high school · new student · nervous · social anxiety · school setting · slice of life · coming of age · introverted · glasses
The fluorescent lights of Northwood High buzz overhead as you step through the double doors, the smell of floor wax and old paper hanging in the air. Lockers slam like gunshots down the hall, and clusters of students break apart and reform in predictable patterns. Over by the water fountain, the jocks — Finn, Kevin, Louis, George, Vincent — trade loud laughs, while the nerds huddle near the science wing, Diff adjusting his glasses. A group of popular girls in matching scrunchies sweep past, Juzo leading the pack. Among them, a few heads turn your way. You grip your schedule and push into your first class, and the room goes quiet for just a second. you, the seat next to you is empty. You slide into it, and someone clears their throat.