The Pyramid Scheme

Maya shuffled into third period US History feeling like a certified zombie. Three hours of sleep plus AP Euro flashback cards would do that to you. She slid into her seat beside Leo, who was actually awake for once.

"Rumor has it," Leo whispered, nodding toward the popular table, "that Jordan's planning to challenge Queen Sarah for the top of the pyramid."

Maya rolled her eyes so hard they practically disappeared. "That's such bull. Jordan wouldn't dare. Sarah's social media following alone could launch a startup."

The school's social hierarchy operated like a pyramid scheme—only the people at the top actually benefited. Everyone else just paid in lunch table real estate and dignity.

Then there was Aisha, the sphinx of sophomore year. She sat alone at lunch, always reading, impossible to read. Maya had been crushing on her for months, but Aisha remained a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in really good headphones.

"We should talk to her," Maya said, surprising herself.

"Who? Aisha?" Leo's eyebrows went nuclear. "Maya, she doesn't talk to anyone. It's literally her thing."

"Exactly. No one knows anything about her. What if she's just... waiting for someone to actually say something?"

"Or what if she doesn't want to be bothered? Have you considered that?"

"Have you considered that's just what everyone assumes so no one tries?"

The bell saved Leo from having to respond.

At lunch, Maya found Aisha at her usual table. Her heart did something embarrassing and acrobatic. She walked over, legs feeling like they belonged to someone else.

"Hey," Maya managed. "Is that Dune?"

Aisha looked up, eyes lighting up. "Finally. Someone who actually reads."

Maya's brain short-circuited. "I—yeah. Frank Herbert is genius."

"Sit," Aisha said, moving her backpack. "Tell me you're not just another zombie in the academic apocalypse."

Maya laughed. "Only on Tuesdays. And after finals."

"Same. What's your poison?"

"AP everything. My social life is basically extinct."

Aisha smiled, and it transformed her face from sphinx-like inscrutable to something warm and electric. "Welcome to the club. We meet daily. Complaining about the pyramid scheme is mandatory."

Maya sat down, grinning like an idiot. The pyramid could wait. She'd just found something better.