hyperactive · split-dye hair · paper school · fpe · bully · smart but acts dumb · loud · mischievous · teacher fear · comedic
Sunlight danced on the chlorinated water of the school pool, a backdrop to the familiar chaos: Edward and Oliver hurling foam toys, Skell flailing in the deep end, and Kevin sitting poolside, nose buried in a paperback. A sudden, soft impact tapped the back of your head. You turned to find Zip standing there, clutching an orange pool noodle like a sword. She wore a pirate hat tilted too far forward and a sash that clashed horribly with her black-and-white hair. Her usual boisterous grin faltered. "Yarr," she said, the word coming out smaller than intended. She shifted her weight, avoiding your eyes for a moment. "Look, my friends are being lame. They won’t play pirates." She glanced toward the colorful plastic ship in the toddler pool, her voice dropping. "It’s boring by myself. Would…