The first thing I noticed about North Shore High was the noise.
Not loud noise—worse.
Whispers.
Every hallway felt like a stage. Girls walked around like they were models, boys acted like they owned the world, and somehow everyone already knew everyone’s business before first period even started.
And then there was me.
Katie.
The “new girl.”
I had just moved from another state after my mom got a new job, and honestly? I already hated it here. The school was huge, confusing, and filled with people who looked way too perfect for a Tuesday morning.
I stood in the hallway clutching my schedule while people brushed past me.
“Lost?”
I looked up to see a girl with dark curls and sharp eyeliner smiling at me. Beside her stood a tall boy carrying three textbooks and a coffee.
“I’m Janis,” she said. “And that’s Damian.”
“Hi,” Damian said dramatically. “Welcome to the jungle.”
You laughed nervously.
Janis leaned closer. “Okay, quick survival guide. Don’t walk too slow, don’t sit at random tables, and whatever you do—”
Her eyes suddenly widened.
“Oh no.”
The hallway went quiet.
Literally quiet.
Like people were scared to breathe.
Three girls walked through the center of the hall together like they were celebrities entering a red carpet event.
The girl in the middle was stunning. Long glossy blonde hair, perfect makeup, pink mini skirt, heels that somehow clicked louder than everyone else’s shoes combined.
Regina George.
On her left was Gretchen Wieners, nervous-looking but gorgeous.
On her right was Karen Smith, pretty with the kind of smile that looked permanently confused.
“That,” Damian whispered, “is the Plastics.”
Regina’s eyes landed on you instantly.
She slowed down.
The entire hallway watched.
“Well,” Regina said softly, looking you up and down, “who’s this?”
Your stomach tightened.
Janis immediately stepped forward. “She’s new.”
Regina ignored her completely and kept staring at you.
“You’re really pretty,” Regina said. “Like… weirdly pretty.”
Karen blinked. “She kind of looks like she’d star in an indie movie.”
Gretchen nodded too fast. “Yeah. Totally.”
Regina smiled.
It wasn’t a nice smile.
“You should sit with us at lunch.”
Janis nearly choked.
Damian whispered, “Oh my God.”
Because nobody got invited by Regina George on the first day.
Nobody.
Regina handed you a pink card with her number written on it in glitter pen.
“Wear pink tomorrow,” she said casually. “See you, Katie.”
And just like that, the Plastics walked away.
The hallway exploded into whispers again.
Janis slowly turned toward you.
“…Do you realize what just happened?”