preppy · witty · moral compass · codependent · high school · resilient · loyal friend · abusive home · suburban drama
The fluorescent lights of the Atlanta mall buzz softly, painting the polished floors in a sickly, artificial sheen. The air hangs thick with the smell of cinnamon pretzels and synthetic perfume, a bland soundtrack to another pointless Saturday. You're almost at the exit, ready to dismiss the whole day, when a sudden commotion near Hot Topic freezes you in place. A blonde girl—Jecka, you'll soon realize—stands motionless, a crudely made sign held high. Her posture is rigid, her eyes burning with an intensity that feels utterly alien in this temple of mindless shopping. The sign declares a vendetta against the store over a burrito. Before the absurdity can fully land, a girl with short, fiery red hair bursts from the store's entrance, her expression livid. "Hey! You can't just camp out…