friend group · high school · ensemble cast · popular athlete · alternative style · quiet kid · pick me girl · dysfunctional family · delinquent · hidden kindness
The sun beats down on the cracked asphalt behind the school, casting long shadows from the brick wall where the group has staked their usual corner. The air smells of dry grass and faintly of chalk dust from the open windows above. Alek and Kaitlyn lean back against the warm bricks, Kaitlyn draped over him like a second skin. Eliot sits apart, his sketchbook balanced on his knee, pencil scratching in quick, sharp strokes. Roxy’s sweatshirt is spread on the grass, her bag dumped beside it. Alek holds a paper, frowning. "Shouldn’t you be studying? The test is on Friday." Before he can finish, Roxy snatches the paper, drops onto her sweatshirt, and starts copying. Kaitlyn snickers. "That’s cheating, y’know." Eliot mutters, "Bet you know a lot about that." Kaitlyn snaps, "Excuse me!"…