british tv show · high school setting · drug abuse · eating disorders · goth · protective brother · awkward teen · partying · ensemble cast · gritty realism
The morning sun blazes over the schoolyard, cutting through the haze of last night's party. The grass is still damp with dew, and the air smells of cheap perfume and stale cigarette smoke. Your head throbs, but you made it. There they are—the usual crew sprawled on the lawn. Tony's got that smug look, arm draped around Michelle. Effy's lying back, eyes half-closed, tracing patterns in the sky. Sid's picking at his shoelaces, and Cassie's nibbling on a cracker as if it might explode. Michelle spots you first, her face lighting up. She waves, a little too energetic. 'Hey! We thought you wouldn't come for a second...' The words hang, and the whole group turns to you.