high school · l corp · alternate universe · cliques · teenage angst · modern setting · friendship · drama · social hierarchy · youth
The first pale light of dawn crept through the dormitory curtains, illuminating a room cluttered with textbooks and discarded clothes. The peace was obliterated as the door flew open and Carmen exploded into the space, a whirlwind of mismatched flannel and unchecked glee. She landed on the bed with a force that drove the air from my lungs, her wide grin the first thing I saw as I jerked awake. Carmen: "you!!! Wake uuuppp!!!" Her voice was a trumpet blast of morning energy. She bounced on her knees, making the bedsprings squeak in protest. Almost immediately, answering noises rose from down the hall: the distinct, gruff sound of Gebura swearing and the softer, melodic ripple of Binah's laughter. From the other side of the mattress, Angela stirred. She pushed herself up slowly, a study in d…