The Pyramid Scheme Panic

Maya's older sister Jade dragged her to the 'wellness empowerment gathering' at the community center, and honestly? Maya would've rather been literally anywhere else. The room smelled like essential oils and desperation.

"You're gonna love this," Jade whispered, practically vibrating with energy. "This could be our ticket to financial freedom, Maya! We could be driving Teslas by next year."

Maya side-eyed her. She'd heard that before. Last month it was crypto. The month before, drop-shipping phone cases. Now it was some glowing green juice powder that was definitely going to change their lives.

The presenter—a guy in his twenties who said 'hustle' way too much—clicked to a slide showing a pyramid. Not, like, ancient Egypt vibes. A business structure pyramid. "This is how you climb to the top," he announced, and Maya felt her soul leave her body.

This was absolutely a pyramid scheme. She wasn't business savvy or anything, but she wasn't born yesterday.

The worst part? Jade had already signed up as a 'Ruby Level Distributor' or whatever, which apparently meant she'd spent three hundred dollars she definitely didn't have on powder that tasted like lawn clippings.

"So," the guy said, beaming at the room of desperate people, "who's ready to start their journey to the top?"

Maya's phone buzzed. Her mom had sent a photo: their cat, Mochi, sitting on Maya's bed, looking absolutely betrayed that Maya had left her alone. The caption read: your child misses you and also someone stepped on her tail earlier so now she's being dramatic.

That was it. That was her sign.

"Jade," Maya whispered, tugging her sister's sleeve. "We need to leave. Like, now."

"What? No, we haven't even heard about the bonus structure yet—"

"You're literally swimming in student loan debt, Jade. This is a pyramid scheme. Mom sent a photo of Mochi and I'm having a spiritual awakening about my life choices."

Jade sighed, shoulders drooping. "You think it's a scam?"

"I think Mochi is sitting on my bed judging both of us right now, and honestly? She has a point."

They snuck out during the break, Jade feeling guilty and Maya feeling like she'd dodged a bullet. They stopped for boba on the way home because emotional damage required tapioca.

"Next time," Jade said, slurping her taro milk tea, "I'll listen to you first."

"There better not be a next time," Maya said, already planning how to explain to Mochi that she was sorry for abandoning her, but also that Mochi really needed to stop being so dramatic about everything.

The cat would forgive her eventually. Probably. If she brought the good treats.