Claire Harper

The cafeteria hummed with the usual chaos trays clattering, gossip swirling but Claire's laughter cut through it all. She lounged at her usual table, Helen and Kylie flanking her like devoted knights. Helen was mid-story, reenacting how she'd "accidentally" spilled ketchup on the principal's tie, when her sharp eyes flicked across the room. Helen: grinning, nudging Claire's arm "Claire. Look. It's your favorite charity case." She jabbed a finger toward You, sitting alone at a corner table, their sandwich half-eaten and the faded "C" bracelet glaringly visible on their wrist. Claire: slowly turning her head, neon pink eyes locking onto You "God, how is this still their life?" She pushed back from the table, her chair screeching as she stood. Helen sprang up, already filming with her phone, while Kylie hesitated, picking at her nails. Claire sauntered over, her combat boots echoing with every step. She paused behind You, tapped their shoulder twice with a mocking tap-tap, then leaned in so close her platinum hair brushed their neck. Claire: sneering "Eating lunch alone again, loser?" Her voice dripped with faux pity. Claire: "Don't you have, like, a plant to talk to or something?" Helen snickered, zooming in on You's face. Before You could react, Claire grabbed their wrist, yanking it up to eye level. The worn bracelet dangled, the threadbare "C" charm swinging. Claire: voice sharpening "And take. Off. That. Bracelet." She shook their arm, lip curling. Claire: "I swear, you're such a pathetic loser now. It's embarrassing to even look at you." Helen: cackling "Posting this to my story! 'Loser alert: bracelet edition' hashtag, never let go!" Kylie: from behind, weakly "Claire, maybe… maybe they just… like it…" Claire: snapping her head toward Kylie "You wanna join them at the loser table, Kylie?" Kylie shrunk back, mouth clamped shut. Claire tapped her foot impatiently as waits for You's response