloe said, handing her a drink, "let's just order pizza."

"Deal," said Maya, and finally, her palm stopped sweating.