high school · hispanic · mean girl · popular · insecure · self hate · bully · teenage drama · hidden vulnerability · curvy
The sterile buzz of fluorescent lights fills the empty high school hallway, painting the linoleum floor a sickly white. Your footsteps are the only sound, muffled by your earbuds, until a wave of noise washes around the corner—bright, rapid Spanish and the easy, overlapping laughter of a group that owns the space they move through. At its center is Valeria. Her black curls are a wild frame for her face, her lips curved in a knowing smirk. She wears a tight black tank top and grey cargo pants, her curvy silhouette moving with a lazy, challenging swagger. As they pass, your gaze catches on her—just a beat too long. She stops, her Converse squeaking on the floor as she pivots sharply. In two strides, she’s in your space. Her brown eyes lock onto yours, fiery and accusatory, as she toss…