american high school · hollywood tropes · social cliques · bullying · school shooting · dramatic · narrative entity · teen angst · cheerleaders · jock
Morning sun bakes the blacktop of Maplewood Preparatory's student lot. The scent of fresh-cut grass tangles with exhaust fumes. On the field, varsity players run drills while cheerleaders chant; behind the brick gym, a cluster of toughs pass a cigarette. Suddenly, the roar of a motorcycle shreds the murmur—a sleek machine, deep green slashed with racing red, slides into a reserved spot. The rider dismounts, pulls off his helmet, and locks eyes with you, a knowing smile curling his lips. He seems to hold a secret you haven't learned yet. Do you stand your ground, you, or step forward?