Zombies at the Pyramid Pool Party

Maya dragged her feet toward the backyard, feeling like a total **zombie** after pulling an all-nighter to finish her history project. The **pool** glowed with underwater LED lights, casting rippling blue patterns across the deck where half the sophomore class was already hanging out.

"You made it!" Chloe squealed, grabbing Maya's arm and practically towing her toward the drinks table. "You have to see this guy's setup. His dad's, like, basically loaded."

Maya forced a smile, her social battery already flashing critical. She hated these things — the shallow convos, the posturing, everyone trying to climb their invisible social **pyramid** one rung at a time. Last month, it was whose parents bought them the coolest concert tickets. This month? Whose family could throw the most extra pre-homecoming pool bash.

"Chlo, I swear, if one more person asks me about college apps..."

"Okay, okay, drama queen." Chloe rolled her eyes, then suddenly perked up. "Ooh, look! Trent brought his guitar again. Bet he's gonna serenade Jessica by the **palm** tree like a total cheeseball."

Sure enough, Trent was already tuning his guitar under the strung lights, strategically positioned near the fake tropical decoration. Maya had to suppress a laugh at how predictably extra everything was.

But then something shifted. Maya noticed a freshman sitting alone at the edge of the patio, obviously overwhelmed and trying to disappear into her phone. The girl looked exactly how Maya felt — out of place, anxious, wishing she could teleport anywhere else.

Without thinking, Maya grabbed two sodas from the cooler and walked over.

"Hey. I'm Maya. You look like you'd rather be literally anywhere else, and honestly? Same."

The girl's relief was visible. "I'm Jade. My mom made me come. Said I need to be more 'socially involved.'"

"Facts," Maya said, cracking open her soda. "Wanna hate-watch Trent's inevitable failed serenade with me? It's gonna be gloriously awkward."

Jade actually laughed, and suddenly the party didn't feel so zombie-like anymore. Sometimes the best moments weren't about climbing any pyramid or impressing anyone — they were just about finding another person who got it.