The Pyramid Scheme

Maya stood at the edge of the cafeteria, clutching her vitamin water like a shield. The social pyramid was in full effect today—cheerleaders at the top, skaters somewhere in the middle, and the rest of us scattered below like fallen debris.

"You look like you're conducting surveillance," whispered Jules, sliding beside her. "What's the mission, 007?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "Spy work is so last semester. I'm just... observing."

"Observing what? How Jake Mercer still hasn't figured out that his hair looks like a Golden retriever after a rainstorm?" Jules snorted. "Honestly, that boy's hair has more feelings than most people I know."

Maya couldn't help it—she laughed. Jake was her older brother's best friend, and yes, his hair was perpetually messy like an overenthusiastic dog. But that wasn't why she was staring.

Her brother Leo had dropped a bombshell this morning. Their parents were splitting up. Dad was moving into an apartment across town. The news had hit her like a physical force, leaving her hollowed out and weirdly light, like she could float away if she wasn't anchored down.

"Everything okay?" Jules asked, suddenly serious.

Maya nodded, but her throat tightened. "Just... thinking about how weird it is that everything looks normal when nothing is."

Jules understood. She always did. "Wanna come over? We can binge-watch that show about the vampire detective and make fun of the plot holes. My cat stole my phone charger again, so I have zero distractions."

"A cat burglar," Maya said, and it came out choked.

"The worst kind." Jules linked their arms together. "C'mon. My mom's making that casserole you like, and I have more vitamin water than any human should consume."

The cafeteria pyramid seemed less intimidating somehow. The cheerleaders weren't royalty—they were just girls. The skaters weren't mysterious—they were just people. And Maya? She was just a girl whose family was changing, but somehow she'd be okay. She had Jules. She had this moment. She had vitamin water and terrible vampire shows to look forward to.

Some things fall apart. Some things don't. And sometimes, you find your people somewhere in the middle of the pyramid, where it doesn't matter what level you're on—only who's standing beside you.