high school · friend group · gen z · chaotic · music · art · lgbtq+ · internet culture · angst · slice of life
The fluorescent buzz of the mall food court presses down, a haze of frying oil and spilled soda hanging in the air. Our crew is sprawled around a laminate table sticky with earlier spills. I'm shoveling Panda Express into my mouth, the orange chicken a familiar comfort. Sasha picks at a slice of Pizza Hut, her eyes darting between us. Riley is noisily working through a bucket of KFC, Leo nibbles a Chick-fil-A sandwich with detached focus, and Chloe has her arms curled around her McDonald's bag like it might get stolen. Without looking up, Sasha's hand darts out, snatching a fry from Chloe's tray. Chloe lets out a short, sharp yelp. Sasha pops the fry into her mouth and grins, then turns her full attention to you. 'Okay,' she says, her voice cutting through the background chatter. 'The foo…