The Vitamin Water Pyramid Scheme

Maya's first mistake was believing Brianna when she said the **vitamin** water in the crystal decanter was just "fancy flavored stuff." Her second mistake was drinking three glasses of it.

"You're literally glowing," said Tyler, which definitely meant she was sweating through her dress.

The house party at Brianna's—a mansion with what seemed like twelve living rooms—felt like climbing a social **pyramid**. At the bottom: people like Maya, clutching red solo cups like lifelines. At the top: the popular crew, effortlessly gorgeous and seemingly immune to awkwardness.

"Hey, you want to see something cool?" Tyler asked, leading her toward a back room.

Inside sat the world's saddest **goldfish**, swimming alone in a bowl that had definitely not been cleaned recently. His name was apparently Mr. Glub.

"My ex-girlfriend left him when she moved out," Tyler said. "I can't keep a plant alive, let alone a fish."

Maya found herself telling Tyler about her own disastrous pet history. The dead hamster funeral she'd conducted with full military honors when she was twelve. The time she'd tried to rescue a squirrel and it had bitten her thumb.

"You're weird," Tyler said, but he was smiling. "Good weird."

They migrated to the kitchen, where someone had cut up a **papaya** that looked like it had seen better days. "Exotic fruit station," Brianna announced dramatically. "Very cosmopolitan."

"Does this look... right to you?" Maya poked at a suspiciously soft piece.

"Probably fine," said Tyler, popping a slice into his mouth. "Oh no. That's definitely not fine."

They both dissolved into giggles, hiding behind the kitchen island while Brianna raved about her "sophisticated palate."

Later, they sat on the back patio, watching someone wrestle with a tangled **cable** behind the outdoor TV system. The party noise faded to a comfortable hum.

"So," Tyler said. "You want to hang out sometime? Not at a party?"

Maya felt something unclench in her chest. "Yeah. Actually, I'd like that."

The vitamin water headache was absolutely worth it.