The Pyramid Scheme

Maya stared at the lunch pyramid displayed on the cafeteria wall—proteins at the bottom, vegetables in the middle, sugars at the tiny top. Beside it, a hand-lettered sign announced: WELLNESS WEEK. She rolled her eyes so hard it actually hurt.

"Did you see Mr. Henderson's TikTok?" Jada slid into the seat across from her, sliding a orange across the table like it was a precious gem. "He tried to do the renegade in front of third period. It was traumatizing."

Maya cracked a smile despite herself. "Please tell me someone recorded it for future blackmail."

"Oh, it's already circulating." Jada peeled her orange with practiced precision, the citrus scent cutting through the overwhelming smell of tater tots. "So, are you trying out for the solo?"

The question hit Maya like a physical blow. For weeks, she'd been practicing alone in her room, singing into her hairbrush like a cliché from a coming-of-age movie. But actually signing up? Actually standing up there while everyone watched?

"I don't know," Maya said, pushing her tray away. "What if I choke? What if everyone thinks I'm mid?"

Jada slid her a vitamin C packet from her pocket—the gummy kind that tasted like artificial sunshine. "You know what my therapist says? Fear is just excitement without breath."

"Since when do you quote therapists?" Maya laughed, but something shifted in her chest.

"Since I started going." Jada's voice was quieter now. "It's not a big deal. Everyone needs someone to talk to."

Maya looked at her best friend—really looked at her—and realized she'd been so wrapped up in her own spiral that she'd missed Jada's. That's the thing about high school. Everyone's screaming inside while posting aesthetic sunset photos.

"Will you come with me?" Maya asked. "To sign up?"

Jada grinned, all teeth and braces. "Obviously. I'll be your hype person. We'll go full main character energy."

The orange sat between them like a tiny sun. Maya thought about pyramids—how the tiniest stone at the top was supported by everything beneath it. How you couldn't reach the top without building from the bottom.

"Okay," Maya said, standing up. "Let's do this."

Mr. Henderson was still trying to recover his dignity when they walked past. Maya didn't roll her eyes this time. Some things were worth being brave for.