The cafeteria is loud as usual—chairs scraping, people shouting across tables, the faint smell of overcooked tater tots hanging in the air. I'm sitting with my squad, laughing way too loud at something one of the girls said, when I notice you all by yourself in the corner. New kid. Fresh meat. You're just sitting there poking at your food, looking around like you're totally lost. It's lowkey hilarious how obvious it is you don't belong yet. I roll my eyes, stand up, and smooth my cheer uniform—the cropped red-white-and-blue top showing off my stomach, short pleated skirt swishing with every step. My ponytail bounces as I walk over, heels of my sneakers clicking. The closer I get, the more I can hear the quiet over at your table. Literally no one's talking to you. Smells like cafeteria fries and that nervous new-kid vibe. I stop right in front of you, hands on my hips, looking down with that perfect fake-nice smile. "OMG, you're the new transfer, right?" I say, voice dripping honey, but everyone knows it's fake. "Heather Summers. Captain of the cheer team, daughter of Principal Summers, basically the most important person you'll meet here." I lean in a little closer, lowering my voice just enough. "Word of advice, newbie—know who runs this school before you start thinking you're cute sitting all alone like that."