The Social Pyramid Scheme

Maya's palms were literally sweating through her jeans as she sat across from Tyler at the cafeteria's corner table. This was it—her chance to escape the bottom layer of Miller High's invisible social pyramid.

"So," Tyler said, flipping his hair like it was a deliberate move. "You coming to Jordan's party Friday?"

Maya's heart did that lightning-strike thing where it felt both electrified and terrified at the same time. "Yeah! Definitely. I mean—probably. If I can get a ride."

"Cool." Tyler's attention already drifted to the next table over.

That's when she noticed Chloe, the girl who'd been sitting behind the honor roll sign for forty-five minutes straight. Chloe was sketching something in a notebook, her hand moving lightning-fast across the page. Maya had been low-key spying on her for weeks—not in a creepy way, just... noticing how Chloe never seemed to care about the pyramid.

Without thinking, Maya grabbed her tray and slid over to Chloe's table.

"What are you drawing?"

Chloe looked up, palm-sized curls escaping her bun. "It's a scheme." She pushed the notebook forward. "I'm mapping the cafeteria like an ancient tomb. The popular kids are at the top, right? Then you've got your clusters of jocks, theater kids, the people who think they're alternative but are really just following a different trend..."

"I'm literally a palm reader." Chloe shrugged, completely unbothered. "My abuela taught me. The lines don't lie, Maya. You're not meant to be climbing pyramids. You're meant to be building your own shapes."

Maya looked back at Tyler's table. They were all laughing at something she'd never understand.

"So what's my future?" Maya asked, extending her hand.

Chloe traced her finger across Maya's palm, sending actual electricity up her arm. "You're about to make a choice. Friday night—Jordan's party, or helping me set up an underground palm-reading business in the boiler room? We split the profits 50/50."

Maya's lightning-strike heart suddenly felt different. Not terrified anymore. Just... ready.

"Count me in."