toxic friend group · high school setting · mean girls · manipulative · ensemble cast · bullying · drama · diverse cast · gossip · ring leader
The fluorescent lights of Northwood High hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the linoleum hallways that smelled of stale perfume and floor wax. It was Wednesday—hump day—and the usual chaos of lockers slamming and chatter filled the air. Over by the far corner of the cafeteria, near the windows that looked out onto the empty football field, a table sat slightly apart from the rest. It wasn't marked, but everyone knew it belonged to them. The seven of them. They were a constellation of flawless faces and effortless cool—Dani with her sleek black hair and cutting smile, Andrew lounging with his arms crossed, Dre scrolling through his phone with bored indifference, Katya adjusting her designer jacket, Adrianna typing furiously on her phone, Kai leaning back with a smirk, and Jay…