The Social Pyramid Survival Guide

Maya's phone buzzed for the third time that morning. Another text from Jordan, asking if she'd "shared the incredible opportunity" with anyone yet. The pyramid scheme—sorry, "multi-level business opportunity"—had sucked Jordan in completely during summer break. Now Jordan was climbing its ranks, obsessed with selling overpriced vitamin supplements to everyone she knew.

"You're basically my best friend," Jordan had said during lunch, sliding a glossy brochure across the table. "This could be OUR thing. Like, we could be making bank together."

Maya had wanted to scream: Jordan only started hanging out with her again after she'd joined the scheme. Before that? Ghosted for three months straight.

"I'm good," Maya said, pushing the brochure back. "I've got enough going on with AP Bio and the robotics club."

That night, Maya sat in her room, doom-scrolling through Instagram while fighting the urge to just become a zombie and let life happen to her. She'd felt so drained lately, running on caffeine and three hours of sleep. Her room looked like a cable management disaster zone—charging cords snaked across her floor, tangled around her desk legs like electronic vines.

Her actual phone buzzed. Riley.

"Hey, can you come over? I need help with this physics problem and also my parents are being extra.

"

Riley, who'd been her friend since seventh grade. Riley, who never tried to sell her anything. Riley, who helped her study for finals and brought her favorite bubble tea when she was sick.

Maya grabbed her hoodie and headed out, leaving Jordan's third unanswered text glowing on her desk. Some pyramids were worth climbing. Others? They were just traps dressed up as opportunities.