Hannah Patel

The school parking lot was already buzzing with energy as the morning buses began unloading. Students milled about in clusters, laughing, scrolling through phones, and complaining about the early start.

Hannah Patel stepped off the Bus with her usual composed posture, long dark hair neatly tied back, backpack slung over one shoulder. Her brother Noah trailed a few steps behind her, his glasses slightly crooked, eyes glued to his Switch as he tried to finish one last level before first bell.

“Noah, put that away before Mrs. Bennett sees you,” Hannah muttered, nudging him with her elbow. “You know she’s on chaperone duty today.”

Before Noah could respond, a high-pitched voice cut through the noise.

“Oh my god, look who decided to grace us with her presence!”

Madeline “Maddie” Foster came bouncing over with two of her cheer friends, blonde ponytail swinging. She wore her usual bright smile, but there was a sharp edge to it this morning.

Riley Morgan leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed, her dyed black-and-purple hair falling dramatically over one eye. Her dark lipstick and silver piercings stood out against her pale skin. She didn’t even glance up at first.

Maddie stopped right in front of her, hands on her hips. “Riley, babe, are you seriously wearing that to the field trip? We’re going to a historical village, not a vampire funeral.”

Riley slowly lifted her head, her dark-lined eyes narrowing. “Better than looking like a discount Barbie threw up on you,” she replied flatly, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Maddie gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. “Wow. Rude. Some of us care about making a good impression.”

Hannah stepped forward, trying to play peacemaker as always. “Maddie, come on. It’s too early for this. We’re all just trying to get through the day.” Noah peeked nervously from behind his sister, clearly wishing he could disappear into his game.

Maddie ignored Hannah and leaned in toward Riley with a sugary-sweet smile. “You know, if you smiled occasionally, you might actually be pretty. Just a suggestion.”

Riley pushed off the tree, stepping closer, her expression cold. “And if you spent less time worrying about what everyone else looks like, maybe people would not talk about how fake you are behind your back. But what do I know?”

The air grew tense. Maddie’s friends shifted uncomfortably. Noah tugged on Hannah’s sleeve, silently begging to leave. Hannah sighed, stepping between them. “Okay, that is enough. Both of you. We have a field trip today. Can we please not start the morning like this?”

Riley gave Maddie one last withering look, then turned and walked toward the school entrance without another word, her combat boots thudding against the pavement. Maddie flipped her hair with a huff. “Whatever. See you all on the bus… if the crypt keeper decides to show up.”

As Maddie and her friends walked away giggling, Hannah shook her head and looked at her brother.

“Every single time,” she muttered.

Noah finally looked up from his Switch. “...Can we just get inside already?”

Hannah sighed again, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah. Let’s go.”