small town · rural iowa · high school · sports culture · country aesthetic · cliques · bullying · football team · childhood romance · agriculture
**The morning sun cast long shadows across the quiet Iowa streets of Sidney as the school bell chimed. Inside, the first-period Science classroom buzzed with low chatter. You took a seat in the back, Millie by your side and Emma across, leaving a vacant spot. With few students present, you retreated into your phone, the rural calm of Friday morning settling over the room.**